Seven Wherewithal Way

While their parents are on holiday, Celeste and her younger sister Esme are staying at their grandmother’s house. Neither of them are having a good time: Esme yearns for adventure and excitement, while Celeste has been asked to keep her safe. Esme thinks Celeste is boring, and Celeste is worried she’s right.

When their mysterious cousin Ferdinand crash-lands in their garden and asks if they’d like to go to Seven Wherewithal Way—a house that acts as a gateway between realms—Esme and Celeste agree. They’re immediately drawn into turmoil. Ferdinand goes with Logan to the Realm of Forests and is kidnapped by poleviks—people made of straw. Esme, Celeste, and Logan decide to make the dangerous journey to recover Ferdinand. Celeste may have been called a bore in the past, but she’s integral to the rescue mission.

Times only grow more dangerous from there. Ferdinand (who is referred to by they/them pronouns), Celeste, Esme, and Logan venture out on the trail of the Leshy, an ancient tree who once knew Ferd’s mentor the Green Man. The Leshy is on the run, and a mysterious message indicates that he may be in danger—and that Wherewithal is in danger too. They’re being pursued by the Baba Yaga, who has enlisted the help of rusalki and a vodyanoi to get her hands on a Hagstone.

Across multiple realms, facing off against creatures from folklore around the human world, Celeste begins to prove her mettle as an adventurer. But the more time they spend with Ferd, the more questions go unanswered: how are they related to Ferd? Does Ferd really have their best interests at heart? Is Ferd even human anymore?

In a heart-racing final showdown, the Baba Yaga wrestles for possession of the Hagstone with Celeste. She gets it, but the Leshy is able to thwart her in his final moments before passing away. The Leshy has sent sprouts across the realms, and he will be remembered.

When Celeste and Esme return home this time, they know another adventure is in their future—but who knows when or where!

A high-octane adventure full of witty banter, larger-than-life characters, folkloric creatures, and mystery. Percy Jackson meets Nevermoor as our intrepid heroes travel through wondrous worlds, encounter mythical creatures, and use all their willpower and knowledge to foil evil plots. There are hints to a greater overarching story, as a sinister statue of Pan in Wherewithal talks to Celeste, and it’s unclear what his end goal may be. Based on this excellent read, this series is definitely one to watch for!

folklore, fairy tales, mythology, adventure, action, rescue, chase, feuds, mystery, other worlds, portals, fantasy, coming-of-age

1. Elements from myths, folk tales, and fairy tales appear throughout. Some of these are invented for the book, including “hagstone spirits”, the result of someone’s body being separated from their mind in a portal. Some are from myths and legends, for example rusalki—spirits of women killed by men—from Slavic folklore. 2. Celeste slaps Logan to break the rusalka’s hold over him—similar to a siren or mermaid (p. 244). 3. The Domovoy smokes tobacco from a pipe (p. 273). 4. Celeste and Logan are implied to be crushing on one another, but they never discuss it.