The Other Valley

This is a quiet gem of a novel. Scott Alexander Howard takes a unique premise and executes it beautifully – never relying too heavily on his fantastical plot device to convey young Odile's heartfelt story.

I loved the exploration of the moral and practical reasons a citizen should and should not be allowed to visit their neighboring valley to the east (20 years into their future) and to the west (20 years into their past). A more scrupulous reader might uncover some time travel plot holes here that I tried not to think too hard about – but if you suspend your disbelief and take the story at face value, you'll find a thought-provoking and wistful tale that I, for one, greatly enjoyed.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

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Odile is a 16 year old girl living in a valley surrounded on either side by identical valleys - except the valley to the west is 20 years in the past, and the one to the east is 20 years in the future. She competes for a seat on the Conseil, a privileged position that controls the strictly regulated travel between valleys.

One day Odile recognizes two Visitors as the future parents of her friend Edme. Approval for visitors from the future town is rare unless to visit a dead loved one, signaling trouble for Edme, with whom Odile has been growing closer. Keeping this secret is crucial for her future and the timeline itself. But as her feelings for Edme grow stronger, can she watch and do nothing?

This debut novel seamlessly blends speculative fiction and philosophical exploration. Part science fiction, part coming-of-age story, it asks you: how far you would go to save someone you love? Initially young and impressionable, Odile grapples with identity, belonging, and the nuances of relationships, transforming into a woman burdened by her past, confronting the repercussions of her actions.

The prose is gorgeous and lyrical and a pure joy to read. My only criticism is that the author doesn't use quotation marks when characters speak, which initially made it challenging to read.

As I've gotten older, stories about memory, consequences, time and regret resonate more deeply. Anyone who has experienced loss will relate to Odile's story. I lost my mother to cancer 13 years ago, and what wouldn't I do to see her one more time? What if I could change her fate at the expense of someone else? This novel raises profound questions about morality, right vs wrong, and the essence of existence.

I think this book is a beautiful and poignant read, establishing Howard as an author to watch. I promise I'll be thinking about this book for a long time to come.

Rating: 2.72 leaves out of 5-Characters: 3/5 -Cover: 4/5-Story: 2.75/5-Writing: 2/5Genre: Fantasy, LitFic, Magic Realism, Time Travel-Fantasy: 4/5-LitFic: 1/5-Magic Realism: 1/5-Time Travel: 4/5Type: EbookWorth?: EhHated Disliked Meh It Was Okay Liked Really Liked LovedWant to thank Netgalley and publishers for giving me the chance to read this book.Where to even start? The good? I liked the concept of the story. The going to the past and present just by something simple. There were some sad parts but the writing style ruined a good bit for me, on top the whole “love” part. It needed some clean up, in my opinion. I don't know why Scott thought that writing style was the best.