Review of "The Miraculous" by Jess Redman

Most of the books I read are YA, however, since I’m currently writing an MG (middle-grade) book, I’ve made it a priority to read more MG. To be a better writer, I always need to read more in the genre and category I’m writing in. So when I was on the hunt for an MG book, I wanted to find some new releases, as well as old favorites.

​As I researched new releases, I discovered The Miraculous written by author Jess Redman.

Who Published the Book?

The book was published by Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, which is an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group. Since its release in July 2019, The Miraculous has gained a 4-star rating on Goodreads, with 526 ratings and 167 reviews.

My Review

The cover drew me in before I read the description because it’s absolutely gorgeous! Jess Redman's writing is beautiful and lyrical. Even though the story has magical elements, it's set in a realistic setting in a small town called Branch Hill.

The plot follows two middle-grade kids who have run into each other at a graveyard, where they’re both struggling with their emotions over death. Pretty quickly, they become unexpected friends as they both notice something peculiar: the DoorWay House.

I really enjoyed the DoorWay House, which is where the adventure begins to take shape. You see, both kids think a witch lives there, and her sudden presence in the abandoned house raises even more questions, questions they want answers to. 

If you love middle-grade books or have been wanting to dip your toes into the middle-grade waters, this is a great book to add to your list. The reading is smooth and lovely, and the length isn't too long or short. Now that I’ve read Jess Redman’s first book ever published, I can’t wait to read her second book: Quintessence.