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The Magic Library of Waterfall Way
Not yet published
Expected 25 Aug 26A cozy middle grade fantasy pitched as Greenwild meets Kiki’s Delivery Service, in which a wandering young girl cursed with bad luck must save an enchanted library to find her forever home.
The Alterran Empire hasn’t had an Unremarkable born in centuries . . . until Lyra Hunt. All Lyra wants is a guild to call home—preferably one with a library full of storybooks—but because of her cursed fate, nearly everyone has rejected her.
Then Lyra stumbles upon the secretive Guild of Scholars in the cozy little village of Waterfall Way. With their tight-knit community and magical Library, this might finally be the perfect place for her. To be accepted, though, she must recover the Scholars’ crystal, the source of their magic that was lost in a terrifying fire. With the help of a mischievous new furry friend, Lyra will try to brave the Library’s cursed halls.
Lyra may have an Extremely Unremarkable past, but she’ll do whatever it takes to find a guild—and a home—where she belongs.
The Alterran Empire hasn’t had an Unremarkable born in centuries . . . until Lyra Hunt. All Lyra wants is a guild to call home—preferably one with a library full of storybooks—but because of her cursed fate, nearly everyone has rejected her.
Then Lyra stumbles upon the secretive Guild of Scholars in the cozy little village of Waterfall Way. With their tight-knit community and magical Library, this might finally be the perfect place for her. To be accepted, though, she must recover the Scholars’ crystal, the source of their magic that was lost in a terrifying fire. With the help of a mischievous new furry friend, Lyra will try to brave the Library’s cursed halls.
Lyra may have an Extremely Unremarkable past, but she’ll do whatever it takes to find a guild—and a home—where she belongs.
Unknown Binding
Expected publication August 25, 2026
4 people are currently reading
144 people want to read
About the author
Julie Abe
8 books599 followersJulie Abe is the author of the EVA EVERGREEN, SEMI-MAGICAL WITCH middle grade fantasy series; the middle grade fantasy ALLIANA, GIRL OF DRAGONS; and the young adult novel THE CHARMED LIST. She has lived in Silicon Valley, spent many humid summers in Japan, and currently basks in the sunshine of Southern California with never enough books or tea, where she creates stories about magical adventures.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A love letter to books, libraries, and readers.
Lyra is a wonderful main character and this is a fantastic book full of whimsy, charm, and the importance of family--both blood and found. There's also a solid through line of finding your place in the world and how life-changing that can be.
A wonderful addition to Abe's library of work.
Lyra is a wonderful main character and this is a fantastic book full of whimsy, charm, and the importance of family--both blood and found. There's also a solid through line of finding your place in the world and how life-changing that can be.
A wonderful addition to Abe's library of work.
December 17, 2025
Such a cute story! I loved it.
“Librarian: A treasure hunter who helps their patrons search for books, and kindle a lifelong love of learning.”
“Librarian: A treasure hunter who helps their patrons search for books, and kindle a lifelong love of learning.”
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was adorable. A perfect middle grade fantasy for book and library lovers.
note: I read this as a free eARC from Netgalley
note: I read this as a free eARC from Netgalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
**I was given an ARC copy of this story in return for an honest review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This was a cute book. It will make a fun addition to my classroom library someday
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews