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What if dreams could reshape your destiny?A mesmerizing blend of contemporary literary fiction, coming-of-age fantasy and metaphysical exploration. Perfect for readers drawn to introspective narratives filled with magic, emotional depth, and immersive storytelling.
A shattered sense of home, a love story, and a quest—in a bittersweet novel of family, loss, and self-discovery.
Where the line between fiction and reality blurs...Their homeland was the only haven in the shadowy realm of Azure—until the unthinkable happened.
Forced to flee, Tyra and her parents seek refuge—first in a hostile village, where kindness is scarce, then in the dreary city of Moonvine, where social isolation thrives.
Burdened by loss and longing for change, Tyra stumbles upon a mythical woodland, uncovering hidden worlds and an unexpected connection to a legendary realm—a place said to call dreamers home with a glowing maple leaf. But to receive the invitation, she must face her shadow and discover where she truly belongs.
Guided by forbidden books, mystical allies, and the power of lucid dreams, Tyra embarks on a transformative journey as the line between fiction and reality begins to blur.
Will she find the courage to embrace the unknown and let go of the past, or will her shadow twist into a furious, untamed force?
Content This novel explores themes of grief, beast attacks, and mental health struggles. Yet at its heart, it’s a journey that embraces nostalgia, family bonds, and the beauty of human existence.
Recommended for mature audiences and fans of literary fantasy, magical realism, and metaphysical journeys.
Readers have fallen in love with this
'Wow! What a hidden gem! It's an intriguing and absorbing story! The writing is atmospheric and poetic; it carries even the heaviest emotions with an effortless flow of warmth and coziness. Magical realism intertwines with psychological depth, using dreamlike elements to reflect reality as it is—layered, elusive, and deeply human.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'An enchanting tale with atmospheric storytelling.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A truly delightful experience—like stepping into a vivid, enchanting dream. Tyra’s journey of loss, self-discovery, and magic captivated me from the start, and I cherished every beautifully crafted moment.'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Fascinating, Impossible to stop reading. It reminds me of the warmth of childhood, offering both comfort and awareness of unhealed wounds. It's a unique blend of cozy fantasy and a powerful psychological tool.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A beautifully written story! The sensory details are exceptional! Blending fantasy, folklore, and a deep understanding of human nature, this dreamlike tale holds both emotional depth and unexpected wisdom.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Perfect for readers who love multilayered, emotionally rich stories.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Fantastic book, blending cozy fantasy with deep psychological themes.
A shattered sense of home, a love story, and a quest—in a bittersweet novel of family, loss, and self-discovery.
Where the line between fiction and reality blurs...Their homeland was the only haven in the shadowy realm of Azure—until the unthinkable happened.
Forced to flee, Tyra and her parents seek refuge—first in a hostile village, where kindness is scarce, then in the dreary city of Moonvine, where social isolation thrives.
Burdened by loss and longing for change, Tyra stumbles upon a mythical woodland, uncovering hidden worlds and an unexpected connection to a legendary realm—a place said to call dreamers home with a glowing maple leaf. But to receive the invitation, she must face her shadow and discover where she truly belongs.
Guided by forbidden books, mystical allies, and the power of lucid dreams, Tyra embarks on a transformative journey as the line between fiction and reality begins to blur.
Will she find the courage to embrace the unknown and let go of the past, or will her shadow twist into a furious, untamed force?
Content This novel explores themes of grief, beast attacks, and mental health struggles. Yet at its heart, it’s a journey that embraces nostalgia, family bonds, and the beauty of human existence.
Recommended for mature audiences and fans of literary fantasy, magical realism, and metaphysical journeys.
Readers have fallen in love with this
'Wow! What a hidden gem! It's an intriguing and absorbing story! The writing is atmospheric and poetic; it carries even the heaviest emotions with an effortless flow of warmth and coziness. Magical realism intertwines with psychological depth, using dreamlike elements to reflect reality as it is—layered, elusive, and deeply human.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'An enchanting tale with atmospheric storytelling.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A truly delightful experience—like stepping into a vivid, enchanting dream. Tyra’s journey of loss, self-discovery, and magic captivated me from the start, and I cherished every beautifully crafted moment.'⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Fascinating, Impossible to stop reading. It reminds me of the warmth of childhood, offering both comfort and awareness of unhealed wounds. It's a unique blend of cozy fantasy and a powerful psychological tool.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'A beautifully written story! The sensory details are exceptional! Blending fantasy, folklore, and a deep understanding of human nature, this dreamlike tale holds both emotional depth and unexpected wisdom.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Perfect for readers who love multilayered, emotionally rich stories.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Fantastic book, blending cozy fantasy with deep psychological themes.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 1, 2024
About the author
Natalie Kaminsky
2 books18 followersNatalie Kaminsky (NZ Kaminsky) lives in a quiet suburb of Ottawa with her family. A lifelong reader and newborn writer, she finds comfort in rustling leaves, well-worn pages, and time spent in solitude. She holds a degree in Behavioral Science, has pursued further studies in language and literature, and spent years teaching before turning to writing full-time.
Her furry companions often find their way into her stories, keeping her company as she builds worlds where reality and dreams blur. When she’s not writing, she enjoys wandering through small towns and forests, sharing slow picnics, or getting lost in a good book.
Drawing from her background and passions, Natalie writes introspective, immersive stories where psychology, mindfulness, and imagination intertwine to explore what it means to be human.
She practices daily Vipassana meditation and swears by the healing power of an immersive story.
Her furry companions often find their way into her stories, keeping her company as she builds worlds where reality and dreams blur. When she’s not writing, she enjoys wandering through small towns and forests, sharing slow picnics, or getting lost in a good book.
Drawing from her background and passions, Natalie writes introspective, immersive stories where psychology, mindfulness, and imagination intertwine to explore what it means to be human.
She practices daily Vipassana meditation and swears by the healing power of an immersive story.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 9, 2025
Book Review: Sense of Home by NZ Kaminsky
Rating: 4.7/5
Analysis & Thematic Depth
NZ Kaminsky’s Sense of Home is a masterful blend of literary fiction and mystical realism that explores displacement and inner transformation through a psychologically rich lens. The novel’s greatest strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of Tyra’s dual journey, both through physical wastelands like Marigold and Moonvine and the dreamscapes that become her emotional refuge. Kaminsky’s prose oscillates between lyrical melancholy (particularly in descriptions of lost homelands) and startling magical realism (embodied by the intelligent squirrel guide), though some transitions between these modes feel abrupt.
Themes of family bonds, nostalgia, and the beauty of human existence are rendered with poignant specificity, especially in Tyra’s strained relationship with her parents. However, secondary characters—particularly those in the grim villages—often serve as atmospheric props rather than fully realized individuals. The nine original black-and-white illustrations (a rare treat in adult literary fiction) deepen the sensory experience but occasionally clash with the text’s ethereal tone.
Reader Reactions & Emotional Impact
As someone who has experienced cultural displacement, I found Tyra’s disconnection from everything familiar viscerally relatable. A passage where she describes Azure’s lost landscapes as a heartbeat she can no longer feel left me breathless—Kaminsky articulates grief’s physicality with rare precision. The dream sequences, while occasionally overwrought, evoked my own experiences of lucid dreaming as emotional catharsis.
Yet I struggled with the pacing of Tyra’s empowerment arc. Her sudden mastery of dream travel in Moonvine’s section felt unearned compared to the meticulous buildup of her earlier struggles. The squirrel guide’s whimsy sometimes undermined the gravity of Tyra’s trauma, though this may reflect Kaminsky’s intent to mirror the dissonance of refugee experiences.
Constructive Criticism
-Pacing: The middle section sags under excessive dream symbolism; 20 fewer pages would sharpen the narrative thrust.
-Character Development: Villagers in Marigold/Moonvine lack distinct voices, missing opportunities for social commentary.
-Tonal Balance: Magical elements occasionally trivialize the very real trauma of displacement.
How I would describe this book:
- For fans of The Night Circus’s enchantment and Exit West’s refugee lyricism
- A love letter to lost homelands, written in dream ink
- Kaminsky makes grief shimmer like starlight on a squirrel’s fur
Personal Remarks
Reading this during a sleepless night, I found myself tracing the book’s borders (reminiscent of The Book of Kells’ marginalia) as if they might anchor me like Tyra’s dreams. The novel’s exploration of inner hurt reshaping identity compelled me to journal about my own fragmented roots—a testament to its emotional resonance.
Gratitude
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for the review copy. This is the rare work that haunts and heals.
Final Verdict
A 4.7/5—Despite minor flaws, Sense of Home achieves something extraordinary: it makes invisibility visible, and exile a portal to rebirth. Kaminsky’s introspective, character-driven narrative will linger in your bones like a half-remembered dream.
Rating: 4.7/5
Analysis & Thematic Depth
NZ Kaminsky’s Sense of Home is a masterful blend of literary fiction and mystical realism that explores displacement and inner transformation through a psychologically rich lens. The novel’s greatest strength lies in its nuanced portrayal of Tyra’s dual journey, both through physical wastelands like Marigold and Moonvine and the dreamscapes that become her emotional refuge. Kaminsky’s prose oscillates between lyrical melancholy (particularly in descriptions of lost homelands) and startling magical realism (embodied by the intelligent squirrel guide), though some transitions between these modes feel abrupt.
Themes of family bonds, nostalgia, and the beauty of human existence are rendered with poignant specificity, especially in Tyra’s strained relationship with her parents. However, secondary characters—particularly those in the grim villages—often serve as atmospheric props rather than fully realized individuals. The nine original black-and-white illustrations (a rare treat in adult literary fiction) deepen the sensory experience but occasionally clash with the text’s ethereal tone.
Reader Reactions & Emotional Impact
As someone who has experienced cultural displacement, I found Tyra’s disconnection from everything familiar viscerally relatable. A passage where she describes Azure’s lost landscapes as a heartbeat she can no longer feel left me breathless—Kaminsky articulates grief’s physicality with rare precision. The dream sequences, while occasionally overwrought, evoked my own experiences of lucid dreaming as emotional catharsis.
Yet I struggled with the pacing of Tyra’s empowerment arc. Her sudden mastery of dream travel in Moonvine’s section felt unearned compared to the meticulous buildup of her earlier struggles. The squirrel guide’s whimsy sometimes undermined the gravity of Tyra’s trauma, though this may reflect Kaminsky’s intent to mirror the dissonance of refugee experiences.
Constructive Criticism
-Pacing: The middle section sags under excessive dream symbolism; 20 fewer pages would sharpen the narrative thrust.
-Character Development: Villagers in Marigold/Moonvine lack distinct voices, missing opportunities for social commentary.
-Tonal Balance: Magical elements occasionally trivialize the very real trauma of displacement.
How I would describe this book:
- For fans of The Night Circus’s enchantment and Exit West’s refugee lyricism
- A love letter to lost homelands, written in dream ink
- Kaminsky makes grief shimmer like starlight on a squirrel’s fur
Personal Remarks
Reading this during a sleepless night, I found myself tracing the book’s borders (reminiscent of The Book of Kells’ marginalia) as if they might anchor me like Tyra’s dreams. The novel’s exploration of inner hurt reshaping identity compelled me to journal about my own fragmented roots—a testament to its emotional resonance.
Gratitude
Thank you to the publisher and Goodreads Giveaways for the review copy. This is the rare work that haunts and heals.
Final Verdict
A 4.7/5—Despite minor flaws, Sense of Home achieves something extraordinary: it makes invisibility visible, and exile a portal to rebirth. Kaminsky’s introspective, character-driven narrative will linger in your bones like a half-remembered dream.
August 12, 2025
I won this from a Giveaway and was genuinely interested to read this, but I am obviously not the target audience for this book. I found it self-indulgent and contradictory. For me it comes across as a stream of consciousness style leading to contradictions throughout the book. It may have been better served to have been written from the main character's point of view as due to her young age it would make more sense. Personally I saw no growth through the book. Tyra while young remained the only person in the book who's only issues were trying to people please. Everyone else was the problem. She literally lectured her boyfriend for 2 plus pages (read on my Kindle in the smallest font so in print it's likely much longer) without once asking him what he needed or wanted. Just told him everything he was doing wrong. Is that sometimes warranted sure but nothing other than a whiplash inducing character change from the boyfriend truly preceded it. I didn't leave the book thinking there was anything I could learn from the character's "journey". I doubt I will read anything from this author again. I wish her the best of luck and hope she finds her target audience, I just know I am not it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 9, 2025
Slow, Magical, and Full of Heart
Gentle and dreamlike, this book blends fantasy with real emotional depth. Tyra’s journey through a magical world of talking animals and surreal forests touches on grief, feeling lost, and finding healing. The use of dreams to explore self-growth really stuck with me. If you like slower, character-focused stories with a touch of magic and heart, this one’s worth the read.
Gentle and dreamlike, this book blends fantasy with real emotional depth. Tyra’s journey through a magical world of talking animals and surreal forests touches on grief, feeling lost, and finding healing. The use of dreams to explore self-growth really stuck with me. If you like slower, character-focused stories with a touch of magic and heart, this one’s worth the read.
May 14, 2025
A Journey Through Grief, Dreams, and Hope
Sense of Home touched me deeply. I followed Tyra’s journey through loss and heartbreak, and I felt every emotion as if it were my own. The story beautifully blends fantasy and reality, reminding us how healing often comes in the most unexpected ways. The glowing maple leaf, the dreamlike world, and the mysterious guide all added layers of wonder to Tyra’s path. It’s a book about finding light in the darkest places and rediscovering what “home” really means. I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.
Sense of Home touched me deeply. I followed Tyra’s journey through loss and heartbreak, and I felt every emotion as if it were my own. The story beautifully blends fantasy and reality, reminding us how healing often comes in the most unexpected ways. The glowing maple leaf, the dreamlike world, and the mysterious guide all added layers of wonder to Tyra’s path. It’s a book about finding light in the darkest places and rediscovering what “home” really means. I’ll be thinking about this one for a long time.
May 24, 2025
A fascinating read! I couldn’t put it down. Tyra’s story brought back the warmth of childhood, wrapping me in comfort, while also stirring unhealed wounds asking to be seen.
This book is a rare blend of cozy fantasy and powerful psychological insight. It reminds us that we’re not alone in this reality, navigating trauma and facing complex emotions.
This book is a rare blend of cozy fantasy and powerful psychological insight. It reminds us that we’re not alone in this reality, navigating trauma and facing complex emotions.
May 4, 2025
Haunting and Emotionally Rich
This book stayed with me long after I finished. Tyra’s journey through grief and magical realms felt deeply personal. The blend of literary depth and fantasy elements made this dream like atmosphere that gets you super involved of what is to come.
This book stayed with me long after I finished. Tyra’s journey through grief and magical realms felt deeply personal. The blend of literary depth and fantasy elements made this dream like atmosphere that gets you super involved of what is to come.
March 13, 2025
A Captivating Journey of Belonging!
“SENSE OF HOME” captivated me from the first page! The richly imagined world and relatable characters drew me in, making me feel right at home in the story. The themes of belonging and discovery resonated deeply. This beautifully crafted tale left me eager for more. I highly recommend it!
“SENSE OF HOME” captivated me from the first page! The richly imagined world and relatable characters drew me in, making me feel right at home in the story. The themes of belonging and discovery resonated deeply. This beautifully crafted tale left me eager for more. I highly recommend it!
February 27, 2025
Great fiction with magical elements
This is a deeply moving story about loss, healing, and belonging. The writing is poetic and immersive, mixing real life struggles with magical realism. The writing feels dreamlike and raw at the same time. The fantastical elements, like the squirrel and the forest gives a charm to the story and a sense of calm. The book makes you think what “home” truly means. In summary it’s a great literary fiction with a touch of magic.
This is a deeply moving story about loss, healing, and belonging. The writing is poetic and immersive, mixing real life struggles with magical realism. The writing feels dreamlike and raw at the same time. The fantastical elements, like the squirrel and the forest gives a charm to the story and a sense of calm. The book makes you think what “home” truly means. In summary it’s a great literary fiction with a touch of magic.
August 22, 2025
Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, & the author for this ARC!
I decided to pick up this book because who doesn’t want to read about magical worlds and talking animals?
Right off the bat, the prologue was somewhat confusing. I had no sense of what was happening, where it was happening, or why.
Thankfully, however, the following chapters were much easier to follow. While the author does a good job with her descriptions, I felt the first few pages could have included more “showing” and less “telling” in terms of world-building and characterization. The writing itself is well done and easy to follow, but the author's descriptions became somewhat overdone and redundant as I read.
I started to enjoy the story more once there was more dialogue. Conversations between characters helped me understand and connect with them better. I also appreciated how she conveyed certain messages about emotional challenges through these conversations.
As excited as I was for this ARC, I ultimately did not finish it, (but was close). I believe this is in part because I’ve been on a sci-fi kick recently and wasn’t in the proper mood for a read such as this. I’m sure the story progressed well, and I can see why others have rated it highly, but I don’t think it is the book for me, unfortunately. I did love Koda, though!
I will say, the author definitely shows promise with this as her debut!
I decided to pick up this book because who doesn’t want to read about magical worlds and talking animals?
Right off the bat, the prologue was somewhat confusing. I had no sense of what was happening, where it was happening, or why.
Thankfully, however, the following chapters were much easier to follow. While the author does a good job with her descriptions, I felt the first few pages could have included more “showing” and less “telling” in terms of world-building and characterization. The writing itself is well done and easy to follow, but the author's descriptions became somewhat overdone and redundant as I read.
I started to enjoy the story more once there was more dialogue. Conversations between characters helped me understand and connect with them better. I also appreciated how she conveyed certain messages about emotional challenges through these conversations.
As excited as I was for this ARC, I ultimately did not finish it, (but was close). I believe this is in part because I’ve been on a sci-fi kick recently and wasn’t in the proper mood for a read such as this. I’m sure the story progressed well, and I can see why others have rated it highly, but I don’t think it is the book for me, unfortunately. I did love Koda, though!
I will say, the author definitely shows promise with this as her debut!
December 14, 2024
Great novel!
I got it for my teenage daughter and we both read it, the feeling is that you get in to a magical world with the complex problems in life and somehow along the story you feel more relax and get new insights, there is everything that a good story needs interesting funny sensetivity and a sense of home feeling.
I recommend reading the book!!!
I got it for my teenage daughter and we both read it, the feeling is that you get in to a magical world with the complex problems in life and somehow along the story you feel more relax and get new insights, there is everything that a good story needs interesting funny sensetivity and a sense of home feeling.
I recommend reading the book!!!
August 20, 2025
Review of the Day: Sense of Home by N. Z. Kaminsky
This is a book about a teenage girl named Tyra and her experiences as she moves between the world we know and another world called Azure with the help of a talking squirrel named Koda. Somewhere along the way, Tyra has experienced considerable trauma, but as a result of her adventures, Tyra experiences a profound sense of healing and wholeness. The theme of healing through adventure and storytelling was something I enjoyed. I also liked the illustrations.
However, I found the book to be somewhat confusing. Perhaps the main problem I had with the book was the rather long and clunky physical descriptions. For example:
It was a studio with a kitchen, a sleeping area, and a living room. The kitchen had an octagonal window overlooking the garden, a stone oven, wooden cabinets, and a round yellow table with four upholstered chairs. The sleeping area contained a loft bed, and beneath it a bean bag chair, a shaggy off-white carpet, warm lighting, and a desk with bookshelves. The living room was even more inviting. Beside the wall-size cathedral window, a soft off-white couch was covered with cushions and a green fleece blanket. On the left wall next to the window was a fireplace, surrounded by bookshelves on both sides and above. Wicker trays filled with candles and gemstones rested on a rectangular wooden coffee table. There was a column floor lamp, a few canvases, and beige side curtains.
At least in my opinion, Kaminsky’s book feels too much like a first book. If I were to give her advice I would say keep writing but think about what the target audience is and try to write a story for that market. In my opinion, Sense of Home would work better as a middle grade novel. One example of a well done middle grade fantasy adventure novel to study would be Zack Loran Clark’s The Lock Eater.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.
Kindle. 226 pgs. August 2025.
#ScottLivesInJerseyNow #Bookstagram #PicturesOfBooks #GoodReadsWithAView #SenseofHomeReadFeelHealMysticalRealismNovel #NetGalley
This is a book about a teenage girl named Tyra and her experiences as she moves between the world we know and another world called Azure with the help of a talking squirrel named Koda. Somewhere along the way, Tyra has experienced considerable trauma, but as a result of her adventures, Tyra experiences a profound sense of healing and wholeness. The theme of healing through adventure and storytelling was something I enjoyed. I also liked the illustrations.
However, I found the book to be somewhat confusing. Perhaps the main problem I had with the book was the rather long and clunky physical descriptions. For example:
It was a studio with a kitchen, a sleeping area, and a living room. The kitchen had an octagonal window overlooking the garden, a stone oven, wooden cabinets, and a round yellow table with four upholstered chairs. The sleeping area contained a loft bed, and beneath it a bean bag chair, a shaggy off-white carpet, warm lighting, and a desk with bookshelves. The living room was even more inviting. Beside the wall-size cathedral window, a soft off-white couch was covered with cushions and a green fleece blanket. On the left wall next to the window was a fireplace, surrounded by bookshelves on both sides and above. Wicker trays filled with candles and gemstones rested on a rectangular wooden coffee table. There was a column floor lamp, a few canvases, and beige side curtains.
At least in my opinion, Kaminsky’s book feels too much like a first book. If I were to give her advice I would say keep writing but think about what the target audience is and try to write a story for that market. In my opinion, Sense of Home would work better as a middle grade novel. One example of a well done middle grade fantasy adventure novel to study would be Zack Loran Clark’s The Lock Eater.
Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy of this book via Net Galley. All opinions are my own.
Kindle. 226 pgs. August 2025.
#ScottLivesInJerseyNow #Bookstagram #PicturesOfBooks #GoodReadsWithAView #SenseofHomeReadFeelHealMysticalRealismNovel #NetGalley
May 26, 2025
I’m 40, and I bought this book for myself (I loved it!), but my 14-year-old son also started reading it and found it interesting. Now, we enjoy discussing its introspective depth, which is great.
This isn’t an entertaining read in the conventional sense. It’s melancholic and emotional, exploring coming-of-age struggles, grief, and a bittersweet love story. What I love most is how the magical elements reflect real-life challenges, offering meaningful insights.
Despite its depth, the writing flows beautifully-smooth, immersive, and easy to read. Perfect for those who love multilayered, emotionally reach stories.
This isn’t an entertaining read in the conventional sense. It’s melancholic and emotional, exploring coming-of-age struggles, grief, and a bittersweet love story. What I love most is how the magical elements reflect real-life challenges, offering meaningful insights.
Despite its depth, the writing flows beautifully-smooth, immersive, and easy to read. Perfect for those who love multilayered, emotionally reach stories.
April 2, 2025
This book pulled me in with its beauty. The lines between reality, fantasy and magic blur right from the start. Kaminsky's writing certainly stirred emotion, delicately covering the topics of loss and an ephemeral romance. Some of the passages/lines had such depth. Important truths - 'happiness is in the moments'. It really made me think. I'll be honest I couldn't fully keep track of all the animals and would have liked a tiny bit more plot... but I'm probably missing the point. As I said, it's a truly beautful read. I love the cover too with the maple leaf motif paying off come the end.
Did Not Finish
January 31, 2026I picked this up because it was on a recommended list for speculative fiction & I believe chronic pain?
I read the Prologue previously & that reaffirmed my beliefs & it was beautiful & perfect. I just started it officially today, & again, the Prologue is beautiful & perfect & appears as though it's speaking about Chronic Pain...& then I read a little more.
I got to page 5 & had to hard nope on the propaganda.
Free 🍉
Checking to see how much I spent on this trash, if anything 😒
I read the Prologue previously & that reaffirmed my beliefs & it was beautiful & perfect. I just started it officially today, & again, the Prologue is beautiful & perfect & appears as though it's speaking about Chronic Pain...& then I read a little more.
I got to page 5 & had to hard nope on the propaganda.
Free 🍉
Checking to see how much I spent on this trash, if anything 😒
March 15, 2026
This book offers a more introspective take on fantasy. Instead of focusing mainly on adventure or action, Sense of Home explores deeper ideas about identity, belonging, and the meaning of home.
The metaphysical elements give the story a reflective feel, and at times it reads almost like a philosophical journey. It may not be for everyone, especially readers who prefer fast-moving plots, but those who enjoy thoughtful and contemplative fantasy may find it rewarding.
The metaphysical elements give the story a reflective feel, and at times it reads almost like a philosophical journey. It may not be for everyone, especially readers who prefer fast-moving plots, but those who enjoy thoughtful and contemplative fantasy may find it rewarding.
June 8, 2025
They need to flee their home and they enter a new villag hoping for a new life. Unfortunately it is not going to be like that and they will feel isolated so they leave for the city where it is just as bad but she will find a new place to enter. A very interesting read
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and it is a wonderful tale
I received an advance copy from hidden gems and it is a wonderful tale
August 18, 2025
**I received this book in a giveaway**
I really don't think this book was meant for me. It read like a late middle school/early high school book in my mind, but maybe just wasn't the right material for me.
The story was whimsical and tied back to real world issues and feelings people have throughout their life, with a sprinkle of magical story-telling.
I really don't think this book was meant for me. It read like a late middle school/early high school book in my mind, but maybe just wasn't the right material for me.
The story was whimsical and tied back to real world issues and feelings people have throughout their life, with a sprinkle of magical story-telling.
December 1, 2025
Overall great
Sense of Home felt like stepping into a dream you don’t want to wake up from. Tyra’s journey through loss, magic, and finding where she belongs was emotional and really cool to follow. The story of fantasy and real-life feelings hits hard. Some parts were a little slow, but overall it’s a beautiful, atmospheric story that sticks with you.
Sense of Home felt like stepping into a dream you don’t want to wake up from. Tyra’s journey through loss, magic, and finding where she belongs was emotional and really cool to follow. The story of fantasy and real-life feelings hits hard. Some parts were a little slow, but overall it’s a beautiful, atmospheric story that sticks with you.
July 11, 2025
I loved the book. I am going through a personal loss and this book was weaved in such a way it felt like I was being given a beautiful closure. I rarely read books like this and I absolutely loved it. Definitely a beautiful story telling way which makes you happy that you read it
December 24, 2025
Metaphysical
A metaphysical fantasy story that connects reality and fantasy into creating a world that circles around issues of self, self-discovery, etc. Promoting their own way of viewing the universe and delving into the realm of metaphysical. Thank you for insights.
A metaphysical fantasy story that connects reality and fantasy into creating a world that circles around issues of self, self-discovery, etc. Promoting their own way of viewing the universe and delving into the realm of metaphysical. Thank you for insights.
June 10, 2025
It was very good I liked it so much. A fun book. I was given an arc and i choose to give a honest review.
Read
August 23, 2025Sense of Home is the kind of novel that lingers. N. Z. Kaminsky has woven a story that blends literary fiction with threads of magical realism, and the result is both moving and memorable.
Tyra’s journey, from loss and dislocation to resilience and renewal, feels emotionally authentic without ever becoming melodramatic. The lucid dreamscapes, with their quiet symbolism and the gentle guidance of Koda the squirrel, give the narrative a sense of wonder while still staying grounded in human experience. It’s a delicate balance, and Kaminsky pulls it off with grace.
The prose is thoughtful, the atmosphere immersive, and the illustrations add a subtle but welcome layer of depth. What impressed me most, though, was how the book managed to touch on themes of grief, belonging, and healing without becoming heavy-handed. There’s a quiet strength in the storytelling that sneaks up on you—and stays.
This isn’t a book of quick thrills or fast pacing. It’s reflective, layered, and meant to be savored. For readers who appreciate character-driven literary fantasy with a touch of the mystical, Sense of Home is a rewarding and heartfelt read.
Tyra’s journey, from loss and dislocation to resilience and renewal, feels emotionally authentic without ever becoming melodramatic. The lucid dreamscapes, with their quiet symbolism and the gentle guidance of Koda the squirrel, give the narrative a sense of wonder while still staying grounded in human experience. It’s a delicate balance, and Kaminsky pulls it off with grace.
The prose is thoughtful, the atmosphere immersive, and the illustrations add a subtle but welcome layer of depth. What impressed me most, though, was how the book managed to touch on themes of grief, belonging, and healing without becoming heavy-handed. There’s a quiet strength in the storytelling that sneaks up on you—and stays.
This isn’t a book of quick thrills or fast pacing. It’s reflective, layered, and meant to be savored. For readers who appreciate character-driven literary fantasy with a touch of the mystical, Sense of Home is a rewarding and heartfelt read.
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