(Thank you to the author for the ARC! All opinions are 100% my own)

"Even in the midst of turmoil, there was always something to be thankful for."

This quote captures the essence of this story so well.

I'm a firm believer that a good middle-grade story can be enjoyed by readers of any age. Olaf and Essex is a good example of that. I'd argue that adults might even enjoy it more than children! More so about this later.

The story follows several characters through an adventure (in the cases of some, misadventure) revolving around a very special baby. Two of those characters are Olaf the bear and Essex the fox. This might be taking place in New York, but this is a very different city from the one we're used to. A city where the NYPD's Chief Magic Detector just won't stop going after the magical community. 

Throughout the story, you will find yourself asking who really should be raising the baby and what could possibly happen next?

While the story sounds very cutesy and almost childlike on the surface, this book delves into darker, and often mature, themes like: Resentment between parent and child, falling out of love between spouses, abandonment, cruelty, giving up and even grief and death. Many times, throughout the book, animals hunt and eat one another. Witches tear wings off of bats. Many deaths.

This alongside with the vocabulary and references (such as many Macbeth and Shakespearean quotes) being used at times had me pause a couple times and double check whether this is marketed for middle-grade or if I'm misremembering. That being said, I remembered that as a middle-grader, I really enjoyed some of the darker stories.

I, an adult in my 30s, cried like a baby so much towards the end for reasons I can't reveal too much about without spoilers, but the writing, the imagery and the events did get to me. But I'll be honest, I cherished it. Not just those scenes but the story as a whole. 

It reminded me a lot of Diana Wynne Jones' books where yes, the story may jump around a bit, but the conclusion will be so worth it. And the magic in this universe, the world building and the characterization are all done so well.

Overall, I really adored this book (you already know that from the rating) and I am already looking forward to the second book. As an adult, I think you'd find the journey whimsical, introspective, funny and touching. If you're considering this for a child, I would read it first and then decide whether or not your child would stomach and comprehend the themes.

As for me, I honestly can't wait to read the next book in the Magic-Competents series. The sneak peek we get at the end of Book 1 has me hooked!

P.S: The illustrations are gorgeous!