Since I grew up in a spiritual and religious culture, I really relate to Polly as she discovers more about herself and the world around her. It can be an emotional blow to realize the antagonism and anger others have towards beliefs that you have always held close. I enjoyed sharing in that struggle with Polly as she questioned and searched for answers and then standing firm to her convictions. I also appreciated learning the emotional intelligence and therapy techniques weaved into the story.

The pacing of the story was a bit jarring, often skipping months at a time with little explanation of what happened in-between. It had the same style as Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass, in that its focus is less on plot and more on sharing a specific message. Where Carroll’s message was on logic and language, Lowery is teaching emotional regulation. Chapters felt episodic instead of having one overarching plotline and the major conflict doesn’t appear until late into the book. But, it is still an enjoyable ride through Polly’s world and it leaves you with many burning questions.

I would recommend this book to others who are open-minded concerning spirituality and introspection. If you enjoyed reading or watching the movie, The Secret, this book will be right up your alley! Also look for Harry Potter vibes throughout the story. It combines a mystical feel with the futuristic atmosphere. Polly Parker teaches young adults how to manage their emotions and work on themselves just by adventuring with her friends and living her life.