Breezed through this over the weekend and I still feel sad this it's finished but thankfully it's the first of a series! This book is action, magic and drama-packed as sixteen year old Maeve discovers an old tarot deck lying around in her school basement. While she struggles at school, friends and family, she is surprised at how quickly tarot comes to her and the knack she has for magic and witchcraft, until her ex best friend disappears in the dead of night. *cue a magical adventure that you'll wish never ends*

This book is so loveable and fun, while being sensitively and delicately written. O'Donoghue explores themes of gender identity, sexuality and religion in Ireland with a diverse range of characters who are caring and refreshing . I just want to give them all a hug 🥺

Thank you to Walker Books and NetGalley for the e-arc of All Our Hidden Gifts by Caroline O’ Donoghue.

Maeve is the youngest child in her family, she feels like the odd one out, not special and stupid in comparison to her siblings. She’s desperate to fit in at school, to be seen as more than she thinks she is.

In detention for rebelling in class at a teacher, she’s sent to clean out a school store room where she finds a pack of tarot cards. Maeve finds that while she can’t remember anything from lessons, she has a skill for tarot and she starts to give readings at school, which are hugely popular with most of the girls...except for her ex-best friend Lily.

Peer pressure being what it is, one day Lily is pushed into letting Marcel give her a reading, but it goes really badly and then Lily disappears...

Maeve teams up with her brother Roe to figure out what’s really going on and what has happened to Lily, which leads into a range of adventures and twists. Whilst this book doesn’t shirk from facing bullying, intolerance and hate crimes, it still maintains a levity that is appropriators YA.

I really loved that the characters and their responses and reactions fit the age range of 16 year olds, and weren’t portrayed as being more mature than they should be/are - I definitely was not super-mature at 16!

This book also puts great focus on gender fluidity and LGBTQA rights and delivers a great arc character development, which keeps you invested in them and the storyline. This is definite great book for lovers of teen witch, tarot and magical mysteries!

I loved this story so much. The voice and tone of the writing was bang on for a modern YA. I loved the fantasy dispersed within the real world and thought he characters were fantastic,

This book is perfect for a young audience who need to learn who their true friends which for adult life is so important. I really enjoyed my time reading this book that has the brilliant characters and atmosphere of the book made this hard to put down and kept me engaged right up until the end. There is a lot of diversity in this story from LGBT+, disability, and BIPOC rep. It was amazing and really well blended into the story I love it!
for me, the ending was the weakest point since is a bit unclear what happens, especially for a YA book. Maybe it is open for a possible sequel that will clear all my doubts or if not I hope that was a bit more closely for a stand-alone novel.

overall was a very enjoyable and fast-paced reading and I totally recommend

This book was really entertaining from start to finish. The author has perfectly encapsulated what it is to be a young teen and dealing with friendships, romance and a very tumultuous social life. This book is perfect for teens who are trying to navigate social situations and need to learn who their true friends are so I'll definitely be sticking this in my school library.
I loved the diversity in this story. The LGBT+, disability and BIPOC rep was amazing and really well blended into the story.
My one issue was that the ending was a little unclear especially for a YA book. I felt like it may have been left a bit open ended for a potential sequel, but, if not, then I would've liked more closure at the end of the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Walker Books for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

TRIGGERS: suicide implication and mention (not graphic), extreme homophobia (physical violence), emotional manipulation, racism and violence

Maeve Chambers managed to drive her best friend Lily away from her a year ago. But when she finds a pack of dusty old tarot cards at school and begins to give scarily accurate readings to the girls in her class, she realises she's found her gift at last. Things are looking up – until she discovers a strange card in the deck that definitely shouldn't be there. And two days later, after a fateful reading, ex-best friend Lily disappears.

Can Maeve, her new friend Fiona and Lily's brother Roe find her? Will they be able to call her before she's gone for good?

I really enjoyed my time with All Our Hidden Gifts the brilliant characters and atmosphere of the book made this hard to put down and kept me engaged right up until the end. Maeve herself is one of the most authentic sixteen-year-olds I have read in YA in a long time; she is flawed, selfish and has things to learn but was never so annoying that I didn't feel invested in wanting to see her come out better. I also enjoyed her best friend Fiona (my favourite) and Lily's brother Roe as fantastic characters who were both well-written enough to feel far more than just side characters.

All Our Hidden Gifts is good at showing how getting older is a constant learning curve. Maeve doesn't realise how her wealth, race and sexuality are a privilege and how this affects her best friends; Maeve made boundaries for herself and learned to accept those of other characters.

I adored the pacing and atmosphere of the book. The idea of Maeve constantly being tormented by dreams and the card following her added a really urgent underlying to the book that I loved.

The whole logic of the book is really hit and miss for me. The more grounded parts, such as a magical card in a tarot deck, are really overshadowed by the aspects of the book that were either poorly explained or just not mentioned at all. Sister A's part in the story, what actually happened during the ritual and the whole 'sensitives' just felt underdeveloped.

I was also uncomfortable with the more physical aspects of Maeve and Roe's relationship while I know it's legal because they are 16 and 17, and nothing actually graphic happens; I don't want to read about it, you know?

Unfortunately, the ending of All Our Hidden Gifts did leave a sour taste in my mouth; I would go so far as to say I hated it. I do not understand why the characters ended up getting powers. As previously discussed, the logic in the book is already a little wishy-washy so, to then add something that straight up doesn't make sense within the context of the homebrew magic established and that added nothing to the story makes no sense to me.

The ending shouldn't be a deal-breaker for you though this was a fantastic book while great pacing and atmosphere, with fleshed-out characters that were a treat to spend time with.

I started this on a Saturday afternoon, unable to remember anything about what it was about or why I had requested it, but once I started, I just couldn't put the book down. I finished in a few hours and really enjoyed it. I loved Maeve's character. Her view point was really easy to follow and identify, and I enjoyed how her friendship with Fiona developed. Roe was a character who turned out to be really awesome and I thought he was fantastic. The mythology was really interesting. While some of Maeve's action in regards to her former friend Lily were almost cruel, I can kind of understand where she's coming from. At the same time, I can also completely understand why Lily was so angry.

I quite liked how open the ending was. It wasn't all wrapped up nice and neat and had potential for a sequel., which I would definitely look forward to.

This book is full of magic and paranormal, set in Ireland, I most definitely have a little bias towards the Irish part of the book...

The plot and pacing were wonderful and kept me up until 2 in the morning when I realised the exact brand of paranormal was the one that would make it hard to sleep so had to shut my kindle off. The side characters/friends of Maeve were really interesting, well developed, and their own people. It would have been great to have some multiple povs to see their thoughts and inner lives more than we did. Maeve is a fairly average character, and at times her being a white, cis and straight teenager was grating as her queer and Filipino sister and friends acted as a teaching point for her which was addressed a little in the book, but it would have been nice for Maeve to be queer or questioning herself to not make it as weird as it was at times - but then a lot of her character and development is seeing that she is privileged (she is also the only non-Scholarship kid in her new friend duo) and again, it is addressed a little but not quite the focus of a plot so it isn't delved into as much as it could have been.

Anyway, that was my only gripe with the entire book (that and being made feel old at times) and it didn't really take away from my enjoyment of the book, my intrigue to what will happen and the atmosphere of the setting. I thoroughly enjoyed it and am looking forward to the next book in the series.

The Nadine Coyle reference was a perfect distraction and breather in preparation for what you knew was going to be a tense scene.

I’m not really sure what I was expecting when I requested this book. I don’t think it was…this.

The main character of this story, Maeve, is the youngest and most ordinary in a family full of overachievers and geniusses, and seeks desperately for her place in the world. She doesn’t have any real friends and tries to find a connection and popularity.
I had trouble liking Maeve. I understood her troubles and I understood in a way why she acted the way she acted. Some of her thoughts were pretty relatable. However, the way she acts around other people was self-centered and indifferent and while there are actions or dialogues that really touched at reality and relatability, it still didn’t mean that I had to like her or her actions. In a way this was what made it hard to continue reading this book for me because, well, it’s hard to read a book where you don’t like the main character.

The story takes quite a while to take off. I think I was about a third into this book but still felt like there wasn’t really anything happening. Of course there were things happening, but it felt more like a string of small things than anything really big and interesting. Even the disappearance of Maeve’s former best friend, Lily, did not really have that much of an impact on me as I would have hoped. The story pickes up pace in the second half of the book, with Maeve, her new friend Fiona and Lily’s brother Roe start to investigate Lily’s disappearence themselves, but by then I wasn’t really that interested anymore.

Nevertheless, the plot of the story intrigued me. There is something about tarot and the way it was described that had me wanting to read this book at the first place. I loved the readings and the atmosphere that came with it. Too bad that that kinda fell behind with the progession of the story. I really liked the descriptions and the overall writing style, which is why I wished that I liked this book more.

The book ticks all the boxes when it comes to characters with disabilities, characters of colour and LGBTQ+ characters which was intriguing. It really was beautifully inclusive. If you are looking for a book solely because of that, then I would definitly recommend.

The more I think about it, I think the main reason, besides the slow pacing, that made it hard for me to like this book was the overall tone of the characters. Maeve and her friends are supposed to be about sixteen years old (Roe is a bit older) but very often they sounded like much younger children, between twelve and fourteen, tops. It just didn’t really fit with the seriousness of the issues that were presented and especially when the talking came to sex, it just made me frown a lot. It just didn’t feel like it fit.

In the end, I wish I liked this book more. It had some great premises, great inclusivity and some ingriguing points and issues but for me it just took too long to really pick up and also to hook me that I was more bored with it than really immersed or able to sympathise with the (main) characters.

I really liked this one. It was one of my most anticipated books of 2021 and it did not disappoint. I loved the way Caroline took the tarot and modern witchcraft and wove them into a mystery that kept me on my toes to the end.

3.5 stars. Enjoyed this one very much, especially given the diverse cast of characters. In particular the protagonist’s character arc was impressive, as she turned from a self-centred brat to someone who learnt a lot, about herself and the people around her. The tarot connection was great, but the rest of the magic stuff seemed somewhat make-it-up-as-you-go-along. That said, I’d be interested if this turns out to be a series.

(Review copy from Netgalley)

Who, What, When:
I chose All Our Hidden Gifts because it had a pretty cover. I’m so glad it did because I really loved it.
Maeve Chambers is somewhat of a culmination of the awkward struggle of being a teenager. She has four significantly older siblings who, from her perspective, wildly surpass her in the academic stakes, she’s not popular at school and in fact ditched her oldest friend Lily in a vain attempt to climb the popularity ladder and she tends to react poorly to difficult situations. During detention for one such reaction, she discovers a pack of Tarot cards (and a Walkman + mixtape – hello 90s) and with the cards seems to find something she’s good at and that garners the interest and inclusion from others she’s been seeking.
Trouble beckons, however, when Maeve’s former best friend disappears soon after a reading. Maeve knows the cards and the power they hold within have a part to play in Lily’s disappearance. She must delve into a murky world of superstition, intrigue and danger if she has any hope of bringing Lily home. She does find support in this endeavour from Lily’s sibling Roe and a new friend Fiona, but with much at stake will that be enough?
Available on May 27th from Walker Children’s Books. I was kindly gifted a copy by the publisher.

Why:
If this book were a tapestry the threads of navigating the teenage years would be the boldest. O’Donoghue shapes Maeve, who doesn’t quite fit but might, so perfectly, that we can forget there’s some suspension of disbelief here. Much of the story actually exists at the edges of real life, creeping into the supernatural, but the realness of Maeve and her every day struggles crash the real and the supernatural together. She worries about being liked, about doing well at school, about not letting her parents down. At the same time as she searches the unknown for a lost friend, stolen perhaps by supernatural forces. It’s a marvelous blend and means that you’re never quite sure where they’ll all end up. It’s brilliant, as is Maeve.

If Maeve is the boldest threads of the tapestry, her relationships are slightly finer but equally as strong. Her developing friendship with Fiona is soothing to read, and somewhat of a relief given the difficulties she’s had friendship wise (albeit difficulties she created herself, but the decisions of the teenage brain are a beast unto themselves). Following along as she gets closer to Roe is another gift the story offers. There is much for each of them to learn, if their relationship is to flourish, and getting a bird’s eye view into the intricacies courtesy of O’Donoghue’s delicate weaving, is a pleasure to read.

Finally, if Maeve’s story of navigating teenage life wasn’t enough (it is but if somehow it wasn’t) there’s the supernatural elements. The shadows and the light, the mysterious and the magical. These are threads of gold and silver. So fine, you don’t always notice them, but always there adding flashes of excitement, of wonder, of slight trepidation. These threads add something special, something unique to a story that was already enchanting in its realness – they add the magic of magic and they make it much more than it already was.

I received my copy via @netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I've decided for this review to focus on the aspect of the book that had me hooked, rather then write about the storyline.

The writing style made it very easy to follow the story and to get immersed in it rightaway. But the real treasure this book has to offer, for not just young adults, is the extensive knowledge and representation of the LGBTQ+ community. I honestly learned more from this book than from some specific platforms of the subject. There are representatives of bisexual, lesbian, non-binary and genderfluid people, as well as characters of various nationalities and also with (hearing) impairment. Basically any young adult or adult will find a character in this book they can relate to. I can easily imagine that teens reading this book would find a home in it with the comfort it offers.

It also deals with everything said above without highlighting or commercializing anything as unique/extraordinary and beyond "normal". I sometimes feel that when members of the LGBTQ+ community get representation, the whole storyline centers around them without making them be part of a bigger plot rather than standing out and be separated from everyone else because of their LGBTQ-ness.

I am very thrilled I was able to read this book and can't wait to read more form the writer.

Overall, there were a lot of elements to love in this book that will be gobbled up by today's Young Adult audience: the witchiness; the nuances of identity and relationships across queerness and racial dynamics; the political fervour and insight into contemporary Irish youth activism; and a self-sabotaging protagonist with a well-balanced inner voice. I also found the dialogue believable, and appreciated real-world touches - like an appearance of Patreon! - that I've yet to see other publications take on. However, the pace is slow, dialogue dominates, and some of the magical elements - particularly the use of tarot cards - end up losing focus in the plot. This has the potential to be a dark, Wynne-Jonesian low fantasy that instead comes out as something a bit muddled; but with heavy hints at a sequel, we may well see this further developed. Nevertheless, I would definitely recommend it to a number of readers and anticipate it being popular with many of my students.

One of the key requirements I have from a book is that it takes me somewhere else but the way I know a book is REALLY special is when I start to inhabit the pages while I'm reading it and get to live inside the story - this magnificent book was one of those special ones! It's beautifully written, wonderfully atmospheric - intrigue, mystery, romance, guilt, magic.....these elements are so perfectly balanced that I did not want to put it down! An exceptional book, I'm already looking forward to the next one by Caroline O'Donoghue that I can escape into.

I reviewed this book as part of my March Reading Wrap Up https://youtu.be/53Dl-yoZSbo

I absolutely ADORED this book. I loved the witchy Irish vibes and setting. The queer representation in this book was also a very important aspect to this novel which I truly appreciated. The way the novel engaged with contemporary political issues was also superbly done. Easily a 5 star read.

I read All Our Hidden Gifts by @Czaroline on #NetGalley (thanks @WalkerBooksUK) & was totally enthralled. Brilliant self centred teen protagonist, imperfect friendships, & #LGBTQ rep. I gasped out loud in realisation about something (no spoilers) towards the end... https://t.co/c5k9NwOaVj

First off the cover is beautiful! The little details with the tarot card illustrations, the cogs and keys, the lady in white with the black dog, it’s all beautiful and after you read the book you notice these little details that resonate with you even after the story is finished.

We see seventeen year old Maeve Chambers and the day her adventure begins when she finds a magical pack of tarot cards. Maeve and her old friend Lily have issues which become apparent a few chapters in but we don’t know why just yet. Being inside Maeves head and hearing her thoughts and feelings was so funny, realistic and heartwarming. After a horrible tragedy happens with no clues as to how it happened Maeve teams up with friends Roe and Fiona to find their friend and bring her home. The story is so intriguing and something is always happening!

One thing I do love entirely about the book is that Caroline brings up real issues to do with the LGBTQ community and race. They were approached in such a real and touching way, I couldn’t stop cheering the characters on in my head. I wanted the best for each of them and loved the way it was portrayed in this book.

Anything to do with witchcraft, magic, fantasy etc is my favourite and this hit all the right spots. It was a very fast read, very enjoyable and fun and I honestly was so gutted when it ended. If a second book was in the works after this I’d definitely be reading it or any other book by Caroline O’Donoghue.

I was really excited for this one initially, mostly because I really love books that focus on witchy practice and tarot. I read tarot, so I was super excited to see this part of the story - and I loved the tarot themed elements on the cover of the book. Unfortunately, the tarot parts of the book were really just at the beginning, and not threaded throughout the plot as I'd hoped.

The representation in the book was good. There were a lot of different LGBT+ characters and I enjoyed how casually queer this book was.

It was super open-ended, which for a series would be fine but as far as I know this was a standalone. Expecting it to be a standalone, I'd have liked a more satisfying ending that wrapped up more of the loose strings. The prose is very evocative and pretty throughout, I would probably pick up more from this author.

When Maeve discovers a pack of old tarot cards in her school, she finds herself immediately drawn to them. She quickly discovers that she has a knack for the supernatural and finds herself doing readings for all of the girls in school that hear about her unusual talent.

Somehow, though, her exciting new reputation crumbles rapidly into one that her classmates fear when, following a reading for her former best friend, Lily, Lily goes missing. Maeve enlists the help of popular girl, Fiona, and Lily’s sibling, Roe, and it doesn’t take long for them to realise that they may need to confront the supernatural in order to get Lily back.

I’m so used to reading older YA that I was slightly taken aback by how young Maeve’s behaviour seemed initially but, when I remembered that she’s only supposed to be sixteen, her personality seemed fitting. She’s an inquisitive, perhaps slightly naïve, young girl who is thrust into an unknown world of chaos and magic, and it was fascinating to read about her thought processes and how she responded to all of the crazy things that were happening to her.

The LGBTQ+ representation in this book is a really key part of the story, and it was great to see gender and sexuality explored so openly. Roe’s gender identity is ambiguous in a way that portrays well how they’re struggling to understand themselves, and Maeve’s sister’s sapphic relationship creates an opening to explore the challenges that LGBTQ+ teens and young adults face in a mature and, unfortunately, realistic way. Maeve had almost no prior knowledge about the social issues surrounding gender and sexuality so it did feel at times like a number of the conversations were trying to teach the reader about LGBTQ+ issues, but I adored the representation of these characters overall and felt that it was an important theme for young readers that was explored well.

All Our Hidden Gifts definitely reads like a book for a younger YA audience, but it was a really quick, unique and exciting read, with a few twists and an interesting depiction of magic. It definitely contains a few clichés, but it’s generally a quick, fun read, and I’d absolutely recommend it to witchy-YA readers looking for an easy read, and younger readers with an interest in magic.