I listened to this via Audible last week so I thought I'd give it a review here.

This is one of those books that sneaks up on you. It starts slow, but once it picks up, you’re hooked. The story follows 16-year-old Odile, living in a world where towns exist in different times—one is 20 years ahead, another 20 years behind. When she finds out her best friend Edme is doomed to die, it throws her whole world into question.

What I loved was how the story explores the ripple effect of tiny decisions across timelines—it really makes you think. The time-travel element is there, but it’s more about how people deal with loss, fate, and love. The characters are relatable, and the setting feels fresh and original. It’s definitely one of those books that leaves you thinking long after you finish it.

If you like a story that messes with your mind (in a good way), give this one a try!

Found this super interesting!
Such a clever novel and the audibook is well done, found it to be engaging and quite enjoyable!

I recently listened to The Other Valley by Scott Alexandre Howard, and I found it to be a captivating experience, especially with Alexandra Boulton as the narrator. Her reading pace was consistent throughout, making it easy to stay engaged without ever feeling rushed. One of the standout elements of the narration was her excellent French accentuation of the names and places, which added an extra layer of authenticity to the story's setting. Boulton’s voice was clear and expressive, with enough variation to distinguish the characters from one another, which made following the dialogue a breeze.

The story itself paired nicely with Boulton’s narration, and the two worked well together to create an immersive experience. However, there were moments, particularly after a major time jump, when the plot became a bit more confusing. It wasn’t that the narration faltered—Boulton remained steady throughout—but rather the complexity of the story during that section required a little more focus from the listener. Thankfully, the confusion lifted as the book progressed, and the storyline eventually became clear again.

In terms of the audiobook’s flow, it felt natural and smooth. The transitions between chapters were well handled, which made it easy to listen continuously without needing to track chapter breaks. While some audiobooks might include sound effects or music, this one didn’t—and to be honest, it didn’t need them. Boulton’s narration was strong enough to carry the book on its own.

Overall, The Other Valley was an enjoyable listen. I’d recommend the audiobook, especially if you appreciate well-executed accents and steady narration. However, if you find complex plots with time jumps difficult to follow, it might be worth considering the print or ebook version instead, where you can flip back more easily. But if you’re looking for an immersive listening experience and are up for a bit of a mental puzzle, this audiobook is a great choice.

I was intrigued by the premise of The Other Valley, the idea of the valleys East and West of the narrator's present being the same but 20 years into the past and future was an interesting take on time travel. The fact that movement is strictly controlled between the valley but allowed for visits by grieving relatives set up intriguing moral quandries, and I thought that Odile's early experience with visitors, and the subsequent schooling/training setting really captured that well.

I enjoyed the fact that the book was gentle and thoughtful, concentrating on Odile's experiences and actions without delving too far into the valleys as a whole, and the various seeds sown throughout Odile's timeline were really well brought together at the end.

Overall a lovely, thoughtful, and clever novel.

3.5⭐️

When I first read the description, this really appealed to me. However, I found myself at times getting a little side tracked and mind wandering. As much as the narrator herself had a nice tone I didn't feel there was much change in pitch with events or characters which is where I think this audiobook lost me a little and therefore lost stars for me.

Overall the premise of the story and structure that Odile is very academic whilst navigating life with her peers she holds a responsibility that her mother always expects so much from her and she also has to contend with being from not as prestige background as some of her fellow classmates.

She is taking part in an apprenticeship to try and gain a place to become a judge on the decision making of who can or cannot go into the adjoining valleys one of which is in the future and one in the past. This is done by Odile presenting case points on why she would allow someone or not alongside her peers in a debate type scenario. The story then takes a turn where she is taken off her destined path. Seeing the furure is not an easy feat for anyone to carry, and this becomes prevenlant in her journey.

With thanks to Netgalley & WF Howes Ltd for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook in return for an open, honest review.

A slow paced but engaging novel following Odile, an adolescent who, on the verge of selecting her apprenticeship choices, gets embroiled in the secretive workings of the valley she lives in.

Feeling a little like novels such as Before the Coffee Gets Cold, this is a unique story which causes you to question what you'd do if you had the chance to visit your past or future. All by travelling to one of the next valleys over.

When Odile chances on visitors from the future, visitors that she recognises, her silence is secured by her inclusion in the highly competitive vetting process for the organisation with the ability to grant or deny requests to visit the valleys of the past or future.

Following her loss of faith (or could that be full understanding?) in the process, Odile's life ends up going in a completely different direction. This new existence though is still impacted by the reason of her lack of belief/trust in the system. Something which gets further questioned as her journey continues.

Beautifully capturing the isolation Odile feels owing to her childhood encounter as well as the desperation which is likely to come from being denied the chance to see a loved one in happier times. The Other Valley is a moving and thought provoking story.

I am reviewing the audio version of this book, which was well narrated and an enjoyable listen. The book had been recommended by author Liz Nugent and was not one I would otherwise have chosen but I did find it entertaining and the concept very engaging. The main character was likeable, particularly when compared to some of the other characters who were not so, though you do come to realise there are reasons for this. At times I had to go back as I’d missed bits whilst trying to get my mind around the implications of happenings in each valley/time, an issue which probably wouldn’t happen whilst actually reading the book. I really liked the way the story ended.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review and to the author for his thought provoking story.

A gorgeous speculative fiction that takes the idea of parallel universes/groundhog days to new horizons. Odette was a reflective, thoughtful narrator and it was a pleasure being led through the story by both her childhood and adult selves. I look forward to reading whatever Scott Alexander Howard does next.

I thoroughly enjoyed the book, the moment I read the plot I knew I wanted to read it and I was not disappointed.
The idea of three different islands that lives in different years is such a fascinating concept. I’ve always been interested in the butterfly effect and how even a small action can have a huge consequence so this was right up my alley.
I liked how the concept was developed enough that I could imagine it being real, I also liked how fleshed out the main character was, though she was quite a stern and hardened character, I liked her.
Although it took a while for the plot to get going, when it did, boy did it go quickly. I couldn’t stop listening when we got to part 2.
A great read.

This was a nice, if slightly too long, conceptual novel about second chances and coming of age. I enjoyed the audiobook narration and the setting. It was an interesting speculative setting of multitudes of villages set ever so slightly apart in time and you could travel between them in special circumstances. I felt it was missing a bit of momentum and in parts was too much of a 'background read' where nothing was happening.

A unique twist on time travel and the ramifications of choices made when presented with the opportunity to see ones past or future. Very compelling characters, I only wish we got to spend more time with them!

Audiobook production is fantastic, however the narrator is a little one-note with their reading. A littlemore nuance in the intonation would have been appreciated,.

My thanks to NetGalley and W.F. Howes Ltd for a free audiobook of "The Other Valley" by Scott Alexander Howard, narrated by Alexandra Boulton.
Before I review the actual book I need to address that the narrator's voice matched perfectly wit the character's internal voice. She did a stellar job considering the tone of the book.
What a dull narrative. Instead of exploring the things promised in the premise, we get to spend time with the most boring, plain character in existence.
When she finally has something mildly engaging coming into her life she of course blows it all up.
But I persisted. We move away from the coming of age, but even at 36 years old Odile is still the most dull character you can ever read about.
I forced myself to the halfway point to have zero character growth.

What a wonderful premise!! I feel like this title needs a genre of its own, it’s time travel but more, it’s fantasy but not really fantastical.

The title opens with our 16 year old protagonist Odile, Odile is studying for a prestigious apprenticeship with the consiel. If she gets the place, she will be responsible for deciding who can be accompanied to cross the valleys, all three identical, one now, one 20 years in the past, the other 20 years in the future. The consile is further governed by rhe Gendarmery, the crossings are arduous testing and it seems they’re rarely agreed let alone successful, there’s a strict code in place that the valleys must never cross over. Odile is somewhat the poorest amongst her peer group, yet she seems to be the most promising student, dedicated completely, until a little distraction sets her off course, and then, her story is quite something. The journey that Odile ends up on is harrowing at times, hopeful, and the ending was swift but really fitting.

The concept is so simple it’s genius, the writing is absolutely beautiful.

In regard to the narration, while Alexandra Boulton delivered a lovely performance, it was all quite understated and I found my mind drifting, which isn’t an insult, a lovely soothing voice, with no overacting, I would however have liked a little more oomph!

An easy 4 🌟

My gratitude to W F Howes LTD via NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook!

This one was unexpected from both the blurb and the cover. But I enjoyed it anyhow. It’s unique in its genre, I liked the premise . Reminded me a bit of Metronome. Listened to it whilst gardening, decent narrator, four stars, would reccomend

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I gave this 3 stars as I just don't think enough happens in the plot for me to stay interested in what happens.

This is well written and is a wonderful premise for a story, but there was something missing for me. I think the characters lacked depth, this is definitely more plot driven. In saying that, I was just hoping for something more from the plot?

This does ask a lot of good questions, and it did make me think of my own reactions/opinions to the society presented.

Overall, I just don't think this book was necessarily to my taste, but it does have some strengths to it so it is worth a read!

I requested this as there has been so much hype around it. It is very much justified! I implore everyone to buy and read THE OTHER VALLEY it is pacey and has every aspect of a fantastic read. Speculative fiction at its finest!

The premise of this book immediately grabbed my attention and made me want to read it. I enjoyed the book. It was different to my expectation of it being a dystopian hunger games book and one much more focused on the characters viewpoint than action.

Props to this guy for writing a believable female mc in a patriarchal society but that's not even what this story is about. This is gonna be one of my top books of the year, I adored it. The world building was very intelligent, enough is explained that it all makes logical sense, but I still have so many Qs. I think so many more scenarios could be explored in this world and I would love to see other stories written in this setting, or see what other new and exciting concepts this author comes up with.

Read this if you want brilliant timey wimey with believable characters, kick ass world building and plot and pace that doesn't stop. Truly amazing.

The Other Valley by Scott Alexander Howard and narrated by Alexandra Boulton is dystopic speculative fiction that is an observation of human nature, but also encourages reflection on the same

The narration was good when it came to the dialogue, good voice differentiation and continuity in the characters. Alexandra Boulton has a lovely timbre and cadence for dialogue. However, I don't know whether it was directed as such, but the narrative prose was read in a very staccato, muted manner which was in very stark contrast to the engaging and varied nature of the dialogue. The audiobook has a lot of potential and may benefit from being revisited in respect of the narrative sections.

The story is almost reflective of Cold War Germany and the division of East and West where families were divided and could not see each other after the wall went up. Causing East Germany to stall in progress and exist under a very different regime than West Germany. However, Howard takes this concept and expands on it in a very cerebral, thought-provoking way. The book is fascinating and I will certainly be buying it to re-read in a different way

Thank you to Netgalley, W.F. Howes Ltd, the author Scott Alexander Howard and narrator Alexandra Boulton for this intriguing ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own

The Other Valley
By Scott Alexander Howard

A dystopian coming of age novel with a literary style that reminds me of Kazuo Ishiguro. It is set in a world where past, present and future exist in parallel. The concept is simple, and perhaps more interesting to those who read time travel, less for the science and more for the consequences of interference in time continuum, to the extent that I almost came to believe it possible that this world exists.

I really struggled to engage with this story however. I found the moral and ethical questions interesting, and how it reveals the complexity of human nature when faced with dilemmas where outcomes can eliminate this or that person's existence, but something about the slow pacing kept me at arm's length.

I listened to this in audio format, and while the narrator has a beautiful voice, very relaxing, she doesn't bring much by way of performance. Perhaps this was intentional, so as to not overwhelm the delicate narrative, but it resulted in complete underwhelm for me for the greater part of the story.

Fantastic premise which has impressed itself on my brain, but emotionally, this was a one night stand.

Publication date: 18th April 2024
Thanks to #NetGalley and #WFHowes for the ALC