Vanya and the Wild Hunt is the first book in a fantasy middle-grade series by Sangu Mandanna. I love everything she writes, and this book was no exception. Vanya is an 11 year old girl with ADHD who can hear the books talking in her family's bookshop. One day, she discovers her family's secret and is sent to a magical school. It was such a whimsical adventure story. Sangu Mandanna is amazing at worldbuilding and I appreciate that she includes neurodivergent characters in her middlegrade stories. (Vanya has ADHD, and her best friend has autism.) If you enjoy magical schools, talking books, animal companions, and great friendships, I highly recommend this book. I loved every moment of it and can’t wait to read the next installment to learn more about this magical world. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5☆

This is just a fantastic kids book (but definitely one for all ages) that is magical and full of adventure and warmth

This story has the perfect balance, it dives right in and it's action packed from start to finish without being overwhelming, the world building is vivid and vast but easy to digest and keeps you fully immersed. I always love a story where you learn about the world as the main character does

The characters are so lovable. They gave me The House in the Cerulean Sea vibes, unique and fun but also loving and supportive. I loved Jasper and Roman especially and I hope Ben and Penny are fleshed out a bit more in the future.
Vanya is such a great main character to follow and the discussions around her neurodivergence (ADHD) was done so beautifully. The therapy she did was represented so well and was interesting to see through the eyes of an 11 year old. I feel like Sangu has this innate understanding and appreciation of children that I love to see here and in The Very Secret Society of Irregular Witches. Vanya feeling so different and masking all the time touched my own inner child and seeing the encouragement she got to be herself was heartwarming. I also appreciate that Vanya's ADHD and Ben's autism and neurodivergence as a whole are all named, there's no vague "sort of" rep that a lot of fantasy books tend to do. I truly recommend this to anyone who has an ND kid or was a struggling ND kid

This story is just filled to the brim with themes of self discovery and acceptance, magic, friendship and family and adventure. It is a very uplifting read and I was engaged the entire time, I can't wait for the next book!

Some features/tropes I adored:
🪿magic boarding school
✨animal familiars
🪿the illustrations
✨talking books
🪿ND rep
✨LGBT rep
🪿major Harry Potter vibes
✨unraveling family secrets
🪿folklore
✨portal doors

What a fabulous start to a new series by Sangu Mandanna. A wonderful mix of British folk tales and Indian mythology that really grips the reader and there is yet another version of a magical school for those who love this sub-genre.. It is one of those books that you can't stop reading and I am so looking forward to following the series.

So in general, this is a decent book. The characters are alright, storyline is also alright. But I just felt like I was reading something I'd read many times before. Nothing felt hugely original about it. It brought to mind many other magic school based stories, and really didn't spark a huge interest. Like I say, it was ok, but I've read much better in the same genre.
So give it a read, it's not a very long book, but don't expect anything hugely original about it.