No Place Like Home by Linh S. Nguyễn

No Place Like Home by Linh S. Nguyễn.

I’m beginning this review with negative comments. Please keep in mind that these were my very early thoughts as I started reading this MG portal fantasy novel. Okay, here it goes…

At first, I was disappointed with No Place Like Home because it read to me as a modern Neverending Story. Displaced child, no friend groups, mom incognito, and a sad, searching bookworm who comes across a magical portal book.

Well, I was wrong. I love Lan and her new friendship group with Annabelle and Marlow. I love friendship quest stories. As a late teen, I read LOTR twice in a row because I bonded so much with Tolkien’s characters that I couldn’t release them from my life. I attach easily to people, especially imaginary book friends.

I appreciate stories where the characters learn and grow through their friendship group. I loved their flaws, especially Annabelle’s tough sharp personality.

My favourite chapter was not one filled with action or the main climax of the story. I loved STRAY WITCH IN SILVA. I am a social being and this chapter brought all the love and goodness the three friends had to offer. I appreciated how Nguyễn explained the portal and the types of witches but it was the layers in her characters that I adored in this chapter. Lan’s concern for the plants that would be destroyed for their huge city-saving spell pulled my heartstrings being a nature-loving girl. Annabelle’s tough independent exterior softens as she embraces her vulnerability. Marlow is kind and endearing from the get-go but realizing this tough guy would prefer to be learning instead of fighting was such a nice treat.

My only complaint is that Nguyễn’s characters do not speak like 11-14-year-olds. The writing is perfect for the MG age and the themes fit that age group. The characters read as older teens. But with that said, it didn’t take away from the story. It likely popped more for me because I have read many MG books lately.

No Place Like Home is a fabulous portal fantasy for kids who adore friendship troves. Each one of these friends would be a great role model for Nguyễn’s tween readers. They are flawed and they are real. They learn and grow from their mistakes with the help of their friends. I’m glad I came across this one.