West of the Sea

By: Stephanie Willing

Narrated by: Stephanie Willing

Tae Keller meets Tracey Baptiste in a tale of generational trauma, told with a cryptozoological twist.

Paleontology-loving Haven West and her older sister, Margie, have hardly talked with their mom since she retreated into a deep depression. Each morning Haven wonders if it’s going to be a “good” or “bad” day, and the only thing that seems to occupy her mom is collecting fossils for her bone garden.

But one night, after an ominous moonlight heart-to-heart, her mom disappears—right before Haven discovers she’s inherited a monstrous family trait. It turns out that she is the latest in a long line of cryptids, a past her mom has been hiding. Suddenly, the Texas terrain is full of ghostly dinosaur silhouettes and Haven is breaking out in scales at all the wrong moments. Even worse, she doesn’t know whom she can trust with this information.

Since the only person who could guide her through this has vanished, Haven sets off on the road trip of a lifetime with Margie and their new friend Rye in tow. Together, they’re determined to find her mom and finally get some answers, hopefully before Haven’s secret is revealed . . .

©2023 Stephanie Willing (P)2023 Listening Library

Critic reviews

* "Willing’s sparkling debut incorporates profound family dynamics, ghostly dinosaurs, a shape-shifting cryptid, and Celtic mythology, culminating in a suspenseful, innovative read."—Publishers Weekly, starred review

"Intriguing mythology with a prehistoric twist and an endearing family focus."—Kirkus Reviews

“Part road trip adventure, part family reckoning, Willing’s debut ambitiously approaches loss, mental illness, identity, neurodivergence, and adolescence and executes them with compassion and depth.”—Booklist

All the things! Courage, cryptids, and coffee!

Absolutely flawless narration of this ambitious YA novel about a teenager grappling with teenage stuff - a depressed mom, a dismissive older sister with her own secrets, social awkwardness, oh yeah, and a newly discovered heritage that may mean she's a monster. The usual things.

A quest for answers ensues, and all the characters grapple with discoveries about themselves or those they care about, and what it means when people are not who you thought they were. It's funny and wry, and clips along but also touches big themes that matter.

Outstanding.

Fossil filled fiction that makes real world issues accessible…

Skillfully crafted, West of The Sea, by author/narrator Stephanie Willing digs up some serious life issues and makes them more accessible and less scary for the younger set. Through Haven, and her older sister, Margie, readers learn all sorts of science-y things (ecological, geological, meteorological…) while also following the characters as they encounter issues relating to personal growth, identity, and mental health. I especially liked how Willing presented the material in a manner that is so true to life while in parallel to a plot line that also puts forth some monstrous myths.

A grand adventure!

Stephanie Willing beautifully narrates her own story of a Texas family in the scary process of learning about themselves, both emotionally and physically, as some of them are not as human as they seem. I don't want to give too much away! But seeing dinosaurs, shape-shifting, commanding the weather, and water, water, water, are all part of this wondrous story of a girl who learns to accept her differences while she accepts those of others. A grand adventure for kids and adults alike.

Totally Enthralling!

I love this audiobook! Stephanie Willing does double duty as writer and narrator of this beautiful middle grade novel that had me hooked from the first word!

Stephanie's narration is perfection and enhances (if that can be possible!) her wonderful story of familial relationships, shape-shifting cryptids, friendships, and acceptance. Plus I learnt how to make a great cup of Japanese iced coffee!