Creatures of the In Between

Creatures of the In Between #1

by Cindy Lin

Princess Mononoke meets How to Train Your Dragon in this magical middle-grade adventure from Cindy Lin, author of The Twelve, featuring a blend of East and Southeast Asian folklore and mythical creatures, and starring a boy with a hero's destiny.

Prince Jin is running out of time. He must find a monster companion before his thirteenth birthday or lose the throne completely, and that means travelling to the only place where monsters still live: the legendary, dangerous Whisper Island. But untold perils await Jin there. The magical creatures he seeks are not so easily swayed, and an even greater threat looms on the horizon--one that could threaten everything Jin hopes to achieve.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Mythology, Dragons, Adventure, Childrens, Audiobook

416 pages, Hardcover

First published April 11, 2023

About the author

A former journalist with degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University, Cindy Lin has worked for Sony Pictures Entertainment and has written and produced many multimedia news features for children, one of which received a Peabody Award. She is the author of Creatures of the In Between as well as The Twelve and its sequel Treasures of the Twelve.

Reviews

[Amber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prince Jin is about to turn Thirteen soon and without a monster companion, he cannot rule the three realms. Will he be able to go to Whisper Island to find his companion and save the world? Read on and find out for yourself.

This was a pretty good action-adventure fantasy novel. If you enjoy these types of books, then be sure to check this book out at your local library and wherever books and eBooks are sold.

[Celia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Books have no right to be this good. No right at all.

Thank you Edelweiss and Harperkids for the e-arc!

The plot:

Jin is a young orphaned prince who needs to find a monster companion before his thirteenth birthday or he'll lose the claim to his throne, leaving his grandmother to rule. Facing opposition left and right, he decides to run away and find a monster all on his own. But when he arrives at Beastly, he discovers a coverup, some new friends, and a new outlook on the monsters themselves.

The protagonist:

Jin is brave and determined and everything I love in a middle-grade book. He takes chances without thinking too far ahead which leads to some interesting situations. I love that he relies on his friends and his love for his people to get him through these tough moments. For such a young boy, he sure knows where he belongs: on the throne he was promised.

The plot:

This book has a unique plot with a splash of Asian myths and lore. I loved all the creatures we get to meet and Jin's journey to understanding them. The ending was action-packed and satisfying while leaving the story open to a sequel.

Overall thoughts:

I enjoyed every moment of this book! I saved it to read for Middle-Grade March and may be my favorite this month! I cannot wait to hold it in my hands (have you SEEN THE COVER??)

I do think this is an upper middle-grade book because of its word choices, but I do urge pre-teens to pick it up anyway and learn something new.

[Danielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5
Great story for middle grade. My mood wasn't quite into this, but rating as that isn't a factor.

The middle of this book definitely started to lose my attention. If that hadn't been the case, it would have easily been a 5. Great life lessons for the target audience. Probably a contender for Goodreads awards. I'd be very surprised if it doesn't get an entry.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first it felt like a standard “prince learns true meaning of responsibility“ story, but the details of the court, the grandmother, and the connection to animals drew me in. I really liked Jin’s growth and the extra secrets behind the problems of the kingdom and the castle. I hope there are more, but this one ended satisfyingly.

[Thistle]

There was nothing wrong with this book other than I was too old for it. The worldbuilding didn't really work for me (it seemed to be set in some fantasy ancient Japan), but mostly I didn't like the main character because he was a realistic, typical preteen boy. Can't fault the book for that, since preteen is the audience.

[Christopher · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really didn’t enjoy this because 1) as an adult I sometimes agreed with adults in the book, but also because 2) the structure and tone has a lot problems.

Prince Jin needs to go to Whisper Island to bond with a magical creature before his thirteenth birthday, but his Grandmother won’t let him. Sold as a story about taming magical creatures, this book takes a really long time to actually get to any magical creatures, making the start of the book extremely frustrating. Once Jin is on the island, it becomes a lot more fun, but barely any of the book takes place there. My next problem is more subjective, in that as an adult I found every character in the first half of the book very unsympathetic: The Empress is emotionally distant and physically abusive, Jin is spoiled and continuously breaks rules he shouldn’t, and all the courtiers are incompetent. Also, while the Empress is personally distasteful, she is also the only one making sense that ruling a kingdom is much more logistics and statecraft then having magical adventures, it was frustrating to agree more with the antagonist than any other character. The tone was also all over the place, where from Jin’s perspective he’s going on a happy go lucky adventure, but a lot of people die in the process and he barely reacts. Middle grade books can have battles and violence, but there is a lot of on page violence that characters simply don’t react to, seemingly because it would bring down the vibes. In the end, all of Jin’s actions are justified because of a surprise twist (that isn’t fully explained) and it leaves his character arc feeling hollow. It’s a shame because I think there was a really good book here if the magical island was reached within the first few chapters and the tone was handled better.

I don’t recommend this book.

[Therearenobadbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5
What I love about the Creatures in the Between is the Asian mythology, lore, and bestiary and male main character.

A great adventure for young readers of an impatient young prince who needs to find his monstermate before he turns thirteen or he won't be emperor. He is in the care of his grandmother who has a great Phoenix.
The so-called monsters are very rare and the people are starting to manipulate the tradition. I love that we get to experience so many creatures. Would love illustrations along with the short bestiary at the end of the book.
He runs away to search the island (Whisper Island) where the monsters live only to learn that there are not monsters, as people call them. The creatures are amazing and they all have their unique traits, leading Jin to grow up, and learn more about himself too. He is a rebel and will fight for and beside the creatures when they are threatened by humans.
My favorite part of the book was between 60% to 80%.

Cons:
This novel has a few problems with pacing and order (repetitions )laying the start and giving us a sensation of stepping back and moving forward and then back again. For example when we are ready to move forward with the story but it contradicts us (Jin breaks the rule by going to the festival then returns to the palace and breaks the rule again by leaving for the island)
It doesn't upset me as much but slows down my enthusiasm and reading.

Has a great studio ghibli vibe.

[Prabhjot Kaur · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Just because you expect something doesn't mean you'll get it."

Jin is a Prince and he is twelve years old. Jin lost his parents when he was little and his grandmother and the staff at the palace look after him. Jin wants to rule and he is getting ready to rule by focusing on his studies. But to be a powerful ruler, Jin must find a monster companion to bond with before his thirteenth birthday. A monster companion is a magical creature. The only problem is that no one has seen any monsters in the kingdom for years except for his grandmother's phoenix. Jin's thirteenth's birthday is only six months away and he has no clue how to find a monster and things get even worse when his grandmother forbids him from studying anything about monsters too. The only place monsters are rumored to be are in a place called, Whisper Island. No one knows if Whisper Island actually exists. But Jin is determined and sets his journey to find both Whisper Island as well as the monsters.

I was super excited to read this it was said that this features a blend of East and Southeast Asian folklore and mythical creatures, and stars a boy with a hero's destiny and I have great love for mythology. It started off really strong for the first couple of chapters. I felt Jin's woe and dilemma. I loved his dog. I understood Jin's need to prove himself. But after that, it got really boring and slow. Jin just stays at the palace doing this that and the other. Then there was Bingyoo. I don't know why she was even there. She added basically nothing to the story except to show that Jin is a humble person even though he is a Prince or maybe to add a female character. I don't know. She served no purpose in my opinion and I found her super annoying.

Things do pick up when Jin gets to the island but that was one of the main issues for me that Jin doesn't get to the island until almost halfway into the book. There is a little bit of action after that. I did like the other characters we meet there. Then the pace slows again. Needless to say that the pacing was really odd throughout the book. Then there is even a twist that makes very little to no sense. Jin was able to bond with two beasts. Why? It wasn't explained. If to bond was just to understand the magical beast then why aren't whisperers bonded to all the beasts personally? It wasn't explained. Why do the magical beasts need humans to guide them if they are magical? It wasn't explained. What was Bingyoo doing in the book? It wasn't explained.

The writing was okay but this book failed to satiate my fantasy hunger because the plot wasn't handled as well as it could have been handled. That end was left at a cliffhanger and whilst I am curious to find out what happened long ago and how was one character able to fool the way they did, I am not sure I would be reading the next in the series.

2 stars

[Rebecca Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Creatures of The In Between" is an enchanting middle-grade fantasy novel that follows the adventurous quest of Prince Jin, a young royal on the brink of his thirteenth birthday, faced with a daunting challenge. To secure his right to the throne, Jin must acquire a monster companion, leading him to venture to Whisper Island, a mysterious and perilous location known as the last refuge of magical creatures.

As Prince Jin arrives on Whisper Island, he quickly learns that the creatures he seeks are not mere beasts to be tamed or captured; they are proud beings with their own desires and fears. The narrative delves deep into the complexities of forming alliances with these magical entities, exploring themes of respect, understanding, and mutual benefit.

Adding to the high stakes of Jin's mission is an emerging threat that endangers not only his claim to the throne but also the very existence of the creatures he aims to befriend and the world they inhabit. This looming danger adds a layer of intensity and urgency to Jin's journey, compelling him to navigate the delicate balance between achieving his goals and protecting the fragile ecosystem of Whisper Island.

"Creatures of The In Between" has rich storytelling and well-crafted characters. The novel successfully avoids the pitfalls of middle-grade fantasy by providing a story that is both engaging and thoughtfully written. The creatures are described with vivid detail and creativity, bringing the mystical world to life and offering readers a glimpse into a realm where the lines between monster and companion blur.

The positive reception of the book is largely due to its ability to weave complex relationships and moral dilemmas into an accessible and exciting narrative. Readers will appreciate the dynamic development of Prince Jin as he grows from a boy seeking to fulfill a royal requirement to a thoughtful leader who understands the value of cooperation and empathy.

[Laila - Stories Steeped in Magic · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Rating: 5. The legendary adventure of a determined emperor-to-be and his discovery of mythical creatures. Thank you HarperCollins for providing an e-book copy through NetGalley.

Synopsis:
Jin is to be the future emperor of the Samtei. By his thirteenth birthday, he is supposed to obtain a monster companion to solidify his place on the throne, or else he will lose his birthright. But with his grandmother as empress dowager who refuses to teach him anything about magical beasts and locks him in the palace for trying, Jin is forced to defy the rules. He journeys to Whisper Island himself, a dangerous place where all the mystical creatures are kept for preservation - such as the graceful kirin and the fierce piyao. Jin’s excited to finally meet his monstermate, but also nervous: What if he can’t form a bond? What if his grandmother tries to stop him? Racing against the clock, Jin must learn the true nature of monsters and prove that he has what it takes to be the next emperor of the Samtei.

What I Liked:
The Creatures of the In-Between is an imaginative middle grade fantasy, full of rich folklore based on East and South East Asian mythology. Jin is an intelligent and headstrong character who does not let others dictate his life while also being humble enough to accept and learn from his mistakes. The worldbuilding is full of wonderful legendary creatures who each have their own personality or traits that make them unique from each other. The side characters are all supportive, well-written, and bring life to the narrative, while Jin’s iron-fisted and uptight grandmother serves as a perfect antagonist to his flexible and defiant nature. All characters are of East and South East Asian heritage.

What I Didn’t Like: Nothing!

Who Would I Recommend This To: Kids who like fantasy books, mythic and folkloric creatures and beasts, and East and South East Asian mythology.

Review Date: May 1, 2023

[Carol Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always give bonus points to authors who include strong vocabulary in their works. That being said, I wouldn't recommend this book for children older than twelve. I think a lot of the themes will seem a little too obvious to an older audience.

Okay, review time! Creatures of the in Between follows a young prince who is desperate to find his "monstermate", a mythological beast that will bond with him and prove his right to rule the empire. The beginning is slow, it takes a while for our main character to build up enough courage to take off on his life-changing adventure. But once he does, the creatures are as magical and fun and fantastic as that pretty cover promises.

[Miny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creatures of the In Between follows Prince Jin has always wanted to get his grandmother's approval and needs to find a creature companion before his thirteenth birthday to have a claim to the throne. Creatures haven't been seen in his kingdom for ages so he has to travel to Whisper Island and has to go on a quest to find his companion.

The characters in this story are fun and Jin in particular grows a lot throughout the whole story. It is very concisely written and was a fun adventure to follow. I enjoyed the relationships that Jin develops with all the characters in the book and how he becomes just Jin, not the crown prince to reshape what he thought about the world.

[Amelia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book does such a lovely job of creating a story for a child audience while still adding enough pieces to intrigue a wider audience. This book tells a sweet fantasy coming-of-age story which made me think about Pokemon many times. There are several twists and turns throughout which are thoroughly enjoyable and the main character learns important life lessons along the way. I’m intrigued about the sequel and will investigate!

Funniest mental image of this book: imaging an old grandma jumping off a balcony and high tailing it out the castle. Gave me some Merlin Disney vibes.

[Ezra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think my favorite part of this book was getting to learn about different fantastical creatures from East and Southeast Asian cultures and the different powers and abilities each one is said to have. And I liked that at the end there was a bestiary that went in to a bit more detail about the creatures of the in between and their origins in our world.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins for making this available in exchange for an honest review!

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great book that exceeded my expectations! I loved the lessons about respect and the character growth. I very much enjoy how the humans must make a mutual relationship with the beasts, not master or conquer or enslave them; it is a big improvement from most similar books. As a bonus, this is a book with a strong but caring male protagonist who is actually a good role model; not always common. Definitely recommend!

A4.5R4K3.5

[Courtney · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the character growth and of course, all the creatures. I feel like the last 20% of the book rushed and didn't quite meet the level of writing of the first 80%. I wonder if the author realized she was running out of pages and felt the need to wrap up quickly. Or it could be that much of it I was expecting/anticipating so I rushed. Regardless, a solid middle grade fantasy.

[Dae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was drawn into this book when I saw it in my library's catalogue, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading every page. The writing is wonderful for a children's novel, and one I'd recommend to a kiddo that's looking for stories with different mythologies. Jin was a great character to spend time with; seeing him grow and change as a character - learning how his impulsive actions come with weighty consequences that affect other people and stepping outside of the privileged world he lived in - was satisfying in so many ways. This was overall a fantastic read! :D

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The beginning was a little slow for me but once Jin was on his way to Whisper Island it had better pacing and excitement. I loved the magical creatures he bonded with there especially Momo, the adorable baby Baku, Tao and Chi. Jin definitely went on a hero’s journey and became a better person along the way. He is feisty and willing to break the rules to do what he thinks is right or fair. He grows over his journey and becomes a better leader for it. The battles near the end of the book both on the island and at home where well written and exciting. The ending definitely left it open to another book since there was more to be explained and I was curious to see what happens after all has been revealed.

[Misty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I adored this book very much. The writing was wonderful, the characters great, and I loved the plot. I'm a huge fan of Lin's other books so I was incredibly happy to read Creatures of the In Between. This is a fun, adventurous book for animal lovers and has a good message about taking on responsibility, thinking for ourselves, and not letting anything dictate what we can or cannot do.

[Jay Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the book, Jin's journey to find a creature to bond with takes the reader on an adventure that shows off not only the world itself but also the many magical creatures that populate it. Full of adventure and heart this is a great read if you love magical creatures.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I won this advanced review copy in a Goodreads giveaway. I really enjoyed this book. I thought the character of Jin was a relatable character. The lore in this book was also good. Overall, I recommend this book to anyone who likes adventure or Asian lore.

[Niva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Creatures of the In Between is an enjoyable and heartwarming fantasy adventure that is sure to appeal to fans of Dragons, Monsters, and the Boy King. It is a great choice for readers looking for a story with a diverse cast, exciting action, and a touch of magic.

[Nya Savage · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an impressive book considering how few of reviews it has and that it’s written for a young audience. Very nicely built story, setting, and characters. I enjoyed the addition of some light political conflict and growth for the main character!

[Wendy Hu-Au · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cindy Lin offers a wonderful magical world of mythical creatures I would be excited to return too. Unfortunately, the first half of the book was very tedious and hard to get through to get to the action.

[Ms. Yingling · Rating 3 out of 5]

E ARC provided by Edelweiss Plus

High fantasy hero's quest with lots of action and adventure in a setting with lots of Asian folklore.

[Erica Schimmel · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5

[Virna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good at the start, mediocre in the middle, and a bit boring in the end, too longhand slow.

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

Grandma may have been the bad guy, but she had incredibly valid points about not being able to run a kingdom if you don't actually learn about how to run a kingdom.

[Erin Mendoza · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun action packed story with lots of cool mythical creatures.
Slow to start and some questions that never got answered.

[Aylin Hala · Rating 5 out of 5]

5! I loved the plot of the book