“Our gifts let us see so much…but it’s not really living if we’re not in our lives.”

Walk the Web Lightly by Mary Pascual weaves together crucial lessons about family and heritage with supernatural elements to create a world that is entirely its own. Walk the Web Lightly is Pascual’s second young adult novel, and it follows Naya, a young girl whose interests are piqued by science and medicine, trapped in a family that cares more about art and tradition. What sets this family apart, however, is their supernatural abilities to see through the webs and lines of time. Naya believes she is ready for science camp, but her family disapproves. In Naya’s attempts to prove her maturity, she comes to realize that her powers are more dangerous than she thought, especially in the wrong hands.

Walk the Web Lightly is an interesting young adult novel, to say the least. The age of the main character is difficult to place. At times, Naya feels she is only ten or eleven, but as the book goes on, things get so dark that I thought Naya might be sixteen. By the end of the novel Naya’s age is confirmed, but the story feels too mature tonally to be middle grade, while the characters feel too young for this to be a story for young adults. The novel dragged for me in the first half, with Naya being a flat character with superficial interests that aren’t explored to their full capacity, and the grandmother character being far too mean and close-minded. The novel took a drastic turn in the second half, however, and shocked me immensely. Near the end of the novel, Naya is kidnapped, seemingly out of nowhere. While the novel established that the assumed “bad guy” in the beginning of the novel was watching Naya, the ending was genuinely terrifying. With the combination of the tonal switch and the characters coming across one-note, I cannot say that I fully enjoyed this story. In the final chapters, it becomes clear why Naya’s grandmother was so harsh and why their supernatural powers must remain a secret, but ultimately, the conclusion did little to progress Naya’s character motivations or establish how she could pursue her interests in the future knowing how powerful she is. Walk the Web Lightly has some imaginative ideas and explores both Naya’s and the villain’s powers in a fascinating way, but it feels two separate novels for two different ages of readers.

Pine Reads Review would to thank SparkPoint Studio & SparkPress for sending us an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change before final publication.

Follow us on Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, and Facebook @pinereadsreview, and check out our website at www.pinereadsreview.com for , author interviews, blogs, podcast episodes, and more!young-adult1 Renee Godding729 857

Actual Rating: 3.5/5 stars

“Our gifts let us see so much…but it’s not really living if we’re not in our lives.”

Walk the Web Lightly is a unique magical realism novel targeted at the upper end of middle-grade to lower end of YA. It tells the story of Naya, a 14-year old girl who shares her families gift of seeing the “web” of possible pasts and futures of people around them. Naya is interested in science and medicine, yet her family urge her to honor their traditions and persue a path of further developing her web-weaving skills.

What I d:
Overall, I love this novels premise, and the magic system does come to fruition througout. I feared it would be difficult to picture, but the author does an amazing job of helping us visualise what the experience of having this gift is for Naya and her family.
The book touches on some very important themes and messages that young readers will be able to relate to. Especially the family dynamics are really well developed. I loved seeing Naya and her mum navigate their differences (family tradition vs Naya’s individual wishes, the pressure of parental expectations, and the struggle of wanting to protect a loved-one vs letting them go) in a really loving and positive way.
On a small but related note: it’s wonderful to see this parental expectation trope “flipped” around here. There are plenty of YA-novels about parents wanting their child to become doctor vs persue a career in arts, but Walk the Web Lightly turns the tables on that end.

What I didn’t :
My biggest critique would be that this novel struggles to match a single target audience. The story reads much a middle-grade story, and initially, I would’ve guessed Naya to be around 11-years old. Our villain feels very one-dimensional and lacks the nuance that I’d expect if the book were targeted at an older audience.
Then half-way through the novel, some heavy topics are introduced in a way that doesn’t quite feel at home in a middle-grade novel. Don’t get me wrong: you absolutely CAN discuss heavy topics in middle-grade, but the flippancy with which it’s done here, and lack of discussion about it afterwards, does feel out of place.
Additionally, the book stumbles on its worldbuilding and pacing at times. Although the magic-system is well visualised, the first half of the novel is heavy on exposition and butler-dialogue. It takes the wind out of the books sails quite a bit, and I wish some of this would’ve been trimmed down.

Many thanks to Spark Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
2024-releases childrens-and-middlegrade magical-realism2 s Violet Springs159 4

Naya is a young girl from a family with the unique ability to see time. Her family is deeply rooted in their artistic traditions and the secrecy surrounding their powers. However, Naya has a different dream: she wants to become a doctor, a path that demands openness and exposure, contrary to her family's insistence on concealment.

When Naya gets an opportunity to attend a medical science camp, her family disapproves, valuing their traditions over her ambitions. Nevertheless, her Grandmother offers a challenge: if Naya can successfully weave her soul wrap before the camp starts, she can go; if she fails, she must abandon her aspirations of becoming a doctor.

With the ability to see time and all its knowledge, Naya is confident she can meet the challenge. However, she soon discovers that someone is manipulating events to uncover her family's secrets. This unforeseen threat reveals that Naya's lack of knowledge about certain things could endanger everyone she loves.

Tropes
- Conflict of Traditions vs. Ambitions
- Coming of Age
- Magical Realism
- Family and Loyalty
- Mystery and Intrigue

Review
"Walk the Web Lightly" is an enchanting tale that combines the whimsical elements of fantasy with the grounded aspirations of a young girl determined to follow her dreams. Mary Pascual crafts a rich narrative that explores deep themes of tradition, ambition, and the complexities of family dynamics.

Naya is a relatable and determined protagonist whose struggle to balance her family's expectations with her own desires will resonate with many readers. Her journey is both inspiring and heartwarming, as she learns the importance of both her heritage and her personal goals.

The magical realism element of seeing time is woven beautifully into the story, adding depth and a unique twist to the traditional coming-of-age narrative. Pascual's prose is lyrical and vivid, bringing to life the world of Naya and her family's intricate and secretive powers.

The challenge set by Naya's Grandmother and the subsequent mystery surrounding the manipulation of events create a compelling plot that keeps readers engaged. The stakes feel real and urgent, emphasizing the significance of Naya's quest.

It is a captivating young adult novel that will appeal to fans of fantasy and magical realism. Mary Pascual's storytelling is both imaginative and thoughtful, making this book a delightful read for anyone who enjoys tales of self-discovery, family, and the pursuit of dreams. Naya's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the importance of staying true to oneself while honouring one's roots.1 Bethany513 6

Fourteen-year-old Naya feels stifled by her family. She spends most of her time at school or helping out at her mother and grandmother’s fashion business run from their home. Whenever she is allowed out, she isn’t allowed to venture far. Her loved ones’ protective tendencies are warranted, though. All three of them share a gift—the ability to see other individuals’ pasts and their potential pathways in the future—and historically, their kind has not always fared well once discovered.

Something big is about to happen. Naya can feel it coming, but she can’t see what it is.

This coming-of-age, part-urban fantasy, part-magical realism tale has an interesting premise. Based on the descriptions, I could picture how Naya and her family can see that alternate world of threads connecting people to each other, their pasts, and their futures.

We get to see the family dynamics at play and how family history plays into how Naya is raised. We get to see Naya exploring who she will become within her family and friend group, where she can grow in her ability to walk people’s timelines, and how she values art but wants to pursue science, much to her family’s consternation and dismay.

After the day-to-day exposition in the story, events begin occurring that force Naya to reevaluate her perspective on her own past, present, and future.

***Spoilers below***

The first half-to-two-thirds of the book are heavy on exposition. There is a lot of day-to-day content with brief interjections from the villain watching Naya along the way.

Then there is an active shooter, and it almost feels we step into a different novel. (Given the target age for this book, I do wish there had been more discussion around how people responded to and coped with this event.)

The cast of characters is still the same, but at this point, multiple major events start happening in the story.

The villain feels very one-note, and there are a few references to him being raised in the foster care system. I feel uncomfortable with the implication that having been a foster child may be the reason he turned out the way he is. There doesn’t seem to be another reason for the words “foster care” to be included in his backstory.

Overall, Walk the Web Lightly has an interesting premise, but I didn’t find myself as engrossed in the novel as I had hoped to be.

I received a copy of the book from BookSparks. All review opinions are my own.This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.Show full review Doe39 1 follower

I received this book as an ARC from Netgalley, however all opinions are my own

How I read this book: eBook

So the reason I wanted to read this is because I saw the description on Netgalley and it genuinely looked such a cool concept and was something that really intrigued me. Unfortunately, I ended up being a little disappointed by this book. I'd first to start off by saying the idea of this book and their magic was really cool, and I found it really interesting to read about their magic and how it works. However, the whole first half of the book was just talking about how their magic works, and then the various mundane tasks they do throughout their day with a small dual perspective of our secondary character keeping tabs on our main character. There wasn't a lot of excitement that happened within the first part out of describing their magic system and I really felt it could have been condensed down to less than the 150 pages it took. I found this really difficult to read until we got to part 2 of the book. Part 2 was where everything that was exciting happened. It definitely made me want to the pick up more but then I had the opposite issue of feeling rushed through all of the information I got at once, I was left feeling wanting to know more about what we had learned about characters, and not getting the satisfaction of finding out. Overall, I enjoyed this book enough to have finished it, but will I pick it up again? Probably not. I just don't think this book was for me.

My Favourite Characters:

Isabella (Short Shorts): I honestly loved Isabella's character even though we didn't get too much of her in the book. She really went to bat for Naya and I loved her for it.

Mamma: I loved Naya's mum so much. You could truly tell she cared for her daughter so much and I love seeing those type of familial figures within stories.

My Least Favourite Characters:

Mr. Lindy: Mr. Lindy honestly grossed me out so much, he can actually get in the bin.

Sylvia: Honestly, for Sylvia's age she was a horrible, horrible character. I'm glad there wasn't a lot of her in the story.

(If you'd to see more of my please go to my blog:
https://doesden.blogspot.com/) Susan Ballard1,819 74


I’ve wanted to read this author, and I’m so glad I did! In this book, she weaves magic and family with art and science to create an enchanting story about a young girl trying to forge her own way.

I enjoyed getting to know Naya and her protective mama and grandmother. They are artisans—weavers and painters. But their ancestors, they possess a magical gift: they can walk the lines ( delicate webs) and see time.

The family is incredibly secretive about this special gift, so Naya has been secluded and sheltered. She is beginning to make friends, and she loves science. Her dream is to be a doctor, but her family is not supportive of that.

Naya wants to go to science camp, but her grandmother challenges her to weave a soul wrap before she can. Meanwhile, someone is trying hard to learn the secrets of Naya’s family magic.

This was a creative way to use the gift of the knowledge of time. I enjoyed how the story weaved art and science in, yet it didn’t feel too sci-fi- — just magical. Naya is bright, caring, and determined, which makes it easy to root for her, although I couldn’t place her exact age. (Sometimes she seemed quite young, while other times she seemed more mature.)

This is a vibrant coming-of-age story with sweet family relationships given to that usual push and pull and some fun friendships.

Thank you @BookSparks and @MaryTheWeirdGirl for having me on #SpringPopUp tour and gifting me a copy.
family-drama magical-realism Megan19

Mary Pascual's "Walk the Web Lightly" is a captivating exploration of family ties, tradition, and the magic that binds them. Set in a world where art and secret abilities intertwine, the novel follows Naya, a young girl torn between her family's expectations and her dream of becoming a doctor.

Pascual skillfully crafts a narrative that delves into themes of identity, sacrifice, and the pursuit of passion. Through Naya's journey, readers are immersed in a richly imagined world where artistry and mysticism converge.

The magic in "Walk the Web Lightly" is enchanting, from the intricate soul wraps to the subtle manipulation of time. Pascual's vivid descriptions bring this world to life, captivating readers with its beauty and complexity.

The plot is filled with suspense and intrigue as Naya grapples with forces determined to uncover her family's secrets. With brisk pacing and expertly crafted twists, the story keeps readers engaged from start to finish.

As a fan of Mary Pascual's work, I found "Walk the Web Lightly" to be another captivating read. Her ability to blend magic and realism creates a compelling narrative that will enchant readers of all ages. With vibrant characters and thought-provoking themes, this novel is a shining example of Pascual's talent as a storyteller. Heather Nichols58 19

Walk the Web Lightly: A Novel, is a perfect fit for readers who delight in stories about self-discovery, family secrets, and the struggle to balance tradition with personal ambition, with a dash of magical realism and a thrilling mystery to keep them on the edge of their seats.


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