In Nell by L.K. Campbell, when fourteen-year-old Nell Howard flees her volatile home with her younger brother Ben, their dash into the woods turns into something far more dangerous when an unseen force pulls them into Drayward, a secluded settlement cut off from everything they know. Ben is injured, strangers insist they must remain, and Nell discovers she has an ability that makes her valuable to people on both sides of a mounting conflict. While their father Joe searches for them back home, Nell is forced into a place governed by strict rules and hidden motives, where every step toward safety reveals another barrier between the siblings and Indiana. Her only goal is getting Ben home, yet the further she moves through Drayward, the more she realizes that leaving may depend on understanding the very power that brought them there. What begins as a flight from home becomes a fight to reclaim it.

L.K. Campbell’s Nell is a really unique portal fantasy, and the author does an excellent job of transitioning between the parallel storylines of Nell and Ben in Drayward and their parents and law enforcement searching for them at home. Nell is a fully realized character, and even as she tries to adapt to life in an unfamiliar society, she never loses sight of the singular goal of returning home with Ben. I love Brenda, Nell’s dormmate in the women’s residence called Hodspatch, and through Brenda, we, along with Nell, learn how Drayward operates. Hattie is the antagonist, a Drayward elder who forces Nell into honing her emerging power. Initially, I expected Ben and Nell's mother to have this role, but her arc is spectacular—and I'd read a prequel on her alone! With excellent world-building, from the oceanfront edge of Traverse Sound, where enemy territory lies across the water, to the grand Commerce Building's marble floors and formal council chambers, the author delivers a crystal-infused, rope-wielding, telekinetic portal story worth every moment spent on the page. Very highly recommended.

Nell is a young adult fantasy novel by L.K. Campbell. After yet another argument with their mother, Nell and her brother, Ben, venture into the woods and suddenly find themselves in a mysterious place called Drayward. There, the elders, Charlie and Hattie, have their own plans for them. They slowly entrap the siblings through manipulation. Nell, however, discovers that she has powers that might help her and Ben leave Drayward. With a few other unlikely allies, Nell plots their escape. Meanwhile, Nell's father, Joe, has been arrested for his children's disappearance, even though he had nothing to do with it. Her mother, on the other hand, is plagued by guilt and sets off to search for Nell and Ben with Joe's attorney, John. Will the kids be able to escape from Drayward?

Part fantasy adventure and part coming-of-age novel, Nell is a captivating tale of hope and redemption. Author L.K. Campbell has crafted an engrossing narrative. It has multi-layered characters and an unpredictable plot that keeps surprising you with its twists and turns. The book's pacing is excellent. Campbell sets up the characters and plot deliberately, allowing the reader to become truly invested in the story. Even the secondary characters have interesting personalities and story arcs. Nell and Ben have very distinct personalities. Nell's growth as a person throughout the book was one of the highlights for me. I also enjoyed Joe's and Cindy's separate storylines. All in all, this is a great coming-of-age novel for young adults, especially fantasy fans. I thoroughly enjoyed it, and you will too!