Quintessence by Jess Redman - 9/10

This tale of friendship and the mysterious nature of the world invites readers to explore other perspectives and provides insight into the struggles of mental health.

Ever since moving, Alma feels lost and becomes increasingly isolated when she begins to experience panic attacks. However, when she sees a human form curled inside a falling star, her empathy is aroused and she is spurred to action. In order to save this special visitor, Alma must break out of her comfort zone to explore her new home and gather four special ingredients, and she won't be able to do it alone.

I think that the most special thing about this book is the way that anxiety and panic attacks are explained and explored through Alma's character and experience. It is clear and well developed - and could serve either to inform those who have not experienced these struggles or to reassure those who have or are experiencing them that they are not alone nor beyond hope. This exposition is woven throughout the story, and therefore does not come across as dry or forced.

There is also a lot about the development of friendships and trust, how our perception sometimes leads us to the wrong conclusions, and how different people complement each other when given a chance - sprinkled with a fantastical adventure and a race against the clock, which keeps the story moving along. The magic system provided is based around the elements (earth, air, fire, and water) - along with the existence of extraterrestrials - so it's a little more subtle than magic wands and spells and such (it has some elements of science-fiction as opposed to strictly fantasy).

*While Alma exhibits a lot of growth over the course of the story, there are several instances of the trope of lying to parents and sneaking out of the house etc. throughout the book.