“Unseelie” (#1 in duology) by Ivelisse Housman ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Genre: YA High Fantasy. Location: Mortal lands and faerie realms. Time: Summer to autumn.
Favorite line: “…the world flashes by in vignettes of chaos.”
Isolde is 17. Identical twin Iselia (Seelie) doesn’t know when her birthday actually is because she is a changeling with autism. The fae left her in the human world as an infant, and she’s always been different. “All the rules of human behavior I’ve worked so hard to learn feel wispy and impossible to grasp.”
They left home when they were 14 to keep their parents safe from those who hate changelings. Now Isolde pickpockets to keep them fed as they travel in their enchanted former traveling-show wagon with Birch, their cat-shaped brownie.
When they sneak into a shapeshifter’s mansion, an enchanted treasure compass melts its silvery ink into Seelie’s hand. Joined by Olani the healer, and Raze the shapeshifter, and pursed by evil fae and humans, they search for a treasure more valuable than gold-if Seelie can control her wild magic and protect them.
Author Housman was diagnosed with autism at 15, and uses her knowledge of neurodivergent information processing to enhance her fairytale-like prose. She was inspired by the theory that changeling mythology is an early description of children with autism.
Houseman’s debut novel builds a magical and atmospheric world where spirited mortals must be cautious of the glimmering fae who walk among them. There’s a map-thank you Ivelisse Housman! And a slow enemies to lovers trope: “I thought I hated him, but I don’t. I just can’t stand him…”
Her amazing illustrator maintained book integrity down to the too big collar on Seelie’s dress, the belt that had to be wrapped to fit her, and the wisps of hair always escaping from her braid.
It’s a classic fairytale filled with mystery, adventure, enchantment-but it’s much more than that. Unseelie is a love letter to those who are neurodivergent. It’s 5 stars from me! I can’t wait to read her next book!🌵📚💁🏼♀️ I earned this early copy by completing reviews for BookishFirst. Pub date: Jan 3, 2023.
Favorite line: “…the world flashes by in vignettes of chaos.”
Isolde is 17. Identical twin Iselia (Seelie) doesn’t know when her birthday actually is because she is a changeling with autism. The fae left her in the human world as an infant, and she’s always been different. “All the rules of human behavior I’ve worked so hard to learn feel wispy and impossible to grasp.”
They left home when they were 14 to keep their parents safe from those who hate changelings. Now Isolde pickpockets to keep them fed as they travel in their enchanted former traveling-show wagon with Birch, their cat-shaped brownie.
When they sneak into a shapeshifter’s mansion, an enchanted treasure compass melts its silvery ink into Seelie’s hand. Joined by Olani the healer, and Raze the shapeshifter, and pursed by evil fae and humans, they search for a treasure more valuable than gold-if Seelie can control her wild magic and protect them.
Author Housman was diagnosed with autism at 15, and uses her knowledge of neurodivergent information processing to enhance her fairytale-like prose. She was inspired by the theory that changeling mythology is an early description of children with autism.
Houseman’s debut novel builds a magical and atmospheric world where spirited mortals must be cautious of the glimmering fae who walk among them. There’s a map-thank you Ivelisse Housman! And a slow enemies to lovers trope: “I thought I hated him, but I don’t. I just can’t stand him…”
Her amazing illustrator maintained book integrity down to the too big collar on Seelie’s dress, the belt that had to be wrapped to fit her, and the wisps of hair always escaping from her braid.
It’s a classic fairytale filled with mystery, adventure, enchantment-but it’s much more than that. Unseelie is a love letter to those who are neurodivergent. It’s 5 stars from me! I can’t wait to read her next book!🌵📚💁🏼♀️ I earned this early copy by completing reviews for BookishFirst. Pub date: Jan 3, 2023.