Member Reviews
I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would! Loved the representation of an autistic MC and the concept of a changling acting as a twin rather than a replacement. Lots is sisterly love and great world building. Interested in what the sequel does.
The author did a bang-up job of portraying an autistic MC as well as believable sisters. Story also had good pacing. Overall, a lovely book
Unseelie was an adventure with strong sisterly vibes and good world building. Seelie and Isolde run away due to Seelie’s changling nature. Isolde was the baby that was stolen but her mother fought to get her back and decided to keep Seelie as her adoptive daughter. Seelie is loved by her family and they know not to fear her and her magic but the townsfolk feel different. Seelie has a hard time interacting with humans so her and her sister leave when her magic becomes uncontrollable.
Sisterly adventure, autistic MC, good plot. The fae world is similar to some of the other ya stories out there but in a good way. Interested to see how book 2 plays out.
First I wanna give props to the author for having an autistic main character and writing her so well. I just loved so much about this book, from the fae worlds to the twin back and forth, to the adventure. Being a twin myself (and we couldn’t be more opposite), I really resonated with this book. I just love how the author says we are meant to be as we are 🥹. If you enjoy fae worlds and sibling banter, adventures in the realm, as well as bounty hunter vibes with very light romance sprinkled in, then you may enjoy this one! Looking forward to the next book!
Great forage into fantasy with heavy terrain, but wonderful spotlight on autistic characters. I've found out since finishing that the author is also on the spectrum and that makes so much more sense now. I loved this story and these characters.
Unseelie is the story of twin sisters, Iselia and Isolde who end up on an adventure when Iselia (Seelie) steals an enchanted wagon after killing a toothsayer who tries to poison her on her birthday.
It is a well written book that moves quickly and keeps the reader engaged. I enjoyed the magic elements and felt the world building was well done. The relationship between the sisters is well done, I enjoyed seeing their roles change as they Seelie came in to her magic. My favorite aspect of the book was the portrayal of Seelie as an autistic FMC, an interesting twist on the changeling myth. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy books about Fae kingdoms.
Seelie and her twin Isolde, are living off the grid. Seelie is a changling who cannot control her magic. They are trying to pull off a heist during a party but instead get sucked into deeper fairy magic and have to go on a quest to remove a magical compass from Seelie.
I liked the shape shifter character but the story overall has not stayed with me.
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for this DRC.
#Unseelie #NetGalley
I love stories of the fae especially when changelings are involved. The idea of twins that aren't twins and the barriers this creates between characters raised together who look like each other but are intrinsically different is a fun and interesting concept.
This story is captivating from page one. The writing is well done, the plot and pacing read fast, and the characters are compelling. Throw in a treasure hunt and a heist and you have the makings of a wonderfully intriguing plot. I really enjoyed the lore and adventure that Housman creates. 10/10 would recommend.
I was so excited for this one but sadly it wasn’t hitting!!
The characters annoyed me, all of them. I’m very much a mood reader so take that with a grain of salt.
Seelie was the worst of them, seelie just seemed really whiny. This made it really hard to remember what happened throughout the book. I had to keep going back a few pages and still being so confused. I finished the book but I can’t remember what I read. This makes me so sad because this was one I was very excited for.
I unfortunately didn't like this book as much as I expected. The premise was fantastic but I did not really enjoy reading about the characters. It just did not hold my attention very well.
This book was everything I expected and more! In a book world full of fantasy this was a refreshing take on faeries and magic. The neurodivergent representation was well done and relatable. I appreciate that the author used thier own experiences to inspire the MC's behaviors and coping skills. I am looking forward to see where the conclusion of this duology will lead.
An interesting and exciting take on the fae. The cover drew me in, but I enjoyed the story and the relationship between the two sisters.
The fantasy setting for neurodiverse characters was really cool in this. That's not something that's usually common, so I'm glad for that. What's more, the plot was pretty interesting and engaging. The sibling and found family vibes were also really sweet. My only problem is why was it necessary for there to have been romances for no reason? It's not even a significant part of the plot. It's just... there. It's so... unneeded. The book would've been just fine without it, but so many books keep on adding romance for no reason but the sake of it. Anyways. I really liked this book but just had that one issue.
This was such a fun, immersive, fast-paced fae fantasy! I loved the representation and the world-building, and the voice was wonderfully immersive. Can't wait for the next one!
This was a fun fantasy and interesting play on the changeling myth.
A particular highlight of the book was the relationship between the sisters and seeing how it developed throughout the story, especially as Seelie grows in power and confidence and Isolde has to adjust to a sister who does not need her support as much as once did.
I also think Housman did a great job protraying Seelie's autism, and spinning the myth of the changeling (which is believed to have historically been a possible explanation of autistic people) on its head.
Overall, a great read and I'm looking forward to the sequel.
Overall, I liked this book, but the best part for me was the characters and their dynamics and relationships with each other. It was very interesting to see how things evolved and grew as the story went on. In the beginning of the book, the plot was super interesting and had me hooked. Unfortunately, it seemed to drag around the middle of the book, to the point where it was harder for me to continue, and I mostly did because again, I was enjoying the characters. The pace did pick up again towards the end, and the end did make me very curious about the sequel.
This book was SO GOOD! I love seeing autism rep in fantasy novels, especially because a lot of fantast doesn't include disability in their worldbuilding. As an autistic myself, being able to place myself in fantasy worlds is very very exciting and important. Would recommend this book to all of my autistic bookish friends!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the eGalley to review!
I largely enjoyed this book! Of course, my favorite thing about it is the fact that the main character is autistic, something that is explicitly stated by the autistic author who wanted to write a story based on the theory that changeling mythology is an early description of autistic children. As someone who exhibits a lot of the same traits as Seelie, I was happy to be represented by this main character while reading. She's also purposely flawed, being immature and self-centered--something that I also struggled with, especially around her age when I, too, really only had one best friend.
Her changeling nature is why she and her twin sister Isolde (who is her counterpart) were driven to a life of thievery, as Seelie made the townsfolk uneasy and feeling threatened, especially after a fatal accident. Isolde has gone with her to keep her safe and because she refuses to leave Seelie's side. To prevent their parents from worrying or being burdened by Seelie's unwanted attention, Seelie takes away their memories of them and those memories become several little flowers she keeps in a glass vial on a necklace. The twins agree that once they have enough money, Seelie will return their memories and they will leave to go somewhere they don't have to worry about people treating them horribly for Seelie being a changeling.
Enter the very risky heist of Wildline Manor, home to the richest and most powerful enchanter in the area. This doesn't go entirely well and suddenly the twins are thrown into a cat-and-mouse chase and forced alliance with a pair of other thieves who were doing the same heist. Danger and life-altering revelations abound and threaten the twins' relationship as well as their lives.
It was absolutely an interesting story that is going to be getting a sequel, and I simply love how the faerie/fairy realms/mythology is used and re-imagined in a fresh take. There were some stilted moments and the subplot romance budding between Seelie and Raze (one of the other two thieves they became stuck with) is awkward, but, like, more awkward than it needs to be even with Seelie's own awkwardness and inexperience. It almost feels a bit tacked on sometimes and other times it feels really genuine. But other than that, I did enjoy the character developments and interpersonal relationships between the main cast. I can't wait to read the next installment!
Get ready to dive into a world of magic and mystery with Ivelisse Housman's "Unseelie." The book follows Iselia, a changeling who's struggling to find her place in the human and faerie worlds. Along with her sister, she's on the run from a malevolent enchanter, and as they attempt to evade capture, they team up with two intriguing characters to unravel a gripping mystery. The protagonist, Seelie, is a lovable character with a relatable blend of kindness, courage, and self-doubt. Her bond with her sister is genuine and their differences make them inseparable. The supporting cast of Sol, Raze, and Olani adds depth to the story, and their interactions with Seelie are a joy to read. The world-building is expertly crafted, and the gradual reveal of information maintains a steady pace. The second half of the book is packed with action, with twists and turns that will keep readers riveted. While the chemistry between characters could be stronger, there's a fun romantic subplot. What sets this book apart is the inclusion of an autistic protagonist. The author's personal note at the end is poignant, highlighting the fact that autistic individuals are diverse and often misunderstood. Overall, "Unseelie" is a fantastic read, and the author's exploration of magic and representation of an autistic character make this book a standout.
I loved this story! The representation of an autistic main character and making that their magic, love!! This one got me hooked right from the beginning and I couldn’t put it down.