Seelie is a changeling who has been living on the roads with her twin human sister Isolde for the past 3 years. Seelie always struggled to fit in and interact with the humans around her, enhancing the unease of the villagers in her hometown, and even making them sacred of her. That is why she decided to leave with her sister, in the hopes of finding a way to get rich and have the means to start a new life with their parents in a place where nobody would be afraid of Seelie and judge her family for accepting her and caring for her. After a heist goes wrong, the two girls end up being on the run and forced to collaborate with two strangers to survive and escape the enchanter who’s after them. They might even be able to find a treasure if they are clever and quick enough to survive.

Seelie and Isolde ran away because of Seelie’s changeling nature. Seelie was placed in Isolde’s home as a baby, and Isolde was taken to Faerie, but Isolde’s mother managed to travel to Faerie, get Isolde back, and decided to keep Seelie too as her adoptive daughter. While Seelie’s family loves her and understands that there is nothing to fear from her, the villagers are afraid of Seelie and her magic, and her family becomes outcast because of that. It gets even worse when Seelie’s magic starts to act out and Seelie struggles to control it, making people even more afraid of her.

I understood from the wonderful and very touching author’s note at the beginning of the book that she wanted to write a book where neurodivergent people would be represented in a way that didn’t make them appear as a different category of people or like they are struggling to live a “normal” life. I am not neurodivergent myself, so I am in no way able to tell if the author did a good job or not in that aspect (although seeing as the author is neurodivergent, I would assume that she knows what she’s talking about). Maybe the official diagnosis would be different, but I will go on a limb and say that she is an autistic character, although this diagnosis does not exist in the world she lives in. We could see through Seelie’s eyes and thoughts that her reactions to certain stimuli were different from what is usually expected from someone, and she struggled with decoding inferred ideas and second meanings, but we could also see how human she was, and how her differences only meant that she had to deal differently with certain situations, and process data in a different way, nothing more. It is also enlightening to see things from Seelie’s point of view and to understand how things that seem minor to others can have a huge impact on her.

The characters are well-developed and relatable. They are flawed and it leads to some heated arguments and fights between them. I like that they were forced to work together because they had similar goals, but they didn’t like each other at all at first, they grew on each other with time because they had to rely on each other to survive. The sisterly bond between Seelie and Isolde was also heartwarming and so strong. Having a younger sister myself, I have a soft spot for stories with sisters that are close to each other and have each other’s back, and Isolde and Seelie were a perfect example of sisters that would go through hell for each other.

The world-building resembles many of the fantasy settings I’ve seen in the past, but there is also the presence of other Faerie realms that reminded me more of the Cruel Prince setting, with ruthless faes that take pleasure in tormenting and taking advantage of humans. It was a nice mix, and while it could have been more detailed, it was well-developed enough to keep me interested and immersed in the book until the end.

There were some of the usual YA fantasy tropes in this book, but the fact that it was told from Seelie’s point of view, with her particular interpretation gave those tropes a different twist. What would usually have been a hate-to-love is instead a hate-to-trust-to-I-kinda-enjoy-your-presence-even-if-I-don’t-know-how-to-deal-with-those-new-feelings, which was great because while I am a sucker for a good hate-to-love romance, it’s also become something that is almost to be expected in any fantasy YA book, and it’s just so predictable most of the time, almost overused.

Overall, this was a very nice adventure with a good pace, an intriguing plot and world-building and just enough answers to keep us hooked, and just enough questions left to make us want to read the sequel when it comes out. It is not the best YA fantasy I’ve read, but it is a solid debut, and I definitely recommend it to any fantasy lover looking for changelings tales with ruthless faes, a ragtag group thrown together and forced to cooperate, and a quest to find a treasure with magical fights along the way.

The theory that the legend of changelings grew out of autism fascinates me to no end. I wish that could have been explored more deeply in this story, but I also understand that within the context of Seelie’s world, that’s just not possible. The depiction of autism was much more subtle than I anticipated, which may indicate that my understanding of autism is too rooted in stereotypes. I’ll be eager to see reactions from folks on the spectrum, to learn how Seelie’s story resonates for those who share her way of experiencing the world.

Book Summary:

Iselia (aka Seelie) and her sister, Isolde, are identical twins. Yet they have a mountain of differences between the two. Isolde doesn't seem to have any trouble navigating the world around her, while Iselia...well...

Let's go back to the beginning. Iselia is an autistic changeling, which adds all sorts of challenges to blending in with human society. If that wasn't enough, she and her sister are about to get caught up in something – a heist gone wrong, which is ever so much more complicated than it appears.

My Review:

I've heard nothing but good things about Unseelie, so I just had to sit down and read it! The rep alone (autistic main character) would have made it worth the read. But throw in magic, heists, and fae? You've got me hooked.

In my opinion, one of the most satisfying parts of this novel (in my opinion) is having a main character who makes decisions that don't make me want to scream! We've all read books where that happens...and sometimes it happens more often than not. So this was a very refreshing change of pace! I adored Seelie and everything she brought to the table.

If you're looking for a YA fantasy read with familiar foundations while providing a dash of something very different, Unseelie is the book for you. This is Ivelisse Housman's debut novel, and I, for one, cannot wait to see what she does next.

Highlights:
Neurodiverse (Autistic) Characters
Fae

Trigger Warnings:
Ableism
Child Abuse (mentioned)
Self-harm
Body Horror (mild)

Thanks to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This Fantasy YA novel follows Seelie and Isolde, twin sisters who get more than they bargain for when they steal an artifact from a powerful witch (maybe? She does magic). They end up on a treasure hunt with some unlikely allies, dodging danger and figuring out who they want to be. Seelie and Isolde are human & changeling twins, Seelie being the half fairie.

The adventure story and dialogue are very fun a well paced. The author discusses her choice to make Seelie a character with ASD, and while I can't comment on her treatment of this, I felt there was a lot of thought and care in this choice. I felt the book was a little long, and we only got to know Seelie very well. The other 3 main characters, Isolde, Raze and Olani were well sketched, but didn't get a lot character development.

The book does end with more questions than answers, but not exactly a cliffhanger.


#Unseelie #NetGalley

Unseelie is a fun fantasy adventure featuring an autistic protagonist. It’s wonderful to see representation of autistic people as heroes in the story, without erasing the characteristics that make them vivid and unique. I appreciated the insight into her way of thinking and processing the world around her, as well as seeing how her relationships with other people developed. Unseelie constantly moves forward with its plot, putting characters in new, exciting situations. At the same time, the story doesn’t lose track of its characters’ personal development and feels well rounded. It does end on with a strong hint at a sequel, and I would love to read more!

Seelie and Isolde are twins on the run, identical at first glance but as different as the sun and moon. Seelie is an autistic changeling, struggling to understand how her magic merges with her nature. When a heist that Isolde spearheads goes horribly awry, the sisters must team up with an unlikely pair to solve a rapidly unfolding puzzle, one that just might provide the answers Seelie’s been looking for. With faeries on their tale and faeries in their path, the sisters' bond – and Seelie’s control over her unruly magic– is put to the ultimate test.

What a lovely, warm, magical read. Seelie is an incredibly sympathetic and relatable main character, and her journey towards discovering her true power (in a plethora of ways) unravels beautifully. She and Isolde share a deep bond, woven by history and shared tragedy; their ups and downs are heartbreakingly real and land true.

Seelie, being the main character, was by far the most developed of the main four. While the book’s synopsis mentions the fact that she’s autistic, the story never uses that word, but showcases how her emotions express themselves through her magic. I was at times a little frustrated with Isolde’s lack of empathy towards her sister – but so was Seelie, and I was witnessing the story through her eyes.

My only wish would be for a bit more detail in the worldbuilding of the story. While the faerie lore is there and decently strong, I am still a bit confused as to the setting of the piece; what time period is this modeled after, is this urban or high fantasy, etc. For example, there’s no mention of cell phones or other technology, however there are motorized wagons that are described identical to motor homes and similar vehicles – though that just so happen to be powered by magic.

I had no idea this was the beginning of a series, and though it looks yet to be confirmed that the story continues, the ending is far too much of a cliffhanger for me to assume otherwise. I look forward to seeing what adventures and trouble Seelie, Isolde, and their new friends find next.

Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman is a young adult fantasy novel featuring a world of the fae. This young adult fantasy does have a slight twist to it in that the main character falls on the autism spectrum bringing this very real subject into the fantasy world.

Iselia “Seelie” Graygrove is a changling that was given to her human mother as an infant. When Seelie’s mother discovered this fact she could not give Seelie back to the fae but yet raised her as her own along with her human twin in their human world but life for Seelie has not always been easy fitting into that world.

Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman does seem to be a standalone fantasy but the author could have easily continued on with these characters and made it into a full series. I loved that the author mirrored the main character after herself and gave a voice to her own feelings over the years in such a creative way of a fantasy novel. The story flowed well and was easy to dive into as I got to know the world and characters. After reading I would be interested in reading more from this author in the future too.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Unseelie tells the story of two twins, one human and one changeling, on the run from society and getting by off of stealing/pick-pocketing their way through life. That is until one day they try to steal from one of the biggest names in society and end up with much more than they bargained for - teaming up with their enemies, getting stuck in faerie realms, and learning magic.

Overall, I enjoyed the storyline - particularly towards then end. However, I will say the the beginning half felt VERY slow. It took me about 6x as long to get through the first 2/3 as it did the last third. The pacing was a bit off because of that for me. I felt like the book could have gone on longer once I hit that third chunk - but I do think that cliffhanger properly hooked me into wanting to read the sequel.

I loved the interactions between seelie and the others as well. I think the author did an excellent job of portraying seelie without directly saying that she was autistic.

*I received an e-arc via Netgalley and the publisher for review. All thoughts are my own*

I thought this was a solid debut from author Ivelisse Housman! If you like stories about sisters, fantasy, fae, and good autism rep, I think this one is for you. I really appreciated the author’s note regarding how they’re neurodivergent, and how they wanted to include this by having an autistic main character. They wanted to write a book that they wish they’d had as a teen. It was amazing to read about a character who has meltdowns and sensory issues in a good light. I am not neurodivergent, but as a mom of two neurodivergent teens, I was very impressed.

Iselia “Seelie” Graygrove looks just like her twin sister, Isolde, but they couldn’t be any more different. Seelie is an autistic changeling trying to navigate her very unpredictable magic, and Isolde is more of an adventurer looking for the opportunity for treasure. Seelie has been finding it harder and harder to fit in with the humans around her. The two girls wind up becoming involved in a heist gone wrong and make some unexpected and unwanted allies, Raze and Olani. As their journey progresses, they find themselves unraveling a mystery that has roots in both humans and faes alike.

They soon discover that the secrets of the fairies may be more valuable then jewels or gold. The question is, can Seelie harness her magic in time to protect her sister and herself?

I really enjoyed Seelie and Isolde’s adventures and the relationships they develop with their unexpected allies. I loved watching them get chased through faerie realms and I loved Birch the Brownie, he was an unexpected treat! I felt that the pacing was kind of slow in the beginning and then it really picked up towards the end, and then it just ends. We were left with a bit of a cliffhanger, and I didn’t know until recently that this is a duology, so just be prepared for that. I had gone in thinking this was a standalone, and clearly it is not.

I recommend this book, out now! I will definitely read the sequel, as I need to see how this all plays out.

This was a great book to start my new year with! While there are some amazing elements of the characters and setting (I’ll get to those in a moment), I couldn’t help but be immediately drawn in by the plot. It starts off quickly and with enough questions and mystery right out of the gate to pique my interest without making me feel confused. The author does a great job weaving backstory details into the flow of storytelling. Even after the excitement of the beginning of the novel, the pacing stays high-paced and attention-grabbing until the end.

Seelie as a protagonist is a character I feel like many veteran YA Fantasy readers have been waiting to see, or at the very least I have. She’s smart but not arrogant and her status as both autistic and a changeling gives her plenty of flaws and obstacles or overcome throughout the story. And her twin sister Isolde plays an excellent foil while still being dynamic and well rounded.

In my free time, I’ve been reading lots of stories involving Fae and similar magical worlds/creatures. I appreciated that the author leaned into some of the staples of the genre as it give the reader more time to get acquainted with the unique protagonist of the story instead. But this is one of the first books in this genre I’ve seen that specifically explores changelings and what their life in a world among humans would look like. The way the author weaves this into the way autism is perceived in our modern-day society was one of the elements of the novel that intrigued me the most.

Unseelie is author Ivelisse Housman’s debut novel the first book in her duology. The plot is well-written and perfectly paced to keep the reader’s attention. But the plot is far outshone by the protagonist Seelie and her twin sister Isolde, both of whom are dynamic in their own ways and unique characters in this genre. I especially appreciated the new lens this book shines on familiar tropes in the Faerie Fantasy genre. I’ll be eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

DNF @20%.

I was super excited for this with an autistic MC, but so far the story has just been very lackluster. Maybe, I'll try it again in the future, but for now, this is a miss.

This book was ok, some parts kind of dragged, and it ended on a cliff hanger.

I had a hard time liking any of the characters or getting invested in them, and would of liked to have more back story on them.

I did like the representation of the autistic character though!

Thank you to InkYard Press for a review copy! First off, I have to say that I absolutely loved the autism rep in this book! Seeing the world through Seelie’s eyes was my favorite part of the book. I also really loved the sisterly bond between Seelie and Sol. I appreciated how it was the main focus of the novel.

However… something didn’t quite work for me with this one. I liked this book but I didn’t love it. I feel like the plot itself was underdeveloped. The world-building is kind of incoherent. I also wanted to shake the characters more than once for ignoring blatant red flags and making poor decisions.

I recognize and appreciate what the author was trying to do, I just felt like it could’ve been done better. The writing shows a ton of promise though so I will look forward to the sequel in the hopes that the writing will only get stronger from here.

Thank you Inkyard Press and NetGalley for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Unseelie is a good debut novel from Housman. It has the standard YA fantasy tropes, however, it’s told from the lens of an autistic MC who happens to be a changeling.

The story follows Seelie and her human twin Isolde who are trying to survive after running away from home years ago. After heist gone wrong, the sisters end up with some unexpected allies journeying with them to a find a hidden treasure.

The story was good, but honestly I was expecting to like it more than I did. The story flowed well and the pacing was fine for the majority of the book, but the ending felt rushed and abrupt to me.

Overall, I though I enjoyed the story. It was well written and Seelie was likable MC. Most importantly, the autism representation was great to see.

I definitely enjoyed this and really enjoyed the journey I went on with the characters. I'm hoping there is a book 2, because I definitely want to come back to the world and the characters.

An autistic main character that doesn't fit stereotypes? Count me in! Unseelie is the first book in a duology. The pacing is good and keeps your attention. Well done YA fantasy. I'm excited to see where book two goes.

**3.5 Stars**

Overall this was an interesting story with hints of what could be some super cool world building I would love to learn more about. The pacing was a little off, with the first 2 thirds being very slow with not much happening and more internalizing and angst and then the last third was so action jammed it was hard to keep track with how much was going on and bounced around. Also, the ending was a giant cliff hanger, so be aware you are going to want more asap. I definitely plan to pick up the next book so I can get all (hopefully) of my questions answered and see what happens next.

Side note here, the author posted online that Seelie the main character is autistic which I did not know/realize until I saw her post. As a character she is standoffish and has a hard time connecting to others and is a little bit ostracized, which I took to be from her being a changeling Fey that didn't fit in and was just a little bit different from everyone else. I guess those differences could be from autism or her changeling-ness... It made it a little confusing adding that factor in but maybe it works well that way?

I really enjoyed this YA fantasy from author Ivelisse Housman.

Loved the autism rep! Having a main character being sensitive, having sensory issues, and experiencing meltdowns while going on a fantastical adventure was a joy.

Seelie and her sister have a realistic and loving relationship, and their bond really carries the story. The magic system and mysteries behind changelings and the great war could have been fleshed out a bit more, but I still really enjoyed this story and am excited for the sequel.

Growing up, I was always obsessed with stories of fairies—and thus the changeling myth, where human children are replaced with fairy ones. I had never come across the version of this myth that entails non-autistic children being swapped for autistic ones. It is a very interesting angle, and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the representation it provided in Unseelie.

This is certainly a character-driven novel. There’s Seelie, who resists using her magic; her impulsive “twin” sister Isolde; Olani, a skilled fighter and healer; and Rave, a shapeshifter and the love interest. They’re a lovable ragtag group, but I struggled with their mission. They unite to retrieve an object of magical value, though I was never really sure how the object factored into the magic system.

Seelie was the star of the show. Her struggles to into society as a changeling paired very well with her difficulty connecting with and understanding her peers, even as they grow closer and closer. I also loved her relationship with her sister Isolde; the two fight and bicker, but they unconditionally support one another.

In the last leg of the novel, however, the pacing felt off. Subplots and important new details are introduced, but the lateness makes it feel rushed. Although Unseelie is the start of a duology, I still wish it had resolved more of its plot to make room for the next installation.

Unseelie is one of those books that should have been a top read of the year. It had all the things I would have loved in a book—relatable characters, dragons and shapeshifters, and a fascinating magic system. It had an intriguing take on fae and changelings and autism; all the perfect ingredients of a great story. And in many ways, it was a lovable story. I’m glad it was my first read of 2023.

But I struggled with the voice and the writing so much that I found it difficult to get into. The characters acted like young adults, but the writing itself needed to be stronger to draw me in. Ivelisse Housman relies heavily on telling the reader what the main character is thinking and feeling so much so that at times it feels as though she doesn’t trust the reader to understand anything. The dialogue was choppy and every character talked the same. The writing just didn’t flow in a way that was enjoyable for me to read.

In addition, I spent much of the book bored because it was action after action after action without much time to breathe, and it felt too repetitive, especially in the middle. I was left wanting more from the plot and from the characters and their interactions. I found myself skimming certain parts because I didn’t want to read another scene where they were running or fighting.

That said, there was a lot to like. The relationships within the narrative were well-written and intriguing. It had an absolutely brilliant enemies-to-lovers arc that made my heart happy. Raze and Seelie were on opposite sides, forced to work together for what they wanted. They needed each other and they hated that. And Seelie and Isolde had a really great sister relationship too—and it felt very realistic, with the back and forth between them and a lot of the tension in their relationship.

The book admittedly got infinitely better when Gossamer was on the page? I love a good villain with a complicated… relationship? to the main character. And he promises to be a really good villain in the sequel.

Overall, I am interested in the sequel (especially after that ending) (and okay let’s be real I’m reading for more Gossamer; he’s a very compelling antagonist). I do recommend this book—but I also think it’s one of those books with writing that isn’t going to be loved by every reader.