Thanks to NetGalley for providing access to this ARC! I’m a sucker for Shakespeare retellings, and this book did not disappoint. I flew through this story about an angry gamer girl and a sensitive “sportsboi.” I love the dual narrators, both distinct in voice and motivation. The authentic diversity of diversity — race, sexual orientation, age, relationship status, hobbies, etc. — is refreshingly not forced or cliche. As frequenter of fan conventions, I really appreciate VI’s “woman in a man’s world” perspective, although my experience hasn’t been as negative or one sided as hers. The author did a great job of building the mythology of the games and fandoms within the novel. This was a fun, fast read!

Thank you netgalley for the ARC

🏰 D&D
🏰Football legacy
🏰Enemies to Loverd
🏰Hidden Identity
🏰Grumpy x sunshine

Jack is the high school football super star. He has everything going for him. During his senior year he suffers a major injury and has to sit out for the season.

Vi is a complete nerd. She's extremely smart right down to living D&D. Vi is quite aggressive and is hard to get along with. She truly only has one friend and even that friendship is questionable.

Both Jack and Vi find themselves playing Twelfth Knight, however Vi is playing under a male character.

This one was just not for me. Just way to predictable.

This book helped me both understand more of the online community which is good for the people I hang out with because then I can understand their conversations more.

The romance was cute for a YA romance.

Reading this felt like watching She’s the Man but through a nerdier filter. The early 2000’s Shakespeare retelling movie vibes are strong. Overall it was a little predictable but I like that about the book. There was also enough originality in the FMC that I really enjoyed. I think Viola is someone I would have wanted to be friends with in high school but I would have been to scared to actually approach her. In a way it was reminiscent of being back in high school, where is everyone is just trying to be someone they’re not. I also like the exploration of gender roles in the gaming/RPG world, it’s not something I’ve experienced myself in my little experience with DnD but it was a good intro. I really felt for her when when those situations came up. Overall, It’s a light fun read that I think most people would enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley, Alexene Farol Follmuth and Tor Publishing group for this eARC

First, thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

The way I devoured this book! It only took me two days to read it and I enjoyed it so much. I loved how complex the characters were, the relationships between each other, and the way they grow through the story. Even the side characters are amazing I would have loved to see more of all of them! It's a genuine and comforting story, with an amazing message, and everyone should read it.

The only "con" I found it it's that I don't usually like the miscommunication/telling you're someone that you're not trope because I suffer with the characters, but that's just a me thing

I was thoroughly entertained and captivated by the story!
The story follows Vi, a high school student who finds solace in the online gaming world of Twelfth Knight, where she can escape from the challenges of her real life. Vi is a strong girl, but she struggles with being appreciated by her peers. The connection between Vi and Jack, both online and offline, is undeniable and their interactions are filled with witty banter and genuine moments.
I particularly enjoyed how the story explored the idea of finding acceptance and love for who you truly are. The author does a fantastic job of balancing the fun and lighthearted moments with the deeper and more emotional moments between Vi and Jack. It was a joy to see their relationship evolve.
I highly recommend this book and can't wait to read more from this author.

Tropes: grumpy x sunshine, slow burn, secret identities, enemies to lovers, gamer x football player

Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth (Olivie Blake) is truly a beautiful and powerful read. Twelfth Knight provides comfort for readers who struggle to open up and let others in. The author managed to write a book with both a cute romance and truly powerful story about women in male dominated spaces. If you’re looking for a cute romance that provides an exploration of feministic themes that leaves you feeling powerful, then this is the perfect book for you. Alexene Farol Follmuth (Olivie Blake) continues to dominate any genre she chooses to write in.

Enjoy some of my favorite quotes from the book:
“𝐈 𝐝𝐨𝐧'𝐭 𝐤𝐧𝐨𝐰 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐧𝐲 𝐠𝐢𝐫𝐥 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐛𝐞𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐮𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲 𝐟𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬.“
“𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐬𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐈 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐦𝐲𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐬𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐟𝐞𝐞𝐥 𝐛𝐢𝐠?“

Thank you to Netgalley and tor Tor publishing group for the arc in exchange for an honest review!

”I just think that maybe happiness isn’t crossing a finish line, or finally meeting the right person or getting the right job or finding the right life. It’s the little things.”

i reallyyyy enjoyed this. i absolutely loved vi, jack, olivia, bash, and everyone else. not matt das though. the door is that way, and he can leave <3 i was super interested in this book because i love the author, and i also had high expectations. though i didn’t give this 5 stars, 4 stars is still a very good rating for me.

the plot was good, and it was pretty unique. i haven’t really read any books about gaming, so i was excited to give this a try. the mix of gaming and football was odd to me at first, but the author was able to successfully mix the two and not make the book super weird, and it was so fun. the book was a little predictable, as ya romances often are, but this was still 100% worth the read.

4.4 rounded down to 4/5

In "Twelfth Knight," Alexene Farol Follmuth presents a captivating tale of identity, self-discovery, and unexpected connection amidst the backdrop of online gaming and high school politics. With a blend of humor, romance, and poignant introspection, Follmuth deftly navigates complex themes while delivering a heartwarming story of growth and acceptance.

At the center of the narrative is Viola Reyes, a multifaceted protagonist grappling with the pressures of conformity and the struggle to carve out her own space in the world. Follmuth skillfully portrays Vi's journey toward self-acceptance, capturing her complexities and vulnerabilities with nuance and authenticity. Vi's decision to create a masculine alter ego in the MMORPG Twelfth Knight serves as a metaphor for the masks we wear to navigate societal expectations, highlighting the dichotomy between online personas and real-life identities.

The dynamic between Vi and Jack Orsino, both in the digital realm and offline, forms the heart of the novel. Follmuth masterfully explores the nuances of their relationship, from initial animosity to gradual understanding and mutual respect. The grumpy-sunshine dynamic between Vi and Jack adds depth to their interactions, while the slow-burn romance unfolds with palpable chemistry and emotional resonance.

While the novel excels in its exploration of character development and interpersonal dynamics, there are moments where the pacing feels slightly uneven, particularly in the latter half of the story. Additionally, while Vi's Filipino heritage is mentioned, it could have been further integrated into the narrative to enrich her character and deepen cultural representation.

Despite these minor criticisms, "Twelfth Knight" is a compelling read that blends romance, humor, and introspection with skill and charm. Follmuth's adept handling of complex themes, coupled with engaging characters and witty banter, makes for an enjoyable and thought-provoking reading experience. The incorporation of Shakespearean elements adds depth to the narrative, while the vibrant cover art enhances the book's appeal.

In conclusion, "Twelfth Knight" is a captivating YA novel that celebrates the power of authenticity, friendship, and self-acceptance. With its engaging characters and heartfelt storytelling, it offers readers a poignant reminder that true connection transcends barriers of identity and expectation, both online and offline.

This book is for the literature and gamer nerds. The plot was really good and the writing was thoroughly enjoyable. The banter and dialogues were top-tier. I also loved that this book was more character driven than plot but it doesn’t lessen the fun in any way. Romance as a subplot is something I have been enjoying lately. The retold Shakespearean plot line was also done really well. This book felt very modern and relevant for the current era.

Thank you to NetGalley and tor publishing group for generously giving me arc of this book in exchange for honest review.

p.s what a lovely book cover!

Unfortunately, this book was not for me.

I found the plot confusing and did not feel like it had much sustenance.

Even more so, I really did not like the characters. My favorite character was the side character of Olivia. Other than that, Vi and Jack (the main characters) I found insufferable.

I get partially Vi is made to seem a bit difficult. Still, as a reader, I had absolutely no sympathy for her. As the characters around her stated, she almost purposefully pushed others around her away. I want to feel at least some sympathy for characters, and I really felt none or any connection to her at all.

Again, this may be for another reader, but it was just not something I enjoyed at all.

I have read multiple books by Alexene or Olivie (her pseudo-name for her na/adult books) to know that she is an incredibly talented author, her writing style is beautiful and captivating, and she is very capable of grabbing your attention and keeping it throughout the book, however, for this one, it was quite a bit of struggle to read it throughout without losing your interest, at least for me, I put down the book multiple times before finishing.
It's a good book, but it didn't resonate with me like her other works.

I’m not usually a YA contemporary romance reader, but I’m a big Shakespeare nerd and got sucked in by the title. I’m so glad I did, because I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I loved the character growth and relationships that developed the more I read. More than anything, I related to the main girl, Vi, with her righteous anger at the systemic oppressions that still exist in our society. She was incredibly relatable, and I love where she ended up in the end. I would definitely recommend this book to people I know.

Halfway through I wasn't really sure how I'm gonna rate this book.
Generally, I love Alexene and her writing, My Mechanical Romance was one of my fav YA romcoms I read in 2022, but this kinda missed the mark for me.
And then I read the acknowledgements —

Huge amounts of gratitude to my agent, Amelia Appel, who was such a champion for this story [. . .] and to my editorial team at Tor Teen and Macmillan Children's, [. . .], who cared so unfailingly about the impetus of a story that often defied marketable narrative structures. When I told them (lightly paraphrased),"Okay, so I know that romance novels are supposed to have defined action beats and I'm taking too long with each character, it's just that this story is really about anger and who is allowed to feel it, so ultimately the romance is the cherry on top of two characters' coming of age rather than being, you know, The Whole Point-hahaha that's fine, right?"


This actually summarizes Twelfth Knight perfectly and if I'd known this going into the book I'd had had different expectations. The story focuses more on who the characters are and what they are going through than any humour and romance.

At first it really reminded me of She's the Man, which was to be expected since they are both based on the same play and supposedly rom-coms. It didn't take long to start noticing the differences though.

Vi, our FMC, was a complex character, someone I could really relate to especially when I was her age. Her anger was a living, breathing thing and a lot of people won't like or understand her at first the same way she isn't widely liked or understood throughout the book, but her prickliness is armor she wears to protect herself from "inevitably getting hurt".

I just wanted to hug her most of the time and promise her it'll get better. She might have been harsh and blunt and grumpy most of the time, but she's also loyal to a fault, dependable, a go-getter, and also someone who actually feels everything very deeply but didn't know how or liked to show it.

Jack, our MMC, was the sunshine to Vi's grumpy. He's the type of person everyone loves and looks up to, but he's also thoughtful and kind and loving, and he had layers even if Vi didn't want to acknowledge it at first.
Jack definitely needed someone like Vi in his life — so completely different from who he was in the beginning.

I loved their dynamic and banter though I wasn't floored by their chemistry every time they were in a room together, especially in the beginning.

I loved a lot of the side characters like Olivia and Bash, others like Antonia - not so much.
I thought Vi and Olivia had great chemistry, really loved their friendship. Loved the way Olivia opened up to Vi and trusted her with her secret.

I was surprised how much the book focused on Twelfth Knight which is the MMORPG the characters are playing constantly throughout. There were times I felt like the story was more about the game than about any kind of romance which left me a little confused (again, if I'd only known this wasn't gonna focus on the romance).
Don't get me wrong, the MMORPG's storyline was pretty interesting but I felt like Jack and Vi talked more about what they'll be doing in the game than did any actual bonding.
I didn't really feel it between them until the second half of the book and the last like 35%.
I got really invested 60% into the book, that's when Olivia's secret was revealed and things got more interesting.

The character development was great, loved where Jack and Vi ended up.

This wasn't my fav book by AFF but it's still worth the read especially if you are into what I mentioned in my review.
I'm looking forward to Alexene's next book.

eternal gratitude to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC

Twelfth Night has always been my favorite Shakespearean play so this book was right up my alley. I liked the way it modernized the story and had fun picking up on the little nods throughout.

I'm not much of a gamer, but that didn't lessen my enjoyment of the book. The main relationship was really cute and the characters were flawed in an endearing, likable way. The deception played out cleverly and realistically. This was definitely a fun take on a timeless tale.

I read an ARC of this book from NetGalley. All comments are my own.

A Shakespeare retelling will do it for me everytime, especially Twelfth Night! A couple of the football references might have been lost on me and the gameplay ones too but one things for sure She's The Man being one of my favorite and most rewatched movies ever came in handy.

Don't know how this will come across but I've never been more tethered to a character than Vi Reyes. And i love that so much. Every thought and reaction she had definitely mirrored my own, at a point I was like "omg am i the bitch?" Haha. I kept thinking "she's definitely right tho" or "I said the same thing". She's me and I'm her and I loved that she was unapologetically herself. Even when being like that made her feel sad or lonely sometimes because me too. I wasn't kidding when I say we're locked in, even her relationship with her mom mirrors mine and we've definitely had the same "no man is an island" type Convo. Insane.

I've been on a romcom kick lately and this is definitely my favorite of the month. This isn't usually my genre so I'm really exploring new authors and Alexene Fullmuth has got herself a new fan. Not to be hoity-toity but I can be pretty picky with what I want especially when it comes to writing styles and I fell in love with this one immediately. I don't know how to explain it but the narration was charming. Not necessarily the characters (they were but) the WAY they were presented to me... I had a fun time reading and immediately scrolled back to my favorite annotations.

But Anotonia tho? A new mortal enemy.

I really enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. At first, I wasn’t sure if I would like Vi’s character but she grew on me after a while. I thought this story was really sweet and the author touched on sexuality well. It was well written, funny, and emotional. I’m so glad I gave it a chance and read it. Thank you so much to Netgalley and the Publisher for a copy of the arc in return for an honest review!

I was so excited to get approved for Twelfth Knight for two reasons: I’m a huge fan of Alexene Farol Follmuth’s YA romcoms and I’m also a Shakespeare nerd, so a retelling based around fanfiction, gamers, and nerds was right up my alley. I havent read Twelfth Night since college, but I recently re-watched She’s the Man, so I had a little reminder of the plot line before diving in! Not that a reminder was absolutely necessary because the hidden identity, twin-swap, and gender impersonation tropes are pretty lighthearted in this story! On the other hand, Alexene addresses feminism, racism, and imperialism in all-too-real seriousness, which I enjoy about modern romcoms/comedies. I think it’s important to address the dark stuff, and it helps when it’s paired with light.

As per usual, Alexene is a master at dialogue and she brought to life, and reminded me, what teenage banter, flirtation, and uncertainty is like. Alexene also ended with a poignant forgiveness scene that is packed full of irony and introspection and addresses sexism. This book is definitely five stars for me and I recommend it to anyone who enjoys teen romcoms, female gamers, or nerd stuff like RPGs and Shakespeare!

4.5/5

Okay yes!!!!! Just yes! That’s the whole review!

But if you need more….

This is probably the best retelling I’ve read of any kind, but to be fair, Twelfth Night is my favorite of Shakespeare’s plays. This was just so cute and fun and well-done!

I loved so many of the characters in this book - like literally all of them except the ones I was supposed to hate! The personalities and the way they all interacted with each other was just perfect.

In addition to good characters, this book had sports, computer games, cosplay, tabletop games, theater….. truly what more could somebody want?!?

I would consider this a highly feminist book but it was not written in a “men are the worst” way. In fact, this book had a male MC who I loved, which is very rare for me.

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest rating and review.

"you," i inform him, "are the bane of my existence, jark orsino."
"as you are mine," he assures me.

MY BABIES. my actual babies. love them so much. they deserve the whole universe. first arc ever and i love it sm. definitely could have been more romance, especially when they got together in the end but yk what it's fine because they're so cute anyway.

'someone who keeps colliding with you, over and over. in everything you love. he's there too, and real or not, you can exist in every universe with ease because of him. because for every version of him, there is a corresponding one of you.'