Assessment:
Plot/Idea: The description of the fae realm here is a prime example of original and creative worldbuilding. The story is replete with interesting twists and unexpected developments as Eevee mourns her boyfriend of ten months and learns more about her adoption and origins.
Prose: Throughout the book, the power of words—both to help readers search for their identity as well as to communicate with others—resonates.
Originality: Readers with ADHD may or may not identify with Eevee, as this part of her storyline is not as emphasized or evident.
Character Development/Execution: The characters are vividly described and immediately draw the reader into their issues. Seventeen-year-old Eevee deals with two complex elements in her identity: ADHD and also adoption. Although the story progresses around the character’s adoption, there is less discussion around her ADHD.
Date Submitted: June 06, 2022
Quarter Finalist
Assessment:
Plot: Shakespeare buff Evelyn Gray Acker (aka Eevee) is 17 and has just been dumped when she makes the shocking discovery that she is fae. After a scavenger hunt of clues left by her parents, soon Eeve and her new companions she meets along the way are embroiled in the internal politics of a struggle taking place in a realm totally separate from their “normal” lives.
Prose/Style: The text has a natural, easy-to-comprehend flow, while the social media posts will undoubtedly be more easily accessible to the intended audience of this unique YA coming-of-age story than they are to an adult.
Originality: Holly is great at creating a milieu of teendom, especially in having much of the communication among characters transpire as social media posts, but the author may not be quite-up-to-date on how they are currently using it, which dates the story a bit.
Character Development/Execution: It can be hard to talk about character development when the main character and narrator is actually changing species, but the key here is that Eevee is depicted so accurately as a contemporary teenager that the transformation to fae seems completely plausible.
Date Submitted: August 24, 2021
A page turner- once I started I didn't want to set it down. Eevee is an ordinary Midwest girl (and can I tell how much I love seeing that coming from the Midwest myself!) until she finds out she's not. It's great to meet a character who's so relatable She's not an orphan trying to find her way in the world; she's got homework, and siblings and parents who set curfews, not to mention two best friends that don't always agree with her but have her back.
I love the way that we see more and more magic in this story as Eevee finds out more about her birth parents. I love the mysterious characters who keep appearing (I still don't know how many of them we can trust). And I love that Eevee isn't perfect- she has her flaws, but they make me love her more as a character
Told entirely from Eevee’s perspective, the narrative exhibits a lighthearted, conversational tone that is consistent throughout...
Despite the light tone of the prose, the novel deals with weighty topics, including identity issues, questions of adoption and identity, self-doubt, determination, courage, and perseverance.
…as Eevee begins to look into her real identity, the worldbuilding expands further with deceptions and dangerous fey conspiracies coming to fruition. Sure to please fans of the YA fantasy genre.
Such strong characters! I am amazed how Holly was able to develop the people and relationships so quickly. Family, friends and boyfriends all bring the drama and I immediately started to care about them.
Excellent fantasy story that blends real challenges with secrets, danger, adventure and a lot of fun! I am looking forward to book 2!
Thrillingly full of intrigue, magic, and emotion…“
Eevee is an endearing heroine, imperfect yet amazingly resilient as she faces the difficult circumstances of her life with courage and strength...
The engrossing first-person narrative is enhanced by the atmospheric worldbuilding, a mix of magical benevolence of the fae realm and trenchant decorum of humans...
YA fantasy fans will be delighted by this coming-of-age story about identity, friendship, and love.
Un-put-downable.
