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.

It had all the things I would have loved in a book—relatable characters, dragons and shapeshifters, and a fascinating magic system; But I struggled with the voice and the writing so much that I found it difficult to get into.
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. 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.
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.

This was a very creative and thought-provoking novel. I really like that the heroine is very autistic. I also liked the world-building and thought that it was well-developed. I also adore the romance at the end! The only thing I did not like about this novel was that it was slow at times! Nevertheless, this is a very interesting novel, and I look forward to the sequel!

Unseelie gives neurodivergent and autistic readers Iselia, a heroine who embarks on a quest that allows herself to accept her power and embrace her identity.

A powerful read, Unseelie captures the reader’s attention all while following Iselia, also known as Seelie, on an adventure to find treasure with her twin sister.

Brilliant Characterization

What I loved most about Unseelie was Iselia and what she represented. Iselia is autistic. She is high functioning, but at times, it also appears that she is neurodivergent. Iselia struggles a lot with her identity as a changeling. As a changeling, she is not her sister’s twin but a fae imitation. Their mother went into the fae courts and left with both children instead of choosing one over the other.

This incident also gave Seelie fae powers that she sometimes struggles to control, resulting in an incident that forced her and her sister to go on the run and turn to a life of thievery.

Seelie struggles with the magic that runs through her veins and feels less than human. Her sister, Isolde, loves her dearly, and together they have carved a life for themselves in their enchanted wagon. But when a heist goes wrong and not only saddles them with a pair of partners and the ire of a powerful enemy, Seelie is forced to learn to embrace her magic.

I love her personality and her struggles, not to mention how she sees the world. Through her mannerisms and thought process, anyone reading this can tell that she is on the spectrum. However, that is not because it relies on stereotypes or tropes.

Iselia is a very real person, and the reader can tell the author, who is autistic, used her personal experiences to give her life. The way Seelie processes the world and information, the way she struggles to express her feelings and thoughts, show the reader who she is and how she struggles every day, not only with others but also with accepting herself.

This makes Unseelie very descriptive, but that only adds to the story and plot, making for some tense moments and some humorous ones.

What also worked really well were those character dynamics. The characters push Iselia, accept her, and together they form their little family, saving one another from their enemies.

Final Thoughts
From beginning to end, Unseelie was immersive. Seelie is on a journey toward acceptance and embracing her power. And the cliffhanger and baby dragon at the ending has me itching to get my hands on the sequel.