The Druid Scholar

Ivelisse Housman’s YA fantasy Unseelie begins on the eve of Revelnox, a festival that celebrates the thinning of the veil between the human world and the faerie realms. Struggling to survive after running away from their homes, changeling Iselia “Seelie” Graygrove and her twin Isolde plan to use the celebration to cover their heist of the Wildline Manor and end up getting more than they baragained for when their caper causes them to cross paths with Raze and Olani, a duo on a mission to uncover the truth and regain their rightful places in Auremore. On their journey for treasures unknown, Seelie learns more about herself than she had bargained for, and steps into her power to become a force to be reckoned with.

This book interested me for numerous reasons. The first being that I have always been mildly fae obsessed, so all fae content is exciting to me. More than that, I was interested in the author’s interpretation of the idea that changelings were actually autistic children. Seelie, always considered the outcast, often unable to verbally express herself, feels like a true representation of neurodivergence. As someone who has been diagnosed with ADHD, a “disorder” that shares many things in common with autism, I recognize and relate to Seelie’s reactions. This is perhaps one of the most authentic portrayals of what it means on the spectrum that I’ve ever read. Me fifteen years ago would have loved this book more than I can truly say, and I think teens now will relate highly to this novel.

I wanted more out of the ending, but I feel secure in the knowledge that Housman is waiting until the next book to give it to us. Housman is good about threading hints throughout the story in such a way that they are unobtrusive, but still memorable when it comes time for the truth to be revealed. Truth be told, I actually felt a little mad at myself for not figuring some things out before they happened, which is a position I only rarely find myself in! For the ending of this book, I don’t know that enough information was given to make one able to guess much of what’s coming next. We don’t really know our antagonist all that well, and this obscures her motivations beyond simple control (assuming she has any). For me, the ending felt like when a TV show has to wrap up prematurely because of a writer’s strike. [Is this a good moment to say that this reviewer supports the Harper Collins Union, and you should donate to their fund??] You know it will be back, but you weren’t fully satisfied by the ending. Then again, I have not read many duologies, and this might just be better for the overarching story structure. Either way, I eagerly await the next installment!

You’ll love this book if you liked The Darkest Part of the Forest by Holly Black (or really, any Holly Black) or Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone Trilogy. So too may readers of the School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani and lovers of faerie heists!