Review | Unseelie by Ivelisse Housman

Unseelie is a fantasy adventure starring a changeling with autism by Puerto Rican author, Ivelisse Housman. 

This was a solid read; a great fantasy adventure. I enjoyed the developing relationships between all the characters and there was really great dialogue - mix of witty banter, heartfelt, and outbursts/ arguments. All of it felt authentic and purposeful.

Seelie's character development took much longer than expected. The pace was a little slower than I would have liked. At the 80% mark, I wanted things to wrap up already. Maybe too many scenes/tension building in just one book. But it was all really interesting!

I haven't come across many changeling stories, so Unseelie was a pleasant experience. Raze felt like the most developed character to me and I thought his back story was interesting. However, I wish there was more to Seelie but I guess it also made sense given she's a changeling. Lastly, it was totally badass how she saves the day! I wanted a bit more closure for the ending but perfect setup for sequel which I will definitely read! 

Here's the full synopsis: Twin sisters, both on the run, but different as day and night. One, a professional rogue, searches for a fabled treasure; the other, a changeling, searches for the truth behind her origins, trying to find a place to fit in with the realm of fae who made her and the humans who shun her. 

Iselia “Seelie” Graygrove looks just like her twin, Isolde… but as an autistic changeling trying to navigate her unpredictable magic, Seelie finds it more difficult to fit in with the humans around her. When Seelie and Isolde are caught up in a heist gone wrong and make some unexpected allies, they find themselves unraveling a larger mystery that has its roots in the history of humans and fae alike.

 Both sisters soon discover that the secrets of the faeries may be more valuable than any pile of gold and jewels. But can Seelie harness her magic in time to protect her sister, and herself?

* * * 

Unseelie is one of my February 2023 Book Club options. Order yours today!