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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
**Thank you to the publisher for providing an electronic ARC through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**
In Devin Greenlee’s queer young adult fantasy debut, we follow Quill, a young half-dryad who has been hidden away from the outside world as he grows into his magic.
The problem is, his magic hasn’t come yet (much to Quill’s frustration). He longs to explore the world, go to school, maybe even make a friend… but for now he’s restricted to his family’s garden and flower shop.
Then their new neighbor Liam comes crashing in (literally) onto Quill’s fire escape. A potential new friend combined with a mystery involving a thief that has broken into the (magical, fragile, nothing-in-it-should-be-in-the-hands-of-anyone-outside-Quill’s-family) garden… Quill has a lot to juggle after a life of complete secrecy.
This coming-of-age book pulled me in and didn’t let me go for a good while— just as the original Secret Garden story did the first time I read it! It was fascinating to see how Quill navigated learning about himself, about his magic, and the outside world, I adored the character interactions (Liam and Quill’s budding romance is so sweet!), and it was so refreshing to see that Quill has a loving and supportive family.
While I was very excited to read a queer fantasy retelling of The Secret Garden (one of my favorites as a kid), this felt more like a reimagining than a beat-for-beat retelling. Which isn’t a bad thing, just wasn’t quite what I was expecting from the marketing.
All in all this was a wonderfully heartwarming queer urban fairytale, and I look forward to reading it again and again!
In Devin Greenlee’s queer young adult fantasy debut, we follow Quill, a young half-dryad who has been hidden away from the outside world as he grows into his magic.
The problem is, his magic hasn’t come yet (much to Quill’s frustration). He longs to explore the world, go to school, maybe even make a friend… but for now he’s restricted to his family’s garden and flower shop.
Then their new neighbor Liam comes crashing in (literally) onto Quill’s fire escape. A potential new friend combined with a mystery involving a thief that has broken into the (magical, fragile, nothing-in-it-should-be-in-the-hands-of-anyone-outside-Quill’s-family) garden… Quill has a lot to juggle after a life of complete secrecy.
This coming-of-age book pulled me in and didn’t let me go for a good while— just as the original Secret Garden story did the first time I read it! It was fascinating to see how Quill navigated learning about himself, about his magic, and the outside world, I adored the character interactions (Liam and Quill’s budding romance is so sweet!), and it was so refreshing to see that Quill has a loving and supportive family.
While I was very excited to read a queer fantasy retelling of The Secret Garden (one of my favorites as a kid), this felt more like a reimagining than a beat-for-beat retelling. Which isn’t a bad thing, just wasn’t quite what I was expecting from the marketing.
All in all this was a wonderfully heartwarming queer urban fairytale, and I look forward to reading it again and again!
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
A very cute YA love story with a whole magic plot going on in the background. The MC does annoying silly YA decision making type stuff but there were still some surprising twists & turns and an exciting finish
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
This queer Secret Garden retelling takes this framework of isolation and gives it a fantasy twist. At the heart of Evergreen is wanting to protect someone so dearly that we think the only we can is if we keep them where we can see them. We don't let them stray too far into a world of dangers, unknown elements, and risks. But that never works, despite our best attempts. Evergreen is an awakening. It's not only a queer awakening, but also of figuring out Quill's likes, dislikes, and voice.
This queer Secret Garden retelling takes this framework of isolation and gives it a fantasy twist. At the heart of Evergreen is wanting to protect someone so dearly that we think the only we can is if we keep them where we can see them. We don't let them stray too far into a world of dangers, unknown elements, and risks. But that never works, despite our best attempts. Evergreen is an awakening. It's not only a queer awakening, but also of figuring out Quill's likes, dislikes, and voice.
I wanted to enjoy this book. There were so many great concepts that were either left unexplored, rushed through, or abandoned completely. The romance took the front seat of a story that needed world-building and magic-building. I found myself not even caring about the characters because their development was so lacking. It had the potential to be so good and the beginning of something great. If there is a second book, I would be very wary to give it another chance.
I just reviewed Evergreen by Devin Greenlee. #Evergreen #NetGalley
I just reviewed Evergreen by Devin Greenlee. #Evergreen #NetGalley
adventurous
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
● YA
● Fantasy romance
● Secret garden retelling
This was cute! Quill and Liam are adorable as they get to know each other. I thoroughly enjoyed the magic aspects and truly didn't see the twist coming.
Quill is the only male dryad to ever be born. With his bright green hair, he is definitely a little different. His mother keeps him inside at all times and all Quill wants is to be normal and go to school. Then Liam moved next door, a human. The two quickly become close and Quill trusts him with his family secret. But will Liam keep the secret?
I loved that there was a little mystery going on along with the boys' growing friendship.
It does read like a debut novel, but for its target audience I think it's terrific.
● YA
● Fantasy romance
● Secret garden retelling
This was cute! Quill and Liam are adorable as they get to know each other. I thoroughly enjoyed the magic aspects and truly didn't see the twist coming.
Quill is the only male dryad to ever be born. With his bright green hair, he is definitely a little different. His mother keeps him inside at all times and all Quill wants is to be normal and go to school. Then Liam moved next door, a human. The two quickly become close and Quill trusts him with his family secret. But will Liam keep the secret?
I loved that there was a little mystery going on along with the boys' growing friendship.
It does read like a debut novel, but for its target audience I think it's terrific.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Thank you to NetGalley, Entangled: Teen, and author Devin Greenlee for providing me with an advanced digital copy of this novel to review. All opinions within this review are voluntarily given and entirely my own.
Evergreen is a queer coming-of-age urban romantasy, told from the perspective of teenage dryad Quill, who is just beginning to extend his roots into the world of humans after a childhood of seclusion. Though advertised as a reimagining of The Secret Garden (and similarly described by the author as Rapunzel meets The Secret Garden), Evergreen’s primary parallel to the classic is that it also contains a garden that is kept secret— beyond that, shared plot and thematic components are minimal. That said, Evergreen has an interesting premise, but fails to elaborate sufficiently on what I feel are the most interesting elements of the story: the dryads and their garden. Because of this, it is difficult to grasp the scale of the stakes until very near the end of the novel, which makes the presence (and identity) of the antagonist feel out-of-place, and the ending rushed. There are also several plot and narrative inconsistencies, so perhaps Evergreen could have benefitted from more time spent on developmental editing and revisions. I do, however, feel that Evergreen will be better received by its (intended) YA audience.
Evergreen is a queer coming-of-age urban romantasy, told from the perspective of teenage dryad Quill, who is just beginning to extend his roots into the world of humans after a childhood of seclusion. Though advertised as a reimagining of The Secret Garden (and similarly described by the author as Rapunzel meets The Secret Garden), Evergreen’s primary parallel to the classic is that it also contains a garden that is kept secret— beyond that, shared plot and thematic components are minimal. That said, Evergreen has an interesting premise, but fails to elaborate sufficiently on what I feel are the most interesting elements of the story: the dryads and their garden. Because of this, it is difficult to grasp the scale of the stakes until very near the end of the novel, which makes the presence (and identity) of the antagonist feel out-of-place, and the ending rushed. There are also several plot and narrative inconsistencies, so perhaps Evergreen could have benefitted from more time spent on developmental editing and revisions. I do, however, feel that Evergreen will be better received by its (intended) YA audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness
Moderate: Confinement, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail
Thanks to Netgalley and Devin Greenlee for approving this eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Dryads, a magical garden, a pretty cool premise - I did not know however, that this was marketed as a retelling of The Secret Garden, which is a book I dislike immensely.
This book, was significantly more enjoyable for me than The Secret Garden, but just didn't click with me. I found the dialogue to be a tad corny at times, albeit amusing in some instances. I do however think, that this was pretty good debut, for Devin Greenlee, I'm interested in checking out any future works of his!
If you're looking for a cute romantasy, are a fan of The Secret Garden, and like mythology mixed with an urban setting, you will most likely enjoy this story!
Dryads, a magical garden, a pretty cool premise - I did not know however, that this was marketed as a retelling of The Secret Garden, which is a book I dislike immensely.
This book, was significantly more enjoyable for me than The Secret Garden, but just didn't click with me. I found the dialogue to be a tad corny at times, albeit amusing in some instances. I do however think, that this was pretty good debut, for Devin Greenlee, I'm interested in checking out any future works of his!
If you're looking for a cute romantasy, are a fan of The Secret Garden, and like mythology mixed with an urban setting, you will most likely enjoy this story!