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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Rounded up to 3 Stars on this one because it was very cottagecore and I love that.
Evergreen is very young at it's heart. It's about youth, about family, about first loves and finding out what it means to be ourselves. Quill, a male dryad, is a rarity in his culture and his mother is incredibly protective to the point of smothering -- at least from his perspective. His sister, Laurel, has a gift for life and plants as dryads should but Quill feels like a bit of an outsider in his own home and family run floral shop. He eventually meets Liam, a half-human who at first irritates and then entrances him, and together they must find out who is behind the intrusion into Quill's family garden.
This was very sweet. It was easy to read and very cozy, with lots of plant action and light-hearted, earthy magic. The romance was adorable and I enjoyed getting to understand how their magic worked and how they were tied to their plantlife. Overall, I wish there had been a bit more depth. I thought the villain was rather uninteresting and the climax felt a little flat for me. I don't think it's a spoiler to say that of course we get our HEA but the stakes just weren't there for me. But it was a very cozy, fun read, and I think it will appeal to younger audiences looking for an escape.
I'd love to see other books from this other later on. I think it can only get better from here.
Evergreen is very young at it's heart. It's about youth, about family, about first loves and finding out what it means to be ourselves. Quill, a male dryad, is a rarity in his culture and his mother is incredibly protective to the point of smothering -- at least from his perspective. His sister, Laurel, has a gift for life and plants as dryads should but Quill feels like a bit of an outsider in his own home and family run floral shop. He eventually meets Liam, a half-human who at first irritates and then entrances him, and together they must find out who is behind the intrusion into Quill's family garden.
This was very sweet. It was easy to read and very cozy, with lots of plant action and light-hearted, earthy magic. The romance was adorable and I enjoyed getting to understand how their magic worked and how they were tied to their plantlife. Overall, I wish there had been a bit more depth. I thought the villain was rather uninteresting and the climax felt a little flat for me. I don't think it's a spoiler to say that of course we get our HEA but the stakes just weren't there for me. But it was a very cozy, fun read, and I think it will appeal to younger audiences looking for an escape.
I'd love to see other books from this other later on. I think it can only get better from here.
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**
Devin Greenlee debuts with his queer young adult fantasy, Evergreen. Readers follow Quill, a young half-dryad who has been secreted away from the human world his whole life as he comes into his magic. The problem is that his magic hasn't happened yet. Where Quill wants to explore the world and meet new people and maybe make a friend, he is restricted to his family's garden and flower shop. Enter new neighbor, Liam, who can't help but shake things up as he crashes about on Quill's fire escape. Add in one mystery about a thief that has broken into the garden and Quill has a lot to maneuver after a life of secrecy.
Marketed as a retelling of The Secret Garden, I find it better to consider Evergreen an "inspired by" rather than a true retelling. Some of the plot beats do hit and the general vibe is there, but this is not the strictest retelling or reimagining out there. This is not a good or bad thing, simply a managing of expectations.
Evergreen is undeniably a coming-of-age tale for Quill as he learns about himself, his magic, the outside world, and his place in his family. I do think that this book read quickly and it was easy to look up and find another 50 pages had passed without you realizing it. The character interactions were cute and sweet. Quill had a very loving and supportive family, which seems uncommon in modern YA but was welcome.
Overall, this story was simply nice. Just fun and lighthearted with stakes that never really felt too threatening, despite having really neat imagery. This book was enjoyable and fun, but not anything that will stick with me, personally, long term. I would definitely recommend this one for the younger end of the YA audience as I feel that it might have a much stronger impact on readers with a shorter "already read" catalog than my own.
Devin Greenlee debuts with his queer young adult fantasy, Evergreen. Readers follow Quill, a young half-dryad who has been secreted away from the human world his whole life as he comes into his magic. The problem is that his magic hasn't happened yet. Where Quill wants to explore the world and meet new people and maybe make a friend, he is restricted to his family's garden and flower shop. Enter new neighbor, Liam, who can't help but shake things up as he crashes about on Quill's fire escape. Add in one mystery about a thief that has broken into the garden and Quill has a lot to maneuver after a life of secrecy.
Marketed as a retelling of The Secret Garden, I find it better to consider Evergreen an "inspired by" rather than a true retelling. Some of the plot beats do hit and the general vibe is there, but this is not the strictest retelling or reimagining out there. This is not a good or bad thing, simply a managing of expectations.
Evergreen is undeniably a coming-of-age tale for Quill as he learns about himself, his magic, the outside world, and his place in his family. I do think that this book read quickly and it was easy to look up and find another 50 pages had passed without you realizing it. The character interactions were cute and sweet. Quill had a very loving and supportive family, which seems uncommon in modern YA but was welcome.
Overall, this story was simply nice. Just fun and lighthearted with stakes that never really felt too threatening, despite having really neat imagery. This book was enjoyable and fun, but not anything that will stick with me, personally, long term. I would definitely recommend this one for the younger end of the YA audience as I feel that it might have a much stronger impact on readers with a shorter "already read" catalog than my own.
Thank you Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. I voluntarily read and am reviewing this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
I loved the premise of this book and there was a lot of potential with the story, I mean who wouldn’t love reading about a magical garden? I liked the characters and the relationships they all had with the main character, I just wish they could have been fleshed out a little more. I think it would have helped with the pacing of the story so it didn’t feel as rushed and choppy. Quill was an ok main character I just wish he was more than just snark and sarcasm, it was a good jumping off point but it didn’t really go anywhere else from there. However, I did enjoy Liam as a love interest I just wanted to know more about him other than he’s a hot swimmer. I appreciated the banter between the two, it just need more for me to believe in a deeper connection between Quill and Liam. Also I just really wanted more happy times in the garden; most of the time it was just Quill working and tending to the plants while he wished to see more of the world. It kind of sucked the magic out of it for me a little bit.
As it is I like the book but I didn’t love it and I REALLY wanted to love it because it sounded like such a great idea.
I loved the premise of this book and there was a lot of potential with the story, I mean who wouldn’t love reading about a magical garden? I liked the characters and the relationships they all had with the main character, I just wish they could have been fleshed out a little more. I think it would have helped with the pacing of the story so it didn’t feel as rushed and choppy. Quill was an ok main character I just wish he was more than just snark and sarcasm, it was a good jumping off point but it didn’t really go anywhere else from there. However, I did enjoy Liam as a love interest I just wanted to know more about him other than he’s a hot swimmer. I appreciated the banter between the two, it just need more for me to believe in a deeper connection between Quill and Liam. Also I just really wanted more happy times in the garden; most of the time it was just Quill working and tending to the plants while he wished to see more of the world. It kind of sucked the magic out of it for me a little bit.
As it is I like the book but I didn’t love it and I REALLY wanted to love it because it sounded like such a great idea.
I feel about half like and half dislike for this one. And some of that has to do with the marketing for this book being a reimagined Secret Garden. I simply could not really relate this story to the classic in any way besides the fact that, indeed, there is a secret garden in this tale.
Quil is a male dryad. He is one of a kind due to the fact that all other dryads have been female. His mom keeps him undercover and away from the outside world and it's humans by keeping him inside their apartment and often working in the beautiful magical garden. When he meets his neighbor, Liam, Quil begins to learn more about himself and the world he lives in.
My main issue in this was how I never felt like each separate variable really added up. It's definitely an odd read, and I do think many would enjoy this, but it just wasn't for me. It felt a little on the younger side of ya and used language that gets on my nerves. And, trust me, I use bad language.... for some reason, it just got on my nerves in this book. Maybe the less mature side to the writing and the story coupled with plenty of f-bombs just annoyed me.
However, I do really feel like many would enjoy this. These are just my personal thoughts.
Out January 16, 2024!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
Quil is a male dryad. He is one of a kind due to the fact that all other dryads have been female. His mom keeps him undercover and away from the outside world and it's humans by keeping him inside their apartment and often working in the beautiful magical garden. When he meets his neighbor, Liam, Quil begins to learn more about himself and the world he lives in.
My main issue in this was how I never felt like each separate variable really added up. It's definitely an odd read, and I do think many would enjoy this, but it just wasn't for me. It felt a little on the younger side of ya and used language that gets on my nerves. And, trust me, I use bad language.... for some reason, it just got on my nerves in this book. Maybe the less mature side to the writing and the story coupled with plenty of f-bombs just annoyed me.
However, I do really feel like many would enjoy this. These are just my personal thoughts.
Out January 16, 2024!
Thank you, Netgalley and Publisher, for this Arc!
hopeful
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 senior NetGalley for this arc. I always appreciate it.
I read this because it was pitched as a The Secret Garden reimagining. I love The Secret Garden. It has a special place in my heart as one of my childhood favorites. And sure, let's make it a fantasy. And sure, let's make it gay. These are all things that I enjoy and would enjoy reading together.
Unfortunately, I can't say I enjoyed this all too much.
It's just amateurishly written. The world and magic do not feel very thought out or fleshed out. Merely following the plot requires an absurd amount of suspension of disbelief, and I only have so much disbelief to suspend. All the things that would drive me to a book with this kind of hook --fantasy secret garden retelling-- were all woefully undercooked. The gay bit? There was nothing particularly memorable about the romance. The pairing wasn't bad, it wasn't like I was rooting against them or anything, but they did not endear me enough to keep reading. I'm sure if I was a gay teenager I would feel differently, but judging by the quality of the book, this is the sort of young adult novel that cannot appeal outside of its age range. Which is fine. I guess. To a certain degree. I really do wish it was written better, though.
If anything, it's a very quick read and easy to consume. Thematically it means very little. Many different ideas are raised throughout the story but they do not connect very much and some big things that definitely would require introspection are raised and never given that much needed introspection. It almost read like a first draft that had only been subjected to line edits. It needed a lot of developmental work.
I really really really wanted this to be better. But alas.
I read this because it was pitched as a The Secret Garden reimagining. I love The Secret Garden. It has a special place in my heart as one of my childhood favorites. And sure, let's make it a fantasy. And sure, let's make it gay. These are all things that I enjoy and would enjoy reading together.
Unfortunately, I can't say I enjoyed this all too much.
It's just amateurishly written. The world and magic do not feel very thought out or fleshed out. Merely following the plot requires an absurd amount of suspension of disbelief, and I only have so much disbelief to suspend. All the things that would drive me to a book with this kind of hook --fantasy secret garden retelling-- were all woefully undercooked. The gay bit? There was nothing particularly memorable about the romance. The pairing wasn't bad, it wasn't like I was rooting against them or anything, but they did not endear me enough to keep reading. I'm sure if I was a gay teenager I would feel differently, but judging by the quality of the book, this is the sort of young adult novel that cannot appeal outside of its age range. Which is fine. I guess. To a certain degree. I really do wish it was written better, though.
If anything, it's a very quick read and easy to consume. Thematically it means very little. Many different ideas are raised throughout the story but they do not connect very much and some big things that definitely would require introspection are raised and never given that much needed introspection. It almost read like a first draft that had only been subjected to line edits. It needed a lot of developmental work.
I really really really wanted this to be better. But alas.
What a beautiful story. This is about a boy Quill, whose magical family hides him away for his own protection. When his mother allows a new neighbor to move into their building, Quill and newcomer Liam meet and sparks fly.
Now, experiencing things he has never experienced before, finding adventure with Liam, he finds a comfort in the other boy. He has never had any magic of his own, though his mother and sister tell him it will come in time.
But, fearing an intruder inside of the garden that holds their family’s magic upends everything his family has worked so hard for for so long.
Quill trusts Liam, but what is really going on? Is it all just too coincidental or is Liam someone who Quill can’t trust?
This was so beautiful. I loved Quill and Liam’s story. I loved the incredible nature magical element to this story and it was such a fun and modern take on The Secret Garden.
Now, experiencing things he has never experienced before, finding adventure with Liam, he finds a comfort in the other boy. He has never had any magic of his own, though his mother and sister tell him it will come in time.
But, fearing an intruder inside of the garden that holds their family’s magic upends everything his family has worked so hard for for so long.
Quill trusts Liam, but what is really going on? Is it all just too coincidental or is Liam someone who Quill can’t trust?
This was so beautiful. I loved Quill and Liam’s story. I loved the incredible nature magical element to this story and it was such a fun and modern take on The Secret Garden.
lighthearted
relaxing
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Evergreen follows Quinn a half-dryad, half-human who is the first of his kind. For this reason he is not allowed to leave the family garden. However one day Liam’s and his dad move in next door, and suddenly he is everywhere Quinn can look. The two form an hidden friendship, but things turn sour when the more Quinn is out of the house, the more things go out of control in the garden.
Quinn and Liam were such lovely characters to read about. Their friendship was so lovely and it felt super natural when it turned into a love story. I loved the fact that the villain was not who I expected to be, and the overall magical garden setting. The books was super easy to get through and the magic system was very cool as well.
If you’re looking for a magical, LGBTQIA+ young adult urban fantasy with a side plot of romance, this is a great pick!
Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for giving me an arc of this book.
Quinn and Liam were such lovely characters to read about. Their friendship was so lovely and it felt super natural when it turned into a love story. I loved the fact that the villain was not who I expected to be, and the overall magical garden setting. The books was super easy to get through and the magic system was very cool as well.
If you’re looking for a magical, LGBTQIA+ young adult urban fantasy with a side plot of romance, this is a great pick!
Thank you NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for giving me an arc of this book.
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
Little Shop of Horrors meets Invasion of the Body Snatchers. This tale blossomed with an exciting plot that had me on the edge of my seat. The ending, I definitely did not see coming. Highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Chronic illness, Confinement, Death, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail