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chb_cabin6's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
kevinscorner's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Evergreen is a queer urban fantasy romance following a half-dryad teenage boy. Quill lives a sheltered life as the first of his kind male dryad, quietly working in his mom’s secret garden full of magical plants. All he wants is to be more than what his mom has planned for him and set out into the normal world when he meets his new neighbor. Liam is the normal teenager Quill aspires to be and helps him experience the mundane world of gadgets, movies, and friends and the possibility of more than just friendship. But just as Quill starts breaking free, the plants in his family’s care starts dying and something sinister is emerging.
I actually really enjoyed this book. It chronicles the tender exploration of friendship and romance between teenage boys—one of whom just happens to be from the magical world. From simple texts to seeing movies in the cinema to driving around town all night, their relationship was sweet and heartfelt. It was a very quintessential teen romance for the first three quarters of the book that I thoroughly liked and enjoyed.
The book does take a rather abrupt turn in the last quarter that does feel like it came out of nowhere involving the secret garden and what is going on there. I think there needed to be more hints and more obvious foreshadowing so that it wouldn’t feel so sudden. There was certainly more to explore from this storyline, but the conflict is resolved fairly quickly so it didn’t have as much depth and emotional impact as I would have liked.
Evergreen delivers more on the tender gay romance over its more fantastical story elements.
sitrisummoned's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-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
3.75
fizzy_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
slow-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
4.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, and Gaslighting
msmadeinchina's review
4.0
Quill wants nothing more than to live a normal life, but even though he’s the first male dryad in existence, he doesn’t have even a hint of magic and his mother insists that he’s not ready to enter the world, keeping him restricted to their home indefinitely. But when a new neighbor moves into their building, Quill finds himself inexplicably drawn to Liam. Soon, he gets his first taste of the outside world at Liam’s side...and he wants more. But there is something lurking that could turn his entire world upside down, risking everything and everyone he's ever loved.
While I legitimately do not remember any of the plot, I do remember that THE SECRET GARDEN was one of my favorite books as a kid. So when a new book comes along and is described as a reimagining of this story that my heart tells me I loved, I immediately hopped on board. (Don't worry, I will be re-reading THE SECRET GARDEN this year to reacquaint myself with it.)
There is a lot to love about this story—the characters are fleshed out, the fairytale feel of the plot draws you in, and the mystery at the center of it all is intriguing. I found myself relating a lot to Quill and his feelings of being stifled under his mom’s overprotectiveness. His experience of a first crush, a first love, and that overwhelming teenage impulse that you’d do anything to keep them drives the story towards its climax masterfully.
I was absolutely hooked from the beginning! The blossoming relationship between Quill and Liam really dug its hooks into me and I happily sat back and enjoyed the ride. But as the mystery at the center of the plot starts to unravel, the story takes a bit of a turn that felt kind of out of left field. It all comes back together in the end, wrapping up the story in a nice satisfying little bow, but I did kind of get taken out of my groove for a little bit there.
Overall, I found this book to be a beautiful debut featuring a unique story that still felt incredibly relatable. If this is the kind of book to expect from Devin Greenlee, I’m happy to add him to my list of authors to watch.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.
While I legitimately do not remember any of the plot, I do remember that THE SECRET GARDEN was one of my favorite books as a kid. So when a new book comes along and is described as a reimagining of this story that my heart tells me I loved, I immediately hopped on board. (Don't worry, I will be re-reading THE SECRET GARDEN this year to reacquaint myself with it.)
There is a lot to love about this story—the characters are fleshed out, the fairytale feel of the plot draws you in, and the mystery at the center of it all is intriguing. I found myself relating a lot to Quill and his feelings of being stifled under his mom’s overprotectiveness. His experience of a first crush, a first love, and that overwhelming teenage impulse that you’d do anything to keep them drives the story towards its climax masterfully.
I was absolutely hooked from the beginning! The blossoming relationship between Quill and Liam really dug its hooks into me and I happily sat back and enjoyed the ride. But as the mystery at the center of the plot starts to unravel, the story takes a bit of a turn that felt kind of out of left field. It all comes back together in the end, wrapping up the story in a nice satisfying little bow, but I did kind of get taken out of my groove for a little bit there.
Overall, I found this book to be a beautiful debut featuring a unique story that still felt incredibly relatable. If this is the kind of book to expect from Devin Greenlee, I’m happy to add him to my list of authors to watch.
Disclaimer: I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher for free and have voluntarily written this review.
alivrolicaopinativa's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Hey Opinionated Bookworms! 📚✨ Today, I'm diving into the enchanting world of "Evergreen" by Devin Greenlee! 🌳🧚♂️ Brace yourselves for a magical ride as we explore a universe where dryads, humans, and secret gardens collide! 🌿✨ But hey, I've got to spill the tea – this one snagged a solid 3 stars on my bookish radar🌟
I'd like to thank NetGalley and Devin Greenlee for sending me the eARC and allowing me to give my honest opinion on "Evergreen".
🌍Immerse yourself in a realm where the mystical intertwines with the ordinary! 🌌🍃 "Evergreen" unveils a world where magical wonders are cunningly hidden in plain sight 🌺 The author's prowess in crafting a universe where dryads dance alongside humans is commendable, making us question if magic might be lurking just around the corner✨
👥Meet Quill, a dryad boy navigating the tangled web of forbidden love and familial expectations! 💔His journey is a rollercoaster, as he defies his overprotective mom to be with his human crush, Liam💘 While Quill grapples with his feelings, secrets about his family's powers unfold, adding an extra layer of intrigue! 🕵️♂️
📖The plot unfolds at a leisurely pace, tracing the blossoming love between Liam and Quill💞 However, buckle up for a wild ride as Quill battles his own emotions, unsure if he despises or adores Liam. Meanwhile, an unseen threat looms over the mystical garden, forcing Quill into a race against time to save his family's legacy🌿
🎉Devin Greenlee's debut is a promising glimpse into a magical universe, but I couldn't ignore the abrupt shift in pacing towards the end. While the journey was a delight, the destination felt rushed. Nonetheless, I'm grateful for the enchanting experience and eagerly await Greenlee's next masterpiece! 🙌🎭
Remember, fellow bookworms, let your imaginations soar with "Evergreen," and share your thoughts below! 🌈📚✨
scribe391's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
Narrated by seventeen year old Quill, Geenlee’s fantasy has touches of horror similar to: Little Shop of Horror.
porkchopstogo's review against another edition
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0