The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine by Lindsay A. Franklin
YA Fantasy. 416 Pages. 5 Stars
Synopsis:
A shattered heart, a fate foretold. The world undone by tales of old.
Emlyn DuLaine just wants to know what happened to her sister, Camille, seven years ago on the fateful day she vanished—literally. Emlyn witnessed Camille unravel and disappear, but no one believes her. Since they think she’s crazy, the least the cops could do is solve Camille’s case. Is a little closure too much to ask?
But Emlyn’s life is upended when she is pulled through a portal into the fantasyland of her childhood imaginings—a magical library holding the storyworlds of every story ever published. And trouble is brewing in the land of Rivenlea. Rogue characters threaten their plot lines, and broken classics are beginning to crumble, but Emlyn only wants to find Camille.
As she searches for her sister, Emlyn begins to learn the reality of Rivenlea and her own origins. A nefarious plot is afoot, and the line between fact and fiction is becoming hopelessly blurred. The truth threatens the storyworlds, Rivenlea, and Earth—the fabric of creation, itself.
My Review:
This is such a fun story!
The cover is stunning. I love the colors and how the yellow contrasts. The silhouette and the sphere are perfect.
From the first page, this one is hard to put down. Franklin writes a page-turning story that I really struggled to put down both times I read it. It’s such a creative world – every reader/writer’s dream. Emlyn falls into her own story world, but there’s more there than she could have imagined, including an epic library and the most creative “librarian” job ever. I loved the adventure and wonder of Rivenlea. This story really captures the love and magic of reading and stories. The nods to classics were a treat, and the absolute upside-down state of Oz was particularly creative. This book feels like a love letter to readers.
But as much fun as the story and the world are, the characters are hilarious. Emlyn is delightfully sassy. I love how relatable her lightning thoughts are that trail off and her dynamics with each of the ensemble cast. Her dedication to finding her sister touches my sister heart and I’m super curious to see how that plotline unfolds in the conclusion! I loved Whistlee so much and I am also really looking forward to seeing her in the sequel. Phen, Ryan, Laramie, and the others made such a compelling cast.
Content: no foul language, clean, sweet romance thread, and some fantasy violence (who doesn’t love a good sword fight!). Explores themes of grief, loss, sanity, friendship, teamwork, and humanity. Suitable for young teens.
More
Book 1 of the Rivenlea Sphere is The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine (5 Stars)
Book 2 is The Restitching of Camille DuLaine
Find more details on GR and stay tuned for my thoughts on the conclusion! This duology should be read in order.
On GraceBought
If you liked this book, check out Franklin’s other series:
Or these YA fantasy stories:
The Wonderland Trials, The Goose Girl, Wishtress, Oathbound, Princess of Shadows, or The Eternity Gate.
You might also like these MG fantasies:
Inkheart, The Girl Who Drank the Moon, The False Prince, or Fairest.