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The Reel of Rhysia #1
The Unseen
Elwyn is remarkably unremarkable, and she prefers it that way. What more could a thief hope for than to pass through life unseen? Perhaps it is a talent owed to the training of the notorious syndicate that reared her; perhaps it is a gift from her invisible friend—a clever and capricious creature who (unlike most invisible friends) has only grown more real with time.
Either way, Elwyn’s unremarkability is about to fail her.
Upon absconding to the tiny town of Amblewick in search of a quiet, uneventful life, she catches the attention of two feuding tricksters, each in the market for the perfect pawn. Through either fate or magical machinations, she soon finds herself in the company of a cutthroat assassin, a wayward prince, and a little girl with a chilling secret. Despite their differences, this ragtag group of ruffians just might manage to save multiple worlds…provided they don’t kill each other first.
Either way, Elwyn’s unremarkability is about to fail her.
Upon absconding to the tiny town of Amblewick in search of a quiet, uneventful life, she catches the attention of two feuding tricksters, each in the market for the perfect pawn. Through either fate or magical machinations, she soon finds herself in the company of a cutthroat assassin, a wayward prince, and a little girl with a chilling secret. Despite their differences, this ragtag group of ruffians just might manage to save multiple worlds…provided they don’t kill each other first.
Unknown Binding
First published July 11, 2023
28 people are currently reading
3422 people want to read
About the author
Lilla Glass
8 books50 followersLilla Glass is an award-winning author from Olympia, WA. While fantasy is her first love, she dabbles in horror and sci-fi. Her debut novel, The Unseen, was published on July 11th, 2023, by City Owl Press, and the second in the series, The Unfamiliar, was released the following year.
In the rare event that she isn't writing, Lilla can be found wandering an endless labyrinth of books and games. Occasionally, her wonderful husband and friends abduct her and force her to socialize.
In the rare event that she isn't writing, Lilla can be found wandering an endless labyrinth of books and games. Occasionally, her wonderful husband and friends abduct her and force her to socialize.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
June 13, 2023
Lilla Glass’s The Unseen is a joy! Chiefly because the four lead characters are all so engaging, both individually but even more so together. Elwyn, Brannon, Aedyn, and Tawny… four disparate characters that find themselves together in this “found family” tale that weaves together magic, faeries, self-discovery, and acceptance in a meeting of magical kingdoms and human medieval worlds. Actually, make that five characters, because the little pixie-like “piskie” that hovers over Elwyn's shoulder, unseen to all but her, is as present throughout as anyone. Add to that, the piskie’s propensity for communicating in charming rhyming couplets will have you smiling each time she speaks.
Leading the story is Elwyn, who is—to appropriate the words of the blurb—quite remarkable in her unremarkableness. Desperate to blend in, she does, in fact, stand out on the page, more so than any other character here. Which is good because, although told from several points of view, The Unseen is, at its heart, mainly Elwyn’s story. We think… You’ll find yourself question that as the pages unfurl.
Having fled the semi-religious, shadowy organization, in which she was forced to make her home, Elwyn wants nothing more than to blend in and to live a peaceful life. Hot on her trail, however, is Brannon, her one-time (almost) friend, rival, and laterally nemesis. Unlike her, Brandon believes wholeheartedly in his given missions, which usually involve assassinations of his targets, currently Elwyn. But when Elwyn and Brannon meet and save a young girl, Tawny, from hideous creatures determined to drag the girl away to who-knows-where, they are forced to flee and create an unsteady alliance. Into this mix comes Aedyn, the bored, spoiled magical faerie prince in disguise.
If the story sounds simplistic, in some ways it is, with many of the pages focusing on the group and their unexpected mission. And that’s fine and good since the mix of the group is delightful! They argue, squabble, help each other, and come to more understand each other. And, of course, they begin to learn that there is strength in unity. Well, that might be a sweeping overstatement, since the menace of Brannon continues to lurk and his motivations and loyalties remain uncertain at certain and uncertain times.
In other ways, the story is far from simplistic. Ms. Glass creates a world of depth, color, and beauty, with doses of ugliness and danger. Evil lurks, as any fantasy reader enjoys, hidden and menacing, with its intent unfurling as the novel progresses. Readers will enjoy connecting the seemingly disparate plotlines and the connections between the human world and the magical world of the fairies.
And don't be fooled by the word “faerie.” Ms. Glass takes her inspiration from Celtic folkloric origins, I believe, and these fairies are anything but Tinkerbells! Nor are they homogenous: we meet more than a single fae kingdom and several different fairy races of individual physical traits and characters. Ms. Glass spends good page time to bring these lands, their society, and the chief characters there to life. Indeed, her worldbuilding is superb, one of Ms. Glass’s major strengths. I suspect much of that detail is being set out as a foundation for the subsequent stories in the series, because at its heart The Unseen is very much about the band of four characters (or rather, five as you can't forget Luatha the loyal—or perhaps duplicitous—piskie!), who must struggle to come to terms with their new reality and with each other.
Ms. Glass writes some wonderful prose. It is both accessible to its included young adult audience (say ages 16 and up), yet has depth and cleverness to satisfy adult readers, especially those who love the conforming to and the bending of various fantasy tropes.
There are a million high fantasy books on the market, so why should you check out Lilla Glass’s The Unseen?
More than any other reason, I would say because of the author's skill to bring her characters to life. I can think of no character that didn't feel vivid and full of life, yet is skillfully layered with their real motivations unclear. Elwyn is anything but unremarkable, Brannon is all shades of gray, Aedyn is all kinds of color at once, and Tawny is the enigma that keeps on giving. Add to that the mystery and the depth of worldbuilding, skillfully weaved together in what is, in fact, quite the page-turner, and I think you'll agree that The Unseen is a real winner and fully deserving of its place on your bookshelf.
Leading the story is Elwyn, who is—to appropriate the words of the blurb—quite remarkable in her unremarkableness. Desperate to blend in, she does, in fact, stand out on the page, more so than any other character here. Which is good because, although told from several points of view, The Unseen is, at its heart, mainly Elwyn’s story. We think… You’ll find yourself question that as the pages unfurl.
Having fled the semi-religious, shadowy organization, in which she was forced to make her home, Elwyn wants nothing more than to blend in and to live a peaceful life. Hot on her trail, however, is Brannon, her one-time (almost) friend, rival, and laterally nemesis. Unlike her, Brandon believes wholeheartedly in his given missions, which usually involve assassinations of his targets, currently Elwyn. But when Elwyn and Brannon meet and save a young girl, Tawny, from hideous creatures determined to drag the girl away to who-knows-where, they are forced to flee and create an unsteady alliance. Into this mix comes Aedyn, the bored, spoiled magical faerie prince in disguise.
If the story sounds simplistic, in some ways it is, with many of the pages focusing on the group and their unexpected mission. And that’s fine and good since the mix of the group is delightful! They argue, squabble, help each other, and come to more understand each other. And, of course, they begin to learn that there is strength in unity. Well, that might be a sweeping overstatement, since the menace of Brannon continues to lurk and his motivations and loyalties remain uncertain at certain and uncertain times.
In other ways, the story is far from simplistic. Ms. Glass creates a world of depth, color, and beauty, with doses of ugliness and danger. Evil lurks, as any fantasy reader enjoys, hidden and menacing, with its intent unfurling as the novel progresses. Readers will enjoy connecting the seemingly disparate plotlines and the connections between the human world and the magical world of the fairies.
And don't be fooled by the word “faerie.” Ms. Glass takes her inspiration from Celtic folkloric origins, I believe, and these fairies are anything but Tinkerbells! Nor are they homogenous: we meet more than a single fae kingdom and several different fairy races of individual physical traits and characters. Ms. Glass spends good page time to bring these lands, their society, and the chief characters there to life. Indeed, her worldbuilding is superb, one of Ms. Glass’s major strengths. I suspect much of that detail is being set out as a foundation for the subsequent stories in the series, because at its heart The Unseen is very much about the band of four characters (or rather, five as you can't forget Luatha the loyal—or perhaps duplicitous—piskie!), who must struggle to come to terms with their new reality and with each other.
Ms. Glass writes some wonderful prose. It is both accessible to its included young adult audience (say ages 16 and up), yet has depth and cleverness to satisfy adult readers, especially those who love the conforming to and the bending of various fantasy tropes.
There are a million high fantasy books on the market, so why should you check out Lilla Glass’s The Unseen?
More than any other reason, I would say because of the author's skill to bring her characters to life. I can think of no character that didn't feel vivid and full of life, yet is skillfully layered with their real motivations unclear. Elwyn is anything but unremarkable, Brannon is all shades of gray, Aedyn is all kinds of color at once, and Tawny is the enigma that keeps on giving. Add to that the mystery and the depth of worldbuilding, skillfully weaved together in what is, in fact, quite the page-turner, and I think you'll agree that The Unseen is a real winner and fully deserving of its place on your bookshelf.
June 15, 2023
Awesome! Worldbuild, characters, story, narrative voice(s), prose 😁🥰😁
Review to follow...
Review to follow...
July 2, 2023
I have received an ARC copy of this book via Netgalley in exchanged of an honest review.
Wow. This book actually impressed me. Mhm.. how to go about it, I wonder.
Let's talk about things I enjoyed first. The world building. Sure, I'll admit, at first, with the whole human and Faerie realms, it kinda felt a little cliche. But slowly, as the plot grew (as well the POVs unexpectedly), the more impressed I was. It felt epic at times (or maybe that's only me). The characters were also complex, not entirely bad nor good. I can already tell there's a lot of room to grow for these people. Oh and this book is written in third person, following mainly four characters with (maybe) another four POVs periodically. So yeah, a lot of characters to follow here.
Onto the cons:
With the many characters, I think it impacts the pacing a little bit. Because now that I've finished the book, I noticed that these four principal characters didn't quite manage to achieve a lot of things together. They just travelled one way and that's it. It probably worth it more if we got more bonding time between them. Other than that, I wouldn't say this a fantasy romance. Nope. No sirree. This is pure fantasy so far, with the most subtle romantic subplot. Very subtle.
All in all, pretty much had a good time with this one. Would recommend this.
Wow. This book actually impressed me. Mhm.. how to go about it, I wonder.
Let's talk about things I enjoyed first. The world building. Sure, I'll admit, at first, with the whole human and Faerie realms, it kinda felt a little cliche. But slowly, as the plot grew (as well the POVs unexpectedly), the more impressed I was. It felt epic at times (or maybe that's only me). The characters were also complex, not entirely bad nor good. I can already tell there's a lot of room to grow for these people. Oh and this book is written in third person, following mainly four characters with (maybe) another four POVs periodically. So yeah, a lot of characters to follow here.
Onto the cons:
With the many characters, I think it impacts the pacing a little bit. Because now that I've finished the book, I noticed that these four principal characters didn't quite manage to achieve a lot of things together. They just travelled one way and that's it. It probably worth it more if we got more bonding time between them. Other than that, I wouldn't say this a fantasy romance. Nope. No sirree. This is pure fantasy so far, with the most subtle romantic subplot. Very subtle.
All in all, pretty much had a good time with this one. Would recommend this.
September 23, 2023
The Unseen by Lilla Glass
4/5 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•••Spoiler free review below•••
Told in multiple POVs, The Unseen is a story of a wayward group that must work together if they want to achieve their individual goals. We have a thief, an assassin, a prince, and a monstrous little girl that - alone - are a little lost, but together, just may be able to create an ending that will appease them all. Through trial and error, they will form their own found family and, with any luck, save multiple worlds.
I really enjoyed this fast paced adventure story! It is captivating from the start and I loved how the Faerie characters and humans overlapped. If you are looking for a quick fantasy read with a sometimes good, sometimes bad bunch, then this is the book for you!
Read this book if you like:
- Celtic inspired faeries
- medieval like setting
- stand out characters
- rhyming side kicks
The Unseen will be released October 3rd and if it's not already on your tbr, it should be!
.
.
.
Special thanks to Dreamscape Media for sharing a free copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
Review on Instagram
4/5 Stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
•••Spoiler free review below•••
Told in multiple POVs, The Unseen is a story of a wayward group that must work together if they want to achieve their individual goals. We have a thief, an assassin, a prince, and a monstrous little girl that - alone - are a little lost, but together, just may be able to create an ending that will appease them all. Through trial and error, they will form their own found family and, with any luck, save multiple worlds.
I really enjoyed this fast paced adventure story! It is captivating from the start and I loved how the Faerie characters and humans overlapped. If you are looking for a quick fantasy read with a sometimes good, sometimes bad bunch, then this is the book for you!
Read this book if you like:
- Celtic inspired faeries
- medieval like setting
- stand out characters
- rhyming side kicks
The Unseen will be released October 3rd and if it's not already on your tbr, it should be!
.
.
.
Special thanks to Dreamscape Media for sharing a free copy with me in exchange for my honest opinions.
Review on Instagram
July 10, 2023
The Unseen is the first book in The Reel of Rhysia by Lilla Glass, and it's SPECTACULAR!!
Lilla Glass crafts a thrilling, well-developed story rife with magic, mayhem, and spirited otherworldly beings. If you enjoy the works of Leigh Bardugo or Holly Black, you will find this book unputdownable!
This fantastic story is a romantic fantasy, but it's more of an adventure with a touch of romance that I would have loved to see more of. The characters are interesting and complex, with different personalities and motivations.
These are the primary characters:
Elwyn - the thief with a heart of gold
Luatha - the fierce piskie bonded with Elwyn
Brannon - the assassin trying to prove his worth
Aedyn - the meddling prince looking for a new adventure
Lydia - the darling little girl caught in the middle of it all
With the story unfolding through a large ensemble of characters, each chapter dedicated to a different one, you slowly witness this group of misfits grow as their journey unfolds. It's impossible not to root for them! I was pleasantly surprised by the cleverly woven and unexpected turns that caught me off guard throughout this enchanting tale.
I truly loved reading The Unseen - it's one of the best books I've read this year! I'm eagerly looking forward to the continuation of this story.
TWs: profanity, child abuse, violence/murder/death.
🚫 SPOILER WARNING 🚫 regarding Safety:
Thank you to NetGalley and City Owl Press for providing an advance copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
Lilla Glass crafts a thrilling, well-developed story rife with magic, mayhem, and spirited otherworldly beings. If you enjoy the works of Leigh Bardugo or Holly Black, you will find this book unputdownable!
This fantastic story is a romantic fantasy, but it's more of an adventure with a touch of romance that I would have loved to see more of. The characters are interesting and complex, with different personalities and motivations.
These are the primary characters:
Elwyn - the thief with a heart of gold
Luatha - the fierce piskie bonded with Elwyn
Brannon - the assassin trying to prove his worth
Aedyn - the meddling prince looking for a new adventure
Lydia - the darling little girl caught in the middle of it all
With the story unfolding through a large ensemble of characters, each chapter dedicated to a different one, you slowly witness this group of misfits grow as their journey unfolds. It's impossible not to root for them! I was pleasantly surprised by the cleverly woven and unexpected turns that caught me off guard throughout this enchanting tale.
I truly loved reading The Unseen - it's one of the best books I've read this year! I'm eagerly looking forward to the continuation of this story.
TWs: profanity, child abuse, violence/murder/death.
🚫 SPOILER WARNING 🚫 regarding Safety:
Thank you to NetGalley and City Owl Press for providing an advance copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own.
did-not-finish
September 28, 2023DNF at 10%. I received this as an audiobook advanced reader copy.
This book starts out by jumping from POV to POV. It's not terrible, but in the main person's POV, we have a rhyming creature that is annoying the crap out of me.
The narrator has a pleasant voice, but doesn't vary the tone of her voice enough to distinguish each character from each other. So, with the rhyming and the difficulty of knowing who is saying what, this isn't worth continuing.
This book starts out by jumping from POV to POV. It's not terrible, but in the main person's POV, we have a rhyming creature that is annoying the crap out of me.
The narrator has a pleasant voice, but doesn't vary the tone of her voice enough to distinguish each character from each other. So, with the rhyming and the difficulty of knowing who is saying what, this isn't worth continuing.
June 26, 2023
I recieved access to this arc through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the multiple pov you get throughout. It has great world building without info dumping or being too confusing. I loved the main characters and learning about each individually. Each pov really helped the found family aspect come together beautifully. I couldn't put this book down and will be anxiously waiting for the rest of the series!
September 21, 2023
I absolutely loved this book! I went in with very little expectation and came out happily impressed! This was so good, dark, full of adventure, and everything you want from a dark fantasy book.
Definitely go in prepped, it’s dark and has trigger warnings. However the author has an ability to write this with intention and furthers the plot rather than use it as a crutch.
I loved the take of fae, found family, enemies, and what it means to intertwine multiple points of view. I listened to this so fast, I already want the next book!
Thank you NetGallery for this preview, as always I appreciate the opportunity and can’t wait for the next book in this series!
Definitely go in prepped, it’s dark and has trigger warnings. However the author has an ability to write this with intention and furthers the plot rather than use it as a crutch.
I loved the take of fae, found family, enemies, and what it means to intertwine multiple points of view. I listened to this so fast, I already want the next book!
Thank you NetGallery for this preview, as always I appreciate the opportunity and can’t wait for the next book in this series!
September 22, 2023
I received this audiobook as a ARC via NetGalley.
Wow! I am not sure what I was expecting but it definitely wasn't all of this! What a wonderfully woven story full of mystery, wonder, courage and loss.Lilla Glass is a talented author. I quickly fell in love with the characters and I can't wait to return to Rhysia!
The audiobook narrator Patricia Santomasso was fantastic. ...So many accents and tones. She really brought the story to life.
Grab this once you can and get ready for a delight!
#netgalley #theUnseen #LillaGlass
Wow! I am not sure what I was expecting but it definitely wasn't all of this! What a wonderfully woven story full of mystery, wonder, courage and loss.Lilla Glass is a talented author. I quickly fell in love with the characters and I can't wait to return to Rhysia!
The audiobook narrator Patricia Santomasso was fantastic. ...So many accents and tones. She really brought the story to life.
Grab this once you can and get ready for a delight!
#netgalley #theUnseen #LillaGlass
September 26, 2023
Now this was a fun one! Elwyn is a wonderful character and has herself a real adventure. Check it out if you get a chance. Since this was the first in a series, I'll be watching for the second one. Great reading!
August 13, 2024
I admit to some bias, but this book is amazing! The world building, the flow of the words, the characters, the gore (ok, maybe not the gore) will all leave you spellbound. If you are willing to read a dark fantasy but can be upset by certain things, pay attention to the author's note at the beginning of the story. That said, this really is a great book to read in October. The perfect spooky fantasy!
September 21, 2024
I didn't know what to expect from this one, but I loved it. This absolutely shines because of its characters. None of these are really typical heroes and I love how messy and complex they are. It has that perfect blend of adventure, danger, and heart, with a cast of characters that feel distinct and alive.
Elwyn, a thief who thrives on being unremarkable, is such a fun protagonist. She’s not your typical hero, and that’s what makes her so compelling. She’s a bit cowardly, a bit calculating, and entirely relatable. On the run from her previous criminal guild of exploited orphans, she attempts to live a quiet life only to be dragged into chaos. Her mysterious invisible 'parasite'/fairy/pixie who speaks only in rhyme adds another fun layer.
The rest of the cast is just as fascinating. There’s a morally grey/black assassin whose sharp edges are due to a whole HEAP of trauma, a cad fae prince with charm and arrogance to spare, and a “monstrous” young girl with magical abilities that no one really understands. The dynamics between these characters felt rich and layered, and the tension between them gave the story depth. They feel like a classic found family—thrown together by circumstance but growing into something much more meaningful. There are other equally interesting characters to discover, as well.
This book leans much more into the friendships and the building of trust between characters. The slight hints of romance are enough to leave you wondering where things might go in future installments, but they don’t overshadow the core of the story.
I loved that the fae in this world are more malevolent and cunning. It gives the story a darker edge, contrasting nicely with the Celtic and witchy vibes that permeate the setting. The atmosphere makes it easy to get lost in the magic and lore of this world.
The Unseen is a wonderfully fun and engaging fantasy with a stellar cast and intriguing world-building. If you’re into found family and a malevolent fae, you’ll have a great time with this one. It’s the kind of book that sneaks up on you. Can't wait to dive into the next!
Thanks so much to Nerd Fam and the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
Elwyn, a thief who thrives on being unremarkable, is such a fun protagonist. She’s not your typical hero, and that’s what makes her so compelling. She’s a bit cowardly, a bit calculating, and entirely relatable. On the run from her previous criminal guild of exploited orphans, she attempts to live a quiet life only to be dragged into chaos. Her mysterious invisible 'parasite'/fairy/pixie who speaks only in rhyme adds another fun layer.
The rest of the cast is just as fascinating. There’s a morally grey/black assassin whose sharp edges are due to a whole HEAP of trauma, a cad fae prince with charm and arrogance to spare, and a “monstrous” young girl with magical abilities that no one really understands. The dynamics between these characters felt rich and layered, and the tension between them gave the story depth. They feel like a classic found family—thrown together by circumstance but growing into something much more meaningful. There are other equally interesting characters to discover, as well.
This book leans much more into the friendships and the building of trust between characters. The slight hints of romance are enough to leave you wondering where things might go in future installments, but they don’t overshadow the core of the story.
I loved that the fae in this world are more malevolent and cunning. It gives the story a darker edge, contrasting nicely with the Celtic and witchy vibes that permeate the setting. The atmosphere makes it easy to get lost in the magic and lore of this world.
The Unseen is a wonderfully fun and engaging fantasy with a stellar cast and intriguing world-building. If you’re into found family and a malevolent fae, you’ll have a great time with this one. It’s the kind of book that sneaks up on you. Can't wait to dive into the next!
Thanks so much to Nerd Fam and the author for the complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
September 30, 2023
I have read so many stories about fae, sometimes it gets kind of old, but this felt new and interesting. I truly enjoyed this, the found family aspect and comradery this little group of misfits finds together is heartwarming. There were two very small things that I had an issue with (and I use the word issue very lightly, these things don't take away from the greatness of the book). The Unseen is told from several POVs. We get the perspective of our 5 main characters, but then also get the perspectives of several minor characters. I can understand that it was done to give a full picture of what was happening elsewhere in the book (that later on effect the main characters), but it did make it confusing for me as a reader at times. This is also labeled as being 'romance' and 'sci-fi/fantasy', and while I do think there is a foreshadowing of romance to come in future books, there was no real romance in this one. That's honestly one of the main reasons I wanted to read this. A romance/fantasy combination book is my JAM. I love reading fantasy but also feel like I need romance to drive my interest in a story a lot of the time. THAT BEING SAID, I devoured this. The story is so good but also brutal, and the characters are interesting and dynamic. And the narrator of this audiobook was AMAZING. Her ability to go between so many characters (as I mentioned earlier there are A LOT of POVs and characters) and have a distinguishable voice for each made this book even more enjoyable. Thank you to NetGalley for this audiobook ARC in exchange for an honest review!
September 22, 2023
Quick Summary: An exciting new sci-fi/fantasy adventure
My Review: The Unseen is book 1 in The Reel of Rhysia series. It's dark, intriguing, and full of curiosities.
About the Book: Right out of the gate, this book immediately sucks you in. It begins in such an unassuming way that it is not even obvious how far along you've been pulled until you're deeply entrenched. The setting, the characters, the seen unseen, the suspense - it's all there! Some unexpected twists and turns totally have the power to astonish.
My Final Say: This book is just the beginning of something very special, I'm more than certain. I highly recommend it. Readers who are looking for a peculiar fantasy fiction read, this is the one. Let's go!
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: T and up
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Series: Yes
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media, Dreamscape Lore), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to this title. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own.
My Review: The Unseen is book 1 in The Reel of Rhysia series. It's dark, intriguing, and full of curiosities.
About the Book: Right out of the gate, this book immediately sucks you in. It begins in such an unassuming way that it is not even obvious how far along you've been pulled until you're deeply entrenched. The setting, the characters, the seen unseen, the suspense - it's all there! Some unexpected twists and turns totally have the power to astonish.
My Final Say: This book is just the beginning of something very special, I'm more than certain. I highly recommend it. Readers who are looking for a peculiar fantasy fiction read, this is the one. Let's go!
Rating: 5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: T and up
Re-read: Yes
Keeper: Yes
Favorites Shelf: Yes
Series: Yes
Audiobook: Yes
Narration: +
Sincere appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media, Dreamscape Lore), and to NetGalley. Thank you for granting access to this title. The words I have voluntarily shared are my own.
July 11, 2023
THAT’S HOW IT ENDS?!
Gahhhhhh!!!
I need more now!
Alrighty, this book was really cool.
I liked the premise of the world and the characters. First you have Elwyn who is remarkably unremarkable (love this) accompanied by a piskie who makes the most intelligent rhymes. Then you have Lydia, who’s backstory makes you want to weep. Brannon, basically Elwyn’s arch nemesis who’s slowly learning that he doesn’t have to be a grumpy Gus all the time. And Aedyn, whom I love and who cannot do any wrong no matter how much of a douchebag he can be!
The lore. The world. The rhymes. The banter.
All of it was great.
I will say the ending kind of came out of no where. I wish there was a little more explanation, the chapter ends and then when the next chapter starts it’s already over. That kind of jarred me a bit.
The ending is definitely a cliffhanger and I’m sad because I need the book immediately.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book!!
Gahhhhhh!!!
I need more now!
Alrighty, this book was really cool.
I liked the premise of the world and the characters. First you have Elwyn who is remarkably unremarkable (love this) accompanied by a piskie who makes the most intelligent rhymes. Then you have Lydia, who’s backstory makes you want to weep. Brannon, basically Elwyn’s arch nemesis who’s slowly learning that he doesn’t have to be a grumpy Gus all the time. And Aedyn, whom I love and who cannot do any wrong no matter how much of a douchebag he can be!
The lore. The world. The rhymes. The banter.
All of it was great.
I will say the ending kind of came out of no where. I wish there was a little more explanation, the chapter ends and then when the next chapter starts it’s already over. That kind of jarred me a bit.
The ending is definitely a cliffhanger and I’m sad because I need the book immediately.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book!!
September 24, 2023
[Arc from Netgalley]
Going into this book, it instantly has a very cozy and familiar feel to it. The beginning is a slow start with some world building and introducing the characters, but after that the tempo is kept very engaging. The characters are well written, and likeable despite some having questionable careers.
The world is familiar with fae sorted into seelie and unseelie, but Glass has still managed to create a unique and vivid world. The descriptions of both the characters and the surroundings paint a nice picture. The writing in general is great, and the book sometimes reminded me of Neil Gaimans writing. Overall I really enjoyed the book as it was a sweet well written story.
Audiobook thoughts: It took me some getting used to the narrator as she is kinda low tempo, and the sing-song reciting of the rhymes felt a bit out of place for me. She is also doing accents to differentiate the different characters which felt weird to me, but at the same time it is a helpful way to show who's talking. Very subjective opinions.
Going into this book, it instantly has a very cozy and familiar feel to it. The beginning is a slow start with some world building and introducing the characters, but after that the tempo is kept very engaging. The characters are well written, and likeable despite some having questionable careers.
The world is familiar with fae sorted into seelie and unseelie, but Glass has still managed to create a unique and vivid world. The descriptions of both the characters and the surroundings paint a nice picture. The writing in general is great, and the book sometimes reminded me of Neil Gaimans writing. Overall I really enjoyed the book as it was a sweet well written story.
Audiobook thoughts: It took me some getting used to the narrator as she is kinda low tempo, and the sing-song reciting of the rhymes felt a bit out of place for me. She is also doing accents to differentiate the different characters which felt weird to me, but at the same time it is a helpful way to show who's talking. Very subjective opinions.
October 10, 2023
A dark, violent Fae Fantasy is influenced by traditional Seelie & Unseelie rules, politics, and brutality. Assassins, Thieves, and a Prince all have gruesome and tragic backstories.
This work leans toward the Epic Fantasy with intricate world-building requiring initial effort for immersion. I was eight chapters when everything clicked, and I felt ensnared with the need to know what would happen next.
I read it as an audiobook with narration by Patricia Santomasso. She was terrific, with a unique and captivating voice. Listening to it as an audiobook really kept the pacing and interest progressing, especially in the beginning, as multiple perspectives were introduced. The multi-perspective drama entwined the stories into one mesmerizing puzzle.
The work is a strong 4, not quite a 5, but solid piece, and I recommend it to more adult dark fantasy fans.
This work leans toward the Epic Fantasy with intricate world-building requiring initial effort for immersion. I was eight chapters when everything clicked, and I felt ensnared with the need to know what would happen next.
I read it as an audiobook with narration by Patricia Santomasso. She was terrific, with a unique and captivating voice. Listening to it as an audiobook really kept the pacing and interest progressing, especially in the beginning, as multiple perspectives were introduced. The multi-perspective drama entwined the stories into one mesmerizing puzzle.
The work is a strong 4, not quite a 5, but solid piece, and I recommend it to more adult dark fantasy fans.
September 30, 2023
I was honestly surprised by how much I enjoyed The Unseen by Lilla Glass. The first thing that stood out to me was the amazing world building. With the author's descriptive prose I could really immerse myself in the world. The magic system was interesting and unique. The characters were all really well written. I loved the large ensemble of characters and how different they all were. Each one was so complex and I loved they're motivations for teaming up to meet their own goals. The plot was fast paced and held my attention from beginning to end. Unfortunately most of the plot twists were all fairly easy to see coming. But I highly recommend this for fans of a fast paced fantasy stories.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for this alc in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for this alc in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2023
I've been trying how to put into words how this book made me feel. The best way is to say lost and sad because I didnt want it to end. The narrator was amazing. The words were perfectly written and I felt as though I was right there beside them on their journey. I love the narrators voice changes. I cannot wait to find out what happens next to this band of misfits.
September 25, 2023
I really enjoyed this book the characters were interesting and well developed as the adventure evolved so did the characters and their relationships with each other. I recommend reading The Unseen it is book 1 of a new series the reel of Rhysia I look forward to the next book in this series.
August 25, 2023
The Unseen is told in multiple POVs from Elwyn, the runaway thief with Luatha her piskie who talks in rhymes. Brannon, an assassin charged with bringing Elwyn back in. Lydia, an innocent child who finds herself in the middle of it all. Aedyn, a fae prince who needs an escape and a few others.
The world building and character development were perfect. Also the way Glass described the food had my mouth watering. The glossary in the back about the other Fae, that was inspired by celtic folklore, was a huge help and not many authors include that anymore.
As I was closer to the ending I was hoping that one of the characters' sacrifices would be stopped in time but then how would the next installment go forward without a little anger to fuel their actions so said sacrifice doesn't go in vain. I enjoyed The Unseen very much and can't wait for the next book.
The world building and character development were perfect. Also the way Glass described the food had my mouth watering. The glossary in the back about the other Fae, that was inspired by celtic folklore, was a huge help and not many authors include that anymore.
As I was closer to the ending I was hoping that one of the characters' sacrifices would be stopped in time but then how would the next installment go forward without a little anger to fuel their actions so said sacrifice doesn't go in vain. I enjoyed The Unseen very much and can't wait for the next book.
Want to read
July 27, 2023I just received a copy!
Thank you, City Owl Press!
Thank you, City Owl Press!
August 28, 2023
I absolutely adored this book. We travel with a ragtag group of unlikely friends; Elwyn, an assassin, Brannon, another assassin sent to kill our first assassin, Lydia, a young girl who's got some weird stuff going on and Aedyn,a fairy prince with a mischieviously kind heart.
Every character felt so lifelike to me and I just wanted to know more about them at every page. An exciting adventure is waiting and I can't wait for book 2!
Every character felt so lifelike to me and I just wanted to know more about them at every page. An exciting adventure is waiting and I can't wait for book 2!
July 15, 2023
How fortunate Kiwi and the Bird are
to add The Unseen to their TBR!
We might not have Luatha's talent at writing couplets . . . but let's talk about what we loved about The Unseen! *Spoiler-free review.
We had the opportunity to read an ARC of The Unseen, which was given to us by the author. Upon meeting the four main characters (Elwyn, Brannon, Lydia, and Aedyn), we were able to get an immediate sense of their personalities. Here are some of our thoughts:
Elwyn, the "remarkably unremarkable" thief - What we loved most about Elwyn was her unique trait of being "unremarkable" and how she uses her seemingly ordinary-ness to her advantage. We felt it was both unique to a fantasy story and something that we couldn't wait to be explored in future books. As well, we loved how Elwyn felt like the glue that kept the group together. Her personality and emotions related to the other characters, opening them up in a way they might not have otherwise.
Brannon, the cutthroat assassin - We appreciated that Brannon had--in essence--no chill. He was brutal, unapologetic, and lacked a sense of empathy. With that, he kept us on our toes, and it was always exciting to see what he'd do--and how he might grow (either into a goodie or an even more baddie, TBA) in the sequel!
Lydia, the innocent girl - It was interesting and exciting to see such a young character have such a large role in a fantasy story. We loved that Lydia had her own personality, character arc, and how pivotal she was to the plot.
Aedyn, the womanizing fae prince - Sound the battle horns, this fae prince is charming, selfish in a likable way (which we didn't know was possible), and added a fun and warm aspect to the book! We loved that Aedyn deviated from the typical "stoic, cold" fae trope and instead fulfilled a more emotional, connecting role in the story.
Glass also wrote The Unseen in a lyrical and melodic way that allowed us to feel the cozy, magic-tinted environment in the mortal world and the bejeweled, gilded quality of the Unseelie and Seelie courts! This contrast, in partnering with the characters, created a darkly whimsical adventure that we were honored to be apart of!
to add The Unseen to their TBR!
We might not have Luatha's talent at writing couplets . . . but let's talk about what we loved about The Unseen! *Spoiler-free review.
We had the opportunity to read an ARC of The Unseen, which was given to us by the author. Upon meeting the four main characters (Elwyn, Brannon, Lydia, and Aedyn), we were able to get an immediate sense of their personalities. Here are some of our thoughts:
Elwyn, the "remarkably unremarkable" thief - What we loved most about Elwyn was her unique trait of being "unremarkable" and how she uses her seemingly ordinary-ness to her advantage. We felt it was both unique to a fantasy story and something that we couldn't wait to be explored in future books. As well, we loved how Elwyn felt like the glue that kept the group together. Her personality and emotions related to the other characters, opening them up in a way they might not have otherwise.
Brannon, the cutthroat assassin - We appreciated that Brannon had--in essence--no chill. He was brutal, unapologetic, and lacked a sense of empathy. With that, he kept us on our toes, and it was always exciting to see what he'd do--and how he might grow (either into a goodie or an even more baddie, TBA) in the sequel!
Lydia, the innocent girl - It was interesting and exciting to see such a young character have such a large role in a fantasy story. We loved that Lydia had her own personality, character arc, and how pivotal she was to the plot.
Aedyn, the womanizing fae prince - Sound the battle horns, this fae prince is charming, selfish in a likable way (which we didn't know was possible), and added a fun and warm aspect to the book! We loved that Aedyn deviated from the typical "stoic, cold" fae trope and instead fulfilled a more emotional, connecting role in the story.
Glass also wrote The Unseen in a lyrical and melodic way that allowed us to feel the cozy, magic-tinted environment in the mortal world and the bejeweled, gilded quality of the Unseelie and Seelie courts! This contrast, in partnering with the characters, created a darkly whimsical adventure that we were honored to be apart of!
July 15, 2023
I always try to give the first book in a series the benefit of establishing the world, the characters, and the overall plot, knowing that these things will eventually come together over the course of the series, but in this case, I had such difficulty finding the the point of the main POV character's journey's and purpose until closer to the end of the book.
While the premise of this story had me intrigued with the promise of adventure and found family, the majority of the book dragged for me, and it was struggling to keep my interest. It wasn't until the last 75% to 80% of the book where the plot finally revealed itself, and things started to pick up. I wanted to love the 4 main characters, but I felt there wasn't enough depth to them and their growing relationships with each other as a found family to make me care about them.
Unfortunately this book was a miss for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and City Owl Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
While the premise of this story had me intrigued with the promise of adventure and found family, the majority of the book dragged for me, and it was struggling to keep my interest. It wasn't until the last 75% to 80% of the book where the plot finally revealed itself, and things started to pick up. I wanted to love the 4 main characters, but I felt there wasn't enough depth to them and their growing relationships with each other as a found family to make me care about them.
Unfortunately this book was a miss for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and City Owl Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
December 17, 2023
Elwyn is a thief who is remarkably unremarkable. If you blink you'll forget what she looks like. I think this is the coolest concept for a character. Elwyn's unremarkablilty makes her an excellent thief, but it also makes for a lonely life. Together with her friend Luatha, a pixie-like creature they call "piskies", Elwyn is trying to survive and build a life after escaping a dark organization of thieves called the Grayscale that recruits many of their members as children. Elwyn takes a job working at a tavern, and I mean takes. The tavern owner never hired her, she just started working (and stealing coins), and repeatedly made the tavern owner feel guilty about "forgetting" that he hired her until he accepted her presence.
Lydia is a nine year old girl and daughter of a prominent family. Her family has started calling her "monster" due to her sickly appearance. Lydia is not an ordinary girl, and she became my favorite character in the second half of the book when all of the characters finally came together to save her. Lydia's backstory is very dark!
Brannon is a grayscale assassin who has been tasked with finding Elwyn after she escaped. He, like Elwyn, was a lost child recruited by the grayscale.
Aedyn is a spoiled fae prince who is looking for adventure. At first I thought he was kind of goofy but by the end he really grew on me.
The book opens swapping between these character's POV as we learn about their lives, skills, and personalities. When they find themselves all together they begin to form this found family bond, which is one of my favorite story themes. We start to see Brannon think about something else besides a mission, and Aedyn turns out to be a lot deeper than he lets on, Elwyn starts to allow herself to really be seen for the first time, and sweet Lydia starts to feel accepted and cared for.
I loved the fae magic and dark themes of this story, I enjoyed seeing the character development and how the group changed each other. I lost track of how many times I thought something along the lines of "Well that was a cool idea". This story is very unique and I recommend it if you are a fan of high fantasy stories.
Lydia is a nine year old girl and daughter of a prominent family. Her family has started calling her "monster" due to her sickly appearance. Lydia is not an ordinary girl, and she became my favorite character in the second half of the book when all of the characters finally came together to save her. Lydia's backstory is very dark!
Brannon is a grayscale assassin who has been tasked with finding Elwyn after she escaped. He, like Elwyn, was a lost child recruited by the grayscale.
Aedyn is a spoiled fae prince who is looking for adventure. At first I thought he was kind of goofy but by the end he really grew on me.
The book opens swapping between these character's POV as we learn about their lives, skills, and personalities. When they find themselves all together they begin to form this found family bond, which is one of my favorite story themes. We start to see Brannon think about something else besides a mission, and Aedyn turns out to be a lot deeper than he lets on, Elwyn starts to allow herself to really be seen for the first time, and sweet Lydia starts to feel accepted and cared for.
I loved the fae magic and dark themes of this story, I enjoyed seeing the character development and how the group changed each other. I lost track of how many times I thought something along the lines of "Well that was a cool idea". This story is very unique and I recommend it if you are a fan of high fantasy stories.
December 6, 2023
The Unseen by Lilla Glass is the first book I’ve read by this author and I genuinely enjoyed it. This story told in multiple POV’s is an adventure, romantic fantasy that follows 5 main characters Lydia, Elwyn, Arden, Luatha, and Brannon.
Elwyn is remarkably unremarkable, she is a thief, but with a heart of gold. Lydia is a sweet little girl who just happens to be stuck in the middle of everything going on. Brannon is Elwyn’s arch nemesis, an assassin, who has realized that he doesn’t have to be a grump all the time and now wants to prove his worth. Aedyn is a Prince who likes to meddle and is always looking for a new adventure.
The books world building is amazing, the characters were written so well, and the story was well paced. I loved the banter between the characters, the world that was built, and the lore. I’m still new to fantasy, but I genuinely enjoyed this book. I give this book 4 stars.
Elwyn is remarkably unremarkable, she is a thief, but with a heart of gold. Lydia is a sweet little girl who just happens to be stuck in the middle of everything going on. Brannon is Elwyn’s arch nemesis, an assassin, who has realized that he doesn’t have to be a grump all the time and now wants to prove his worth. Aedyn is a Prince who likes to meddle and is always looking for a new adventure.
The books world building is amazing, the characters were written so well, and the story was well paced. I loved the banter between the characters, the world that was built, and the lore. I’m still new to fantasy, but I genuinely enjoyed this book. I give this book 4 stars.
November 29, 2023
This was my most anticipated debut novel of 2023, so I knew I had to squeeze it in before the end of the year, and it did not disappoint!
Lilla Glass has spun together a world and tale that's whimsical yet dark following a rag-tag group of characters you will fall in love with. (Even if they are - or maybe because they are - hopelessly flawed.) I adored this little found family and I want to keep going with them on adventures! It ended far too soon! I particularly loved Lydia our little "monster" and Luatha the piske! But honestly, there wasn't a single character I didn't connect to or adore.
The world she has created is deep and dark and intricate with pieces of it weaving together into a beautiful tapestry of magic and lore.
People who love found family, intricate magic and worlds, Celtic inspiration, fae (but not the SJM kind!), and adventure, you must pick up this book!
Lilla Glass has spun together a world and tale that's whimsical yet dark following a rag-tag group of characters you will fall in love with. (Even if they are - or maybe because they are - hopelessly flawed.) I adored this little found family and I want to keep going with them on adventures! It ended far too soon! I particularly loved Lydia our little "monster" and Luatha the piske! But honestly, there wasn't a single character I didn't connect to or adore.
The world she has created is deep and dark and intricate with pieces of it weaving together into a beautiful tapestry of magic and lore.
People who love found family, intricate magic and worlds, Celtic inspiration, fae (but not the SJM kind!), and adventure, you must pick up this book!
July 6, 2024
Thank you Nerdfam and City Owl Press for the e arc copy of this book!!!
To start off my review, I loved luatha SO MUCH. She’s a cute lil fairy who only speaks in rhymes. Aedyn was also great (sassy prince). Honestly, all the main characters were pretty cool. What got me was how many POV’s there were. like, I’m talking A LOT of back and fourth. It made the book really hard to follow and I found myself going back multiple times. The plot was a little all over the place. Overall a good fantasy I’d recommend to fans of TOG (main characters basically Aelin) or one dark window.
To start off my review, I loved luatha SO MUCH. She’s a cute lil fairy who only speaks in rhymes. Aedyn was also great (sassy prince). Honestly, all the main characters were pretty cool. What got me was how many POV’s there were. like, I’m talking A LOT of back and fourth. It made the book really hard to follow and I found myself going back multiple times. The plot was a little all over the place. Overall a good fantasy I’d recommend to fans of TOG (main characters basically Aelin) or one dark window.
November 2, 2023
Warning: child abuse, gore, and horror notes.
There were many things I liked about this book. The world the author created had both dark and light in deep intriguing detail. But my absolute favorite part was the utter unpredictability of this book by my usual standards, and unpredictability that was still satisfying.
However, I would warn readers: this book is definitely, terrifying dark. Child abuse is almost ubiquitous among the characters. Read at your own risk and remember to practice self care (the standard drink water and sleep well requests😊).
There were many things I liked about this book. The world the author created had both dark and light in deep intriguing detail. But my absolute favorite part was the utter unpredictability of this book by my usual standards, and unpredictability that was still satisfying.
However, I would warn readers: this book is definitely, terrifying dark. Child abuse is almost ubiquitous among the characters. Read at your own risk and remember to practice self care (the standard drink water and sleep well requests😊).
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