A Little Less Invisible

by Maisie M. Meyers

One chronically ill girl.
Fae who feed on pain.
Being a snack just got a whole new meaning.

Sixteen-year-old Sedona “Seda” Gerard has one goal: stay in school and on track for her future. But chronic heart issues and pain make it feel like she’s getting rotisserie chicken roasted from the inside out. School administrators are trying to force her into the hospital-homebound program because of all her absences, and her doctors are stumped, unable to diagnose what’s wrong.

Then, right as she’s made a plan to outfox the administrators and avoid being sent home, fae monsters masquerading as humans—beings who feed on pain—hunt her down at school. Someone told the monsters about her. They crave her chronic pain—and worse, they want her trapped at home too, helpless, so they can feed without anyone noticing just like they did with the last chronically ill girl.

Nikolai Shaw is probably human and definitely Seda’s only hope for protecting herself as the fae close in. Too bad he’s prickly as a bundle of IV needles, with a smile that does funny things to whatever is wrong with her heart. But he knows about a weapon that can destroy the monsters for good. While he has a secret agenda of his own, he’s willing to help Seda get it, but they have to hurry—before the fae make a meal out of Seda and erase her from existence forever.

Teen Wolf meets Legendborn in this heart-pounding, romantic, and bitingly funny YA contemporary fantasy debut featuring a chronically ill girl, the fae who want to turn her into a meal, and the secretive but annoyingly cute boy she needs to help her stop them. Perfect for fans of Holly Black

Genres: Fantasy

333 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 14, 2026

About the author

Maisie M. Meyers writes YA fantasy that fuses humor, fairytale monsters, and chronic illness rep.​​ Because feeling like you're getting rotisserie chicken roasted from the inside out every day doesn't mean you can't have your fairytale too.

Like all of her main characters, she lives with chronic health issues, including:

POTS (Standing up fast? Overrated.)
MCAS (When your body treats all food and air like potential enemies.)
hEDS (When your joints function more like a suggestion than a rule, and they do NOT like to stay in their assigned seats.)
Chronic pain (See above.)
And more! (Grimaces.)


She has an M.A. in English with a focus on fairytales and folktales, and when she’s not writing about characters facing terrible (but interesting) choices, she works as a technical writer, battles the Florida heat like a reluctant cryptid, and wonders why there aren’t more disabled and chronically ill characters in fantasy. Let’s fix that, yeah?

Reviews

[Janet Reeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. I felt like it was my daughter's journey to health issues discovery all over again!

[Em · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a YA treat. Thank you to author for the ARC.

This story follows a high schooler as she navigates the onset of chronic health conditions and what that means to her identity and her place in her community. Seda hasn’t been able to get a diagnosis and is getting gaslit by doctors and teachers alike. She is missing a lot of school and the school is trying to push her to home bound. The craziest part reading this was when I was in high school I think I experienced literally EVERYTHING she went through.

The twist of this book comes in when the magical are trying to eat people’s pain and take advantage of people’s suffering. Seda starts experiencing encounters with fae, werewolves, monsters, and other magical beings. She struggles with who to trust, and who in her life understands or empathizes with what she is experiencing.

The writing was on the very younger side of YA for me and at times felt middle grade. But overall this was really special and am excited to see this book release and find its audience!!

[Chessa Jay · Rating 1 out of 5]

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘰 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘎𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘰𝘬

DNF at 25%

I truly wish I had nicer things to say about this book. I wanted to keep reading, out of respect for the ARC and support for a fellow chronically ill person, but the writing is truly that childish and poor.

This book follows a high school girl named Seda, who is just doing her best to stay in school despite having disabling chronic illness that has yet to be diagnosed. Seda is brash, immature, sarcastic and a very unlikeable voice. Despite having relatable health issues, she is truly not easy to read and I found myself turning page after page just hoping she would become likeable. Seda has a best friend, Esme, who fills the role of "Throwaway POC sidekick" to a "T". She is kind, patient, neverendingly compassionate, and one-dimensional, in the way these sidekicks tend to be. Its dissapointing, but not surprising.

The prose of this book feels like reading someone's first fanfiction: sassy to the point of annoying, constant analogies to remind you that this 16-year old (aka the author) is super witty and clever, and really meaningless side bars that make you question if an editor was involved.

Besides the gratuitous use of "Fricken" every other sentence as the book's main adjective, there was an uncomfortable sentence that felt not only unnecessary, but harmful as well:

**Spoiler, TW Eating Disorder talk**

When Seda passes out on the bathroom floor (as a result of Fae magic cast by "The Creep"), she wakes up to Esme bringing in an EMT to check on her. The EMT takes some vitals and confirms she passed out, following up the assessment with "When was the last time you ate or drank?"
The author chooses to make a comment about eating disorders here: "It wasn't the paramedic's fault that he assumed a passed-out teenage girl in the school bathroom was the result of an eating disorder, but that at least wasn't one of my problems,"

I have... So many problems here. First off, that question is typically to rule out blood sugar issues or poor nutrition, the jump to "he must think I have an ED" is absurd and unnecessary from the author. Secondly, what do you want for not having an eating disorder? A prize? Going out of your way to highlight that an ED isn't one of your "problems" doesn't make you special. EDs are the reality for many people, myself included. Calling us out in your book had no meaning and no place.

I think this summarizes my main problems with the book. I don't like writing negative reviews, but I dislike poorly written books even more. This was not ready to be published. The middle schoolers and teenagers I know deserve better representation than confusing plots that won't budge and constant "sassy" (read: obnxious) one-liners.

[Sabina Nordqvist · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the privilege of reading an early version of A Little Less Invisible through the Round Table Mentor program. I was caught up in this book since pretty much the first page. Not only does it have Spoonie topics that are immediately relatable to other people with chronic pain who have faced diagnosis limbo, but it’s just a really funny book. There are so many aspects of living with chronic pain that sometimes require a certain type of humor, and being able to laugh while commiserating over Seda’s problems in high school really engage you from the start. It’s witty, sharp, observant, and tender.


This is a story about a high school girl who’s trying really hard not to get sent on the homebound program because she keeps having to miss classes due to a mysterious set of chronic illness symptoms that nobody can figure out. While she’s committed to staying in school among her peers, she gets caught up in a fantastical scheme in involving Fae who feed off chronic pain. (Another reason I got drawn to this book-it’s such a clever concept!). Needless to say, a lot of shenanigans ensue, and our girl Seda has more than enough on her plate already with her chronic pain, so to add in magical elements and a hot boy who may or may not be fae himself (you’ll have to read it to find out just like Seda) is the last thing that’s going to help her get better. Which makes for a fun ride.

This young adult contemporary fantasy is fun, lighthearted, and really feels like it has a teenage voice and is meant for teens. It’s also got its swoony elements with our kind and grumpy but mysterious Nik, interesting world building (the author has a degree in folklore so she knows her stuff), and also some of the best disability representation I’ve seen in a young adult fantasy novel. I think anyone who is looking to feel more represented in that aspect will not be disappointed. What I love especially about this representation is that the chronic pain and chronic illness actually interrupts the plot and slows things down for the character despite her many attempts to push past it. It allows her to be a heroine on her own terms and doesn’t promote toxic positivity or inspiration. I love how much it acknowledges the realities of Spoonies while also allowing you to get lost in the mystery of how she’s going to outsmart these fae.

I’m definitely going to be encouraging everyone to read this book, and I’m so excited to see what Meyers writes next!

[Faiza BEGUM · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel follows a determined high school student, Seda, who is doing everything she can to avoid being placed on an at-home learning plan after repeated absences caused by baffling, ongoing health issues. She’s desperate to remain in the classroom with her friends, but her already complicated life takes a wild turn when she becomes entangled in a hidden world of faeries who draw strength from human suffering—specifically chronic pain. As if managing unpredictable symptoms weren’t exhausting enough, she now has to navigate dangerous magic and a frustratingly charming boy, Nik,who might not be entirely human. Chaos, secrets, and plenty of tension follow.

The book strikes a wonderful balance between contemporary teen life and enchanting fantasy. The voice feels authentically adolescent, capturing the humor, insecurity, and stubborn hopefulness of being young. There’s a slow-burn romantic thread with the brooding yet unexpectedly gentle love interest, Nik,that adds just the right amount of emotional spark. The folklore elements are thoughtfully crafted, clearly shaped by careful research, and they lend the story a rich mythic undertone without overwhelming the present-day setting.

What truly sets this story apart is its portrayal of chronic illness. Seda’s condition isn’t brushed aside for the sake of adventure. Her symptoms disrupt plans, stall progress, and force difficult choices. She doesn’t magically “power through” or become inspirational simply by enduring hardship. Instead, she’s allowed to be strong and vulnerable at the same time, succeeding on terms that respect her limits. The narrative recognizes the lived reality of managing ongoing pain while still delivering an imaginative, suspenseful plot.

This is an engaging, heartfelt read that offers meaningful representation alongside swoony romance and clever fantasy twists. I’ll absolutely be recommending it and can’t wait to see what the author creates next.

[Alexaserafina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book felt so special and different in the best way.

One of the things I loved most was the representation of chronic “invisible” illnesses and physical pain. You rarely see that in books, and it was handled so honestly. The way the story captured what it feels like to be dismissed, misunderstood, or quietly struggling while everyone assumes you’re fine? It hit hard and was deeply personal for me.

The friendship between the main character and her best friend was another highlight. Their loyalty, protectiveness, and unwavering support for each other was so heartwarming. It wasn’t dramatic or performative — it felt like true friendship, the kind where someone shows up for you even when they don’t fully understand what you’re going through.

I also loved how the plot blended the “real world” with fae characters and darker, secret magic. It gave the story this layered, almost eerie undertone while still being funny as well as also staying grounded in real emotional struggles. Such an interesting and unique take!!

And the writing? So easy to read. Witty, funny, descriptive without being overwhelming. It genuinely felt like the author was talking to me the way my best friend would. There’s such an authenticity to it. Also, you can easily tell that she truly understands chronic invisible pain herself and poured that lived experience into the story.

Overall, this book feels validating, magical, and heartfelt all at once — a story about wanting to be seen, while navigating pain that others can’t. I absolutely loved it and recommend!!

[Lizzy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book places you in the life of high school student Seda, a teen dealing with schoolwork, a cute boy, and parasitic fairies. Seda has a baffling combination of medical symptoms that cause her to be in pain daily. She faces supernatural creatures that say they want to help her relieve this pain…although they all have motives of their own. Overall I thought the setting and dialogue were engaging and appropriate for the story. I would recommend this book to middle school students, despite the main character being in high school. While her struggle to deal with a chronic illness is prevalent, the challenges Seda faces are never graphic or overly wretched (the story would have retained its integrity if Seda was in 8th grade). This is not a horror story or a gripping mystery, but rather reads as a character creating a unique world to cope with the unknown implications of her medical situation.

I appreciate this book for its representation of a student dealing with an unknown illness. That being said, I was not swept away by the secondary characters and felt that they could have been more rounded. I also never truly felt that any character was in serious peril (which reduced the tension of the story). As the climax built I was not at the edge of my seat, but I was very satisfied with the ending.

This book is meaningful and unique in its premise and would be a solid read for those struggling with illness or interested in fairy lore.

[The book dragon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I ended up DNFing A Little Less Invisible around 20%.

I was really excited to read this one because I also live with a chronic illness and was looking forward to that representation. Unfortunately, while I typically read YA, the writing style felt younger than what I usually gravitate toward, which made it hard for me to fully connect with the story.

I don’t think I was the intended audience. I can see this resonating with younger, more middle grade readers. I think the book has a great story to tell but I’m just the wrong reader for it.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I requested this ARC knowing it was YA, and it definitely skews to the younger side.

I liked the invisible disability representation.

I completely understand going through testing and being told there is nothing wrong, but constantly being dizzy and in pain.

I liked that Seda didn't want to give up on maintaining her sense of normalcy by remaining at school, or give up a part of herself by allowing a monster to use her.

I found parts of the story clunky, and the adults felt like very flat characters.

As I'm in my 30's I am not the target audience for this one.

(ARC provided by NetGalley)

[The Endless Unread · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, not often do I ever see myself represented in a book that knows what it's talking about. This was incredible from start to finish. Hilarious and full of heart this book will have you screaming for more. This book will pull at all the emotions whilst still keeping you grounded. Maisie does an amazing job of balancing the empathy with the true grittiness of chronic pain sufferers. Author I applaud you. There's only one issue I have with this book. Not enough pages. I need another instalment from this series and fast. What an incredible debut book. MORE PLEASE!!!!!

[charmayne Vernon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and author for an early review copy of this amazing book.As someone who is chronically ill herself and still hasn’t got a proper diagnosis this book validates everything a chronically ill person experiences the pain, anxiety,the feeling of being invisible while everyone is living their lives or thinks your fine when your not I know how seba feels all too well especially with school and don’t get me started on the gaslighting from doctors and teachers tho for me it is definitely doctors my professor is surprisingly understanding.I also loved the great support seba has from her friend chronically ill people need that more than people realize.This book did a good job at describing the feelings of being chronically ill while also adding its own twist with fae that feeds on pain .I absolutely enjoyed reading it and I can’t wait to get a physical copy of it.

[Haneul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

I gave this 4 stars instead of 5 because I’m probably not the intended audience, this feels very much like a teen book, and I’m an adult. If I had read this as a teen, I honestly think it would have been a 5-star read for me.

That said, the writing is beautiful, and I really enjoyed being in Seda’s head. The story felt original, and even though I wasn’t the target audience, I was still curious enough to keep reading and see how it would end.

I also appreciated that it felt like a true teen book, no unnecessary mature content, just a genuinely age-appropriate story, which feels a bit rare lately.

[Erica · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ | This book impeccably blends humor with chronic illness representation in a contemporary fantasy setting.

Seda is a high schooler who finds herself in the crosshairs of fae who feed on pain. With the help of the mysterious and attractive Nik and her best friend Esme, Seda must take on the fae who are threatening her and her loved ones all while navigating an unknown chronic illness.

I appreciated the chronic illness and pain representation in this story and the intimate way the reader gets to experience Seda coming to terms with her new circumstances. The writing style pulls you in right away with humor and lots of creative imagery (“getting rotisserie chicken roasted from the inside out” is definitely one that will stay with me). While being humorous, the book does not shy away from important topics and the challenges of living with a chronic, invisible illness. The author also does a great job capturing the YA voice in Seda.

There were some places where I wanted more context and explanation of the magical creatures and magic system, but perhaps this will be addressed more in future books. I do hope this will be a series, as I’d love to read more about Seda and Nik and see Seda get her happy ending.

I’d highly recommend this book to young adult readers who love fantasy and want to feel seen and empowered, but there’s plenty for adults to enjoy here too.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the ARC!

[Library of Dreaming (Bookstagram) · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded to 5. Full review to come!