I hardly know where to begin with reviewing this book, for it is altogether delightful, whimsical, insightful, and profound, wrapped in the timeless beauty of childlike wonder and the transformative power of stories. I related so much with Emlyn as an avid reader, and the plethora of nods to the craft of writing as well as the Easter eggs toward beloved classics are an exciting source of joy and laughter. The plot twists and turns like any jaunt through Wonderland, full of surprises and deeper meaning. Because it's not just a cozy frolic through every young book lover's dream, it's a venture into the complexity of the human heart and the battle of good and evil within us all. It's a romping romcom that deals with trauma and loss, a slow-burn mystery that unveils hidden identities and systemic rot, and an action-packed adventure with fantastical imagination and glittering charm. Loss, hope, grief, love, and sacrifice all play a roll in this first stage of what promises to be a truly incredible journey of true friendship and restoration. I highly recommend it!

I fell in love with Lindsay A. Franklin's writing a few years ago with her Weaver Trilogy so when I saw her name on The Unraveling Of Emlyn Dulaine I didn't even bother to read the blurb before setting about getting my hands on the first Rivenlea Sphere book.

The Unraveling Of Emlyn DuLaine more than lived up to my expectations. Lindsay A. Franklin is at her best with the introduction to her new Rivenlea Sphere series. The worldbuilding is exquisite with the perfect blend of familiar and fantastical. The titular character is just the right sort of heroine for a novel that will appeal to both YA and adult fans. Emlyn is smart but makes mistakes, she is fearful but will do anything to find her missing sister. She is a true contradiction just like we all are.

One of the things that I loved best about The Unraveling Of Emlyn DuLaine, aside of the vividly painted world of The Rivenlea Sphere, is the emotion packed within the story. Lindsay A. Franklin really gets to the heart of the fears and insecurities of a girl who has been seriously traumatized by witnessing the disappearance of her sister and the subsequent disbelief of the people around her. I was completely drawn into her story and 100 percent emotionally invested as I read.

I found the book to be impossible to put down and when I turned the last page I felt a little lost without the characters and setting. I am an adult reader but that made no difference to my sheer enjoyment of the tale. The only bad thing about it is that now I have wait what currently feels like forever to read the second book and find out what happens next to Emlyn and the others....

(I received a copy of this book from the author/publisher. All opinions are entirely my own.)

Lindsay Franklin's 'The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine' is a unique young adult fantasy that will appeal to both young and older adults. Ms. Franklin's use of an original portal into the treasured stories of my youth made my reader's heart very happy.

The young heroine is a sarcastic young lady, dealing with PTSD after the mysterious disappearance of her sister years ago. She has since lived isolated, feeling as if no one fully understands her. A feeling shared by many young adults. Yet Emlyn's situation is quite unique. No one believe's her account of her sister's disappearance. Running from home in frustration, she finds herself drawn into another world, reminiscent of the stories she imagined years ago. As she struggles to find out what happened to her sister, she questions what is real and what is not.

I found the world of Rivenlea to be absolutely unique. And the eclectic cast of characters will grab hold of your imagination. I think this storyline is one of the most creative I come across in a while. Highly unpredictable.

One of my favorite things is its celebration of the power of story. I found myself smiling, laughing out loud and sitting on the edge of my seat, totally unable to predict the outcome. Ms. Franklin skillfully parcels out more twists than one usually comes across in an entire series. My only complaint is the fantastic cliffhanger at the end. The wait for the sequel feels way too long.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author/publisher. I was not required to write a review. All opinions expressed are my own.

"Through stories, fantastical though they may be, we see reality in greater detail."

Oh, how I have missed Lindsay A Franklin's books. I have not read a book this fast in quite some time. "Just one more chapter" led to skipped meals, delayed bedtimes, and ignored laundry. But every minute was so worth it. This long-awaited book has everything - sarcastic, intelligent teenage first person voice, complex and wonderous fantasy world, memorable secondary characters, loads of jaw-dropping twists and turns, humor both overt and subtle, and a bit of romance. Everything I could have asked for in a YA fantasy novel is all here with an added bonus of references to some of the great novels of all time throughout the story. But that's not all; there is a book 2 to come and this ending with the epilogue is a complete cliff-hanger!

Emmy is the stereotypical bookworm teenager, awkward with people and feelings but with a brilliant mind and imagination. Laramie is your stereotypical alpha male hero in teenage form but his interactions with Emmy are anything but stereotypical. Their banter and arguments are incredibly entertaining and it was satisfying to see growth and maturity in both of these characters. I really enjoyed getting to know the rest of Novem XVII and I cannot wait to embark on another adventure with them.

If you enjoy YA fantasy, this is a must-read. It is one of my favorite reads of 2025. You will not be able to put it down. I received a complimentary copy courtesy of Enclave Escape and was under no obligation to post a positive comment. All opinions are my own.

This story shredded me and left me fractured in the best of ways. To say this story comes to life is an understatement. It doesn't draw readers in. Instead, ink oozes into the reader's realm, bleeding into reality. Characters are more than name and descriptions, they are flesh and bone. Worlds are more than locations, they are portals.

Emmy's humor warmed my spirit through the tense moments and softened my annoyance with her choices and behavior at times. Laramie is the ultimate Story Boy, no matter how hard Emlyn tries to deny it. Wistlee and Phen are the truest of friends. I need a Frank of my own.

Turn after turn, this story rocked me. I don't know how I am expected to wait for the release of the second book to continue this journey. If only I had a certain pair of slippers at my disposal... The moment this book is published, I intend to add a physical copy to my shelves. 5/5

I received an advanced complimentary copy from the author. A positive review was not required. All opinions are honest and my own.