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bookish_selkie 's review for:

Twelfth Knight by Alexene Farol Follmuth
5.0
adventurous funny hopeful 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

What a smart and funny retelling! I loved the connections Alexene Farol Follmuth drew to the original Twelfth Night, while creating a new and improved version. The banter and tension between Jack and Viola was incredible! Follmuth’s writing is hilarious and filled with wit. I loved the depictions of fandom, Renaissance faire, and gaming. It was great how Jack and Vi found unexpected camaraderie in these spaces together. 

Vi is a courageous character who puts up with a lot from her classmates based on how they perceive her. I enjoyed watching Jack realize just how much Vi does behind the scenes to help the school succeed. Their slow-burn romance is delightfully filled with tension and angst. Bash and Vi have an amazing sibling relationship and I loved the twist on the mistaken identity. I also appreciated Olivia’s journey and her character growth. There is lots of excellent LGBTQ+ rep throughout.

Readers who enjoy enemies-to-lovers, grump/sunshine, hilarious dialogue, and Shakespeare with a modern twist will love this unputdownable book. I would highly recommend it to anyone! 
 
Thank you to Alexene Farol Follmuth, Tor Teen, and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.