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The Rivenlea Sphere #1

The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine

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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.

416 pages, Hardcover

First published February 4, 2025

25 people are currently reading
870 people want to read

About the author

Lindsay A. Franklin

12 books520 followers
Lindsay A. Franklin is the Carol Award–winning author of The Story Peddler and ECPA best-selling author of Adored. By day, she wrangles chaos as Managing Editor of Enclave Publishing. By night, she spins whimsical tales fueled by hot drinks, rainy days, and the thunderous purrs of her spoiled cats. Lindsay lives with her family among the misty evergreens of the Pacific Northwest. She is currently on a quest to discover the sparkliest nail polish on the planet. You can find Lindsay on Instagram @LinzyAFranklin.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
Profile Image for Bella Raine.
115 reviews37 followers
February 26, 2025
A magical fantasy story with a fascinating concept, lots of jokes about writing cliche's, and a loveable cast of characters you want to follow into every Sphere. ✨

This is going to be a favorite of the year, I already know. 😍 I adored this book!

I have NEVER seen a plot like this and Franklin executed it SO. WELL. While I did predict before starting the book a certain plot twist that did come true in the end, the unfolding layers of plot kept me guessing. It all felt so real and alive on the page.

Speaking of "alive on the page", the descriptions were so strong. I really felt I could visualize what everything looked like in my mind and yet I barely noticed any descriptions, which says a lot about how effortlessly Franklin wove the details in throughout the story.

The characters. 🥹 So amazing! Wistlee and Phen had my heart. Phen was so so sweet and such an encouraging brother-like figure. (And oh my word, "Not today, love triangle" had me in stitches. 🤣) I loved the friendship between Emmy and Wistlee. Wist was such a love, the kind of person who funny but not annoying, wise but not conceited, and always ready with to comfort and encourage. Rhyan was a great leader, hard-on-the-outside-but-still-soft-on-the-inside kind of person.

And Laramie. I'll admit I kind of wanted to slap him for the first 50% of the book and I wasn't sure if I was rooting for Em & him to get together. 😂 But, in the last half we really got to see him for who he is and I saw his character grow and improve. I did expect that ending with him & Em to go differently... 👀 😂

Oh Emlyn... she was fabulous. As I was reading this, I'd just sent out my newsletter where I asked my subscribers which books they'd love to see as movies. I was thinking about what Emlyn would be like as a movie and I think it would be amazing! Except we wouldn't get to hear Emlyn's internal dialogue / voice. Which I think is a part of this book as anything else. We are deep in Em's head, thinking her thoughts (mentally or verbally 😂), seeing Rivenlea through her eyes, being awkward with her, and feeling what it feels like to unravel. She was such a strong main character and please may we have more YA books where the MC calls out the tropes as they're happening? 😂

I loved how story was such a part of this book. Every is saying this in their reviews, but this quote sums up the theme of this story so well:

“Stories, Miss Emmy, are what bind us. Stories hold us together and help us think through problems, work through emotions. They take us on adventures, allow us to escape, but even more than that, they help us see the universe more clearly. Through stories, fantastical though they be, we see reality in greater detail.”


I know it's only February, but this is most likely going in my top 10 books of the year. 😍 I'm buying myself a physical copy so I can read it again and annotate it. And then I'll be here, EAGERLY awaiting book two.

Content Notes: Light romance, involving a lot of flirting/flustering/noticing for the first half of the book. Noticing of eyes, hair, jawline, shoulders, but that's about it. Some fighting/battle scenes. Magic is woven throughout the story.

Amazing, amazing, job, Lindsay. 🫶🏻

✨ 6 Stars ✨
Profile Image for Daniella.
234 reviews48 followers
February 26, 2025
The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine - Book Review 📚 🐉 🔮

"𝒮𝓉𝑜𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈, 𝑀𝒾𝓈𝓈 𝐸𝓂𝓂𝓎, 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓌𝒽𝒶𝓉 𝒷𝒾𝓃𝒹 𝓊𝓈. 𝒮𝓉𝑜𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈 𝒽𝑜𝓁𝒹 𝓊𝓈 𝓉𝑜𝑔𝑒𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓇 𝒶𝓃𝒹 𝒽𝑒𝓁𝓅 𝓊𝓈 𝓉𝒽𝒾𝓃𝓀 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝓅𝓇𝑜𝒷𝓁𝑒𝓂𝓈, 𝓌𝑜𝓇𝓀 𝓉𝒽𝓇𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝑒𝓂𝑜𝓉𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈. 𝒯𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝓉𝒶𝓀𝑒 𝓊𝓈 𝑜𝓃 𝒶𝒹𝓋𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒𝓈, 𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑜𝓌 𝓊𝓈 𝓉𝑜 𝑒𝓈𝒸𝒶𝓅𝑒, 𝒷𝓊𝓉 𝑒𝓋𝑒𝓃 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓉, 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝒽𝑒𝓁𝓅 𝓊𝓈 𝓈𝑒𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝓊𝓃𝒾𝓋𝑒𝓇𝓈𝑒 𝓂𝑜𝓇𝑒 𝒸𝓁𝑒𝒶𝓇𝓁𝓎. 𝒯𝒽𝓇𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝓈𝓉𝑜𝓇𝒾𝑒𝓈, 𝒻𝒶𝓃𝓉𝒶𝓈𝓉𝒾𝒸𝒶𝓁 𝓉𝒽𝑜𝓊𝑔𝒽 𝓉𝒽𝑒𝓎 𝒷𝑒, 𝓌𝑒 𝓈𝑒𝑒 𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓁𝒾𝓉𝓎 𝒾𝓃 𝑔𝓇𝑒𝒶𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒹𝑒𝓉𝒶𝒾𝓁."

This book is everything I look for in a fantasy book and more! Magical libraries, playfully friendly dragons, portals into other worlds, fast-paced thrilling plot, and lovable characters to boot!

I am once again in awe of Lindsay Franklin’s immersive writing and incredible world building. Her writing absolutely enamored me with her Weaver’s Trilogy, but she has outdone herself with this book—reminding me yet again why she is among my favorite fantasy authors ever!

The story opens up with an interrogation, introducing us to our lovable heroine Emlyn (Emmy). Emmy is grieving due to the loss of her beloved sister who quite literally unraveled before her eyes. But of course, no one believes that. And their disbelief brings Emmy to a point of questioning her own sanity. It doesn’t help when an adorable blue dragon shows up in her room and takes her to world of her creation. Very reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland’s trip down the rabbit hole, Dorothy’s journey to the land of Oz, and the Pevensies’ discovery of Narnia, Emmy unravels into a world seemingly of her own imagination and encounters many friends in this fantastical realm. But two very important questions must be answered: Can Emmy find her sister in this world? And is this world really of Emmy’s creation, or is there a deeper truth to unravel?

By Chapter 8 I was completely enthralled with this story and could not put it down. I don’t think I have ever read an ARC for review which has become one of my favorite books but The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine has!

It has been a long time since I have enjoyed a book as thoroughly as I have enjoyed this one. I laughed so hard in so many parts (especially in the beginning with Emmy’s shenanigans and hilarious inner monologue). The middle was so interesting! I wasn’t exactly sure what was going on, but I was at the edge of my seat. The ending? Wooooah. I am not sure how long I have to wait until book two but I’m sure I cannot wait too long so please Lindsay, write at the speed of light! 😂

I truly wish I could get this more than 5/5 stars, truly this book is unlike any other fantasy I’ve had the pleasure of reading this century.

A true 21st century fantasy classic!

I was given a complimentary copy of this book by the author for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own!
Profile Image for Megan.
355 reviews66 followers
June 5, 2025
"The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine" by Lindsay Franklin is a unique portal fantasy story that is a mash up of many beloved fairy tales and stories! It will leave you wanting more and remind you of the power of story. It is especially perfect for any fans who want to jump back into the land of Oz after seeing “Wicked,” as there are several references to “The Wizard of Oz” and characters in this book even spend part of the story in that mysterious land.

Emlyn, the main character, is a lovable, sarcastic girl who is dealing with the grief of losing her sister and wants to find out what happened to her. Emlyn loves stories and imagination and finds herself trapped in a world of stories. The world of Rivenlea is so creative. I love that there is a magical library that holds all the stories that have ever been written. It was so fun to notice all the pop culture and story nods and references as I was reading. Emlyn makes friends who become like family and learns to better use her powers. There is a great message that stories help us better see reality, and they hold, shape, and instruct us. I especially love Frank the Wyvern. The end left me dying for the sequel! Readers, writers, and storytellers will love this unique fantasy!

Content: I give this book a PG rating. Examples of the content: people think the main girl has gone crazy (but she really has not); mental health discussions; the main character is dealing with the grief of losing a sister, possibly has PTSD and flashbacks; a character curses, but the words are not actually written.
TW: talk of mental illness; PTSD/possible flashbacks.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
Profile Image for Jane Maree.
Author 16 books121 followers
December 8, 2024
What an immersive story! I ADORE the combo of the portal fantasy world (which felt so nostalgically reminiscent of the first ever "novel" I wrote many many years ago), paired with Emlyn’s sarcastic and very modern commentary. This whole book is just... *chef’s kiss*

I will forever love the found family dynamic, but I also have to mention how fantastic it was to have a trope-aware main character. Emlyn calling out tropes throughout the story was hilarious and relatable. Also, Laramie? More like LaraMINE. That's all. Goodnight.

I read through almost this entire story in one afternoon because I simply couldn't put it down! The intricacies of the concept were so intriguing, the characters stole my heart, and I have so many questions for book 2, but am still leaving this story thoroughly satisfied with the experience I've had already. Definitely recommend!
Profile Image for Molly.
Author 1 book75 followers
June 18, 2025
“Stories, Miss Emmy, are what bind us."


This whimsical portal fantasy captured my attention from the start! With nods to books and writing techniques all throughout, and a large and lovable cast of characters, I had trouble setting this novel down. The sister relationship especially stood out, and the humor was much appreciated - highly recommended!

(I received an e-ARC from the publisher, but all thoughts are my own.)
Profile Image for Mariposa Aristeo.
Author 4 books45 followers
September 9, 2025
This book had me at glitter forests and deciduous cat herders. 🤓

As a writer, I love stories about stories. This book is a booklover’s delight, filled with references to many favorite classics. It focuses a lot on the Wizard of Oz, which I sadly haven’t read yet but it was still easy to follow (and it made me want to read the classic even more!).

Set in a whimsical fantasy world, this story immersed me with wonder, adventure, and even a bit of snark (my favorite). I loved following the journey of a misfit girl and her band of misfits she becomes friends with along the way. It was fun and quirky, but also deep and thrilling, and I can’t wait for book 2 to release!
Profile Image for Amelie.
302 reviews58 followers
February 4, 2025
“Stories, Miss Emmy, are what bind us. Stories hold us together and help us think through problems, work through emotions. They take us on adventures, allow us to escape, but even more than that, they help us see the universe more clearly. Through stories, fantastical though they be, we see reality in greater detail.”


There have been too many stories to count that have shaped me at every stage of my life. The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine is a love letter to stories through the eyes of a lost storyteller, and what a wonderful story it is.

Since participating in the cover reveal for Emlyn back in August, I’ve been on the edge of my seat waiting for this story. (Speaking of the cover, y’all…seriously, Kirk DouPonce has done an incredible job with all of Lindsay’s covers, and this one is just as arresting and sparkling and beautiful as the Weaver Trilogy covers.) When the eARC for Emlyn landed in my inbox, I had it on my Kindle and ready to go in a blink.

From page 1, I was drawn into Emlyn’s world. Rivenlea came to life in my imagination, and on several occasions, I realized I’d flipped dozens of pages before I knew it. (If I didn’t have to work, I would have finished the entire book in one day. I’m sure of it. Even so, I stayed up much too late reading…)

Emlyn is immediately a lively, compelling main character, with a relatable serving of awkwardness, a healthy dash of wit, and an equal measure of heart accompanying her struggles and choices. She’s just a delightful protagonist I was ready to follow throughout the entire story, and her character arc…ahhhh. It’s wonderfully written, and I’m so eager to see how it continues and concludes in book two. So many times while I was reading, I connected with Emmy’s yearnings, and I loved seeing the other characters and the story as a whole through her eyes. And the side characters also enliven the story, from gentle, wise Wistlee to fun-loving, secretly-anxious Phen to by-the-book Rhyan to the ever-smooth, Flynn-Rider-esque story boy, Laramie Shayle. All in all, Emlyn boasts a vivid, shining cast, and I’m not going to be ready to bid them farewell anytime soon.

Then there’s the worldbuilding! Which is amazing! And so, so, so cool! (I’m not really sure how much I can say without risking hints at spoilers, but suffice it to say, you will not be disappointed at the intricacies and vibrancy of Rivenlea and its connections to other worlds.)

And then, as the book is really about the power and beauty of stories, I swallowed many times against the ache that arose as I read about and deeply connected with Emmy’s fierce love for fiction and her fight to rediscover and rekindle the joy and hope to be found in weaving words. ”Art has a way of revealing truth” is a quote from Lindsay’s Weaver Trilogy that has stuck with me ever since I read the series, and that wisdom is just as evident in Emlyn. It’s a theme that’s beautiful and wonderful and needed. (Also, Lindsay references so many stories that made me smile so much to see.)

There’s so much life and heart bursting from the pages of the Rivenlea Sphere. I’m so thankful I could read it.

So, if you like (to list a few things):

• unique portal fantasy
• sister relationships
• magical libraries
• friendly dragons (tiny ones and gigantic ones)
• friendship and squads
• relatable heroines
• humor
• poking fun at common YA clichés
• splashes of fantastical color
• odes to the stories that have shaped us and our world,

then all of those things should draw you to The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine.

My Kindle notebook is full of highlights. This book made me laugh, ache, and rejoice that God gave us stories to mold us and show us truth, goodness, and beauty. This is a special one. You won’t want to miss the unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine, and the start of her journey towards renewal and hope again.

*I received an eARC of this book from the publisher, but a positive review was not required; all thoughts are my own!*
Profile Image for Blueberry and Muffin.
36 reviews8 followers
Read
February 7, 2025
🫐Sara's review🫐

4.5✨!

✍🏼✨🔮🐉💜

I loved this one so much! 🥰 Perfect for writers, lovers of classic literature, or really any fantasy lover, this book is definitely a new favorite of mine! 🩷🤗 It was a perfect blend of adventure and humor (guys, Emlyn is an actual riot 👀👀), romance and plot twists, and I cannot wait for more in the series!!! 😍🥳🩷

Favorite charries:
🐉Frank
💜Emlyn
⚔️Laramie
💛Phen

CWs:
Slightly swoony romance, but nothing really beyond the level of wobbly knees and noticing one characters muscles. Wanting to kiss. The sort of violence that might be expected from swords and fighting, but not at all graphic. Character death that happened prior to our story in a cruel way. Talk of PTSD and anxiety.

(Thanks so much to the author for the ARC! 🩷 All thoughts and opinions are my own. 😉 And apologies for being a couple days late! 🙈😅)
Profile Image for Hailey Huntington.
Author 11 books46 followers
November 4, 2024
Once again, Lindsay Franklin has crafted a riveting tale about the magic of stories.

You can't help but love Emlyn as a main character. Her sarcasm is hilarious and makes her character voice shine. Her jumping train of thought was also something I can relate to. =) Also, her quips about literary tropes were fantastic.

I don't want to say much about the plot to avoid spoilers. Franklin has twists and turns along the way!

As with her other novels, worldbuilding is one of Franklin's strengths. I mean, who doesn't want to read about a magical library? And some of the ways she ties the worldbuilding and plot together. . . again, I won't say more for spoilers.

I also really loved the subtheme of sisterhood that Franklin wove in with Emyln and Camille, and how that drove Emlyn.

The only thing that I struggled with a little was how Emlyn doesn't really consider how her disappearance to Rivenlea will affect her parents. It does come up later in the book, but she doesn't think about it in the moment.

Also, Emlyn frequently describes the shade of Laramie's eyes in reference to food, which I honestly found a little more humorous than annoying.

The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine is a captivating start to Franklin's new duology that will delight fans of portal fantasy, snarky characters, and books in general. I can't wait for the next book!

Cautions: light/moderate romance; brief mention of a rude gesture; non-graphic moderate violence

(I received an eARC from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
Profile Image for Madisyn Carlin.
Author 28 books357 followers
December 26, 2024
When you're 90% of the way through a book and chaos suddenly explodes, you know the last 10% is going to be a wild ride.

The entire book was a wild ride, but that last part. My goodness.

I first applied to ARC read The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine because the cover and blurb intrigued me. Unlike any book I'd ever heard of, I anticipated an engaging tale, unique plot, and endearing characters.

Franklin delivered.

The sheer creativity in this book blew me away, and I truly have never read anything quite like it. Spectacular worldbuilding, great characters, crazy and engaging plot.

The characters are well-rounded and interesting, and there were so many side characters I adored. Wistlee, Phen, Laramie, even Rhyan, who admittedly had to grow on me. And Frank! I need a Frank. We all need a Frank.

I'll be the first to admit YA is not my preferred genre. Usually, the MCs get on my nerves within the first few pages. But Emlyn was a darling who definitely needs a hug, and I enjoyed how she's both mature yet growing, and strong yet broken.

The plot is complex and keeps you on the edge of your seat, and while I've never even remotely enjoyed anything related to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, I did enjoy the way Franklin incorporated it.

This book contains so many moving parts. Franklin crafted it in such a way that it resembles a puzzle: everything has a place, but not everything is yet in that place. Everything is connected, but until it's assembled like a puzzle, chaos and questions abound. The incorporation of several well-known tales and the resetting of stories really adds that extra element.

Aside from the bare amount of faith (which Enclave seems to be leaning toward these days) and a few liberal comments that momentarily threw me off my groove, I did really enjoy this book, so five stars it receives.

Sensitive readers should know that there is some violence: worlds taken over, nasty fantasy shadowy creatures you don't want to come into contact with, injuries, general chaos and destruction, and the mention of a baby dying. Everything is handled tastefully, and I would be completely at ease handing this to a reader fourteen and older.

Truly, The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine is unlike any book I've read, and I eagerly anticipate Book Two.

*I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Kailey.
788 reviews93 followers
May 27, 2025
This is such a truly unique book! I completely skipped reading the synopsis because I wanted to be surprised by it. I really was! Emlyn is such a spunky, fun character. I absolutely loved her and this whole book! I really enjoyed the cameos of other well loved stories. I can't wait to see what comes next!


I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.
Profile Image for E.F. Buckles.
Author 2 books59 followers
April 3, 2025
The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine is possibly the most unique book I've read this year, and certainly the quirkiest and most outright fun. Emlyn is a teen who lost her older sister, Camille, when they were younger, but it wasn’t in the way you might think. She and her sister were in the park one day when suddenly, Camille just… unraveled. Not like an emotional or mental breakdown, mind you, her body quite literally unraveled like a piece of cloth, and Camille was gone. Vanished from Emlyn’s life.

The story begins with the cold case of this disappearance being reopened by the police, thus reopening some old wounds in Emlyn’s heart as she has to explain all over again what happened. Once again, she's treated like she’s making it up. That is, until a baby wyvern (named Frank) appears and she gets sucked through a portal to a world that she believes she made up as a child. (Side note, many of the elements in this world that Emlyn believed she made up were So. Much. Fun. Glitter trees and deciduous cats, y'all. 'Nuff said.)

Honestly, this book is a little hard to explain unless you read it for yourself. It somehow masterfully deals with imagination and creativity, the concept that maybe the worlds we imagine and stories we tell could, in some other universe, become real. It deals with the concept of free will, the nature of good and evil, mental health, etc. Seriously, for a generally fun book, it goes DEEP.

Emlyn was the perfect character to follow through all of this. For one thing, her quick thought processes and the random exclamations that resulted could be so hilarious. One of my favorite moments of the entire book was when she believed the fantasy world was a YA novel that she wrote as a kid, so she was looking for book tropes to pop up and help her figure out her role in the story. For example, she was crushing on this one guy, then this second very handsome guy knocked on the door. She took one look at him and exclaimed, “NOT TODAY, LOVE TRIANGLE” and slammed the door in his face. I died. 😂😂😂​

Along with being hilarious, Emlyn is so quirky, and very quick, smart, and observant, and her unique perspective helped this strange new world that she traveled to start to make some sense. I also really appreciated how this story dealt the the emotional trauma that she experienced due to losing her sister. I’m aware that the author, Lindsay Franklin is a big advocate for mental health awareness, and she does such a great job bringing that knowledge and sensitivity to the page, showing the struggles someone like Emlyn would experience, but also showing the ways that she’s beginning to heal.

I loved her crew of new friends, too. Turns out they’re kind of like story fixers. The idea being that all those fictional worlds that got created by authors everywhere come to life in live in glass-like orbs that are stored in this fantasy world. Inside those orbs, those imagined stories play out over and over again. Unless there’s some kind of glitch, or interference, in which case some things can go seriously off the rails. When that happens, one of the story fixing teams (they had a name for these teams, but I listened on audio and don’t know how to spell it…) goes into the story, finds where things went wrong, and sets things right again.

In this case, Emlyn and her new team end up going into The Wizard of Oz, which has turned into something of a steampunk dystopian nightmare. Even as all of this is going on, Emlyn is trying to figure out if the fantasy world might be where her sister went, and if so, why. The answer to this question kind of blew my mind. 🤯 In a good way! It simply wasn’t what I was guessed was happening. And, seeing how this is an ongoing story with a second book on the way, I’m really excited to find out more!

I’m giving this 4 stars out of 5 only because the story isn’t complete yet for me to judge it as a whole, (heads up for a bit of a cliffhanger ending due to something that happens in the epilogue that I’m still emotionally flailing about XD) but it’s a very very positive 4 stars. I’m looking forward to book 2 and can’t wait to see how things turn out!

100% recommended for teens and adults. This was my first book by Lindsay Franklin and I already think she’s a master storyteller!

Content Advisory:
This book is YA and very appropriate for ages 13+.

Language:
None.

Violence/Scariness:
Emlyn says she saw her sister “unravel”/”shred to pieces” when she was a child. Some people ask if that was gross or violent, but it wasn’t. It was like the unraveling of fabric and completely bloodless.

The main violence here is action violence, and it doesn’t start until well past the halfway point in the book. In the corrupted version of Oz, several things in the story have gone terribly wrong, and some it is a little emotionally intense. The tin woodsman basically The Scarecrow apparently never got found by Dorothy, so, stuck on his scarecrow stick, Emlyn finds evidence that he Emlyn weeps over both of these characters, but the story handles it in a redemptive, not hopeless way. A very touching scene features Emlyn and a friend holding a burial to honor the dead and allow Emlyn space to mourn.

Emlyn and crew fight several corrupted fictional creatures in Oz, mostly using swords and any special powers like the leader’s fireballs. When they fight a particularly large and frightening beast, there are a couple of brief mentions of blood, including someone’s hand being covered in it after the fight is over. However, the fighting itself is not graphic.

Initially, there isn’t a lot of emotional weight in these fights because these are all fictional creatures who will “reset” to their original state (meaning any flying monkey, etc., that they have to kill in self defense will come back to life and not remember that anything happened) once Emlyn and crew fix what’s wrong in the story. However, Emlyn comes to realize that

Emlyn fights a shadow creature, slicing, dicing, and stabbing it with a sword. She thinks how she’s glad the beast is only made of shadow so there are no blood or guts, otherwise this fight would be really gross.

Emlyn sees some good wyverns fighting evil shadow creatures in the air. Some shadow creatures get shredded in a shadowy and bloodless manner. At least one wyvern loses its fight and crashes to the ground somewhere out of sight. Emlyn assumes, sadly, that it died. There are also some worrisome moments when Emlyn’s pet wyvern faces down some shadow creatures and ends up needed help defeating one of them. (The pet wyvern gets injured, but lives.)

Sexual/Romance:
Emlyn has crushy, fluttery feelings toward a cute boy. Their interactions can be a little flirtatious, but never inappropriate, and they truly get to know and respect each other over the course of the story, protecting and helping each other multiple times. They come close to kissing once.

Spiritual/Magic:
This is fiction from a Christian publisher and Christian author. Some characters pray. Deep themes are present, like the acknowledgement of the corrupt nature of humanity contrasted with the hope that we don’t have to be stuck that way.

Magic is a natural force in this universe. The focus isn’t on how magical things happen, they just do, and it’s implied to just be how creation works. This includes the use of portals, magic sucking the color out of things because something in the natural order of things has been broken, and characters having natural abilities that appear magical.

Most of the magical characters are humanoid in shape (except the wyverns that are animals), but belong to races that are not actually human, thus the reason they have natural magical powers. These included zephyrs (people who can manipulate the wind), gryphons (people with wings), shape shifters who can turn into any object they’ve ever seen, people who can create fireballs with their hands, and “dragons” who are highly intelligent and observant, and some of them have scales on their skin. There’s also a hint at a mermaid late in the book.

Witches are mentioned in the context of The Wizard of Oz story.

One shape shifter boy is able to turn into a fully functional “enchanted” mirror after reading about one in Beauty and the Beast, to the point that Emlyn is able to look into the mirror and see what’s happening with her parents and Earth on the whole back home.

Other:
Excellent mental health representation that deals with anxiety, trauma, depression, and the like in a redemptive and healthy way.
Profile Image for Stephanie.
259 reviews6 followers
February 27, 2025
Reread February 2025:
Once this book released earlier this month, I found the audiobook was available on Hoopla. So I immediately decided I needed to enjoy this story again even though it’s only been a few months since I read the ARC! The narrator is fantastic! I love this story and the characters so much, and listening to it was absolutely delightful! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!

Original review:
“When you love a story person, they feel real.”
-Lindsay A. Franklin, The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine

Isn’t that a great quote? I don’t know about you, but I have found several story friends over the years that I love so much they do feel real to me. And this new story from Lindsay Franklin just added a few more!!

I have so much I want to say about this AMAZING story, but I don’t want to give away any spoilers. So what CAN I say?

First, this book gets ALL the stars from me.
My rating is ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (a full 5/5 stars)

If you’re looking for a uniquely creative, YA fantasy with world-building that’s out-of-this-sphere and has a wonderfully weird (that’s a good thing) cast of characters, The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine might just be the story for you!

Emlyn is both silly and serious. She speaks fluent sarcasm. (I approve.) We also get the joy of reading what she’s thinking. Often what she actually ends up saying out loud only makes sense to her. It’s hilarious! I laughed out loud several times. Readers with neurodivergent brains might find this character quite relatable. Due to a childhood trauma, however, Emlyn is also an emotionally wounded character. We’re given insight into her pain via memories. They really help the reader empathize with her feelings of loss.

I won’t say much more due to those pesky potential spoilers. Let me just say that, 1) Emmy is my new favorite character, 2) Frank is the best sidekick, and 3) I want the second book in this duology NOW. Yes, I know that book one isn’t even released yet! I just really want to know what happens next! That being said, there isn’t a cliffhanger ending. Just a few loose story threads that I assume will tie into book two.

If you enjoy YA portal fantasy adventure stories with nods to classic literature, underlying Christian themes, and plenty of high-stakes danger, plus no spice or other content concerns, just do yourself (or the teen/YA reader in your life) a favor and preorder a copy now so you can read this story in February 2025 when it releases!

You’re welcome. You can thank me later.

(And yes, I’ve already preordered myself a hardcover copy…I need it on my shelves!)

I received an ebook ARC and won a paperback ARC of The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine from the author. All opinions expressed in this review are my honest thoughts about this book.
Profile Image for Adalyn Skains.
26 reviews4 followers
April 24, 2025
How to sum up my thoughts for this masterpiece in one small review? Suffice it to say, this book goes on my list of all-time favorites and I will most definitely read this one over and over.

I'm not sure I can think of a part of this book I did not like. The characters were all so lovable and just over all amazing. Phen was so sweet and I dearly love him! Wistlee is the coolest, and the immediate bond between her and Emlyn was precious. Rhyan was a great character, tough on the outside but still soft on the inside. Laramie...I have to say at first he annoyed me and I did not want to like him, but then towards the end of the book as we got to see him a bit more, I did really enjoy him. And then there's Emlyn. Sweet, darling Emlyn. She has to be one of the funniest character's I've read in a long time. Her internal (AND VERBAL) dialogue had me laughing often. Yet she was so real and authentic at the same time. I seriously loved how she'd call out the tropes or cliches before they happened. So relatable.

The whimsicalness and vividness of this story had me up way too late...Everything about it was so vibrant and emotional. Powerful and moving, I absolutely loved all the ties to stories and writing. I felt this book on so many levels. This story captivated me from page one. I loved so many parts and could ramble on and on at how beautiful this book was.

Perfect for lovers of books, classic literature, and all things writing.
Profile Image for Coralie.
690 reviews131 followers
May 27, 2025
I just finished this adventurous read last night and wow! Let me tell ya! What a simply fun story! The cover is gorgeous and Emlyn is delightfully sassy. I love how relatable her lightning thoughts are that trail off and her dynamics with each of the ensemble cast. Franklin writes a page-turning story that I really struggled to put down. The nods to classics were a treat and the absolute upside-down state of Oz was particularly creative. And I can't wait to see the sequel!

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.

Note: I am so thankful for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this lovely story; the above are my honest and voluntary thoughts.
Profile Image for Hannah Currie.
Author 8 books294 followers
November 6, 2024
Wow, what a whirlwind of a ride! And not just the one from Oz.

This book was such a mishmash of stories and ideas and realities that at times I had no idea what was going on, and yet couldn't stop reading because from page one, I was totally invested in the characters. Emlyn, the main character, especially. She cares deeply, gets lost in her imagination, and often feels like a peg out of place, but I love her for it. She's relatable, and oh so captivating because of it. Laramie was also awesome because, well, Laramie :) (Read it and you'll know what I mean)

I laughed through some scenes (aww! Frank! Still giggling at image of Frank hiding behind the shampoo), felt my heart break at others, and got fully pulled into the story. Stories. And while I think I'll definitely enjoy the read more second time (now I know who's who and have a few more pieces of the story), I can't stop thinking about this amazing, brilliantly imagined book. I love how the author took so many pieces of classic stories and scattered them throughout this one. Mishmash, to be sure, but so, so clever!

Very much looking forward to reading more in this series! (And rereading this one.)

Many thanks to the author and publisher for the early copy to read and review. All thoughts are definitely my own.
Profile Image for Sara.
Author 1 book8 followers
February 7, 2025
4.5✨!

✍🏼✨🔮🐉💜

I loved this one so much! 🥰 Perfect for writers, lovers of classic literature, or really any fantasy lover, this book is definitely a new favorite of mine! 🩷🤗 It was a perfect blend of adventure and humor (guys, Emlyn is an actual riot 👀👀), romance and plot twists, and I cannot wait for more in the series!!! 😍🥳🩷

Favorite charries:
🐉Frank
💜Emlyn
⚔️Laramie
💛Phen

CWs:
Slightly swoony romance, but nothing really beyond the level of wobbly knees and noticing one characters muscles. Wanting to kiss. The sort of violence that might be expected from swords and fighting, but not at all graphic. Character death that happened prior to our story in a cruel way. Talk of PTSD and anxiety.

(Thanks so much to the author for the ARC! 🩷 All thoughts and opinions are my own. 😉 And apologies for being a couple days late! 🙈😅)
Profile Image for (Katie) Paperbacks.
891 reviews368 followers
February 9, 2025
If you enjoy books about books and traveling through books, then this is for you! When Emlyn's sister completely disappears in front of her eyes, no one will believe her. Years later the cold case comes back...plus things just start appearing! Mysterious figures and a dragon?

I really enjoyed this story, it was fairytale magic filled with fun characters and humor. I especially loved the side characters and the "dragon" was so adorable, I wouldn't mind having one of my own. If you're looking for a fun filled fairytale themed story, then this is a must!


*Thank you to the author and Enclave publishing for a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts are my own.
Profile Image for Camille Mosemann.
177 reviews22 followers
August 1, 2025
This will only be a temporary review until I can gather my thoughts and unscramble my brain. Initial thoughts:
I loved this book!!!!
I need the sequel ASAP
I adore Emlyn and Frank (especially Frank) and Laramie
I never would have guessed that plot twist in a million years
I’ll come back for a more detailed review after my mind has recovered 🙃
Profile Image for Chloë Mali.
171 reviews33 followers
August 11, 2025
4.5 stars
This was fun! It took me a little to fully get into it and I feel like the plot moved a little fast for me, but I liked the concept and story-worlds a lot. As a writer, Emlyn is so relatable (albeit she's much pricklier than I am XD) and the twists and turns at the end were very intriguing and surprising. I'm excited for book two!
Profile Image for A.M. Reynwood.
Author 9 books48 followers
January 5, 2025
I had the opportunity to read and early copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts, and honestly, I hardly know where to begin with how much I enjoyed both the reading experience and the story itself. This book 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 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!
Profile Image for Havelah McLat.
Author 5 books104 followers
May 7, 2025
I read this book a few weeks after it came out. @princess.happyheart told me about this and decided to give it a try. I’m glad she did. I honestly really enjoyed it! It gave me A Wrinkle in Time vibes. And she woven Wizard of Oz in the midst. It was an interesting combination. I also like how she uses classic novels in the story. I don’t want to forget to mention her little dragon companion (I drew her by the way. I had a lot of fun with it). It was sweet friendship. Overall, I like the story and definitely curious how the rest of the series unfolded.

If you like portal fantasy with Wizard of Oz and A Wrinkle in Time with a dragon, then you will like this one.

Profile Image for Sienna the Bookmaiden.
18 reviews3 followers
November 29, 2024
A unique, witty tale!

This story captivated me. I loved the writing themes that sprinkled the plot (and now I want to have a pet wyrm. 🥹 I mean, I've always wanted to, but this story only intensified my desire!). I also enjoyed Emlyn's wit, spunk, and original character voice. It sucked me into the story!

(I received an eARC of this story from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.)
Profile Image for Chloe H.
151 reviews1 follower
February 19, 2025
"𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜, 𝙼𝚒𝚜𝚜 𝙴𝚖𝚖𝚢, 𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚋𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚞𝚜. 𝚂𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜 𝚑𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚞𝚜 𝚝𝚘𝚐𝚎𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚙 𝚞𝚜 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚙𝚛𝚘𝚋𝚕𝚎𝚖𝚜, 𝚠𝚘𝚛𝚔 𝚝𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚎𝚖𝚘𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗𝚜. 𝚃𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚝𝚊𝚔𝚎 𝚞𝚜 𝚘𝚗 𝚊𝚍𝚟𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎𝚜, 𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚘𝚠 𝚞𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚎𝚜𝚌𝚊𝚙𝚎, 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚎𝚟𝚎𝚗 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚊𝚝, 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚕𝚙 𝚞𝚜 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚞𝚗𝚒𝚟𝚎𝚛𝚜𝚎 𝚖𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚌𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚕𝚢. 𝚃𝚑𝚛𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚜𝚝𝚘𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜, 𝚏𝚊𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚜𝚝𝚒𝚌𝚊𝚕 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑 𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚢 𝚋𝚎, 𝚠𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚎 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕𝚒𝚝𝚢 𝚒𝚗 𝚐𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚍𝚎𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚕."

First of all, can I just say I love that? Stories hold so much value. They've held me together, helped me think through problems, work through emotions, taken me on adventures, allowed me to escaped, helped me to see the world more clearly.

This story certainly did that. I loved Lindsay A. Franklin's Weaver trilogy, and was SO excited when I saw this year she was coming out with a new book! I was even more excited when my grandparents got it for me! I enjoyed every second of reading it. One thing I love about the Weaver trilogy was the dynamic characters and phenomenal worldbuilding. This story did not disappoint in either of those areas! Lindsay gave us a WONDERFUL cast of characters (including a quirky MC who reminds me a bit of myself -- though I cannot claim to be as witty and kind as Emmy is) and a STELLAR world and plot. The premise itself is so cool! I mean, being sucked into your imaginary world?? Yes, PLEASE!

And then being able to go into every story that's ever been published???? YESSSSSS!!!! I mean, the power I'd have! This book was so cool in general, and truly nothing like I've ever read. I love everything about it.

I love Emlyn's friendships.

This was a wonderful, fun, amazing, astounding read. It's full of plot twists and shocking revelations. The characters are the best, the world is deep and original, and the plot is well-paced. I love this book and can't wait for the next to come out!
Profile Image for D.T. Powell.
Author 18 books123 followers
December 10, 2024
An interesting start. I'm curious how the rest of the trilogy goes.

I'm not big on really detailed first person style (the kind that lays out for readers exactly how the POV character(s) feel at any given moment). I find it overwhelming and a bit irritating. If the story is interesting, most of the time I'll push through. Unless I'm suffering from first person fatigue (which happens periodically). This book was interesting enough to motivate me to endure the close first POV.

When I started this, I wasn't sure I would agree with the portrayal of fiction (and I'm still not sure. There isn't enough information to make that judgement yet), but I'm less unsure than before and hoping we'll get to see a lot more of this aspect of TUoED in books 2 and 3.

There are several secondary characters I liked, and I especially loved Frank. Some of the concepts in this are interesting, and I really liked the plot.

Looking forward to seeing what the rest of this set brings to the table.
Profile Image for Rachel.
165 reviews
July 19, 2025
This is such a delightfully unpredictable and fun read: a YA fantasy meta Murakami/Jasper Forde-esque* situation with magic. The narrator is snarky and punctuates most situations with amusing commentary while maintaining an ongoing mockery of YA tropes. The story is packed with unique, fresh lore, humanoid and other interesting species with inventive characteristics and abilities, and enough literary references to satisfy. Most of the settings are beautifully inventive and the perfect inspiration for daydreams. It’s also a sweet story of love, loss, and friendship as well as an examination of the intrinsic morality and complexity of human nature—I’m excited to see where the next book takes us (and not just because of the cliffhangers).

*Hard-Boiled Wonderland and the End of the World and The City and its Uncertain Walls/Thursday Next, to be specific.
Profile Image for Becca.
66 reviews1 follower
November 7, 2024
Wow. This was not what I was expecting, but I loved it! A super unique fantasy of multiple story-worlds, with lots of twists & a quirky, self-aware narrator. Definitely recommend when it releases in February!
Profile Image for Tiffany Goldman.
66 reviews
February 4, 2025
This quirky, wholesome YA portal fantasy has it all.

Friendships, Frank, the love of stories, Frank, snarky humor, even a little bit of anxiety rep which I appreciated, Frank, a couple sprinkles of story/media references that were seamlessly shared at just the right moments and very humorous, the love and struggle of being a writer/storyteller, and of course found family. 🫶🏼

Did I mention Frank? If you’re wondering who the heck is Frank, she’s the most adorable little side kick of a dragon—wyvwrn—whatever—and I wish I had a plushie or something.

“Stories hold space for us in our broken, messed-up world—space to escape, to grow, to grieve...”

“It’s never silly to honor something—or someone—that mattered to you. Whatever form that takes.”

“Don’t touch anything!” the man shouts, holding out his hands like we’re velociraptors he’s attempting to clicker-train.

Even when you think you see something coming from a mile away, think again because nothing is as it seems (kind of giving me Alice in Wonderland vibes)! Every twist and turn was totally unexpected and I tip my hat to the author for what has to be the most unique fantasy plot I’ve read in a long, long time!

I enjoyed this wonderful cast of characters, especially Wistlee and Phen as Emmy’s new friends.

The immaculate Worldbuilding is on a whole other level too. I think that if we all got to choose to visit one fantasy world, you can’t go wrong with Rivenlea! Rivenlea is beautiful in its own quirky way, but also, there’s the magical library and within it, the potential to visit some other cool, magical places. 😉 💜💚 you’ll have to read Emlyn to see what I mean! I cannot wait to follow her and her friends into the sequel!
And I have to say that the end was chef’s kiss! Well done, Miss Franklin!

I can definitely see this becoming a new beloved classic for all the modern bookworms (or shall I say BOOK DRAGONS? IYKYK 😉) out there.

Go ahead and pick this book up, you won’t regret the adventure!

The author gave me an eArc and I was not required to leave a positive review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
Profile Image for Heidi.
287 reviews11 followers
February 5, 2025
I have to say, if you’re looking for a new YA fantasy read that’s a love letter to the stories that shape us, the family we find, and adventures into our favorite fantasy worlds (pssst…Oz might make an appearance 👀), READ THIS BOOK!!!!

The story starts when everything begins to unravel. Literally. 😅

Full of nods to our favorite fantasy classics, children’s stories, and a few fun Easter eggs for those of us who’ve been around since Lindsay’s first series (😜), I absolutely adored every bit of this book! I read 80% of it in on planes and can confirm, it is an EXCELLENT travel read!

The Unraveling of Emlyn DuLaine releases February 4, 2025 from Enclave Publishing!

I received an advance copy from the publisher, all opinions are my own, and a review was not required.
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