Everyone had this kind of book as a child – a book that served as a portal to another realm, to a better world; or, for young souls who had a happy childhood like mine, it was one of the first moments of privacy: when no one could see you, you opened the cherished page and waited for the picture to become multi-dimensional, inviting, real.
I rarely get a chance to revive this feeling; and this time, it came from an unexpected place: an Episode story called “Everly After” by Anya R. The first impression given by the stunning artwork used in covers and custom backgrounds gets deeper as the story unfolds. Beginning as a story of a modern day schoolgirl, “Everly After” very soon turns to a magic tale woven from Celtic myths and legends, all-time intrigues and everyday life challenges.
As Everly, the main character, continues her journey through breathtakingly gorgeous landscapes of an unknown realm, guided by a kind and handsome yet mysterious Hunter that the readers themselves immediately start to trust, we get to know more about this world, the laws governing it, the magical creatures and races inhabiting it. Speaking of which, the story is impressively well-thought, and even if we never get to know all the details about the realm discovered by Everly, we can be sure that the author has already outlined every small thing and every cornerstone about it from the beginning of its local eternity.
The Celtic spirit also appears in the names – do you often see an Episode character called Laoghaire, Ciar, or Saoirse? – and in the language enriched with ancient and dialectal words. Anticipating the probable misunderstanding, the author has shown her care for us again: every chapter is preceded by a short list of words that might be unknown to the reader.
One could endlessly praise the visual appeal of the story, its plot and the depth of cultural references. But what I like most about “Everly After” is the unbelievable feeling of fresh air and magic spread all around, and the silent promise that there always is a world where we all can be heard, more wanted, more noticed, loved for what we are, and certainly never forgotten.
Reviewer: Echo Dunkelström @echo.a.dunkelstrom
COMMENTS
Is there cc?
Thank you! 🙂
Well deserved positive review! Fantastic Story!
Thank you, Sara! I'm so glad you are enjoying my story <3
Faye O <3 Thank you! I agree, Echo's story is so well done.
Thank you for the congratulations, Genevieve! If you ever do read my story, I hope you enjoy it 🙂
Echo is a linguistic genius. If her review is any indication of how well written her own story is, then it should be clear that it is worth the read. Thank you so much for this beautiful review, Echo. You are a treasure in the Episode community. Now everyone be sure to read her stories, Destiny Dispatcher and her new Mysterious one will be published soon!
Thanks for the review. I read the story Everly After (after seeing your review)and instantly fell in love with it. Such a rare gem of a story. Well done Anya!
Is it a question to Genevieve or to the author of the review? 🙂
Your support means a lot to me (and to Anya too, I'm sure!)
Thank you, Genevieve! If my words made you think that the story is worth reading, this is the best I could wish for!
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Can you review the story "The Golden Heart". I love it and I want to know what you think of it <3
Gonna have to check this story out! What an intriguing and positive review — delivered like a true professional. Great job, Echo, and congratulations, Anya!
Both everly after and the story destiny dispatcher, who is the reviewer of everly after caputure my heart. I love fantasy and these stories are written so beautifully and with such imagination. Faye o