Hello Readers,
Thank you Harper360 for sending me a physical copy of Evie
and Her Nightmares for free in exchange for a honest review.
Before diving into this one, fair warning: Evie and Her Nightmares deals with some heavy themes around deep grief and mental health. Make sure you’re in the right headspace and a safe, comfortable space before picking it up it really doesn't pull its punches.
Some books hit you with one massive, tear-jerking scene, but
others quietly build up until you're suddenly sitting there crying. Evie and
Her Nightmares was definitely the second kind for me. By the end, I was a total
emotional wreck this story just felt so real.
After losing her best friend, Evie Leigh turns to an online
role-playing game to escape the overwhelming grief. What starts as a comforting
outlet slowly morphs into something far more consuming. The deeper she retreats
into this digital world, the harder it gets to avoid real life.
Francesca Zappia captures grief, depression, and mental
health with incredible honesty. Evie’s feelings are messy and uncomfortable.
She isn't just a flawless character who always makes the right call she’s just
a teenager trying to keep her head above water when everything is crashing
down, which makes her so easy to root for.
I loved how the MMORPG gaming community is built into the
plot. The chat rooms, online friendships, and illustrations add a great dynamic
without pulling focus from her personal journey. Plus, the nerdy, bookish
references were a total bonus.
Then there’s Ash. I loved how their relationship develops it
feels natural and grounded. They’re both dealing with heavy loss, and watching
them learn to support each other was genuinely heart-warming.
Evie’s perspective as an autistic protagonist adds so much
depth to the story. Francesca Zappia handles the intersection of grief,
depression, and neurodivergence with genuine care, making her feel like a full person.
If you're searching for honest YA books about grief, mental
health, and depression, Evie and Her Nightmares needs to be on your radar. As
an Eliza and Her Monsters companion novel, it really stands out among YA
contemporary books as a moving story about friendship and healing. Just be sure
to check the trigger warnings before jumping in.
Comments
Post a Comment