The Fascinators

The Fascinators by Andrew Eliopulos reads like a contemporary young adult novel but has soft magical elements, a touch of romance, and a bit of suspense. I enjoyed this sweet book! I don’t know if sweet is the right word. It certainly has darker aspects, but they’re handled with a light touch.

It’s a unique piece, perhaps unsure of what it wants to be. It felt brief, like none of the book’s components were fully explored. Yet for the tone, the brevity feels right. I could also see this same story told with a darker tone, denser prose, and more exploration of the characters and themes. Part of me wonders if that would’ve been a better route for this story.

However, the author’s voice shines through his quirky, insecure protagonist, Sam. And his journey is delightfully magical, angsty, and charming. The story also touches on important themes, like marginalized identities, complicated friendships, and dealing with change.

I found myself frustrated with the main character so many times. His frustrations could be solved if he just confronted them head on. This is ultimately what he needed to learn. Solid read.

This was a really good book. It’s awesome to see a book with a plot about magic like so many I’ve seen as a kid, but one that features gay characters. It’s great that we have reached a point where characters in books like this are diverse enough that you can say “hey, this book has a character like me.”

What an enjoyable read! This story felt very real, from an emotional point of view. The momentum picked up quickly and lasted throughout.

Loved this book! Wish it was the first in a duology. Great read with a gay MC and his friends. Story is focused on friendships, but has a romantic relationship as a subplot.
Pacing is solid but really speeds up at the end.

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