Twelfth Knight
Book • 2024
by Alexene Farol Follmuth
Reese's Book Club Summer YA Pick '24
"YA is a feeling. It's a warm summer day reading in the sun, lots of nostalgia, gushing together over the characters in Twelfth Knight."—Reese Witherspoon
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six (under the penname Olivie Blake) comes Twelfth Knight, a YA romantic comedy and coming of age story about taking up space in the world and learning what it means to let others in.
Viola Reyes is annoyed.
Her painstakingly crafted tabletop game campaign was shot down, her best friend is suggesting she try being more “likable,” and her school's star running back Jack Orsino is the most lackadaisical Student Body President she’s ever seen, which makes her job as VP that much harder. Vi’s favorite escape from the world is the MMORPG Twelfth Knight, but online spaces aren’t exactly kind to girls like her—girls who are extremely competent and have the swagger to prove it. So Vi creates a masculine alter ego, choosing to play as a knight named Cesario to create a safe haven for herself.
But when a football injury leads Jack Orsino to the world of Twelfth Knight, Vi is alarmed to discover their online alter egos—Cesario and Duke Orsino—are surprisingly well-matched.
As the long nights of game-play turn into discussions about life and love, Vi and Jack soon realise they’ve become more than just weapon-wielding characters in an online game. But Vi has been concealing her true identity from Jack, and Jack might just be falling for her offline...
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Twelfth Knight
Book • 2024
by Alexene Farol Follmuth
Reese's Book Club Summer YA Pick '24
"YA is a feeling. It's a warm summer day reading in the sun, lots of nostalgia, gushing together over the characters in Twelfth Knight."—Reese Witherspoon
From the New York Times bestselling author of The Atlas Six (under the penname Olivie Blake) comes Twelfth Knight, a YA romantic comedy and coming of age story about taking up space in the world and learning what it means to let others in.
Viola Reyes is annoyed.
Her painstakingly crafted tabletop game campaign was shot down, her best friend is suggesting she try being more “likable,” and her school's star running back Jack Orsino is the most lackadaisical Student Body President she’s ever seen, which makes her job as VP that much harder. Vi’s favorite escape from the world is the MMORPG Twelfth Knight, but online spaces aren’t exactly kind to girls like her—girls who are extremely competent and have the swagger to prove it. So Vi creates a masculine alter ego, choosing to play as a knight named Cesario to create a safe haven for herself.
But when a football injury leads Jack Orsino to the world of Twelfth Knight, Vi is alarmed to discover their online alter egos—Cesario and Duke Orsino—are surprisingly well-matched.
As the long nights of game-play turn into discussions about life and love, Vi and Jack soon realise they’ve become more than just weapon-wielding characters in an online game. But Vi has been concealing her true identity from Jack, and Jack might just be falling for her offline...
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
Bara says...
Ages 14+, but every child is different
This narrative explores mature themes of identity, social dynamics, and digital gaming, making it best suited for high school readers. Its focus on interpersonal relationships and the pressures of young adulthood requires the emotional maturity of an older teen audience.
Content Safety Breakdown
Detailed breakdown of potentially concerning content
Sex & Nudity
The story centers on a romantic comedy dynamic with growing emotional intimacy and physical attraction between the leads, including kissing and romantic tension. There is no explicit content or nudity involved.
Violence & Gore
Violence is limited to the fantasy context of a tabletop game or MMORPG, involving non-graphic, stylized combat between avatars. No realistic physical harm or gore occurs in the real-world setting.
Profanity
The dialogue includes casual, age-appropriate language consistent with high school settings, featuring occasional words like s*cks or d*mn used in frustration or casual conversation.
Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking
There may be brief mentions of social scenarios or background references typical of high school environments, but substance use is not a central or glorifying theme of the plot.
Frightening Scenes
The intensity is limited to the emotional stress of academic life, social pressure, and the personal anxiety surrounding the protagonist's online deception. There are no horror elements or truly frightening situations.
Key Insights
Quick summary and important considerations
A story about finding your voice, the challenges of being misunderstood, and the importance of being yourself both online and in real life.
Detailed Analysis
In-depth insights for parents and educators
What Parents Need to Know
The content revolves around high school life, competitive gaming, and the complications of hidden identities. It centers on the contrast between online gaming personas and offline social realities.
What Kids Can Learn
Readers gain insight into the dangers of assuming false identities, the importance of healthy communication, and techniques for overcoming feelings of inadequacy.
Key Topics Discussed
Why Parents Might Like It
It provides a relatable framework for discussing modern digital safety, the social pressures faced by teens, and the nuances of communication in the internet age.
Positives & Learning
What makes this content valuable for children
Positive Messages
The narrative emphasizes the value of authenticity and the bravery required to take up physical and social space. It promotes the insight that genuine connections thrive on honesty rather than curated or disguised personas.
Positive Role Models
Viola demonstrates strong competence and leadership skills in her extracurricular pursuits. Jack exhibits vulnerability and growth by moving past superficial stereotypes, modeling the importance of active listening and emotional accountability.
Diverse Representations
The text centers on a female protagonist navigating and challenging male-dominated digital spaces. No additional specific demographic identities are indicated in available information.
Educational Value
The work provides social-emotional insights into navigating peer pressure and exploring digital ethics, specifically regarding gaming cultures and online identity.
Parent Reviews(0)
Share your experience to help other parents
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts about this book!