I first heard of The October Girl at an event at my local indie bookstore. They were booktalking recent and soon-to-be published books and this was one of them. I enjoy reading a graphic novel from time to time and the plot seemed interesting too.
Autumn Ackerman is about to graduate high school and isn’t sure what she wants to do with her life. With little money, she and her mom working hard, college doesn’t feel like an option. But things change when her imaginary friend, Barnaby, turns out not to be so imaginary and everything Autumn knows is turned upside down. She learns she comes from a line of the Fae called the Night Folk and that there’s a force out there that wants her power for evil.
What stuck out to me was a blending of different mythos. The Night Folk are ruled by the October King, who is Fae, the Folk themselves are composed of different groups such as: faeries, ogres/trolls, the fae, gods/goddesses, and possibly ghosts. I’ve never come across a mashup like this and it was interesting how the author wove that into the plot. Basically, all of these mythological beings have united because the modern world no longer recognizes them, but together they are working to keep relevant and alive.
I liked the book although it definitely reads like the first book in a series in which there’s a lot of exposition and introduction rather than any deep plot or character development. I wanted more development of who these Night Folk were particularly why so many different groups decided to work together under the leadership of the Fae October King. The villain is also not really developed; we are just told that he’s the villain and Autumn should be afraid of him. This might have more to do with this book aimed more at young adult/middle grade readers rather than any fault of the writing.
If you’re looking for a quick read and beginning a series, this read is for you. I think that if you are really into fantasy, the Fae in particular, you may not enjoy this introduction; it’s very fantasy lite.
