Twelfth Knight
Book Details
Twelfth Knight
Alexene Farol Follmuth. London: First Ink, pb, 978 1 03501 422 4, 2024, £8.99, 368pp
Fiction, 12+ years
Alexene Farol Follmuth is an American author living in Los Angeles. She has written a number of adult novels under the pen name of Olivie Blake, notably the bestselling series of The Atlas Six, but has more recently expanded into young adult works.
Knowing nothing at all about American football, and equally nothing about online role-playing gaming it took me a while to read the story itself, rather than trying to unpick the unknown gaming language.
Very soon however readers will become deeply involved in the relationship between Jack Orsino, the star of college football, and Viola Reyes. This relationship does not bode well for either of them. Vi, the Vice President of the Student Body, is not a fan of Jack, finding his lackadaisical attitude as President far more irritating than helpful. She is a keen author of online role-playing games, and realises that the only way her work can be properly appreciated is by adopting a male alter-ego, for which she takes the name Cesario. When Jack (nickname Duke) has a bad football injury he starts playing Vi’s game, Twelfth Knight, but as he and Vi/Cesario become more engaged in the game, so each changes their opinion of the other.
On the outside Follmuth writes a highly engaging YA novel, but a deeper reading reveals far more of the inevitable uncertainties of teenage life. The confusion of Vi/Cesario becomes increasingly difficult as she more clearly understands Jack, and her own uncertainties. Crucially it offers readers thoughtful and realistic help with their own dilemmas.
Review by Bridget Carrington