The Everlasting (novel)
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Alix E. Harrow |
|---|---|
| Cover artist | Sara Wood |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Tor Publishing Group |
Publication date | October 28, 2025 |
| Publication place | United States |
| Pages | 400[1] |
| ISBN | 9781250799104 |
| 813.6 23 | |
The Everlasting is a 2025 fantasy novel written by American author Alix E. Harrow. It was released on October 28, 2025, and published by Tor Publishing Group.[1] It has two second-person narrators, each addressing the other.
Synopsis
[edit]After returning home from war, scholar Owen Mallory begins researching the history of Sir Una Everlasting, a knight who helped Queen Yvanne form the nation of Dominion, and ultimately died for her queen and her country. After being given the long-lost original manuscript of Una's story, he discovers his mission is not to translate it but to travel back in time and lead Una through the events that will become the basis of her legend. As he does this, Owen begins to view Una less as the legendary hero of Dominion and more as a human being, as the two travel back and forth through time.
Reception
[edit]Critical reviews
[edit]In a starred review of The Everlasting, Publishers Weekly praised it for its "impressively constructed plot" that "keeps the pages flying on the way to a stunning finale."[2] Kirkus Reviews called it "an epic time-travel fantasy about how stories from the past can shape our future."[3] Kristen Allen-Vogel called it "a provocative, heartrending fantasy" in a starred review for Shelf Awareness.[4] Grady Shelton called it "sweet and tender" in a review for SFF Insiders, and wrote that "like the best of the Arthurian legends and other medievalist stories, it comprises many hallmarks of a new classic poised to stand the test of time."[5] Melody Bowles of the British Fantasy Society named it her favorite book of 2025.[6] Gary K. Wolfe praised the novel in his review for Locus, stating that Harrow offers "some of her most gorgeous and lyrical prose to date".[7]
Awards
[edit]The novel was nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award in the Readers' Favorite Fantasy category.[8] The audiobook version, narrated by Sid Sagar and Moira Quirk, was nominated for an Audie Award for Fantasy.[9]
The novel is a finalist for the 2026 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel[10] and the 2026 Hugo Award for Best Novel.[11]
References
[edit]- ^ a b "The Everlasting". Tor Publishing Group. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
- ^ "The Everlasting". Publishers Weekly. July 18, 2025. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ^ "The Everlasting". Kirkus Reviews. July 4, 2025. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ^ Allen-Vogel, Kristen. "The Everlasting". Shelf Awareness. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ^ Shelton, Grady. "The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow". SFF Insiders. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ^ Bowles, Melody. "Best of 2025, According To The BFS's Volunteers". The British Fantasy Society. Archived from the original on January 19, 2026. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ^ Wolfe, Gary K. "The Everlasting by Alix E. Harrow: Review by Gary K. Wolfe". Locus. Retrieved March 21, 2026.
- ^ "Readers' Favorite Fantasy". Goodreads. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ^ "2026 Audie Awards Winners". Locus. Retrieved March 10, 2026.
- ^ "2026 Locus Awards Top Ten Finalists". Locus. April 13, 2026. Retrieved April 18, 2026.
- ^ "2026 Hugo, Lodestar & Astounding Awards Finalists". Locus. April 21, 2026. Retrieved April 22, 2026.