Children of Eden (novel)
| Company type | Novel |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing |
| Founded | October 4, 2016 |
| Founder | Joey Graceffa |
| Products | Young adult fiction novel |
| Parent | Atria/Keywords Press (Simon & Schuster) |
Children of Eden is a dystopian young adult fiction work authored by YouTube creator Joey Graceffa, which was published on October 4, 2016. Released through Atria/Keywords Press, a division of Simon & Schuster, the novel combines elements of Sci-Fi, fantasy, and dystopian storytelling.
The book entered The New York Times Best Seller List in the Young Adult Hardcover section during the week of October 23, 2016.
Graceffa revealed a sequel on his YouTube channel on May 31, 2017. The continuation, titled Elites of Eden, centers on the characters Yarrow, an Elite, and Lark, a girl with lilac hair, and was published on October 3, 2017.
Reception
Critical response to the novel has been varied. Rachel Hyland from Geek Speak Magazine observed that Graceffa demonstrates familiarity with YA dystopian motifs, delivering an entertaining yet conventional narrative. She pointed out a unique approach to the common love triangle as a notable feature.
Common Sense Media awarded the book three out of five stars, noting that although its sincerity may appeal to readers, the world-building lacks clarity and the storyline depends significantly on chance occurrences.
Kirkus Reviews characterized the novel as briskly paced and incorporating recognizable teen dystopia elements. Despite an initially expository introduction, Rowan's development is effectively crafted, marking it as a promising debut that strikes a balance between innovation and genre expectations.