The EverlastingThe Everlasting
What it's about
Sir Una Everlasting is the legendary lady knight who founded the nation of Dominion: an orphan who became a hero and died for her queen. Centuries later, Owen Mallory, a failed soldier and struggling historian, is writing a children's book about her when he's thrown back in time into her life. His job is to make sure the legend happens exactly as written, even when that means betraying her, and even as he falls for her.
Why it's worth reading
It won the Hugo Award and was a Goodreads Choice finalist. Harrow writes beautiful prose, and the book is a love story and a story about how nations invent their heroes.
You'll love it if you liked
The Raven Scholar
Doomsday Book
OutlanderGood to know
It's told partly in the second person, addressed to Una, which takes a little getting used to. It deals with war and violence, though it isn't graphic.
By the numbers
- Readers62 out of 100 · counts 42%
- Critics56 out of 100 · counts 34% (its stronger lane)
- Bestseller34 out of 100 · counts 14%
- Buzz100 out of 100 · counts 10%
Critics and Bestseller are two ways to earn a place: a book's stronger one counts more. Buzz rewards recent bestseller weeks and prizes, so older books start at zero. The parts combine into the Must-Read Score, shown on a scale where the best book we found scores 99 and the last book to make the ranking scores 50.
Where it ranks
- #32 of the 313 science fiction books we rank
- #39 of the 459 fantasy books we rank
- #60 of the 481 new books we rank
- #333 of the 2,816 books we rank
Why it made the list
Reads as
Adventurous, Epic
More by Alix E. Harrow
If you like this, read next
Framed in Death
Yumi and the Nightmare Painter
The Seven Year Slip
Bliss Montage
Promises in Death
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Quick answers
Is The Everlasting worth reading?
Yes. It won the Hugo Award and was a Goodreads Choice finalist. It ranks #333 of the 2,816 books in our ranking, with a Must-Read Score of 80.9 (the best book we found scores 99).
What is The Everlasting about?
Sir Una Everlasting is the legendary lady knight who founded the nation of Dominion: an orphan who became a hero and died for her queen. Centuries later, Owen Mallory, a failed soldier and struggling historian, is writing a children's book about her when he's thrown back in time into her life. His job is to make sure the legend happens exactly as written, even when that means betraying her, and even as he falls for her.
How long does it take to read The Everlasting?
About 10 hours (400 pages), or about 3 weeks at 30 minutes a day.
What awards has The Everlasting won?
Hugo Award winner (2026).
What should I read after The Everlasting?
If you liked it, try The Raven Scholar by Antonia Hodgson, Doomsday Book by Connie Willis or Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.