*I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*
Title: The Electric Life of Lavender Lewis
Author: Kara Storti
Publisher: Union Square & Co.
Publication Date: May 5, 2026
ISBN: 9781454963905
Synopsis
At seventeen, Lavender Lewis has had epilepsy for most of her life. No medication, therapy, or diet has helped. Forget surgery—no one is scooping out a chunk of her brain. Her mom used to say epilepsy was magic, but how could it be, when all it’s ever brought is suffering? But after her mom’s death, Lavender hallucinates a boy too real to be an illusion. Every time she seizes, he appears.
All she knows is this boy needs her help. All signs point to her mom guiding her from beyond the grave. Lavender couldn’t save her mom, but maybe she can save this boy, who truly sees the girl beyond her seizures. As their journey winds deeper into New England, a tender romance blooms—all while Lavender’s health worsens. She can’t help wondering: what if the person she needs to save was never him?
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This very sweet, speculative narrative explores one girl’s experience with epilepsy, and the magic that makes her unique. Lavender has a lot more to deal with than other kids her age. Her mom dies from MS, and Lavender herself struggles with seizures that cause regular disruption to her day and set her apart from her peers. Her experience with her seizures is not like what you read about in textbooks. After her mom’s death, her seizures connect her to a boy she names Poe, and in meeting him in the electric space of her seizures, Lavender begins a journey not just to save him, but to herself as well.
This is a story of self-discovery. Lavender is learning to face her fears, to mourn and understand her loss, to grapple with her difficult relationship with her aunt, and to understand what next steps make the most sense for her illness. It’s such an interesting way to explore her struggles with her epilepsy, infusing the story with a magic and enchantment that helps Lavender to process her situation in an accessible and thoughtful way. While she is scared and unsure of what the right choice is for her, she finds comfort and meaning in her connection with Poe. In some strange way, it brings her back to her mother, bringing her closure and acceptance. In a roundabout way, her epilepsy helps heal her heart.
My main critique is that I would have loved to see Claudia, Lavender’s best friend, appear on page. She’s mentioned regularly throughout the novel, and is clearly an influential and stable influence in Lavender’s life, however she is never actually brought directly into Lavender’s story, thus remains only a figment, or a partial figure, throughout the book. While so many of the other relationships are so strong, this friendship felt empty and very one-sided. It doesn’t deter too much from the plot, since the story isn’t about this friend connection, however I do think the story would have been stronger either without Claudia, or with Claudia written in as a much greater presence.
. The story adds just enough of a touch of the surreal, bringing crystals, tarot, and Salem witches together with a strong family dynamic in a way that encourages curiosity and open-mindedness in the wake of loss. There is no judgement, only a desire to find closeness and treasure the relationships that remain. It’s a great read for any teen, but especially those who may be dealing with issues of grief, loss, or pain.
Happy reading!
Worn Pages and Ink 