The moment we finished reading this book we were on Amazon looking for more books by this talented author. The tale is completely entrancing and adored by all of the family. Bought all the other books to add to our family library.

There are a few things I’m good at, but names are something that I really struggle with – those that belong to people in particular, but also things like book titles. Covers, however, I am usually good at recognising and having seen this upcoming title mentioned several times by its author on my socials, when it appeared on NetGalley I immediately requested it and was delighted to be granted a read very speedily.

Perhaps I should clarify that I didn’t choose to read this based on the artwork alone – having read and really enjoyed Susie Bower’s The Three Impossibles when it was published a few years ago, her name had stuck in my head and very much liking the sound of this, I thought I’d give it a whirl. Full of mystery and magic, this is a great story that at 240 pages is much shorter than most middle grade titles, something that in combination with that brilliant cover will, I hope, make it a popular choice with 9+ readers.

When Merlin sets out to row to the Island of Darkness to prove to best friend Vincent that the tales of the monster that lives there are nonsense, little could he imagine that he will set in place a chain of events that will almost lead to complete catastrophe for him, Vincent, his other friends and the Land of Magics in which they reside.

Some time afterwards, Grace wakes up in the Wasteland – a place full of adults and constant grey and rain – having lost her memory. After a series of unpleasant encounters with a few of its residents, Grace finds herself at the door of Mr Smith, who has been advertising for Help and who takes her on in exchange for food and lodgings, but insists she always tells the truth and doesn’t tell stories about ghosts.

When Grace starts to hear strange singing inside the house, she asks Mr Smith about it, but he refuses to be drawn as to who is producing it. This is nothing though compared to the invisible presence that tries to prevent Grace cleaning the graffiti from his wall outside. As she becomes increasingly aware of not just one, but two invisible children connected to the house, Grace is drawn into the mystery of who they are, who she is and what they are all doing there. Can she uncover the clues that will identify who she and the Invisibles are? And if she can, will she be able to regain her memory and escape from the Wasteland forever?

The prospect of being a stranger in a strange land is a frightening one and for poor Grace, having no recollection of who she is when she wakes up is just the start of what is a truly terrifying adventure. Not used to adults, or the way things work in the Wasteland, she immediately sets about trying to be practical in order to survive the experience but is initially unable to find even one kind soul who will take pity on her and help her out. Although Mr Smith seems to offer Grace at least a temporary safe haven, he shows her no warmth and between his and the Invisibles’ treatment of her, she is hard pushed to motivate herself to carry on. As she does, we gradually start to see how she, the unseen children and Mr Smith are connected to the events of Merlin’s boat trip, in a story that is filled with twists and turns.

Perfect as a solo read for confident readers in Year 4 upwards, I very much enjoyed this and would like to thank publisher Pushkin Children’s Books and NetGalley for my advance virtual read. The Invisibles hits the shelves on June 5th.