I adore Susie Bower’s writing. Her stories are heartfelt and full of meaning. Gloriously detailed and wonderfully imaginative settings with the most engaging characterisation create books that are completely unputdownable.
The Invisibles is just as fantastic as Susie’s previous middle grade novels. Focusing on the value of true friendship, courage, honesty and forgiveness, it is a thrilling fantasy adventure which leaves readers continually guessing what will happen next. The Invisibles is set in the most magical world of intriguing personal powers where characters are challenged to discover what is most important to them.
The story begins in the Land of Magics – a unique world of SeaSky where flocks of pink pigs fly on gossamer wings and children practise magical powers. Merlin and Vincent are friends who learn together on Library Island. When a mysterious island appears in the distance, the boys are intrigued – especially Merlin. A warning in The Book of Secrets tells them to beware the Island of Darkness and the Creature who dwells there. Becoming conceited in his ability to control objects, Merlin wants to control everything and doesn’t like to be told he shouldn’t do something. Frustrated, Vincent challenges him to prove this dangerous Creature doesn’t exist and the books are wrong. The next morning, Merlin disappears.
Readers are left wondering as the story shifts to the Wasteland. A young girl is lost and alone. She can’t remember who she is or where she came from – every memory has been erased. As she tries to find her way in a world that hates children and denounces any kind of magic, she stumbles across two invisible guardians who seem to know who she is. Accused of being a traitor and putting them all at risk, Grace can’t help but be completely confused. Gradually, the most beautiful magics are revealed.
As time passes, the trio learn to work together and discover the truth about their connected past. Will they be able to outsmart the Catcher who will stop at nothing to capture them? Will they find all of their friends and make it back to the Land of Magics before it’s too late?
The Invisibles is a gripping adventure. Intricately woven details are strategically revealed with each passing chapter – the full extent of the characters’ powers, connections and fate only coming to light in the final pages. Friendship is explored from a unique perspective relying on trust, hope and teamwork to try to defeat the shadowed villain. This is a story I will continue to think about and come back to as one of the best of 2025. I’ll be recommending it to readers, parents and teachers for a long time to come.
Thank you to Pushkin Children’s for this brilliant book!
Click on the posts below to read my reviews of Susie Bower’s other books:
Click on the covers below to find out more or purchase online:
Bookshop.org:
Amazon:
Books by Kate Heap:
Click on the image to purchase from Bookshop.org:
Purchase from Amazon:
Disclosure: If you buy books using the links above, I may earn a commission from Bookshop.org whose fees support independent bookshops. As an Amazon Associate, Scope for Imagination earns from qualifying purchases.
Scope for Imagination 