Scan barcode
cwallenbooks's review
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
REVIEW BY THE AUTHOR
The Secret Benefits of Invisibility is the second book in the Falinnheim Chronicles series, the sequel to Relatively Normal Secrets. While older readers may also enjoy this story, the target audience is children ages 9-13.
Tween siblings Tuesday and Zed are adjusting to life in modern-meets-medieval Falinnheim, trying to balance normal kid stuff like chores, school, and making friends with not-at-all-normal stuff like living in an underground bunker full of spies, being chased by a murderous dictator, and herding dodos. When a school field trip gets interrupted by a security breach at the Resistance base they call home, the kids and their friends get locked out of the base. With the Resistance leaders trapped inside, it's up to Zed, Tuesday, and their friends to save the day!
Feelings of being ignored and underestimated are a major focus, which is something most kids can relate to. Tuesday and Zed are mentored by their great-grandmother, who teaches the kids to turn everyone else's patronizing assumptions about children to their advantage: being ignored is perfect when you're a spy! Other characters overlooked for being elderly or from a disadvantaged social class also get a chance to assert their skills, further reinforcing this empowering take.
This book takes a deeper dive into serious events and themes than Relatively Normal Secrets, while still maintaining a happy ending; there's peril, but all the characters come through safely. The kids get to make important contributions and solve problems on their own while partnering with adults when necessary. This combination makes it a perfect introduction to dystopian themes often explored in Young Adult literature, without the heaviness Middle Grade readers may not be ready for. It's "Dystopia Lite."
Winter storyline in a contemporary blended fantasy/science fiction setting. Fantasy-influenced Hanukkah celebrations feature prominently, with mention of Christmas and Solstice celebrations as well.
Diverse ensemble cast, with positive representation of Black, Jewish, Muslim, East Asian, and neurodivergent characters.
The Secret Benefits of Invisibility is the second book in the Falinnheim Chronicles series, the sequel to Relatively Normal Secrets. While older readers may also enjoy this story, the target audience is children ages 9-13.
Tween siblings Tuesday and Zed are adjusting to life in modern-meets-medieval Falinnheim, trying to balance normal kid stuff like chores, school, and making friends with not-at-all-normal stuff like living in an underground bunker full of spies, being chased by a murderous dictator, and herding dodos. When a school field trip gets interrupted by a security breach at the Resistance base they call home, the kids and their friends get locked out of the base. With the Resistance leaders trapped inside, it's up to Zed, Tuesday, and their friends to save the day!
Feelings of being ignored and underestimated are a major focus, which is something most kids can relate to. Tuesday and Zed are mentored by their great-grandmother, who teaches the kids to turn everyone else's patronizing assumptions about children to their advantage: being ignored is perfect when you're a spy! Other characters overlooked for being elderly or from a disadvantaged social class also get a chance to assert their skills, further reinforcing this empowering take.
This book takes a deeper dive into serious events and themes than Relatively Normal Secrets, while still maintaining a happy ending; there's peril, but all the characters come through safely. The kids get to make important contributions and solve problems on their own while partnering with adults when necessary. This combination makes it a perfect introduction to dystopian themes often explored in Young Adult literature, without the heaviness Middle Grade readers may not be ready for. It's "Dystopia Lite."
Winter storyline in a contemporary blended fantasy/science fiction setting. Fantasy-influenced Hanukkah celebrations feature prominently, with mention of Christmas and Solstice celebrations as well.
Diverse ensemble cast, with positive representation of Black, Jewish, Muslim, East Asian, and neurodivergent characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Death, Violence, and War
Fantasy swordfights that conclude with minor injury (no blood). Brief mention of decades-ago murder in the backstory, but not of named characters. Backstory mention of a grandparent's death of natural causes (long ago, not a named character). Animals in potential peril, but none are harmed. Kidnapping of children, with their safety verbally threatened, but none are harmed.
More...