The Mostly Invisible Boy by AJ Vanderhorst | Review
A book blog tour with The Write Reads.
Thank you to the author, publisher, and Dave & the Gang at The Write Reads for providing me the information for this tour.
The Mostly Invisible Boy by AJ Vanderhorst Series: Casey Grimes #1
Published by Lion & Co on May 6, 2021
Genres: Action & Adventure, Fiction, Fantasy, Middle-Grade
Format: eBook, Paperback
Pages: 307
Silver, Wishing Shelf Book Awards! Bronze, Readers' Favorite International Awards Contest!
This "wildly imaginative" (Book Pipeline) "splendid conception" (Kirkus) from upstart author AJ Vanderhorst celebrates the transformative power of courage, tenacity, and a little skill with a battle-ax. Set in an alternate USA where monsters prowl, this debut novel is told from the perspective of mostly invisible but still-hopeful Casey Grimes.Eleven-year-old Casey is stubbornly friendly, but he's eternally the new kid at Vintage Woods Middle School. Students look right through him—and they're not faking. Casey doesn't know why he's mostly invisible, but when he scales a colossal oak, he discovers a fortress in its branches. The forgotten sentry tree marks the border between his safe, suburban life and a fierce frontier.
Casey and his little sister Gloria infiltrate Sylvan Woods, a secret forest society devoted to ancient, wild things. Sky-high footpaths. Survival sewing. Monster control. Shockingly, people here actually see Casey—but being seen isn't enough. He wants to belong.Keeping his identity hidden--while struggling to prove he fits--is hard enough, but Butcher Beasts have returned to Sylvan Woods after a hundred years. Trickery is under siege. As the monsters close in, and the fearsome Sylvan Watch hunts Casey down, he and his newfound friends must unearth abandoned magic, buried at the forest's roots...or be devoured along with everyone else, Sylvans and civilians alike.
A fast-paced middle-grade fantasy/adventure book with all the monsters kids could ever hope for.
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Source: Received from the author or publisher for review., The Write Reads Tours
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Purchase Links for The Mostly Invisible Boy
Waterstones The Book Depository Chapters/Indigo
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My thoughts on The Mostly Invisible Boy
I enjoyed this delightful story of Casey, his little sister Gloria, and their most peculiar babysitter.
The tale gave me a bit of a Roald Dahl feel throughout as the siblings battle curious monsters in a magical realm.
The action is non-stop and keeps you on the edge of your seat. The characters are easy to relate to no matter your age.
The author could have explained the mystery of Casey’s visibility more; however, this is not enough of an issue to take away from my enjoyment of the story. I do hope it will be explored more in the upcoming books of this series. Gloria is a mature 6-year-old child and rather precocious. She always read a little older in my mind. Her age may be important in the scheme of things to come in the next books. I can’t wait to find out.
As an adult reader, metaphors abound in this tale. I always enjoy that. There are twists along the path with lots of surprises. I believe middle-grade readers will fall in love with this book!
Grab a copy of this story, settle in for a fun bit of reading. Immerse yourself in the magic and enjoy the wild ride.
I received a copy of the book for the tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
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The Mostly Invisible Boy
About AJ Vanderhorst
AJ Vanderhorst has had many jobs, including a journalist, paramedic, escape artist, and baby whisperer. One time in fifth grade, he built a traffic-stopping fort in a huge oak tree, using only branches and imagination, and slept there for a week.
Now he and his wife live in a woodsy house with their proteges and a ridiculous number of pets, including a turtle with a taste for human toes. This makes AJ an expert on wild, dangerous things--invisibility spells, butcher beasts, hungry kids, you get the idea.
He is the only author in the world who enjoys pickup basketball and enormous bonfires, preferably not at the same time. He and his family have drawn up several blueprints for their future tree castle.
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Purchase The Mostly Invisible Boy online from a local book store.
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The Mostly Invisible Boy (C...Shop on Amazon 
The Mostly Invisible Boy (C...Shop on Amazon The Mostly Invisible Boy (C...Shop on Amazon
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Great review Gina!
Wonderful review!
Sounds intriguing and fun kid read.