A standalone sequel to Shaun David Hutchinson The School for Invisible Boys, this exciting paranormal adventure shifts perspective to a new protagonist, Samantha “Sam” Osborne, whom we met in the first book. (Spoilers ahead for that volume.)
Twelve-year-old Sam, an orphan, is a member of the secret government organization Kairos, which is dedicated to protecting people from the (actual, not metaphorical) monsters who plague our world. Sam, who has the power to make people see her as someone else, embarks on her first solo mission by infiltrating the family of a former Kairos agent, pretending to be a cousin. She’s in search of his list of hiding places for monsters across the world.
Aided by Hector, the protagonist from the first volume, and the family’s son Graeme, who figures out her secret, she starts to realize that everything she knew about Kairos, its mission, monsters, and even herself–just might be wrong.
The twists and turns of the mystery wind together with explorations of prejudice, belonging, and family, creating a fun paranormal adventure with creative worldbuilding and heart. Queer identities play less of a role here than in the previous volume, although Hector’s new boyfriend gets a mention. There’s also a hint that Sam is asexual, although this isn’t dwelt on.
A recommended read, with an obvious hook for a further volume to follow.
Sam and most of the characters read as White.
