Life’s a mess for seventeen-year-old Olivia: she lost her mother, is sent to live with a foster family in England, and now her heartbreak unlocks a dormant Talent, a supernatural ability no one else in the world has. Turns out, that little sleepwalking problem she’s had all her life is a fickle teleportation skill that promptly drops her into the Alaskan wilderness. Thanks a lot. Much to the dismay of her feminist pride, a grouchy bear puts her in dire need of saving—by a guy. Brilliant.
Nineteen-year-old Jo has secrets he can’t ever share. If he does, he’s dead. Keeping hidden is the only way to free himself from the person forcing him to live in the woods. His rules for survival: stay invisible, stay focused, and for the love of life, do not talk to anyone. Easier said than done when this beautiful, sad girl keeps bouncing back to Alaska, cracking his locked heart wide open.
Drawn deeper into Jo’s secretive spell and the inexplicable bond they share, Olivia investigates why her Talent keeps dragging her back to him, only to suspect he might be connected to the mystery surrounding her missing father who disappeared before she was born. When Jo, desperate to escape the life he’s trapped in to be with the soulmate he never thought he’d find, confronts the person behind his deadly secrets, he’s faced with a Talented mastermind whose blood runs in his veins. Now Olivia must save the boy in the wild from a killer, even when they turn their eyes on her.
In this wildly romantic YA/crossover cozy fantasy, emotions and mystery weave into an unforgettable tale of love and loss, secrets and suspense, and intrigue and magic. Ideal for fans of deep yearning, atmospheric nature settings, and heart-shattering romance.
Sonja J. Kaye is the author of Adult and Young Adult fiction, ranging from romantic fantasy to mystery & thriller. She was born in Europe and spent many years in New Zealand before settling in Australia, where she currently lives with her family, a bouncy dog and a grumpy cat. (Please note: Sonja does not use AI in any stage of writing or producing her books).
After her mother passes away, Olivia moves to England to live with a foster family. When she discovers she has a supernatural ability called a talent, she learns that her new family members all have talents and want to help her learn to use her power that allows her to transport. One day, Olivia accidentally transports herself to the Alaskan wilderness, where she meets a mysterious man named Jo. Jo is quiet and seems to be hiding something, but as Olivia keeps visiting his remote cabin, he slowly opens up. As Olivia tries to uncover their connection, they learn they may be in danger from a killer determined to keep Jo under their control.
Invisible is a great YA fantasy and a strong start to the series. I really liked Jo and Olivia as main characters. Both have difficult pasts, and I enjoyed watching their bond help them heal. The story is full of mysteries and secrets, and I kept telling myself I’d read just one more chapter until I realized I'd reached the end. Now, after that ending, I can’t wait to find out what happens in the next book.
Invisible is out on September 3rd.
Thank you to Sonja J. Kaye, for the opportunity to review Invisible. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I’m so not over this book. Invisible completely wrapped me up in the coziest, most atmospheric blanket and then proceeded to shatter my heart in the best way.
After losing her mother, Olivia flees to a cabin in the Alaskan wilderness trying to escape her grief and her own wild, fickle Talent that she can’t control. The last thing she expects is to find someone living in the woods behind her cabin — Jo, a man who has spent years trying to be invisible to the world. He wants to stay hidden, she needs answers about her father’s death, and fate has other plans for them.
This was everything I want in a cozy fantasy romance:
🌲 Found family + small town in the Alaskan woods 💫 Fated mates / fated love 🖤 Touch her & die MMC who says “don’t look at me”but tends to all her wounds ✨ Grumpy x sunshine, slow burn, so much yearning 🔮 Real world magic + mysterious Talent system 🏚️ Cabin in the woods + forced proximity
Olivia is such a beautifully written FMC — grieving, angry, vulnerable, but so strong. And Jo? Oh, Jo. Protective, broken, absolutely feral for her while trying so hard not to be. Their banter, their soft moments, the way he slowly lets her in… I highlighted half this book.
Sonja J. Kaye’s writing is lyrical and immersive. You can feel the cold forest air, the warm cabin lights, the magic crackling between them. It’s cozy but it has depth — grief, healing, identity, belonging. I laughed, I teared up, I kicked my feet.
The mystery around her father kept me turning pages so fast, and that ending? I need book 2 IMMEDIATELY.
If you love cozy fantasy with real emotion, atmospheric woods, and a love that feels written in the stars, this is for you.
Thank you so much to The Space Network x Sonja J. Kaye for the gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review. It was an honor to read and share this beautiful story.
Where do I start with this book, it has psychological trauma, magic, and action, with a low spice level to boot.
The psychological trauma that is interwoven into the two main characters is fascinating. one shows the long term effects of abuse, while the other shows what survival guilt can look like with the loss of a loved one. Overall, both are well done in this story.
While the author chooses to call the magic present in the book, Talents, it's nonetheless fantastical and magical. It's the common thought of is the secret lives of real witches.
On the whole, this book is action packed in a variety of ways. From natural predators to the supernatural, there are a lot of dynamic and fast paced scenes.
As for the love story, in this book, it is fascinating to watch it unfold, to say the least. not only is it young love, it is first love, and it is soulmates. it is fascinating to watch as the details unfold It is decent despite being rather predictable.
Definitely an interesting read that left me wanting to know what happens in the next book.
YA fantasy fans….stop what you’re doing right now and pick up Invisible by Sonja J Kaye. I cannot believe that this book is a debut! The world-building, the characters, the twists and turns, and the magic made this book so special. I truly loved every second of it.
Olivia, a seventeen year old girl, is sent to live with a foster family after the loss of her mother. While living there she discovers she has a rare supernatural talent that literally has her falling at Jo’s feet. Jo, a nineteen year old boy, is completely isolated from the world. He keeps secrets to protect himself and stays invisible from others. Their pull towards each other is evident and they don’t fully understand why.
The character development and romance aspect of this book was very well written. I loved the slowburn and couldn’t wait to find out more about these characters. Anyone that knows me and how I rate my books, knows that I’m a huge fan of world-building. Sonja quite literally had me hooked from the very first page. I knew exactly where each character was and what was happening in the story. The world was beautifully crafted.
I loved the mystery elements and the twists that occur throughout the story. I am so excited to see what happens next!
This story sounded very interesting, but I found the ages really weird and the author explains a lot instead of letting the reader figure out what is going on. Also every always seemed to be way to convenient.
This was the perfect YA romantasy crossover. There are magical abilities, family secrets, mystery, fated soulmates, and a little danger… but I don’t want to give away too much because you need to discover the rest for yourself 🤭
After the tragic loss of her mother, Olivia has to leave Buenos Aires and start over somewhere new. Along the way, she finds a home with the Knox family. Pete, Rylie, Marvin, and Ener were some of my favourite characters, and I loved watching them take Olivia in and make her one of their own.
And Jo… by the end, all I wanted was for him to finally get the life he deserved.
I really liked the way the magic works in this world. The talents are inherited, and it’s easy to believe that it could all be happening around us right now without us regular people even knowing. That’s what made the magic so believable to me.
📖 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗲𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆: 🌍 Real-world magic 🌿 Feral magic 🔮 Mysterious MMC 🎨 Artist FMC 🫶🏼 Found family 🗡️ Touch her and die 🍂 Autumn & winter vibes 💔 Loss and grief 🩹 Wound tending 💕 Fated love
Your only problem will be waiting for book two because you’re going to NEED to know what happens next. Definitely add this one to your TBR!
And lucky for me, I’m a beta reader for book 2 🫶🏼 so I’m already finding out what happens next…
Shhh 🤫 come closer… I’ll tell you a little secret 🔐🤐
The next book is hoping to make its way to you in 2027! So keep your eyes 👀 open for more Olivia and Jo 😍
Thank you so much to The SPACE Network and Sonja J. Kaye for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review! 💕
Invisible follows Olivia, a 17-year-old who is grieving the loss of her mom and trying to adjust to her new life with a foster family in England. Then she discovers that her “sleepwalking” is actually a supernatural Talent that lets her teleport… to the Alaskan wilderness. And that’s where she meets Jo, a mysterious guy who has been living out there and definitely has some secrets of his own.
I really enjoyed this one! I loved the mix of fantasy, mystery, romance, and the Alaskan setting. The remote cabin and moody forest atmosphere gave this such a cozy feel, even though there are definitely some heavier moments and darker elements throughout.
One of my favorite parts was the focus on grief and healing. Olivia is dealing with losing her mom while also trying to figure out where she belongs, and I really liked watching her work through all of that. I also LOVED the found family aspect and how welcoming her new family was.
And Jo! He definitely frustrated me sometimes, but I really enjoyed getting to know him and watching him slowly open up to Olivia. Their connection was one of my favorite parts of the story, and I thought the dual POV worked really well with all of the secrets surrounding him. 👀
I also really liked the idea of the Talents and magical abilities existing in the real world. There were quite a few little clues throughout the story that kept me wondering how everything was going to connect!
There were a few things that felt predictable to me, and I would have liked a little more depth in some of the character development and worldbuilding, but overall I had a really fun time with this one!
If you’re looking for a cozy YA fantasy with mystery, romance, found family, grief, and lots of Alaskan forest vibes, definitely check this one out! And after that ending… I NEED book 2. 👀
💙Arc Review💙 I had the absolute pleasure of reading Invisible, the debut novel by sonja j kaye through the_space_network and I couldnt have been more excited to be able to review this stunningly beautiful book.
Olivia is a strong FMC who has been suddenly thrown into a world she knows nothing about after the untimely death of her mother. Ishe finds herself having to travel half way across the world to England to live with her new guatdians , where she learns what she believed was just her sleepwalking is actually a magical talent she has recieved from her father whom she believed to be dead.
On her journey to learn how to control her gift she finds out that her father is alive but missing and through her powers, the hope is she will be able to find him. Instead she keeps finding herself intrinsically drawn to a mysterious boy, living a lonely life deep in the forests of Alaska. Instantly their bond is immensley strong and neither know how to live without the other.
What ensues is a beautifully written book exploring trauma, fated relationships, found family and how strong the bond of love can really be. Is it possible that both Oliva and Jo hold the key to solving the mysteries that lie waiting for us in this book?
Sonja J Kaye has crafted an exquisitely woven plot with great character development for both Olivia and Jo. I implore you to pick up this book and read it, you won't be disappointed!
Invisible is an incredibly beautiful, atmospheric and memorable book. Cool magical powers, a soul connection, found family, and plenty of twists and turns. It is the perfect book to cuddle up on the couch with and drown out all your daily stressors. A unique mix of cozy, mystery and Alaskan adventure.
Olivia loses her mother in a car accident. She has no connection to her missing father, so she has to go live with an unknown family who knew her mother. In addition to dealing with all her grief she discovers she has a Talent (magical power) that allows her to sleepwalk or transport to different places. During one of these episodes she ends up in the Alaskan wilderness and makes contact with a strange boy named Jo. They discover that they have a connection beyond anything either of them could have imagined. Oh, the yearning! But why is Jo in the wilderness all by himself? How long has he been there? Is he a criminal? Was he abandoned? Jo’s past is the key to EVERYTHING. That ENDING was not expected at all. Really looking forward to book 2.
I loved the premise and the atmosphere! The Alaskan wilderness is practically its own character here - cold, enormous, and somehow still the safest place in the book. I would recommend this to anyone who really enjoys deep yearning and found family!
Thank you to The S.P.A.C.E. Network and Sonja J. Kaye for the privilege of reading Invisible for a genuine and thoughtful review.
This is fun! It's a lot of things all-in-one. It's very YA from a romance perspective - not childish, just not unnecessarily spicy. It has a bit of magical realism. Plus, it's kind of cozy while also being very mysterious.
i think this book has so much going for it for so many different kinds of readers! I definitely think that if you're looking for a cozy, grief inclusive autumn cozy read, cuddled under a blanket with a cup of cocoa, this would be a great book.
It's the first in a series and I see the potential for it and wonder how in the world this is going to move forward. How many books will there be? How much more will be developed?
This was a really entertaining book. I found myself reaching for it first often. It was just such a cozy mysterious romance between these individuals who didn't know much about each other, but who were mysteriously drawn together - mystically.
It kept me wondering and guessing for so much of the book! I desperately needed to know more about the backstory of these characters! I loved learning more when I could and enjoyed the main and all of the minor characters, really. They all have such unique personalities and I enjoyed their characters and how they fit into the story.
If you like yearning, cozy mysteries, or YA romance, you may like this book.
I was so excited to start reading Invisible, as soon as I saw the blurb I knew it was going to be an amazing read. Throughout reading this book, I was in complete awe of the characters and their talents. I was totally hooked the whole time I read this book and could not read it fast enough, I got lost in their world. During the book there were moments where I was on the edge of my seat, desperately needing to know what will happen next. There are so many emotions in this book from guilt, grief, hurt, love and forgiveness between all the characters, this book was brilliant and I loved it so much and I cannot wait for the next one!
What stood out most to me in Invisible by Sonja J. Kaye was Olivia’s journey through loss, grief and self-discovery. Following her as she navigated life after losing her mother gave the story an emotional depth that I really appreciated.
The magic and mystery provide the backdrop, but Olivia’s personal journey was the heart of this book for me. There’s something moving about watching a character cope with such a significant loss while discovering more about herself and the world around her.
A heartfelt fantasy with an emotional core, and a solid 4.5-star read for me.
Invusible is a ya story that combines grief, magic, found family, romance, love and hope into a very imaginative story. The way the narrative was laid out is what i loved the most. I especially enjoyed the beautiful sceneries of nature, mystery and overall coziness of the book. The author did a great job with the wording and pacing. It did not seem boring at all. The book had a great concept however i found the overall story a bit predictable and simplistic. It is probably a great book for teenagers because it felt like reading the twilight again. Thank you space for this arc
Wow! I highly recommend this book. This was a ARC read & I want to thank the author for allowing me to read this book. I loved the relationship between Olivia & Jo. Also, I loved how their relationship grow throughout the story. This is a story for mystery & emotions, woven into an unforgettable tale secrets & suspense. This is a slow burn romance with a FMC that is an artist & a MMC who lives alone in the woods. Lastly, this book has so much yearning & feral magic that draws the fated FMC & the MMC together.
I seriously enjoyed this book. It took me less than a week to binge read it. The story starts with a proper introduction to the characters, and it builds towards the main storyline. There are funny scenes, heartbreaking ones, wholesome ones, love ones. A bit of everything. About halfway through, I had many questions (including what the MMC was eating). Some of those questions were answered in this book. But enough of them are left unanswered, I can't wait for the next book and see how the story evolves
A cozy YA romantasy that sticks with you after you're done
Olivia is heartbroken and filled with grief about her mother's death. As she does, she has to adjust to a new house, a new domestic dynamic, hell, an entirely new universe, and she deals with it about as well as you'd think.
Jo is cute and an absolute ray of darkness (rightfully so) and manages to just stay on this side of being annoying (he is on very thin ice) .
This book is a heartwarming read with lovable characters and a magic/action side with just enough bite to give it sustenance.
"Invisible" by Sonja J Kaye was emotionally devastating (in the best way). Watching Jo and Olivia evolve, learning more and more throughout the book. This was a complete masterpiece and I just cannot wait for more of this story! The side characters are beautifully written and I hope eventually *hint hint* maybe we can get books on them! Around page 366, I was fully in my feelings I'm still not okay. It was also impossibly tense every chapter left me desperate for more. One moment that really stuck with me: ""You're my equivalent, my life, my soulmate."" If you love emotional reads that stay with you, this one is for you. Highly recommend. Sonja is now an auto-buy author for me! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Invisible is a great YA read! Following Jo and Olivia on their journey to not only finding each other but also finding themselves was such a fun journey! The action scenes are very well written and I loved the relationships among the characters. The magic and drama kept me very interested and now I can't wait to see how the story ends!
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy and the opportunity to leave a review! Invisible immediately grabbed me and held me captive. Olivia’s struggle with grief was relatable. I loved the talents the characters possessed and the found family was cozy and comforting. Great weekend read!
This beautiful YA romantasy completely took me by surprise! The magical settings, gorgeous imagery, and characters I instantly connected with had me hooked from the beginning. I loved watching two lost souls find each other through grief, hope, and the pull of fate. It was emotional, cozy, and full of heart. I’m officially invested in Olivia and Jo’s story, and I need book two immediately!
Thank you Sonja J. Kaye and The Space Network for the opportunity to read and review this novel!
Addictive. Yes. Obsessed. Yes. Sonja J. Kaye hooks you from chapter one.
All Olivia wants to do is hide from the world. Losing her mother was the last thing she wanted and being sent to live people she didn't know wasn't helping.
But there's more she doesn't know yet. Soon she'll find out with there help and it will change her life in ways no one saw coming, especially her.
We follow her on her journey to discovering her talent and how far she'll go to use it. You may find their are secrects along the way to good to keep.
The story was okay to me. Olivia tragic loss of her mother and then moving to a new place with a family she never knew existed. And then she met Jo and every thing changed. I liked the chemistry between her and Jo but I just couldn’t July that they let a 17 year old go to see her boyfriend and it Alaska at that! Continuously. It was interesting how she found her father. The magic system was cool a select few born with magic. But i couldn’t see how the rest of the world never suspected anything do the children never go to school? Also jo was just way to secretive to want all her to blindly believe in her. I will continue with the series because I want to see what the mother has planned how will she use the book. I would like to dig deeper into the story of his family’s background along with his childhood. Hopefully these questions get answered
Thank you to Courtney’s Little Library for providing me with an eARC in exchange for my honest review. 🤍
Invisible is a cozy, whimsical YA fantasy that beautifully explores themes of grief, loss, and love.
The worldbuilding is simple yet immersive, making the story easy to understand and navigate without feeling overwhelming. I especially loved how naturally the character development unfolded as the story progressed. Each character felt like they grew alongside the story rather than having their development forced.
This would be a wonderful introduction to fantasy for teens and pre-teens, especially readers looking for something cozy, heartfelt, and easy to get lost in. ✨📖
Olivia and Jo enter slow burn romance, there’s magic, action, psychological trauma, and the romance is low spice. The story involves the supernatural with fast pace scenes. Our characters are first loves that are soulmates. The world building is detailed and immersive. There are secrets and twist and turns that will keep the pages turning. I love the Woods. Don’t miss this!
What a beautiful story. This is a story of redemption, finding your place in the world and finding your family. I loved the world the author built and the idea of special people with powers. Olivia and Jo were both super likable characters whose complicated relationship progresses sweetly and steady. If you are a fan of modern day, YA fantasy, I highly recommend you check this one out. I am really looking forward to the next book!
What an amazing book! I don't even know where to start, because I don't have enough words to explain everything it made me feel.
The best way I can describe it, and this may sound a little abstract, is that the story is told through the eyes of an artist, Olivia, the main character, a painter; it is as a fairy tale, a painting brought to life in words, a book with soul and colours. You're hooked from the very first moment, you want to know more and easily fall in love with the characters.
"My painter's heart would have a field day if it wasn't drenched in black."
The concept of Talents, the powers as itself, isn't exactly new, but I feel it has just the right twist to make it feel fresh and innovative. Certain Talents in particular, like Olivia's and Rylie's, quickly became my favourites.
It's a book that starts on a very sad way, as Olivia loses her mother, the most important person in her life. That's when she discovers her Talent and meets new people who eventually become a beautiful found family, the kind that warms and conforts your heart. It's one of the best I've come across in quite some time. Then there's the home they share, where they use their Talents for the greater good, to create a better world. And we can't forget Jo, what an incredible romance with him, I just wanted them to be happy. Also to heal from their traumas, because there are quite a few of them.
"His eyes aren't brown, as I thought; they sparkle like two infinitely deep, midnight-blue oceans that catch the mighty sun and take it prisoner."
One thing I did miss was seeing Olivia finally paint, but since there will be more books, I trust she'll get the chance to do so eventually.
"Portrait No.51, post Mum: a man with ginger hair staring back at me from out of a mirror."
It is a story about grief, overcoming adversity, about self discovery, a journey to find one's home, which doesn't necessarily have to be a physical place. It is also about love, hope, learning to trust, and friendship; about acknowledging the bad moments while focusing on the good, always moving forward, and surrounding yourself with the people who matter.
"He's so sensible all the time, but he's a dreamer at the bottom of his heart."
As I mentioned earlier, the book is like art in words, so you'd expect the different settings, the descriptions, and even the way feelings are portrayed are just as artistic. It paints such a vivid picture of everything going on that you feel it all much more deeply; in fact, fair warning, I could feel Olivia's overwhelming distress and it was intense. There was one particularly heavy scene related with a kind of panic attack let's say, where I actually had to catch my breath, because I wasn't exactly breathing properly.
"You can't preplane life and control every little detail. Unexpected things happen, and when they do, you've got to handle them."
Even when you could see certain plot twists coming, they still managed to surprise you somehow. And that epilogue, just wow. It's clear we hate Lojana, but there couldn't have been a better ending for the first book.
I remember reading it and constantly thinking "what a wonderful book, this is amazing", while sitting there with my jaw dropped, which is probably the simplest yet most accurate thing to say. I'd love to go into detail about absolutely everything and discuss every single chapter, since I was so immersed in the experience, but obviously that's not possible without spoilers. Still, I hope I've convinced you, because it is totally worth it. Without a doubt, a great discovery this year. I can't wait to read the next one.
Thanks to the author, Sonja J. Kaye, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
**Thank you to the author, Sonja J. Kaye, and S.P.A.C.E. Network, for providing me with an e-ARC copy in exchange for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.**
✨️ Book Title: Invisible (The Invisible Tales Book #1) ✨️ Author: Sonja J. Kaye ✨️ Genre: YA Fantasy Romance ✨️ Tropes: magical realism, found family, touch her and die, mystery MMC, fated mates, artistic FMC
⭐️ Star Rating: 3 / 5 stars 🌶 Spice Level: 1.5 / 5 peppers ⚠️ Trigger Warnings: Explicitly explored themes on page of loss and grief (loss of a MC’s parent), symptoms of post-traumatic stress from a car accident, social isolation, and violence. Not shown on page is psychological and physical abuse of a child as well as murder.
📅 Release Date: September 3, 2026
“I always thought I knew Mum inside out. Now it feels like I didn’t know her at all.” “Olivia, you knew her. You just didn’t know part of her story.”
Seventeen-year-old Olivia has had a tumultuous year to say the least. After losing her mother and being sent to live with a foster family in England, she discovers a dormant Talent – a supernatural ability no one else in the world has. Her small sleepwalking problem? Turns out, it’s actually a teleportation skill. A teleportation skill that lands her at the feet of a mysterious boy – our MMC, Jo – in the middle of nowhere, unlocking an inexplicable bond between the two. As Olivia continues to investigates her Talent, her missing father, and the bond she shares with Jo, they’re confronted by the person behind Jo’s deadly secrets. Now Olivia must save the boy in the wild from a killer, even when the killer turn their eyes on her.
I found myself intrigued by Invisible’s storyline. Fated soulmates, both lost and found family, reluctant chosen one, hidden magical realism, and a feminist heroine are all things I love to read, especially in YA novels. Throughout the novel, these tropes were expressed well and the storyline was overall a great read. I really liked Pete’s character as a foster father/adoptive uncle figure in Olivia’s life. Marvin and Ener were also great additions to the storyline and Olivia’s new found life as well. While I was hesitant with our MMC, Jo, at first, as we learned more about his character, he definitely grew on me and I appreciated his character development throughout.
However, I found the first instalment of the series did fall short for me in a few ways. I felt that there was more “telling” rather than “showing” in the storyline, especially through Olivia’s POV. I also felt shocked that Olivia was 17 in some scenarios. The way she acted made her seem much younger or much older than she actually was. It was only through some of the one liners that I felt her remarks/actions matched her age. Additionally, I felt the twists throughout the novel were a little too predictable, even for a YA novel. With that being said, this was still a good read and a good introduction to a fantasy romance in the YA industry. The premise of the novel is strong enough to ensure these don’t heavily take away from the storyline.
For young readers and fans a YA fantasy romance with found family, magical realism, and touch her and die, Invisible may be just the right read you are looking to add to your TBR.
He was the loneliest person in the whole wide world, comfortably so, and yet love fell at his feet (literally). A shadow in the woods, a secret hidden in Alaska’s wild, beating heart. A weapon in the wrong hands. Only her magic can find him—and save them both.
19 year old Jo has lived a life of loneliness. Trained for one purpose, his life is planned beyond all thought of independence. His heart is empty, his life is destined. He will fulfil his duty and then possibly find something that looks like freedom.
Olivia's world is shattered after her mother's death, forcing her to move overseas to a foster family she never knew existed. But that isn't the half of it. It turns out that the father she had always been told died whilst she was a baby could be alive, that she has inherited a supernatural power from him, oh and this power could be the only way to find him and bring him home.
Sonja J. Kaye has painted the wilderness of the Alaskan forests and coastlines of the UK in such a way that you can almost smell and taste the two distinct landscapes. Her unique take on the magical world and "talents" is refreshing. I love the idea that the talented use their powers to better the world/civilisation around them. And that whilst you have to be born into a talented family, that your "talent" is unpredictable and not inherited from a parent.
Invisible is a truly emotional book. One that will pull on your heart strings in so many different ways. Sonja has poured her soul into this book and it shows. The characters feel authentic because each of them carries their grief differently, making their choices and relationships feel believable. Their stories are so unique yet relatable that you can't help but feel their pain. Ultimately this is a book about grief in all its forms; Olivia is grieving the loss of her Mother, Jimmy/Pete the loss of their best friend, Jo grieves the "normal" upbringing every child should have. But it is also about love conquering all; whether its soul love, the love of found family or that of friends willing to never give up. There is a real hopeful and loving undertone to the whole novel.
Invisible is a heartfelt fantasy that blends magic, grief and hope into a story that's as emotional as it is imaginative. If you enjoy character-driven fantasy with found family, slow-burn romance and an original magic system, this is well worth picking up. As a debut author, Sonja J. Kaye has me invested. I am looking forward to the second installment in this series; not only to see how Olivia and Jo's love story develops but to find out what Lojana has instore!
Thank you to Sonja J. Kaye for the gifted eARC - I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
"Some surprises in life aren't pleasant. Some even make you struggle more than you think you can bear. Still I wouldn't go without it. That's what life is about - the unplanned, unexpected, unpredictable. You can't know what's going to happen tomorrow. And sometimes, new opportunities arise from the unexpected that you never could've dreamt of."
Invisible by Sonja J. Kaye Rating: 5/5 Medium: e-Book - ARC
Invisible by Sonja J. Kaye is a YA fantasy that is whimsical, cozy, and delves into topics of grief, loss and love. You follow Olivia’s journey of losing her mum, moving across the world to be with her new foster family and discovering she has a Talent that deposits her in the middle of the Alaskan wilderness. Here she meets the mysterious Jo, who has secrets galore and has remained hidden for the past 2 years, with the simple objective of not talking to anyone and completing his mission. Unexpected to both of them, they are constantly drawn to each other and are bonded in a way neither of them thought was possible.
The main thing I want to say is that I absolutely adored this book and fell in love from page 1. It was such a cozy read, perfect for wintertime. I just had this warm, fuzzy feeling reading this book. Invisible is beautifully written, and I genuinely felt like these characters were real people and the events were happening in real time. I swear I was travelling with Olivia in her pocket the whole time, thanks to the way Sonja described the landscapes, Talents, and characters. The magic system was really refreshing, and it was nice that they used their ‘Talents’ to better the world/give back. It was interesting how the system worked: you have to be born into a Talented family to inherit a ‘Talent ’, but you don’t inherit your parents' ‘Talent’; you have your own unique ‘Talent’.
The grief aspect of the narrative was demonstrated very well. Olivia lost the one person she has known her whole life, her one love, the person who was there for her at all times, and now she has no one. The experiences and emotions Olivia went through during the healing process were heart-wrenching and written in a way that made you just want to give her a hug. Despite everything she goes through, she is the strongest character in this book, and the growth she experiences is astronomical for a 17-year-old girl.
Jo is a very mysterious character and I enjoyed reading and figuring out what his deal is. His past is traumatic, to say the least, and no child should ever experience what he did, but with the help of Olivia, he was able to reach his humanity when it was nearly gone. I was constantly on edge reading this book waiting to see what would unfold with Jo, why was he in the Alaskan wild? What Talent does he have? Why does he have no one? Who is he?
If you are after a book that will have you hooked from the start and keep you coming back for more, then read Invisible. Your newest obsession is here!
“As confusing as he is, he’s also my best distraction from the pain that constantly threatens to bury me under layers of black varnish. He’s my only break from my own thoughts, only now it’s the longing to see him that itches my brain to a point of torture.”
“Right, between the two of us, I’m the complicated one.”
*I RECIEVED THIS BOOK AS AN ARC FROM THE AUTHOR. BELOW IS MY HONEST, UNBIAS REVIEW*
The Decadent Dessert
Is the book filling like a full blown meal? No, but it is definitely filling like a top tier dessert that you realize is better than you expected. It looks deceptively light, and then you realize it's a lot more filling than you expected and you sure as heck are going to finish it because it's good.
Eat the dessert, it's delicious.
The minimal world building and writing style threw me at first, as it's not typically something I have on my bookshelf, but I found after a few chapters I'd adjusted to it and it didn't detract from the story for me. It reads more like a diary or journal, almost, as opposed to something like the first three ACOTAR books (Invisible is written with a dual, 1st person POV). The more I read, the more I found myself liking the intimacy of being in Olivia's head as opposed to balancing this exspansive world building and massive descriptions with a 1st POV. Let's be honest - if I was feeling what Olivia felt, I wouln't be paying attention to the vivid details of a place.
Depression rep, and I'm here for it. It feels real, and I feel like this tackles grief, loss, and depression realistically with it's depiction. As a card-carrying member of that club, I really connected with both Jo and Olivia - and the way they cope with their grief, loss, and emotions. I find pieces fo myself in both of them. It makes them incredibly easy to relate to.
I'm looking forward to re-reading this, and picking apart some of the deeper details and doing a deep dive on those topics because I truly feel like there is so much being said through Jo and Olivia about love, loss, and what people are capable of when we have people that hold space for us to work through things.