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The Book of Hidden Wonders
Reminiscent of I Capture the Castle, The Book of Hidden Wonders is a charming, deeply imaginative debut novel about a young girl and her eccentric father who hides within the pages of an illustrated book a treasure hunt that will lead her to uncover a priceless secret about her family's past.
The Book of Hidden Wonders tells the story of Romilly Kemp and her artist father, who live in a ramshackle mansion in the English countryside. To help make ends meet, he creates a children's book series with Romilly - a striking redhead with a mole on her cheek - and her cat Monty that becomes an instant success. The rumor is that hidden within its pages are clues to an elaborate treasure hunt, and their estate becomes crowded with tourists and adventure-seekers hoping to find the treasure.
As Romilly gets older, she finds her father disappearing within himself, and eventually learning he's suffering from dementia. Wanting to connect with her failing father and know him better, she returns to his books and comes to realize through a series of clues he's left just for her, that the treasure it leads to is worth more than gold or precious stones - it's a shocking discovery of her family that explains her peculiar childhood and helps her better understand herself.
With the imagination of Aimee Bender's The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake and the heart of Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle, this is a tender and enlightening story of family, mortality, and self-discovery with a mystery that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages.
The Book of Hidden Wonders tells the story of Romilly Kemp and her artist father, who live in a ramshackle mansion in the English countryside. To help make ends meet, he creates a children's book series with Romilly - a striking redhead with a mole on her cheek - and her cat Monty that becomes an instant success. The rumor is that hidden within its pages are clues to an elaborate treasure hunt, and their estate becomes crowded with tourists and adventure-seekers hoping to find the treasure.
As Romilly gets older, she finds her father disappearing within himself, and eventually learning he's suffering from dementia. Wanting to connect with her failing father and know him better, she returns to his books and comes to realize through a series of clues he's left just for her, that the treasure it leads to is worth more than gold or precious stones - it's a shocking discovery of her family that explains her peculiar childhood and helps her better understand herself.
With the imagination of Aimee Bender's The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake and the heart of Dodie Smith's I Capture the Castle, this is a tender and enlightening story of family, mortality, and self-discovery with a mystery that will keep readers eagerly turning the pages.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published June 1, 2020
147 people are currently reading
5547 people want to read
About the author
Polly Crosby
7 books167 followersPolly Crosby grew up on the Suffolk coast, and now lives with her husband and son in the heart of Norfolk.
In 2018, Polly won Curtis Brown Creative’s Yesterday Scholarship, enabling her to write her debut novel, The Illustrated Child. Later the same year, she was awarded runner-up in the Bridport Prize’s Peggy Chapman Andrews Award for a First Novel, and she received the Annabel Abbs Creative Writing Scholarship for the prestigious MA at the University of East Anglia.
Polly's first book for Young Adults, This Tale is Forbidden, came out in January. Her next historical mystery, The House of Fever, is out in August.
In 2018, Polly won Curtis Brown Creative’s Yesterday Scholarship, enabling her to write her debut novel, The Illustrated Child. Later the same year, she was awarded runner-up in the Bridport Prize’s Peggy Chapman Andrews Award for a First Novel, and she received the Annabel Abbs Creative Writing Scholarship for the prestigious MA at the University of East Anglia.
Polly's first book for Young Adults, This Tale is Forbidden, came out in January. Her next historical mystery, The House of Fever, is out in August.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 551 reviews
November 3, 2021
Warning: this book contains some graphic descriptions of animal abuse. I know this is a deal breaker for many people so just know it is there and really awful.
It is overall so dark and depressing, I thought it would be hopeful and whimsical from reading the synopsis but it is just not. There weren't any real surprises, everything that the author might have considered a twist I figured out long before it was revealed.
I felt overly sorry for Romilly throughout the entire book, her dad was eccentric at first, then is diagnosed with dementia. Her mom is absent and seems to care nothing for Romilly. Her grandmother, the only one who really cared, dies midway through without making sure that anyone is taking care of Romilly. Even after her mom returns and finds Romilly in terrible condition, she manages to still only think of herself and abandons Romilly yet again.
There is a lot of imagery and overarching themes (the panther, the disappearing friend) and I just didn't get their meanings, I'm not that great at interpreting allegory and themes. I would have liked to see the paintings her father did, I could imagine them through the vivid descriptions and the idea of the treasure hunt was what kept me reading. The author has skill at writing, but I just needed a more hopeful book than this delivered.
Maybe others will find meaning in the story where I could not, I just found myself dragged down and sad through most of it and I don't like feeling depressed. I was hoping for a book like The Keeper of Lost Things and this didn't even come close.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
It is overall so dark and depressing, I thought it would be hopeful and whimsical from reading the synopsis but it is just not. There weren't any real surprises, everything that the author might have considered a twist I figured out long before it was revealed.
I felt overly sorry for Romilly throughout the entire book, her dad was eccentric at first, then is diagnosed with dementia. Her mom is absent and seems to care nothing for Romilly. Her grandmother, the only one who really cared, dies midway through without making sure that anyone is taking care of Romilly. Even after her mom returns and finds Romilly in terrible condition, she manages to still only think of herself and abandons Romilly yet again.
There is a lot of imagery and overarching themes (the panther, the disappearing friend) and I just didn't get their meanings, I'm not that great at interpreting allegory and themes. I would have liked to see the paintings her father did, I could imagine them through the vivid descriptions and the idea of the treasure hunt was what kept me reading. The author has skill at writing, but I just needed a more hopeful book than this delivered.
Maybe others will find meaning in the story where I could not, I just found myself dragged down and sad through most of it and I don't like feeling depressed. I was hoping for a book like The Keeper of Lost Things and this didn't even come close.
I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book, all opinions are my own.
June 30, 2020
The Book of Hidden Wonders (published as The Illustrated Child in the UK), is a complex and multi layered tale. It starts when nine year old Romilly Kemp and her impoverished father Tobias move with into a large, ramshackle house in the country. At first it seems that she lives an idyllic childhood, rambling in the countryside, playing with her kitten and being home schooled while her father writes beautifully illustrated children's books featuring Romilly and her kitten. But then it turns into something darker and more disturbing as we find out about the reason for Romilly's mother's absence and as her father becomes more disengaged with Romilly and the world. Romilly's enchanted childhood grows ever more neglected and lonely, her only friend a wild girl from the village who comes and goes.
Tobias' series of books featuring Romilly become very popular with their charming stories and beautiful illustrations. With hidden objects and words in the pictures, it becomes rumoured that there are clues to a hidden treasure buried in the book and treasure hunters soon become the bane of Romilly's life. However, as Romilly grows, she realises the shadowy characters and hidden messages are in fact clues for her to a dark secret within her family and she sets out to find the hidden message.
The novel is more gothic in tone and ultimately sadder than you might expect from the title. It is beautifully written and deals sensitively with some difficult topics. Romilly is a wonderful character and it's difficult not to feel for all that she has lost during her childhood. A though provoking read, but not always an easy one.
With many thanks to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for a copy to read
Tobias' series of books featuring Romilly become very popular with their charming stories and beautiful illustrations. With hidden objects and words in the pictures, it becomes rumoured that there are clues to a hidden treasure buried in the book and treasure hunters soon become the bane of Romilly's life. However, as Romilly grows, she realises the shadowy characters and hidden messages are in fact clues for her to a dark secret within her family and she sets out to find the hidden message.
The novel is more gothic in tone and ultimately sadder than you might expect from the title. It is beautifully written and deals sensitively with some difficult topics. Romilly is a wonderful character and it's difficult not to feel for all that she has lost during her childhood. A though provoking read, but not always an easy one.
With many thanks to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for a copy to read
August 15, 2020
If I had to describe this book in one word I would say it was complicated.
Told from the point of view of a child who grows to teenage during the course of the book, nothing related can be relied on as real. This made me second guess everything and everyone and it turned out I was absolutely right to do so.
It is a very unfortunate child who ends up with two parents who claim to love her but ultimately are too selfish to ever put her first. As a result the story deals with some very serious issues including child neglect, child abuse, mental breakdown, dementia and even some animal cruelty.
It really is a very complicated but interesting read, rather like a fairy story in that there is magic but with a dark side.
Thanks to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book
Told from the point of view of a child who grows to teenage during the course of the book, nothing related can be relied on as real. This made me second guess everything and everyone and it turned out I was absolutely right to do so.
It is a very unfortunate child who ends up with two parents who claim to love her but ultimately are too selfish to ever put her first. As a result the story deals with some very serious issues including child neglect, child abuse, mental breakdown, dementia and even some animal cruelty.
It really is a very complicated but interesting read, rather like a fairy story in that there is magic but with a dark side.
Thanks to Harlequin Australia and Netgalley for an advance copy of this book
July 18, 2020
Nine-year-old Romilly Kemp and her father Tobias had moved to Braër House in the English countryside. Tobias painted and imagined, telling Romilly and her little cat Monty fanciful stories which half the time frightened Romilly. Her friend Stacey was a wild child from the village who only appeared when she wanted to, with it often being a long time between visits. And she didn’t like school one bit, wishing she could be home schooled like Stacey.
When Romilly discovered her father was going to write story books with Romilly and Monty featuring, she found her usual, lonely lifestyle changed somewhat. The books with their beautiful illustrations were successful, therefore they once more had money to buy food and live a little better. But Romilly continually wondered about her mother who had left them when she was four. Why did she only occasionally sent Romilly gifts but not visit? And what did the words mean that were hidden in the text and illustrations of the books that Romilly loved? As her father drifted from Romilly, her isolation and loneliness meant she struggled; would her father’s books help her find some answers?
The Book of Hidden Wonders (called The Illustrated Child in the UK) by Polly Crosby is a dark, infinitely sad telling of a young girl, her lost father and the secrets that bind them. The love Tobias has for Romilly stands out; she always feels loved. But she is also a lonely child. Beautifully written, I know I was expecting a lighter story (mainly from the title) but the complex subjects were handled well by the author. I very much enjoyed Romilly’s character as well. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
When Romilly discovered her father was going to write story books with Romilly and Monty featuring, she found her usual, lonely lifestyle changed somewhat. The books with their beautiful illustrations were successful, therefore they once more had money to buy food and live a little better. But Romilly continually wondered about her mother who had left them when she was four. Why did she only occasionally sent Romilly gifts but not visit? And what did the words mean that were hidden in the text and illustrations of the books that Romilly loved? As her father drifted from Romilly, her isolation and loneliness meant she struggled; would her father’s books help her find some answers?
The Book of Hidden Wonders (called The Illustrated Child in the UK) by Polly Crosby is a dark, infinitely sad telling of a young girl, her lost father and the secrets that bind them. The love Tobias has for Romilly stands out; she always feels loved. But she is also a lonely child. Beautifully written, I know I was expecting a lighter story (mainly from the title) but the complex subjects were handled well by the author. I very much enjoyed Romilly’s character as well. Recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
June 4, 2021
This is one of those books where, for me at least, the blurb doesn't match or give any hint to the content within. It's not the whimsical, magical book I expected but an extremely sad one about illness, abuse and a neglected child. It could well be that I got the wrong end of the stick by what I expected to read, but the magic of finding clues in a book that tell you about your real life sounded magical. The secret at the end is heartbreakingly sad. I find it hard to read stories about children who are neglected and put at risk on every page and there was much more of this in the story than the magical story thread. The stories in fact seemed to leave the girl at even more risk as people would come round to her house, follow her in the hope that they would find some treasure.
Reading this during lockdown may not have been the best move.
Reading this during lockdown may not have been the best move.
September 7, 2020
Whaaaaaaat? What was this book? Definitely not what I expected. I wanted whimsical, I wanted treasure hunting and clue finding! Instead I got something so depressing and confusing. 1 star for the shiny cover.
July 11, 2020
Romily Kemp is nine years old when her father Tobias, moves them into a ramshackle house in the countryside. At first it seems like she has a blissful childhood, playing in the countryside with her new friend Stacy and being home schooled, whilst her father writes a series of children’s books about Romily and her kitten which are beautifully illustrated.
As the books become popular with all ages, the readers believing there are hidden meanings in the book which may be lead to hidden treasure. They soon have fans turning up wanting to dig for the treasure. Romily starts to look for the hidden message in the book.
As Romily’s father’s health declines she is left to fend for herself and she soon finds herself trying to look after him.
This book does deal with sensitive topics such as mental illness, death and Dementia. It is fascinating and heartbreaking at times, but I wanted to find out how it all ends and to see if Romily gets the help she needs.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
As the books become popular with all ages, the readers believing there are hidden meanings in the book which may be lead to hidden treasure. They soon have fans turning up wanting to dig for the treasure. Romily starts to look for the hidden message in the book.
As Romily’s father’s health declines she is left to fend for herself and she soon finds herself trying to look after him.
This book does deal with sensitive topics such as mental illness, death and Dementia. It is fascinating and heartbreaking at times, but I wanted to find out how it all ends and to see if Romily gets the help she needs.
Thank you to Netgalley for my copy in exchange for a review.
November 29, 2020
The Book Of Hidden Wonders is the first novel by British author, Polly Crosby. At nearly nine, after some years of seemingly aimless roaming, Romilly Kemp has recently settled with her dad in a dilapidated old farmhouse, Braër, surrounded by a moat. Tobias Kemp is an artist, formerly teaching at the University, now trying to make a living by painting. Romilly’s mother, Meg has been absent since she was four.
Romilly’s attic room is shared with her newly arrived Siamese kitten, Captain Montgomery of the Second Regiment, to be included in paintings Tobias will create of his daughter. Under the sloping roof, Dad tells wonderful bedtime stories; sometimes Romilly has fleeting memories of Meg, “a pair of smooth, delicate hands holding onto mine, sharp red nails gripping my skin painfully, a glittering diamond ring crackling with light.”
While Tobias is creatively engaged, Romilly amuses herself in the grounds, carefully avoiding the moat, and discovers a friend, a cheeky, daring boy/girl named Stacey. They get up to plenty of mischief, some of it quite dangerous, while Dad turns Romilly into the star of a series of books. Romilly quickly learns that fame has its drawbacks: treasure hunters armed with spades convinced that Tobias Kemp has filled the Romilly books with clues, making her virtually a prisoner inside Braër.
It is true: Tobias Kemp has filled the Romilly books with clues but, he tells her, they are for her alone, and not all treasure is gold or precious stones. The clues are cryptic, and Romilly doesn’t even know what she’s looking for when, eventually, she does start looking.
Crosby saddles her protagonist with a loving, quirky but erratic father, a mercurial best friend, a damaged mother and a too-late-found grandmother. As the story develops, the reasons for this, and Romilly’s apparent immaturity, become clear, but the significance of some elements (eg the circus) do not.
While this ought to be a magical read, and Crosby does manage to tug at the heart-strings a few times, it somehow lacks the connection, repetition and resolution that would thoroughly enchant the reader. Some scenes and characters that seem like they should be relevant to the story turn out to be rather random, and could have been edited for a more pleasing read. A much darker read than the blurb depicts.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harlequin Australia.
Romilly’s attic room is shared with her newly arrived Siamese kitten, Captain Montgomery of the Second Regiment, to be included in paintings Tobias will create of his daughter. Under the sloping roof, Dad tells wonderful bedtime stories; sometimes Romilly has fleeting memories of Meg, “a pair of smooth, delicate hands holding onto mine, sharp red nails gripping my skin painfully, a glittering diamond ring crackling with light.”
While Tobias is creatively engaged, Romilly amuses herself in the grounds, carefully avoiding the moat, and discovers a friend, a cheeky, daring boy/girl named Stacey. They get up to plenty of mischief, some of it quite dangerous, while Dad turns Romilly into the star of a series of books. Romilly quickly learns that fame has its drawbacks: treasure hunters armed with spades convinced that Tobias Kemp has filled the Romilly books with clues, making her virtually a prisoner inside Braër.
It is true: Tobias Kemp has filled the Romilly books with clues but, he tells her, they are for her alone, and not all treasure is gold or precious stones. The clues are cryptic, and Romilly doesn’t even know what she’s looking for when, eventually, she does start looking.
Crosby saddles her protagonist with a loving, quirky but erratic father, a mercurial best friend, a damaged mother and a too-late-found grandmother. As the story develops, the reasons for this, and Romilly’s apparent immaturity, become clear, but the significance of some elements (eg the circus) do not.
While this ought to be a magical read, and Crosby does manage to tug at the heart-strings a few times, it somehow lacks the connection, repetition and resolution that would thoroughly enchant the reader. Some scenes and characters that seem like they should be relevant to the story turn out to be rather random, and could have been edited for a more pleasing read. A much darker read than the blurb depicts.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harlequin Australia.
September 14, 2020
This book read like a dark fairytale without a happy ending. Parts of the story were enchanting and magical, but the overall tone was depressing. Romilly was a likable character, a sweet girl with a big heart. But the girl had a tough life. A mother who abandons her, a father who is slowly losing his mind, living in an isolated rundown house. Romilly lives a lonely existence with only the company of her cat and her one true friend. The story was complex and tough to read at times. There is a family secret that is revealed but somewhat explains the parents behavior. But it was sad that they could not find it within themselves to be better for their daughter. I didn’t really care for the story, however it was beautifully written. I just would’ve appreciated a little more hope.
*** Big thank you to Harlequin for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
*** Big thank you to Harlequin for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
August 8, 2021
The sad story of a lonely child, evocative and beautifully written, this book conjured up such wonderfully vivid imagery, however, the downside was that by about two thirds through, it had all become a bit much. For me, the book was just too long, too much meandering and focus on things that weren't really relevant to the story, such as the circus, which was never satisfactorily explained, I suspect most of it was purely to add more pretty imagery, feathers, sequins, prancing horses and the like. I'd also pretty much guessed the "mystery" by then too, so it was a matter of plodding on to find out if I was right. Dark themes are covered, among them, mental illness, grief and neglect, seen through the eyes of a child and this is done very well, if only it had been a bit less rambling, I would have loved it.
March 5, 2023
What did I just read? What a depressing, depressing book. And I just didn’t get so many things, but figured out the “big secret” easily. Romilly affected me deeply but I despised all the other characters for not looking out for her. I supposed I wanted “wonder” but was just left “wondering.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 20, 2021
Okay I didn't enjoy this book. Too depressing and a decent into mental illness and also dementia. It was however very well written and from a literary stand point well done. Just not my cup of tea. Which I now need a cup of to make me feel less gloomy.
July 18, 2020
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Book of Hidden Wonder follows Romilly Kemp, a young girl who's father has made her the main character of his children's novels. While the idea of being the subject of her father's story originally excites her, as the years pass she begins to see the downfall of stardom. Many fans believe that hidden inside these books are clues to finding a hidden treasures somewhere on Romilly and her father's property. But is there really a treasure, and if so does Romilly have the courage to find it?
Let me begin by saying I really enjoyed the thought of this book. I also feel like it touches on subject matter that is so often overlooked in Young Adult stories as Romilly's father is ill with Dementia. However, it felt like there were so many minor plot points(a wild panther, a mystery friend, a crazy mother, a circus, a pedophile) that it was hard to grasp onto the main one. Romilly grows up in this novel but it throws her forward in time so rapidly the reader barely gets time to learn who Romilly has become at the age she was just to be introduced to an older and different Romilly. She was a very hard character to like for that reason and I found myself caring more about her father's, Tobis, storyline. However there is no real good sense of closure as he is whisked away 75% into the title and hardly addressed again. I am searching for something that I truely liked about this book, but am having trouble. However, I did give it a 2 star rating because while I couldn't follow the plot or being truly invested myself, I didn't hate this book. It's just hanging in limbo for me.
Other readers may find ways to connect with Romilly and make sense of her often choppy way of telling her story, I recommend this book to anyone 12 and up as the stint with the pedophile can easily be missed as it was such a small and "blink and you'll miss it" moment. I really hope this novel can find it's audience, but alas, I am not in it.
The Book of Hidden Wonder follows Romilly Kemp, a young girl who's father has made her the main character of his children's novels. While the idea of being the subject of her father's story originally excites her, as the years pass she begins to see the downfall of stardom. Many fans believe that hidden inside these books are clues to finding a hidden treasures somewhere on Romilly and her father's property. But is there really a treasure, and if so does Romilly have the courage to find it?
Let me begin by saying I really enjoyed the thought of this book. I also feel like it touches on subject matter that is so often overlooked in Young Adult stories as Romilly's father is ill with Dementia. However, it felt like there were so many minor plot points(a wild panther, a mystery friend, a crazy mother, a circus, a pedophile) that it was hard to grasp onto the main one. Romilly grows up in this novel but it throws her forward in time so rapidly the reader barely gets time to learn who Romilly has become at the age she was just to be introduced to an older and different Romilly. She was a very hard character to like for that reason and I found myself caring more about her father's, Tobis, storyline. However there is no real good sense of closure as he is whisked away 75% into the title and hardly addressed again. I am searching for something that I truely liked about this book, but am having trouble. However, I did give it a 2 star rating because while I couldn't follow the plot or being truly invested myself, I didn't hate this book. It's just hanging in limbo for me.
Other readers may find ways to connect with Romilly and make sense of her often choppy way of telling her story, I recommend this book to anyone 12 and up as the stint with the pedophile can easily be missed as it was such a small and "blink and you'll miss it" moment. I really hope this novel can find it's audience, but alas, I am not in it.
August 28, 2020
There is so much to love about The Book of Hidden Wonders that I am not sure where to start. Phenomenally-written by author Polly Crosby, it is a hard book to put down once you pick it up. The story is so full of intrigue and mystery, and I always needed to find out what happened next. And, for me, that is the biggest compliment I can give.
I started this review talking about how this is narrative-cenetered book, but as I got more into the review I realize it is much more character-driven than I originally thought. The main storyline is about a book Romilly’s father writes where she is the main character. She becomes instantly famous, and people begin to show up at their house hunting for treasure to which they believe the book as provided clues. This becomes a huge invasion into Romilly’s life, as the treasure hunters vie to get pictures with her and speculate about her life. The other pieces of this story are not necessarily separate storylines as much as they are branches off the main. Romilly is a young girl (8 when the book begins, I believe), and this is as much of a coming-of-age book as anything else.
Romilly’s life is far from perfect, and she struggles maintaining relationships with the people in her life. Romilly and her father live alone in the countryside, and, while they are close, their relationship becomes strained at times. He is a painter and trying to support her with his books, while at the same time becoming deeply ensconced in his work, often leaving Romilly to fend for herself. Romilly’s mom does not live with them, though she does make a few appearances in the book. These reunions are always awkward and fraught with disaster. Romilly’s grandmother also makes an attempt to be a part of her life, as well, and at times takes on a motherly-type of role in her life; though, she does not live near them and much of their correspondence is via letter. Romilly also befriends a local girl by the name of Stacy, who is also quite mysterious. She never allows Romilly to come to her house, and disappears for weeks or even months at a time, leaving Romilly to wonder where she goes. The on-again, off-again nature of this relationship toys with Romilly’s emotions (and, I will admit, mine, too!), as Stacy is the only girl her age in the area with whom she can be friends (especially when her father begins to homeschool her after his books become popular).
All of this to say the characters and their respective relationships to Romilly really pull this story along from beginning to end. Each interaction provides Romilly with a different perspective on life. They all contribute to her growth and change over the course of the story – for better and for worse. These contributions are made through the narrative of the story as Romilly has different experiences with each one, and she attempts to find herself and figure out her place in the world. The love-hate connections with each of the people in her life add to the already-tense nature of the book.
That is really what makes this book so appealing. The Book of Hidden Wonders is absolutely brimming with tension. It is a story of love and loss, of loyalty and betrayal, of a young girl trying to navigate the waters of life while not always knowing who she can look to and often feeling let down. And all of this over the backdrop of the popularity of the books and the ensuing treasure hunt taking place that just adds to the overall strain on the story. That anxiety-inducing tautness of the string constantly being wound and tightened until you are afraid it is going to snap – that is the essence of this book. No worries there, either, as it does snap, and when it does everything comes crashing down hard. I am not a crier, but I shed tears while reading this book no less than three times (THREE TIMES!), and I cannot remember the last book that did that to me. So, congratulations, Polly Crosby. There is a feather for your cap.
The Book of Hidden Wonders was a joy to read. It is both heartwarming and heartbreaking simultaneously, an emotional roller coaster that left me a little broken at the end. Who am I kidding – it left me much more than a little broken. So much so that I am still trying to pick up the emotional pieces and put myself back together. Experiences like this are literally why we read, and so I recommend this book to absolutely anyone and everyone. Just make sure you come with open mind and open heart.
I started this review talking about how this is narrative-cenetered book, but as I got more into the review I realize it is much more character-driven than I originally thought. The main storyline is about a book Romilly’s father writes where she is the main character. She becomes instantly famous, and people begin to show up at their house hunting for treasure to which they believe the book as provided clues. This becomes a huge invasion into Romilly’s life, as the treasure hunters vie to get pictures with her and speculate about her life. The other pieces of this story are not necessarily separate storylines as much as they are branches off the main. Romilly is a young girl (8 when the book begins, I believe), and this is as much of a coming-of-age book as anything else.
Romilly’s life is far from perfect, and she struggles maintaining relationships with the people in her life. Romilly and her father live alone in the countryside, and, while they are close, their relationship becomes strained at times. He is a painter and trying to support her with his books, while at the same time becoming deeply ensconced in his work, often leaving Romilly to fend for herself. Romilly’s mom does not live with them, though she does make a few appearances in the book. These reunions are always awkward and fraught with disaster. Romilly’s grandmother also makes an attempt to be a part of her life, as well, and at times takes on a motherly-type of role in her life; though, she does not live near them and much of their correspondence is via letter. Romilly also befriends a local girl by the name of Stacy, who is also quite mysterious. She never allows Romilly to come to her house, and disappears for weeks or even months at a time, leaving Romilly to wonder where she goes. The on-again, off-again nature of this relationship toys with Romilly’s emotions (and, I will admit, mine, too!), as Stacy is the only girl her age in the area with whom she can be friends (especially when her father begins to homeschool her after his books become popular).
All of this to say the characters and their respective relationships to Romilly really pull this story along from beginning to end. Each interaction provides Romilly with a different perspective on life. They all contribute to her growth and change over the course of the story – for better and for worse. These contributions are made through the narrative of the story as Romilly has different experiences with each one, and she attempts to find herself and figure out her place in the world. The love-hate connections with each of the people in her life add to the already-tense nature of the book.
That is really what makes this book so appealing. The Book of Hidden Wonders is absolutely brimming with tension. It is a story of love and loss, of loyalty and betrayal, of a young girl trying to navigate the waters of life while not always knowing who she can look to and often feeling let down. And all of this over the backdrop of the popularity of the books and the ensuing treasure hunt taking place that just adds to the overall strain on the story. That anxiety-inducing tautness of the string constantly being wound and tightened until you are afraid it is going to snap – that is the essence of this book. No worries there, either, as it does snap, and when it does everything comes crashing down hard. I am not a crier, but I shed tears while reading this book no less than three times (THREE TIMES!), and I cannot remember the last book that did that to me. So, congratulations, Polly Crosby. There is a feather for your cap.
The Book of Hidden Wonders was a joy to read. It is both heartwarming and heartbreaking simultaneously, an emotional roller coaster that left me a little broken at the end. Who am I kidding – it left me much more than a little broken. So much so that I am still trying to pick up the emotional pieces and put myself back together. Experiences like this are literally why we read, and so I recommend this book to absolutely anyone and everyone. Just make sure you come with open mind and open heart.
June 8, 2020
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
The Book of Hidden Wonders.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Romilly Kemp has relocated to a ramshackle farmhouse with her father, Tobias.
When her father creates a series of books based on Romilly and her beloved cat, Monty, the accolades and the money roll in.
Sadly, so does unwanted attention because some stans believe Tobias has added clues to a treasure in his book and the hunt is on.
But, as Romilly grows up, she discovers the clues for herself, and they harbor a devastating secret that will shatter her sheltered world and all she ever knew about herself and her family.
Parts of the story I did enjoy; the writing was good, the environment Romilly grew up in, but the pacing was slow when there was not much happening, just descriptions of Romilly's days.
The title alluded to something wondrous, but the themes were far darker than I anticipated: mental illness, neglect, and death, just to name a few.
There was nothing magical or wonderful about the books Tobias Kemp wrote; in fact, the way he squirreled his daughter away from life and school was disturbing.
Despite his fierce love for her, it was misplaced and odd, but perhaps it was due to the tragedy they had all suffered and the onset of his illness.
I wanted to like this more, but it was not what I expected, and not in a good way.
The writing was good, but the particular themes in this book may make some readers uncomfortable, especially if they assumed the story would be happy or have a happy-ish ending. I definitely fell in the latter category.
** Minor spoilers ahead **
Romilly Kemp has relocated to a ramshackle farmhouse with her father, Tobias.
When her father creates a series of books based on Romilly and her beloved cat, Monty, the accolades and the money roll in.
Sadly, so does unwanted attention because some stans believe Tobias has added clues to a treasure in his book and the hunt is on.
But, as Romilly grows up, she discovers the clues for herself, and they harbor a devastating secret that will shatter her sheltered world and all she ever knew about herself and her family.
Parts of the story I did enjoy; the writing was good, the environment Romilly grew up in, but the pacing was slow when there was not much happening, just descriptions of Romilly's days.
The title alluded to something wondrous, but the themes were far darker than I anticipated: mental illness, neglect, and death, just to name a few.
There was nothing magical or wonderful about the books Tobias Kemp wrote; in fact, the way he squirreled his daughter away from life and school was disturbing.
Despite his fierce love for her, it was misplaced and odd, but perhaps it was due to the tragedy they had all suffered and the onset of his illness.
I wanted to like this more, but it was not what I expected, and not in a good way.
The writing was good, but the particular themes in this book may make some readers uncomfortable, especially if they assumed the story would be happy or have a happy-ish ending. I definitely fell in the latter category.
February 10, 2021
Oh dear, I really do not know how to review this, for some it’s 5🌟for others 2🌟, I’m going to give it 3🌟
Crosby has put her heart and soul into this book. She is an excellent and creative author, imaginative and the way in which she writes is beautiful.
Description:
Romilly lives in a ramshackle house with her eccentric artist father and her cat, Monty. Her father finds fame with a series of children’s books starring her as the main character and everything changes. In her increasingly isolated world, Romilly turns to the secrets hidden in the books, realising there’s something far darker and more devastating locked within each page.
What is true and what isn’t true? What’s real and what isn’t real? Is there any treasure or isn’t there? Treasure isn’t always what people expect.
Romilly has some great adventures, like Alice, in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. She spends most of her time alone as her father locks himself away to write and illustrate his books. As she is left to her own devices she runs wild and roams around free.
Occasionally she meets up with an undisciplined child called Stacey, who I’m not sure is a friend of foe? Real or not? Did Romilly escape her everyday life by tumbling into a fanciful world of madness and mockery in order to survive.
In parts this is harrowing, not easy or pleasant reading. It’s an imaginative story that is underpinned by love, loss, grief, suffering, deprivation, child neglect, abuse, dementia, mental illness, depression, animal cruelty and delusion. It is a really multi layered and complex story. A sad story. I couldn’t extract any joy from this, other than imagining how delightful it would be to have a cat like Monty!
Even though it’s a touching story, the end left me confused, with very mixed feelings. The question is did I enjoy it, no I didn’t it just wasn’t for me. However, others have given it 5🌟 so it’s up to you as to whether you want to read this very strong and quirky debut novel.
Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and HQ for this ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
Crosby has put her heart and soul into this book. She is an excellent and creative author, imaginative and the way in which she writes is beautiful.
Description:
Romilly lives in a ramshackle house with her eccentric artist father and her cat, Monty. Her father finds fame with a series of children’s books starring her as the main character and everything changes. In her increasingly isolated world, Romilly turns to the secrets hidden in the books, realising there’s something far darker and more devastating locked within each page.
What is true and what isn’t true? What’s real and what isn’t real? Is there any treasure or isn’t there? Treasure isn’t always what people expect.
Romilly has some great adventures, like Alice, in Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. She spends most of her time alone as her father locks himself away to write and illustrate his books. As she is left to her own devices she runs wild and roams around free.
Occasionally she meets up with an undisciplined child called Stacey, who I’m not sure is a friend of foe? Real or not? Did Romilly escape her everyday life by tumbling into a fanciful world of madness and mockery in order to survive.
In parts this is harrowing, not easy or pleasant reading. It’s an imaginative story that is underpinned by love, loss, grief, suffering, deprivation, child neglect, abuse, dementia, mental illness, depression, animal cruelty and delusion. It is a really multi layered and complex story. A sad story. I couldn’t extract any joy from this, other than imagining how delightful it would be to have a cat like Monty!
Even though it’s a touching story, the end left me confused, with very mixed feelings. The question is did I enjoy it, no I didn’t it just wasn’t for me. However, others have given it 5🌟 so it’s up to you as to whether you want to read this very strong and quirky debut novel.
Thank you to the author, Netgalley, and HQ for this ARC provided in exchange for this unbiased review.
October 29, 2020
The Illustrated Child, is an usual tale that pulls you in and draws you deep into the heart of your imagination. It begins when nine year old Romilly Kemp and her father Tobias move with into a large, ramshackle house in the country. At first it seems that she lives a perfect childhood, rambling in the countryside, playing with her kitten and being home schooled while her father writes and creates illustrated children's books featuring Romilly and her kitten. But then it turns into something strange and disturbing as the story unfolds. Romilly's mother is absent and we begin to understand why as her father becomes more withdrawn with Romilly and the world. What seems like Romilly's perfect childhood slowly grows more disjointed, shows neglect and in fact how lonely she really is, She only has one friend a strange girl from the village who comes and goes.
Tobias' series of the illustrated books featuring Romilly become very popular with their charming stories and beautiful illustrations. With objects and words hidden in the pictures, it becomes unofficial with his readers that there are clues to a hidden treasure buried in the book and treasure hunters soon encroach upon their home life and everyday existence. However, as the years pass and birthdays come and go and Romilly grows into a young adult, she realises the hidden messages are in fact clues to to a dark secret within her family and she sets out to find the hidden message.
The novel is sadder than you might expect from the title. It is beautifully written and deals sensitively with some difficult topics such as child bereavement, dementia, divorced family life.
Romilly is a wonderful character and it's difficult not to feel for all that she has lost during her childhood. A provoking read, not always easy at times but Polly Crosby writes so subtly the emotions that you don't realise your grieving until you are.
Tobias' series of the illustrated books featuring Romilly become very popular with their charming stories and beautiful illustrations. With objects and words hidden in the pictures, it becomes unofficial with his readers that there are clues to a hidden treasure buried in the book and treasure hunters soon encroach upon their home life and everyday existence. However, as the years pass and birthdays come and go and Romilly grows into a young adult, she realises the hidden messages are in fact clues to to a dark secret within her family and she sets out to find the hidden message.
The novel is sadder than you might expect from the title. It is beautifully written and deals sensitively with some difficult topics such as child bereavement, dementia, divorced family life.
Romilly is a wonderful character and it's difficult not to feel for all that she has lost during her childhood. A provoking read, not always easy at times but Polly Crosby writes so subtly the emotions that you don't realise your grieving until you are.
December 18, 2020
I guess 3.5. It is not that it is bad- it is not. Plus there is this thing which makes me wanna keep reading (or listening in this case). But there was something missing. Something I can not quite grasp, somehow I found it complicated. It is very hard to explain, honestly, I normally have no such problems. I guess I gave it 3.5 because after reading it once I have no intention going back. It did make me think about parenthood and challenges of raising a child on your own but overall I could not understand how these two even survived. With the girl being wild and, well, being a curious child simply and the father being an artist with his head in the clouds...
Overall, a difficult read but not bad.
Overall, a difficult read but not bad.
Read
April 8, 2021DNF
Very different from what I was expecting. Despite what the cover may suggest this quite a heavy and bleak story, which I wasn’t in the mood for at all at the moment. May pick it back up in the future if I ever feel like it but not what I want to read at the moment.
Very different from what I was expecting. Despite what the cover may suggest this quite a heavy and bleak story, which I wasn’t in the mood for at all at the moment. May pick it back up in the future if I ever feel like it but not what I want to read at the moment.
April 9, 2021
Graphic animal cruelty. Nope.
June 15, 2022
This is a very strange book, well written but quite sad. Romilly is the subject of a series of books written and illustrated by her father. They are pursued by fans of the books, dad quickly succumbs to dementia and Romilly seems to be descending into some sort of instability. By part 3 I had little idea of what was real and what was in her head. All quite surreal throughout and I'm not sure I was any the wiser by the end.
November 4, 2020
Novel set in rural ENGLAND
This is Polly Crosby’s debut novel and what a debut novel it is! The narrative voice is that of nine-year-old Romilly Kemp, the child of the title, and we follow as she tries to make sense of the sometimes magical, sometimes dangerous but always puzzling world around her.
It is the late 1980s and Romilly lives with her father in a huge, ramshackle moat-surrounded house in the middle of rural England. There is no sign of Romilly’s mother and seemingly no other relatives. Romilly doesn’t go to school as her father prefers to home-school her. This, however, amounts to virtually nothing and Romilly is free to roam the countryside endlessly. She is always alone, apart from her much-loved cat, Monty, until she encounters a village wild-child, Stacey, who is also, and just as unsuccessfully, being home-schooled. The pair become friends but Stacey is an unreliable friend, coming and going as she pleases and often disappearing off to her mysterious village life, just when Romilly could most do with her presence.
There is very little money to make vital repairs to the crumbling house or even to feed them, until Romilly’s dad writes a children’s book, starring Romilly and Monty and it becomes a best seller. Readers are convinced that the intriguing pictures in the book (and its sequels) hide secrets and clues to hidden treasure and Romilly finds herself famous and persecuted by fans and tourists. The books’ fame also brings her mother back into her life briefly, with catastrophic results. As time passes, Romilly’s father gradually succumbs to Alzheimer’s, taking the only person she has ever had to rely on away from her and Romilly becomes more and more convinced, despite the hordes of spade-toting tourists, that the secret treasure of the books is not a material one, but something for her alone to discover.
This is a beautifully written novel, albeit at times disturbing and fairly melancholy, filled with the most powerful imagery and descriptions. The characterisation is masterful; these are fully realised, three dimensional characters, viewed through a nine-year-old’s eyes, so they are at times wonderful warm and loving and, at others, unpredictable and frightening. It’s also quite simply just a great read, involving the reader in solving the puzzle of the pictures alongside Romilly and it keeps the reader guessing right to the end.
The Illustrated Child’s greatest strength, however, lies in evocation of childhood experience. The novel is very clearly set in the late 1980s – many topical events are mentioned – and the sense of the kind of unsupervised childhood that English children of the 80’s were probably the last to experience, is very vividly drawn. But it also, and very powerfully, gives the reader a real insight into the mind of a young child who is struggling to make sense of the adults around her, adults who neglect and fail to protect her but still undoubtedly love her.
A corker!. This author is going to go on to do great things!
This is Polly Crosby’s debut novel and what a debut novel it is! The narrative voice is that of nine-year-old Romilly Kemp, the child of the title, and we follow as she tries to make sense of the sometimes magical, sometimes dangerous but always puzzling world around her.
It is the late 1980s and Romilly lives with her father in a huge, ramshackle moat-surrounded house in the middle of rural England. There is no sign of Romilly’s mother and seemingly no other relatives. Romilly doesn’t go to school as her father prefers to home-school her. This, however, amounts to virtually nothing and Romilly is free to roam the countryside endlessly. She is always alone, apart from her much-loved cat, Monty, until she encounters a village wild-child, Stacey, who is also, and just as unsuccessfully, being home-schooled. The pair become friends but Stacey is an unreliable friend, coming and going as she pleases and often disappearing off to her mysterious village life, just when Romilly could most do with her presence.
There is very little money to make vital repairs to the crumbling house or even to feed them, until Romilly’s dad writes a children’s book, starring Romilly and Monty and it becomes a best seller. Readers are convinced that the intriguing pictures in the book (and its sequels) hide secrets and clues to hidden treasure and Romilly finds herself famous and persecuted by fans and tourists. The books’ fame also brings her mother back into her life briefly, with catastrophic results. As time passes, Romilly’s father gradually succumbs to Alzheimer’s, taking the only person she has ever had to rely on away from her and Romilly becomes more and more convinced, despite the hordes of spade-toting tourists, that the secret treasure of the books is not a material one, but something for her alone to discover.
This is a beautifully written novel, albeit at times disturbing and fairly melancholy, filled with the most powerful imagery and descriptions. The characterisation is masterful; these are fully realised, three dimensional characters, viewed through a nine-year-old’s eyes, so they are at times wonderful warm and loving and, at others, unpredictable and frightening. It’s also quite simply just a great read, involving the reader in solving the puzzle of the pictures alongside Romilly and it keeps the reader guessing right to the end.
The Illustrated Child’s greatest strength, however, lies in evocation of childhood experience. The novel is very clearly set in the late 1980s – many topical events are mentioned – and the sense of the kind of unsupervised childhood that English children of the 80’s were probably the last to experience, is very vividly drawn. But it also, and very powerfully, gives the reader a real insight into the mind of a young child who is struggling to make sense of the adults around her, adults who neglect and fail to protect her but still undoubtedly love her.
A corker!. This author is going to go on to do great things!
November 1, 2020
The Illustrated Child is Polly Crosby’s debut novel and is a charming, deeply imaginative debut novel about a young girl and her eccentric father who hides within the pages of an illustrated book a treasure hunt that will lead her to uncover a priceless secret about her family’s past. It tells the story of Romilly Kemp and her artist father, who live in a ramshackle mansion in the English countryside. To help make ends meet, he creates a children’s book series with Romilly - a striking redhead with a mole on her cheek - and her cat Monty that becomes an instant success. The rumor is that hidden within its pages are clues to an elaborate treasure hunt, and their estate becomes crowded with tourists and adventure-seekers hoping to find the treasure.
As Romilly gets older, she finds her father disappearing within himself, and eventually learning he’s suffering from dementia. Wanting to connect with her failing father and know him better, she returns to his books and comes to realize through a series of clues he’s left just for her, that the treasure it leads to is worth more than gold or precious stones - it’s a shocking discovery of her family that explains her peculiar childhood and helps her better understand herself. This is captivating debut which tells the story of family, growing up, mortality, and self-discovery with a mystery that will keep you eagerly turning the pages. Full of heart and tender moments, but also saddening ones, this is an absorbing read from start to finish and an unforgettable story about discovering the hidden wonders that make us who we are. Many thanks to HQ for an ARC.
As Romilly gets older, she finds her father disappearing within himself, and eventually learning he’s suffering from dementia. Wanting to connect with her failing father and know him better, she returns to his books and comes to realize through a series of clues he’s left just for her, that the treasure it leads to is worth more than gold or precious stones - it’s a shocking discovery of her family that explains her peculiar childhood and helps her better understand herself. This is captivating debut which tells the story of family, growing up, mortality, and self-discovery with a mystery that will keep you eagerly turning the pages. Full of heart and tender moments, but also saddening ones, this is an absorbing read from start to finish and an unforgettable story about discovering the hidden wonders that make us who we are. Many thanks to HQ for an ARC.
April 23, 2020
This book was well written but it made me sad. I tend to steer clear of books that have that affect on me, so that’s just a personal bias. I thought it was magical realism and maybe I’d call it more of a mystery, but there was a bit of impending doom throughout.
Romilly grew up with her father in a super isolated life. They lived in a dilapidated house, in the woods.
Romilly’s father writes a children’s book with her as the main character. It becomes incredibly popular and life gets a bit dangerous for her.
The really cool thing about her dad’s book is that everyone thinks it leads to a hidden treasure. So people start showing up and questioning Romilly and her dad and life becomes harder. Romilly decides she wants to be homeschooled, and her dad agrees but doesn’t really teach her. She has to stay inside when strangers show up treasure hunting.
She only gets to spend time with one friend, a mysterious girl she met in the woods who also doesn’t go to school. Her friend brings out a scary side of Romilly.
Romilly’s dad tells her that the treasure in the story is really for her to find.
There were a couple twists in the story that were the main reason I kept reading. I had a couple inklings about the storyline and both turned out to be true.
But the story felt sad to me because of how alone and borderline neglected poor Romilly was. And I was constantly worried that something was going to happen to her cat.
I appreciated the twists but this was too emotional for me.
I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thanks!
Romilly grew up with her father in a super isolated life. They lived in a dilapidated house, in the woods.
Romilly’s father writes a children’s book with her as the main character. It becomes incredibly popular and life gets a bit dangerous for her.
The really cool thing about her dad’s book is that everyone thinks it leads to a hidden treasure. So people start showing up and questioning Romilly and her dad and life becomes harder. Romilly decides she wants to be homeschooled, and her dad agrees but doesn’t really teach her. She has to stay inside when strangers show up treasure hunting.
She only gets to spend time with one friend, a mysterious girl she met in the woods who also doesn’t go to school. Her friend brings out a scary side of Romilly.
Romilly’s dad tells her that the treasure in the story is really for her to find.
There were a couple twists in the story that were the main reason I kept reading. I had a couple inklings about the storyline and both turned out to be true.
But the story felt sad to me because of how alone and borderline neglected poor Romilly was. And I was constantly worried that something was going to happen to her cat.
I appreciated the twists but this was too emotional for me.
I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley. Thanks!
August 30, 2020
It’s been a while since a story that isn’t a thriller has captured my attention. I had a feeling this story would be special, just from the description, but I wasn’t prepared for how captivating, haunting and beautiful this story is.
This will be one that I buy for my bookshelf and pull out when some asks for a recommendation.
This is the debut novel for Polly Crosby, which means only one thing: you’ll be adding her to your list of auto-buys and will be actively seeking when her next novel comes out.
I’ve been trying to think about why this book is so special, why I couldn’t wait to keep reading it late at night when it was finally ‘my time’ to relax.
Yes, there’s a magical quality about this story – in the sense that there’s a childish wonder that breathes of familiarity. There’s also the father/daughter relationship that pulls at your heartstrings along with the questioning of the disturbance between the mother/daughter relationship.
Maybe it was the hidden story, the one threaded all throughout, the clues, the rifts, the questions that hovered, just out of reach that had me wanting to read this story each night.
Whatever the reason, I’m so glad that I read this story, that I’m now one of the ‘treasure hunters’ and that the gold I found at the end is priceless.
This will be one that I buy for my bookshelf and pull out when some asks for a recommendation.
This is the debut novel for Polly Crosby, which means only one thing: you’ll be adding her to your list of auto-buys and will be actively seeking when her next novel comes out.
I’ve been trying to think about why this book is so special, why I couldn’t wait to keep reading it late at night when it was finally ‘my time’ to relax.
Yes, there’s a magical quality about this story – in the sense that there’s a childish wonder that breathes of familiarity. There’s also the father/daughter relationship that pulls at your heartstrings along with the questioning of the disturbance between the mother/daughter relationship.
Maybe it was the hidden story, the one threaded all throughout, the clues, the rifts, the questions that hovered, just out of reach that had me wanting to read this story each night.
Whatever the reason, I’m so glad that I read this story, that I’m now one of the ‘treasure hunters’ and that the gold I found at the end is priceless.
April 29, 2020
The book that is set out to be released in July 2020 , is an unusual story for an artist father who likes painting and for a young girl with a cat, when those two things join up, in an unexpected way.
Romilly's dad has an idea to turn his paintings pictures into a picture book starring Romilly and Monty her cat. He will be able to buy loo roll and new socks. Romilly couldn't imagine anyone that would be interested in reading a book about her. She would be famous and her father would become a famous children's book author and he will appear on TV. Romilly is given her own copy of her fathers book, with the title, Romilly and the Kitten, with their Brarer House with its crumbling chimney and with hidden words that will set readers off on a hunt for the objects.
Romilly's dad has an idea to turn his paintings pictures into a picture book starring Romilly and Monty her cat. He will be able to buy loo roll and new socks. Romilly couldn't imagine anyone that would be interested in reading a book about her. She would be famous and her father would become a famous children's book author and he will appear on TV. Romilly is given her own copy of her fathers book, with the title, Romilly and the Kitten, with their Brarer House with its crumbling chimney and with hidden words that will set readers off on a hunt for the objects.
June 15, 2022
The Illustrated Child is wonderful,dark and a little disturbing at times coming of age book.
It's definitely a book you can easily get lost in so make sure you have plenty of free time because it's hard to put down.
I'd definitely recommend this as it's a little different 📚
It's definitely a book you can easily get lost in so make sure you have plenty of free time because it's hard to put down.
I'd definitely recommend this as it's a little different 📚
March 19, 2021
I struggled with what to rate this book. It’s very complicated in that it’s told from the perspective of a child that grows to a teenager and so her reality is not always reliable. It was a lot darker than I was expecting it to be, but overall I enjoyed the story & concept.
January 16, 2021
The most... unique... story I've read in a long while. This is not a book that will have wide appeal in my reading circles. I'll admit to a little frustration as I began, and a dubious reading spirit that prevailed, unfairly it turns out, through most of the first quarter. However, having just finished in a blur of tension, wonder, disgust, deep concern, appreciation and intrigue, this debut author has earned my great esteem. She has crafted an intricate plot with memorable characters that is definitely worth your time.
Although the story seems implausible at times, relying heavily on magical realism and exaggeration, this reader ended up whisked along for an amazing ride. Shame on me for forgetting that a novel does not have to follow my own rigid conventions or meet the particular expectations that I've unwittingly moulded over past years of brilliant reading experiences. Thank you Polly Crosby for stretching my boundaries and opening my reading world to new possibilities! I await your next offering with great interest.
A fourth star for the amazing effort and talent required to distract me from my doubts and deliver a most enjoyable reading experience. One that I will remember for a long time.
Although the story seems implausible at times, relying heavily on magical realism and exaggeration, this reader ended up whisked along for an amazing ride. Shame on me for forgetting that a novel does not have to follow my own rigid conventions or meet the particular expectations that I've unwittingly moulded over past years of brilliant reading experiences. Thank you Polly Crosby for stretching my boundaries and opening my reading world to new possibilities! I await your next offering with great interest.
A fourth star for the amazing effort and talent required to distract me from my doubts and deliver a most enjoyable reading experience. One that I will remember for a long time.
May 1, 2020
Thank you #Harlequin and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review #TheBookOfHiddenWonders by Polly Crosby
Pub date 01Sept/2020
I was intrigued by the description of this story. I think it has touched of YA book and would put it in that category too.
Romilly is 9 years old at the beginning of the book, and lives with her dad who is an artist fleeing to the country to find himself. Her mum has been gone since she was 4 years old, and she really doesn't remember her.
Romilly's father writes and illustrates a book with her and her kitty Monty as subject. It becomes a best seller because there are hints of a treasure hunt in the beautiful illustrated pages.
Romilly knows there is more to this treasure hunt than meets the eye. She sees a woman in the shadows of the pages, she hears a tiny voice calling when she wakes up in the night. Her father becomes more eccentric and Romilly is basically raising herself.
Underlying the story is a theme of Romilly finding herself through the pages of the books her father illustrates, there is a mystery she knows she is to solve. As each year passes and a new book is published she is on a search for the treasure and the mystery of her life.
Though there are some awkwardness in the continuity of some of the writing, all said this is a book with a very interesting themes running throughout. I definitely recommend this beautiful book. It makes one wish the illustrated books described were something you could see and touch and devour.
Pub date 01Sept/2020
I was intrigued by the description of this story. I think it has touched of YA book and would put it in that category too.
Romilly is 9 years old at the beginning of the book, and lives with her dad who is an artist fleeing to the country to find himself. Her mum has been gone since she was 4 years old, and she really doesn't remember her.
Romilly's father writes and illustrates a book with her and her kitty Monty as subject. It becomes a best seller because there are hints of a treasure hunt in the beautiful illustrated pages.
Romilly knows there is more to this treasure hunt than meets the eye. She sees a woman in the shadows of the pages, she hears a tiny voice calling when she wakes up in the night. Her father becomes more eccentric and Romilly is basically raising herself.
Underlying the story is a theme of Romilly finding herself through the pages of the books her father illustrates, there is a mystery she knows she is to solve. As each year passes and a new book is published she is on a search for the treasure and the mystery of her life.
Though there are some awkwardness in the continuity of some of the writing, all said this is a book with a very interesting themes running throughout. I definitely recommend this beautiful book. It makes one wish the illustrated books described were something you could see and touch and devour.
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