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The Lightning Catcher
Alfie has noticed a few things since his family moved to Folding Ford. There's nothing to do in the countryside. He and his sister are the only kids in the whole village who aren't white. But the most interesting one is that the weather is BONKERS. One frost-covered branch on one tree in the middle of June? A tiny whirlwind in a bucket in the garden? Only in Folding Ford.
Armed with his bike, a notepad and his new best mate Sam, Alfie is going to investigate. His best clue is strange scientist Nathaniel Clemm … the only thing in town weirder than the weather. When Alfie 'investigates' Mr Clemm's garden, only SLIGHTLY illegally, he finds a strange box that freezes his trainers and makes his teeth tingle. And when he opens it, only SLIGHTLY deliberately, SOMETHING gets out. Something fast, fizzing and sparking with electricity and very, very much alive. But the creature from the box brings trouble of its own, and as barometers and tempers go haywire in Folding Ford, Alfie finds himself at the centre of a perfect storm.
Skellig meets Stranger Things in this funny, heartfelt adventure story perfect for fans of Ross Welford, Christopher Edge and Frank Cottrell Boyce.
Armed with his bike, a notepad and his new best mate Sam, Alfie is going to investigate. His best clue is strange scientist Nathaniel Clemm … the only thing in town weirder than the weather. When Alfie 'investigates' Mr Clemm's garden, only SLIGHTLY illegally, he finds a strange box that freezes his trainers and makes his teeth tingle. And when he opens it, only SLIGHTLY deliberately, SOMETHING gets out. Something fast, fizzing and sparking with electricity and very, very much alive. But the creature from the box brings trouble of its own, and as barometers and tempers go haywire in Folding Ford, Alfie finds himself at the centre of a perfect storm.
Skellig meets Stranger Things in this funny, heartfelt adventure story perfect for fans of Ross Welford, Christopher Edge and Frank Cottrell Boyce.
272 pages, Paperback
Published May 13, 2021
9 people are currently reading
105 people want to read
About the author
Clare Weze
13 books6 followersClare Weze (pronounced Way-Zay) writes novels, short stories and microfiction. Her children’s books have received numerous award nominations and shortlistings, including the CILIP Carnegie Medal, the Branford Boase Award, the Diverse Book Awards and several School Library Service awards.
Her short fiction has been widely anthologised and won her a Northern Writers’ Award in 2016. Her work can also be found in Best Microfiction 2019, The Conglomerate, Commonword, Riptide, The Lascaux Review and elsewhere.
Clare grew up between London and Yorkshire, and her background is in environmental and biological sciences. She is represented by DHH Literary Agency.
Her short fiction has been widely anthologised and won her a Northern Writers’ Award in 2016. Her work can also be found in Best Microfiction 2019, The Conglomerate, Commonword, Riptide, The Lascaux Review and elsewhere.
Clare grew up between London and Yorkshire, and her background is in environmental and biological sciences. She is represented by DHH Literary Agency.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
dnf
June 18, 2021This is a Middle Grade Book. I have to say this book a found so confusing and very hard to follow. I think the writing style in this book was not for me. The characters where not developed. I feel this book is driven by the storyline. I just really wanted to understand this book, but I just could not keep going. I ended DNFing this book at the 40% mark. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
March 22, 2021
This is a fantastically fun MG adventure with a voice that hooked me immediately. I loved being swept away by Alfie's adventures (and his fantastic narration)!
May 16, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this prior to publication in exchange for my honest thoughts.
A middle-grade adventure that covers a lot of ground, takes us on a frenetic journey of mayhem but ultimately keeps us in the dark about what’s happened.
Alfie and his family have moved to a new home after his sister has struggled with the effects of bullying. Alfie finds a friend and seems to have settled in, but when he starts to notice mysterious events taking place around the village it sets up a quite incredible series of events.
Alfie notices bizarre weather situations. He is convinced that the mysterious man in the village known as the Moth Man knows more, and goes to his home to investigate. While there he finds a mysterious box that freezes his trainers. When he opens it, Alfie unleashes something he’s never see before. It’s something fast...and it doesn’t want to be found.
What follows is bizarre event after bizarre event. Alfie finds himself wrongly accused of arson and his attempts to try and return the thing he’s nicknamed Whizzy cause chaos.
All’s right in the end, but we never get a full explanation of what Alfie found or what happened. As a adult reading this I found myself frustrated by some aspects...but I can see the pacing and exhilaration Alfie shows at everything getting younger readers quite engaged.
A middle-grade adventure that covers a lot of ground, takes us on a frenetic journey of mayhem but ultimately keeps us in the dark about what’s happened.
Alfie and his family have moved to a new home after his sister has struggled with the effects of bullying. Alfie finds a friend and seems to have settled in, but when he starts to notice mysterious events taking place around the village it sets up a quite incredible series of events.
Alfie notices bizarre weather situations. He is convinced that the mysterious man in the village known as the Moth Man knows more, and goes to his home to investigate. While there he finds a mysterious box that freezes his trainers. When he opens it, Alfie unleashes something he’s never see before. It’s something fast...and it doesn’t want to be found.
What follows is bizarre event after bizarre event. Alfie finds himself wrongly accused of arson and his attempts to try and return the thing he’s nicknamed Whizzy cause chaos.
All’s right in the end, but we never get a full explanation of what Alfie found or what happened. As a adult reading this I found myself frustrated by some aspects...but I can see the pacing and exhilaration Alfie shows at everything getting younger readers quite engaged.
June 24, 2021
There are very creepy things happening in Alfie's new town, Folding Ford. There's a weird giant moth man and weather that appears out of nowhere and disappears just as fast. Probably even weirder is the fact that no one else seems to find it quite as weird as Alfie does!
The descriptions of the fizzy, electrical creature Alfie discovers sound amazing but I did feel bad for his friend Sam, who pretty much gets dragged into all Alfie's mad impulsive plans.
This is written as a journal which I'm not usually that keen on but it is actually incorporated into the story and it does work as an audiobook.
The descriptions of the fizzy, electrical creature Alfie discovers sound amazing but I did feel bad for his friend Sam, who pretty much gets dragged into all Alfie's mad impulsive plans.
This is written as a journal which I'm not usually that keen on but it is actually incorporated into the story and it does work as an audiobook.
April 2, 2021
I liked this book.
Alfie and his family move to a new town, unfortunately Alfie doesn't make a great first impression.
The book is written from Alfie point of view and how he feels about everything avolving around his sister.
Alfie and his family move to a new town, unfortunately Alfie doesn't make a great first impression.
The book is written from Alfie point of view and how he feels about everything avolving around his sister.
October 16, 2022
I liked this book because it was very imaginative and fun. It was well organised and made me read more and more.
April 3, 2021
The Lightning Catcher by Clare Weze
This book is about Alfie who discovers a tiny electrical creature (who can grow to the size of a cloud and control the weather) at Mr Clemm's house and accidently sets 'her' free. Mr Clemm had found her and was studying her to find out where she came from and how to help her get home. Whizzy causes lots of chaos but she doesn't realise it - she is just playing. She just wants to play with Alfie and be his friend.
I really liked Whizzy! from the description I think she looked a bit like Rotom (a pokemon!) so I could imagine her in my head moving as fast as lightning, shaping in to different shapes and sizes.
What I liked most about this book was how the descriptions made me imagine the characters. I particularly laughed ALOT at the description of capybara and the hornbill.
I also learnt some new science facts from this book which was really cool.
You should read this book as soon as it comes out if you like books about science, made up creatures and adventures!
Released 13 May 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This book is about Alfie who discovers a tiny electrical creature (who can grow to the size of a cloud and control the weather) at Mr Clemm's house and accidently sets 'her' free. Mr Clemm had found her and was studying her to find out where she came from and how to help her get home. Whizzy causes lots of chaos but she doesn't realise it - she is just playing. She just wants to play with Alfie and be his friend.
I really liked Whizzy! from the description I think she looked a bit like Rotom (a pokemon!) so I could imagine her in my head moving as fast as lightning, shaping in to different shapes and sizes.
What I liked most about this book was how the descriptions made me imagine the characters. I particularly laughed ALOT at the description of capybara and the hornbill.
I also learnt some new science facts from this book which was really cool.
You should read this book as soon as it comes out if you like books about science, made up creatures and adventures!
Released 13 May 2021
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 14, 2021
Alfie has noticed a few things since his family moved to Folding Ford. He really misses life in the city. He and his sister don't exactly fit in here. But the most interesting one is that the weather is BONKERS. One frost-covered branch on one tree in the middle of June? A tiny whirlwind in a bucket in the garden? Only in Folding Ford.
The book was written from Alfie point of view and was always talking about his sister, which i hoped that the author could reduce it. Overall the storyline plot was okay but was hoping for more as the blurb anticipated more action.
Thank you for this copy @definitelybookskids and pansing.
The book was written from Alfie point of view and was always talking about his sister, which i hoped that the author could reduce it. Overall the storyline plot was okay but was hoping for more as the blurb anticipated more action.
Thank you for this copy @definitelybookskids and pansing.
June 8, 2021
Alfie and his family have moved from the city to a village called Folding Ford. His sister Lily has been theThe Lightning Catcher Book Review Cover victim of terrible bullying and they are hoping a new start in a quieter place will help her overcome it.
This new village is anything but boring. There’s the weird weather stuff to start with. Ice forming over puddles on sunny days, or icicles in random trees. There’s rain that falls in one spot, with everything surrounding it remaining dry.
Then there’s the freakily tall man, Alfie and his friend Sam call the Cloaked Strider. With his big coat flapping in sudden wind gusts and moths surrounding him as he walks down the street, it’s not only Alfie who thinks he’s weird.
Alfie talks Sam into checking out the big man’s house, and against Sam’s fervent protests, Alfie sneaks into the garden. There’s been talk of mutant animals and strange machines on the property and Alfie is dying to find out if the rumours are true.
He stays far longer than he intended, following a strange noise to an even stranger box. He lifts the lid just a tiny bit, letting out something beyond even his wild imagination.
This being can light fires, and ride lighting. It can make people do stuff they never would have dreamed of doing. Alfie finds himself in grave danger, full of guilt, without his best mate and finally – facing the law.
How will he ever get everyone to believe what is causing the trouble? No one will listen. Sam won’t speak to him, Dad has to return from his job in Sweden to try and sort out the mess, and The Cloaked Strider has vanished.
Electrifying is definitely the right word for this middle-grade read. What do you do when something so freaky, unimaginable and amazing happens to you and no-one else believes you? Alfie is a likeable character trying to put wrongs right, all the while as more wrongs take their place.
Weather, Science and imagination are the key parts of this story. The cause of the trouble is portrayed in such a way you can practically feel a crackle in the air and see the bolts of light shooting around you as you read.
The inclusion of an older sister overcoming bullying and anorexia grounds the novel, as Alfie battles with the imaginative side. Part novel, part journal entries, the buzz never stops.
This new village is anything but boring. There’s the weird weather stuff to start with. Ice forming over puddles on sunny days, or icicles in random trees. There’s rain that falls in one spot, with everything surrounding it remaining dry.
Then there’s the freakily tall man, Alfie and his friend Sam call the Cloaked Strider. With his big coat flapping in sudden wind gusts and moths surrounding him as he walks down the street, it’s not only Alfie who thinks he’s weird.
Alfie talks Sam into checking out the big man’s house, and against Sam’s fervent protests, Alfie sneaks into the garden. There’s been talk of mutant animals and strange machines on the property and Alfie is dying to find out if the rumours are true.
He stays far longer than he intended, following a strange noise to an even stranger box. He lifts the lid just a tiny bit, letting out something beyond even his wild imagination.
This being can light fires, and ride lighting. It can make people do stuff they never would have dreamed of doing. Alfie finds himself in grave danger, full of guilt, without his best mate and finally – facing the law.
How will he ever get everyone to believe what is causing the trouble? No one will listen. Sam won’t speak to him, Dad has to return from his job in Sweden to try and sort out the mess, and The Cloaked Strider has vanished.
Electrifying is definitely the right word for this middle-grade read. What do you do when something so freaky, unimaginable and amazing happens to you and no-one else believes you? Alfie is a likeable character trying to put wrongs right, all the while as more wrongs take their place.
Weather, Science and imagination are the key parts of this story. The cause of the trouble is portrayed in such a way you can practically feel a crackle in the air and see the bolts of light shooting around you as you read.
The inclusion of an older sister overcoming bullying and anorexia grounds the novel, as Alfie battles with the imaginative side. Part novel, part journal entries, the buzz never stops.
August 1, 2021
This is a fabulous book for primary aged readers. It’s an adventure story steeped in mystery and every page is filled with an energy that grabs the interest and won’t let go.
Alfie has moved to a village with his mum and his sister, Lily. Lily is recovering from an eating disorder triggered by bullying at her previous school. Dad works in Sweden. Mum is keen that they settle into village life as quickly and with as little drama as possible. Hopefully Lily will make new friends and build herself a happy, healthy new life. But Alfie craves drama. And it’s not long before he discovers strange, villagey goings-on. There’s weird weather, an odd giant(ish) man who is rumoured to carry out scientific experiments and keep strange creatures. The giant’s strange behaviour unsettles and unnerves the majority of village residents, but they immediately set Alfie’s investigative antennae twitching. What young boy doesn’t want a mystery to solve? Alfie rises to the challenge and, after a little persuasion, he enlists his big-brained best friend, Sam, to help.
Of course adventures don’t always run smoothly, and being the new kid in town, when things don’t go according to plan, Alfie attracts the blame. After all, before he arrived life was peaceful and uneventful, so the trouble must be down to him, right? Alfie wants to do the right thing. He wants to help the strange escaped creature and he wants to keep the village safe, but somehow he finds himself in a world of trouble.
There’s a lot going on. There’s the bullying, the eating disorder, the being new, the being different (giant scientist/brown), the small village suspicions, the sibling rivalry/jealousy, the best friend’s loyalty (or perhaps lack of it), trust, truth, family… even climate change – all beautifully and intricately woven so seamlessly and naturally into this wonderful action adventure they feel accidental.
I’d like to see this book in every primary school’s library. Required reading, even. Brilliant book.
Alfie has moved to a village with his mum and his sister, Lily. Lily is recovering from an eating disorder triggered by bullying at her previous school. Dad works in Sweden. Mum is keen that they settle into village life as quickly and with as little drama as possible. Hopefully Lily will make new friends and build herself a happy, healthy new life. But Alfie craves drama. And it’s not long before he discovers strange, villagey goings-on. There’s weird weather, an odd giant(ish) man who is rumoured to carry out scientific experiments and keep strange creatures. The giant’s strange behaviour unsettles and unnerves the majority of village residents, but they immediately set Alfie’s investigative antennae twitching. What young boy doesn’t want a mystery to solve? Alfie rises to the challenge and, after a little persuasion, he enlists his big-brained best friend, Sam, to help.
Of course adventures don’t always run smoothly, and being the new kid in town, when things don’t go according to plan, Alfie attracts the blame. After all, before he arrived life was peaceful and uneventful, so the trouble must be down to him, right? Alfie wants to do the right thing. He wants to help the strange escaped creature and he wants to keep the village safe, but somehow he finds himself in a world of trouble.
There’s a lot going on. There’s the bullying, the eating disorder, the being new, the being different (giant scientist/brown), the small village suspicions, the sibling rivalry/jealousy, the best friend’s loyalty (or perhaps lack of it), trust, truth, family… even climate change – all beautifully and intricately woven so seamlessly and naturally into this wonderful action adventure they feel accidental.
I’d like to see this book in every primary school’s library. Required reading, even. Brilliant book.
March 8, 2021
With a lot of hype surrounding this book on Social Media, and seeing the beautiful cover image, I was keen to give it a read. Unfortunately, I was left somewhat disappointed.
The book was by no means awful, and I didn't have to 'DNF' it, but it just seemed lacking.
The premise of the plot feels like a brilliant concept, but it wasn't executed well. There seemed no real depth to the story, it jumps from problem to problem with no real substance or analysis of events. This may be due to the fact that the book is partially written in journal form and jumps from date to date, with a brief description of what has happened from the perspective of the MC. I feel had this been written fully as a story, a telling, and not included the journal portions it may have made more sense, and flowed better.
The characters are again intriguing on the surface, great ideas for them with subplots of racism, eating disorders, bullying, peer pressure - but I just didn't gel with them. So much more could have been explored around feelings and experiences to do with this and not been just layers that are touched upon but not fully explored or explained.
For me it felt like the book was a list of events, this, this, then this, with some wacky weather descriptions thrown in, which rather than portraying mystery or magic fell flat, and seemed confusing more often than not.
I feel that this type of story would have been better written for younger readers, younger than Middle Grade, who like a quick, odd story, without the need for that extra oomph that grips a slightly older reader. For Middle Grade readers I would have liked more substance, less confusion and jumping from event to event, as well as to flow more easily when reading.
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children's Books for the e-arc to review.
The book was by no means awful, and I didn't have to 'DNF' it, but it just seemed lacking.
The premise of the plot feels like a brilliant concept, but it wasn't executed well. There seemed no real depth to the story, it jumps from problem to problem with no real substance or analysis of events. This may be due to the fact that the book is partially written in journal form and jumps from date to date, with a brief description of what has happened from the perspective of the MC. I feel had this been written fully as a story, a telling, and not included the journal portions it may have made more sense, and flowed better.
The characters are again intriguing on the surface, great ideas for them with subplots of racism, eating disorders, bullying, peer pressure - but I just didn't gel with them. So much more could have been explored around feelings and experiences to do with this and not been just layers that are touched upon but not fully explored or explained.
For me it felt like the book was a list of events, this, this, then this, with some wacky weather descriptions thrown in, which rather than portraying mystery or magic fell flat, and seemed confusing more often than not.
I feel that this type of story would have been better written for younger readers, younger than Middle Grade, who like a quick, odd story, without the need for that extra oomph that grips a slightly older reader. For Middle Grade readers I would have liked more substance, less confusion and jumping from event to event, as well as to flow more easily when reading.
Thank you NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children's Books for the e-arc to review.
February 25, 2021
TW: bullying, mentions of eating disorder
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children's Books for allowing me to read an eARC of this book! All opinions discussed here are my own.
The only way I can think to describe this book is weird. I thought it sounded really good in terms of the synopsis but when actually reading it it just became a very bizarre book which was hard to follow. At times some of the language seemed made up - like slang words for this world, which never works for me.
But just the whole story started off as an intriguing sci-fi story and then became some bizarre story with clear racism themes (that were never addressed), a sister with an eating disorder, a best friend who's grandfather has a stroke, an absent father, and then our main character ending up in a youth prison... before he breaks out and rides on a cloud and ends up in his own bed. I just couldn't keep it straight in my mind - at times it felt like a parody...
This just wasn't a winner for me - despite the very catchy cover.
Out 13th May 2021 for you to read yourself!
Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Children's Books for allowing me to read an eARC of this book! All opinions discussed here are my own.
The only way I can think to describe this book is weird. I thought it sounded really good in terms of the synopsis but when actually reading it it just became a very bizarre book which was hard to follow. At times some of the language seemed made up - like slang words for this world, which never works for me.
But just the whole story started off as an intriguing sci-fi story and then became some bizarre story with clear racism themes (that were never addressed), a sister with an eating disorder, a best friend who's grandfather has a stroke, an absent father, and then our main character ending up in a youth prison... before he breaks out and rides on a cloud and ends up in his own bed. I just couldn't keep it straight in my mind - at times it felt like a parody...
This just wasn't a winner for me - despite the very catchy cover.
Out 13th May 2021 for you to read yourself!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 4, 2021
Thanks #netgalley for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook. After a rather slow start the book did improve. The main character was somewhat annoying in the mistakes he kept making. The science in the story was interesting and the strange creature very intriguing. The relationships in the story were what really made it good and relatable to 10 and over. The breakdown in friendship and the main characters view that it wasn’t his fault all the time was a realistic portrayal if how friendships break down.
The understanding that grows between Alfie and his sister and how they mend their relationship through shared understanding of being wrongly accused of something.
I was however left frustrated as I wanted to know whether the creature was real or fantasy and how it would be best cared for, which also left me wondering whether it was all just a fantastical tale that was made to explain the various bit of trouble Alfie got in to.
For middle grade children I think this will make a good read and some good comprehension questions could be developed through this.
The understanding that grows between Alfie and his sister and how they mend their relationship through shared understanding of being wrongly accused of something.
I was however left frustrated as I wanted to know whether the creature was real or fantasy and how it would be best cared for, which also left me wondering whether it was all just a fantastical tale that was made to explain the various bit of trouble Alfie got in to.
For middle grade children I think this will make a good read and some good comprehension questions could be developed through this.
April 17, 2021
Trying to fit in to new surrounding is never easy especially when you stand out for all the wrong reasons. It’s not Alfie’s fault that Mr Lombard has taken a dislike to him and when you have a strange electrical force drawn to you, things are going to get out of hand.
I honestly thought I would love this book, the blurb sounded right up my street, but I just couldn’t connect to it. At times, I was irritated with the main character and really wished that Lily was the main focus instead of Alfie. The ending felt rushed and lacklustre. It was overall a slightly disappointing read but with some positive elements which meant that I gave it a slightly higher rating that I thought I initially would.
Other readers may find that special joyous nugget to adore in this book, but sadly it never shone through for me.
I received a copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
I honestly thought I would love this book, the blurb sounded right up my street, but I just couldn’t connect to it. At times, I was irritated with the main character and really wished that Lily was the main focus instead of Alfie. The ending felt rushed and lacklustre. It was overall a slightly disappointing read but with some positive elements which meant that I gave it a slightly higher rating that I thought I initially would.
Other readers may find that special joyous nugget to adore in this book, but sadly it never shone through for me.
I received a copy from the publishers via NetGalley in exchange for a review.
July 31, 2021
I really liked the characters in this book - and the village setting (UK not USA as I first assumed) is good. Alfie, his mum and sister are struggling to find their place having left the city. The sister Lily is recovering from some teenage trauma that has the small family unit understandably on edge. There are some interesting village characters including Sam the good friend and Mr Clemm who appears to resemble Enderman from Minecraft. Then we come to Whizzy - what is she exactly?? Flashing lights, lightning, electrical current, electricity - and she seems to be communicating with Alfie. Not being scientifically minded I struggled a bit with this aspect of the story. Were we dealing with a believable phenomena? Or was Alfie just making it up to cause trouble?? I felt the story kind of dragged as we lurched from strange weather events and kid fights to juvenile detention and alien encounters... x files for kids? I guess so.
July 18, 2021
The cover art of #TheLighteningCatcher by #ClareWeze was instantly appealing. The blurb was interesting, and I was expecting a lot…. The journal style of this worked and did show the lack of understanding of the bigger picture from the main character Alfie. I think it was this lack of understanding of the peripheral issues of bullying, racism, an eating disorder that made me not love this story – there were missed opportunities to develop these themes further in my opinion. The journal style also made this more of a list of events rather than a coherent story. Although I loved the scientific weather elements which alluded to magic and mystery. Thank you to #NetGalley for gifting me this #ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 1, 2021
Thank you for NETGALLEY for a copy of this book for an honest review
This is a strange book which at times was hard to follow and I was shocked that being aimed at children and there was a swear word in the opening chapter
There is an intriguing SIFI story but it did not work for me with Bullying and eating disorders and racism is touched on also a family member having a stroke
The SIFI section is interesting with strange weather patterns and solid science
Not something that I was able to enjoy unfortunately
This is a strange book which at times was hard to follow and I was shocked that being aimed at children and there was a swear word in the opening chapter
There is an intriguing SIFI story but it did not work for me with Bullying and eating disorders and racism is touched on also a family member having a stroke
The SIFI section is interesting with strange weather patterns and solid science
Not something that I was able to enjoy unfortunately
July 24, 2023
2.5 stars. An interesting read with our character Alfie, who has moved to a new village and discovers Whizzy, an electrical creature. Overall, I liked the story. It dealt with some heavy themes including eating disorders, racism and a stroke. I would have liked to have seen some of themes these developed further. The ending happened very very quickly though and for some time I wondered if Alfie wasn’t well mentally and if Whizzy was in fact made up. However, that wasn’t the case. Overall, it was an OK read. Not quite what I expected.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 22, 2021
Started off very promisingly with a neat weather hook and interesting characters. It started to lose its way a little in the middle when the science behind the phenomenon outweighed plot momentum, however it picked up enough late on to recover ground. We need more diverse stories like this and intrigued to see she writes next.
November 11, 2021
This book is immediately engaging for the younger reader and has lots of social issues with which young people today can identify. This grounds the story into a level of believability, whilst the sci-fi element whisks you away. It’s like Dean Koontz for kids (minus the horror element)! Well written, with lovely imagery and a real page turner.
June 14, 2023
Lightning Catcher
A strange ta!e of a creature that controls the weather and electricity. Alfie discovers the creature and all sorts of dangerous events happen where he is blamed. A bit bizarre.
A strange ta!e of a creature that controls the weather and electricity. Alfie discovers the creature and all sorts of dangerous events happen where he is blamed. A bit bizarre.
May 22, 2021
Good, middle grade adventure, with themes of bullying, peer pressure and diversity.
May 23, 2021
Bizarre and confusing
September 10, 2021
A dazzling, wildly imaginative genre-bending thrill ride.
Read
September 23, 2021DNF at page 101
August 15, 2021
I listened to the audiobook version for free (courtesy of NetGalley) as the cover really caught my attention. There are many interesting aspects to this story, ranging from the mysterious weather and equally mysterious Whizzy which entertains whilst also having serious undertones involving racism, eating disorders, bullying, the justice system and various ways that people are viewed simply for being different. I have seen this novel compared to Skellig, which I believe to be an apt comparison. A thoroughly enjoyable read and definitely one I’d like to use within my teacher training.
August 10, 2022
This was such a brilliant little novel — absolutely buzzing with imagination and new ideas.
Alfie has just moved to a new and very white village, a fresh start for his sister who is recovering from an eating disorder, when strange things start to happen with the weather.
Alfie sets out to investigate and quickly discovers that the strange and very tall man is harbouring some kind of sparky mystical creature who he names Whizzy. But whenever Whizzy wreaks havoc, somehow Alfie gets the blame…
Deftly weaved storytelling that draws the reader into the alien mystery plot line, and Alfie’s real life — his sister recovering from trauma, the racism he experiences, his dad working abroad. I’m excited to see more from Clare Weze, whose next novel got announced recently! A must read!
Alfie has just moved to a new and very white village, a fresh start for his sister who is recovering from an eating disorder, when strange things start to happen with the weather.
Alfie sets out to investigate and quickly discovers that the strange and very tall man is harbouring some kind of sparky mystical creature who he names Whizzy. But whenever Whizzy wreaks havoc, somehow Alfie gets the blame…
Deftly weaved storytelling that draws the reader into the alien mystery plot line, and Alfie’s real life — his sister recovering from trauma, the racism he experiences, his dad working abroad. I’m excited to see more from Clare Weze, whose next novel got announced recently! A must read!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews