Lightning Falls

by Amy Wilson

Coraline meets His Dark Materials — a fantastical adventure about ghosts, friendship, and belonging from Amy Wilson, "the rising star of children's fantasy" (Telegraph).

Valerie has been living at Lightning Falls nearly all her life. She's perfectly happy helping Meg and the rest of the family to haunt the guests who come to stay there at the crumbling Ghost House. One night, she sees a strange boy, Joe, up on the viaduct. There she discovers that beneath the river is a bridge - one that will take her to the world of Orbis, which Joe claims is her real home.

A world that is under threat. Plunged into a dangerous adventure, as the link between the two worlds begins to crumble, Valerie is forced to confront the truth about herself...

“An intense build-up of mystery and jeopardy will keep readers gripped in this fantasy thriller that crosses two worlds. It’s not entirely clear who the goodies and baddies are until deep into the story, and some lines are deliciously blurred…Asking interesting questions about morality and identity, this is an engrossing book with wide appeal.”
—BookTrust

"Truly the most magical story...iridescent and lyrical and heartwarming."
—Hilary McKay

"A glitteringly magical adventure."
—Sophie Anderson

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Childrens, Adventure

338 pages, Paperback

About the author

Amy Wilson has a background in journalism and lives in Bristol with her young family. She is a graduate of the Bath Spa MA in Creative Writing and has many owls in her house, from drawer handles to cushions. She is still waiting for them to speak to her...

Reviews

[Natalie all_books_great_and_small · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a gifted advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review as part of the book tour hosted by Macmillan childrens .

Lightning falls is a magical adventure story about a young girl called Valery who was found abandoned in a grave yard when she was 2 years old, and taken under the wings of the occupants of a neighbouring ghost house. The occupants of this house are both living and ghosts, and they believe Valery to be a hallowed ghost because she ages and they don't.
Valery is nearing her 13th birthday and she becomes entangled in a magical adventure that will turn all she's ever know upside down.
I don't want to say too much as I don't want to spoil it in any way, but this book is absolutely amazing! I can see this book being very popular. It's my favourite childrens book so far this year! With magic, mystery, spookyness and other worlds, this book will such you in from page one!!

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first time I read this book (in ARC form, a few months ago), I loved it and sent this blurb to Amy's publicist: "Full of gorgeous magic and characters I loved. Amy Wilson is one of my very favourite authors, and Lightning Falls is beautiful."

Now I've just finished reading it for a second time, I loved it even more this time 'round, and I wanted to go into a little more detail!

Valerie is a girl growing up in a ghost house (after having been found nearby as a toddler), and no one knows exactly what she is. Is she a ghost or a human? She can turn invisible like a ghost, but she can eat physical food, and she's been aging, too, since she was found 11 years ago. There's so much that is a mystery about her and her past, but she knows that she's loved, and she knows that the noisy, fabulous ghosts and humans around her ARE her family, no matter where or how she was born - and I absolutely adored that emphasis on found family throughout this novel. Valerie may want to find out the secrets of her past, but not because she's determined to find her "real" family - the family that adopted her IS her real family, without a doubt. That's a message we need a lot more of in MG fiction!

And I really loved the complexity of her family relationships. Meg is her ghost sister - but unlike Valerie, Meg's age will never change, so their relationship has shifted across time, although their love has not. Valerie also has to decide for herself exactly what she owes to "family," which involves some really difficult choices by the end...

But the whole story is just so lovely, cozy and fun throughout. I loved the ghost house, its chaotic residents and its guests, and I loved the subtly different magic that's sprinkled throughout from the beginning. Watching Valerie figure out her own power was just wonderful - and although this is a standalone novel, I love imagining her future afterwards!

This whole book is such a treat.

[katayoun Masoodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

started beautifully and loved the first half, but the second seemed a bit undeveloped and or maybe too mg, which is what the book is and should be and i should not be complaining about it. so i think it's perfect for middle grade readers all of it. for me being old and grump the second part was not as delightful. but even with the second not so delighful part, it was still overall an enjoyable read and certainly a nice story

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Valerie is a Hallowed Ghost. Unlike the other ghosts that she lives with at the Ghost Hotel, she can eat and celebrates a birthday every year. Lord Rory, the owner of the Ghost Hotel who found her as a baby, is keen to protect her as she heads towards her 13th birthday.

However, strange things keep happening. There are starstorms in the air and Valerie spots a strange boy sitting on the viaduct. And why has Lord Rory fortified his room with iron?

With the help of her ghostly pals, Valerie sets out to find the real story of who she is and teh history behind Lord Rory and the Ghost Hotel. Is all really as it seems?

This is a lovely story of ghosts and magic. The characters are brought to life on the pages and the adventures continue as secrets are unravelled.

Thanks to the publishers and Net Galley for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Steph · Rating 4 out of 5]

Man, Amy Wilson knows how to write a lush story filled with magic, secrets and family! Lightning Falls is a gorgeous story of a girl who discovers there’s more to her story than she thought. I loved these characters so much! I’d love more from them! The Ghost House is so full of delight and joy, and I loved exploring the other side of the bridge too! And yes, I cried!

[Rach Mary Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fantasy magic and ghosts

[Poppy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the definition of amazing! I recommend it to my English Language teacher, she read it and thought it was brilliant. The plot of the story managed to somehow drag me into reading for hours on end. I loved every part of it, the only thing is that I think it could have used a wider vocabulary.

[Daisy Cave · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fantastically engaging narrative following 13 year old Valerie, a supposed “hallowed ghost”, and how her life turns around following an unexpected Orbis arrival.

I can imagine key stage two children falling in love with the story and the many in-depth characters. There are some great potential writing prompts throughout the story, too–especially given how descriptive many chapters are.

[Amy (Golden Books Girl) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lightning Falls is my new favourite Amy Wilson book; I’ve really enjoyed everything she’s ever written, but this one is just a masterclass in MG fantasy from beginning to end. It’s about a girl named Valerie, who has lived at the Ghost House all her life despite having fundamental differences to the other inhabitants, and what happens when a boy named Joe arrives and tells her everything she has ever known is a lie. She’s a missing child from a magical world, it’s in danger and it desperately needs her help it it’s to be saved. Valerie is a wonderful protagonist and I absolutely adored her sister Meg, and Joe was so interesting too. The villain is utterly nasty and despicable and I hated them, but on the whole, the Ghost House is packed with lovable inhabitants. And the sections from Ada’s point of view were so great as well, I loved how they linked in with Valerie’s both in terms of plot and theme. It’s also just one of the most perfectly plotted and structured books I’ve ever read. It takes the classic ‘a new man comes to town’ idea and crafts an incredible fantasy world and magic system around it, and I was in love from the first couple of pages, but it just kept getting better and better. Amy Wilson’s trademark beautiful writing is just the cherry on top of an already exceptional cake. If you’re a fan of Nicola Skinner’s Storm or Pàdraig Kenny’s Monsters of Rookhaven books, this an absolute must read.

[beckys_book_blog · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lightning Falls by Amy Wilson

This middle grade adventure has everything: magic, a creepy ghost house and an exciting mysterious adventure.

Valerie is a hallowed ghost who has lived at 'Lightning Falls' for as long as she can remember. She is quite happy with her ghost family, frightening the guests that stay at the hotel. That is until one day she meets Joe who tells her she is from another world and has 'magic.'

What is the world that exists over the rainbow bridge? Why is Valerie different from the other ghosts? What happened to her when she was two? How did she end up at Lightning Falls? What is the pendant she wears around her neck and what is behind the iron door?

This is a captivating story that really grabbed me from the first page. It is a creepy read and I wasn't sure what to expect but I couldn't stop turning the pages. There are so many interesting characters in this story and I loved Valerie who was determined from the outset to find out the truth. At the same time Valerie is committed to her 'ghost family' especially her sister Meg and I loved the strong messages of 'family'and 'belonging.'

Overall this was a very different amd imaginative middle grade chapter book that I'm sure readers 9+ will love! I will be looking out for more books by this author.

[Bee Jay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, I'll admit it. Sometimes I have to rethink one of my usual metrics. You may have noticed, in certain reviews, me mentioning how I'm not very fond of stories that start in the middle without explaining anything to the main character, so that neither we nor they know what's going on, and people are having conversations we don't understand and doing things we don't understand and nothing makes sense. Right? Well, I still don't like that kind of story. BUT - this, despite appearances, is not that kind of story.

It has some traces. There are a few scenes where Joe, or Flo, or someone else clearly knows things they aren't telling Valerie - Joe is especially bad at it - but for the most part, nobody's hiding anything particular. Valerie's mystery unfolds at just the right pace, and the ending leaves me very hopeful for more stories set in or around the Ghost Hotel. I like these characters - Meg may be my favourite! - and I'd love to read more about them all.

This is a great read, hopefully the start of a wonderful series but certainly the start of a great career. I can't wait to read the next one.

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, knock me down with a feather! This book is absolutely amazing. What started off as a ghost story turned into a mystery filled with magic, good and evil. What’s not to love?

Valerie is a special Hallowed Ghost who eats, drinks and grows up, unlike all the other (not scary at all) ghosts she lives with, who stay as they were at their time of death. The haunted house is run as a guest house, but strange star bursts which can blind the guests have started to occur. When a strange new boy called Joe appears, the mystery of the star bursts intensifies, and Valerie starts to discover all is not what it had appeared to be.

This is an amazing children’s book which I will be reading to a class in September. Suitable for ages between 8-13, for fans of Diana Wynne Jones, and The Graveyard Book.
Many thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanChildren'sBooks for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review. I loved it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Kristina Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lighting falls is a story about ghosts. Or more specifically, one hallowed ghost called Valerie. Valerie isn't like any other ghost as she can eat food. Working in the special ghost house hotel, many ghosts serve their human visitors and guests love to come and visit and experience the supernatural. However something is changing and starstorms keep happening and one day Valerie sees a boy.
This is an amazing book that people need to read. It really will reignite your imagination and make you think twice about who each character is. Not everything is as it seems .
Many thanks for letting me read and review this advanced proof copy.

[Rebecca R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Valerie has lived at Lightning Falls as long as she can remember, helping her ghost family to haunt the guests who come to stay there. But she's not like the rest of her family - while they are frozen in time at the age they died, she grows and changes. One day Valerie spots a mysterious boy on the Lightning Falls Viaduct and she discovers that he comes from another world...

This is a charming, heartfelt fantasy story and I particularly loved the concept of the ghost family, and the ghost house - an interesting mix of genres. I read this with my year 5 book club and the girls really enjoyed the story, and they LOVED doing the 'what kind of ghost are you' quiz in the resource pack. :)

[Katina Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always like a young kid on Christmas morning when I open up a new book by Amy Wilson.
Why?
Because every book she's written has taken me on a fantabulous adventure, with unique loveable characters, set in tangibly magical worlds.
And reading 'Lightning Falls' was no exception. I fell in love with the Ghost House & family, was enchanted by the mysteriously magical Lightning Falls and was happily swept away into its world.
In fact, I think this may have become one of my favourite books written by Amy.
With a stunning pretty cover and bags of magic, mystery and adventure - this is the perfect book to buy as a gift. But I'd recommend you get yourself a copy too - this may be a children's book but it is definitely also enjoyable for adults.
A wonderful middle grade book for lovers of books with adventure, magic, fantasy, mystery, friendship/family themes & strong unforgettable characters.

[Julie Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Recommended for readers of between 9 and 14 years of age. A gorgeous book with a strong female lead, beautifully descriptive language, and mystical and magical settings.

Valerie has been living at the Ghost Hotel for as long as she can remember, but as her 13th birthday approaches, she begins to wonder if there is another place out there to call home. Valerie’s search for belonging and self identity will strike a chord with many young readers.

[Emma book blogger Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is for children and teens( 9-14 years. It’s lovely story about ghosts and magic. The front cover is has beautiful vibrant colours which drawn me to the book straight away. It is beautifully written. The chapters are not very long snd the characters is strong young women who has been told she is a ghost but eventually recovers the truth when she meets boy called Joe enters the ghost house.

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

With thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan for a digital ARC.

I’d read another book by Amy Wilson which didn’t wow me on read, but stayed with me afterwards. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about Lightening Falls with this in mind. However, it gripped me from the start. The characters were all well rounded; the house, grounds, churchyard and other were all well drawn and sparkled in the descriptions; and the plot was well paced. The conclusion felt appropriate - again well paced - not rushed yet with described with energy.

I will definitely be recommending this to 9-11 year olds who like magic/fantasy and want something a bit different, and I’ll be happily looking out for more from Wilson.

[Grace Cox · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lightning Falls is a house full of ghosts and mysteries. Lightning Falls is beside a bridge which leads to a realm full of magic. This book explores one little girl's adventures through these lands.

It was a good read but not great. It was slow to get started but the ending made up for it. So overall an okay read but nothing spectacular.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about a girl called Valerie who has two families. A man stole her from a magical world called Orbis and pretends that she is a hallowed ghost. She, Joe and Meg (friends she’s met) go to Orbis and Valerie and Joe reunite with their families. Meg stays with the ghosts in the ghost house called Lightning Falls.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amy Wilson’s previous books have been enchanting and I very much enjoyed immersing myself in her latest magical world. Ghosts, an easily disliked bad guy, a protagonist who believes she is a ghost and a new friendship all play their part in this absorbing mg fantasy. Highly recommended!

[Vonprice · Rating 5 out of 5]

A “ not to scary” ghost story, perfect Halloween reading for an MG readership. You can read my full review here: http://vsviewfromthebookshelves.home....

[Wren · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out slow but finished very engaging. Solid middle-grade level but with the ghosts there is reference to manner of death that felt to me a little more intense than a middle-grade audience needs.

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the atmospheric imagery at the start, I could really picture the creepy hotel with the river and bridge. There was a very unique magic system and story. I think my only complaint is that the blurb on the back of the book gives too much away!

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read with my 9 year old daughter. It was a lovely story of soft magic, friendship and belonging. Not sure she would have got through it on her own as it was quite long in some parts, but she enjoyed it being read aloud to her.

[Vincent Ripley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book review to fall at www.mrripleysenchantedbooks.com

[Paula Hale · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fabulous story from the amazing Amy Wilson. This is a superb tale of family and friendship with its share of ghosts and magic. Brilliant, I devoured this in one sitting.

[Lauren Stewart · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun adventure in a mystical land!

[Claire · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. Great if you like ghosts and magic!

[Book Lover · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is an amazing book if you like fantasy and adventure