The Secret of Lillian Velvet

Kingdoms and Empires #5

by Jaclyn Moriarty

Lillian Velvet lives a very lonely life with her cold and remote Grandmother. That is, until her tenth birthday, when she is given a pickle jar of gold coins, along with a note with clear instructions: don't go out, don't open the door for anyone, and don't spend all your coins in one day.

What happens next seems impossible. The coins whisk Lillian away to a different time and place. There she meets a small boy in a circus about to be crushed to death; a lively family, each member in a distinctive form of mortal danger; a boy with a skateboard; and a girl who can Whisper. And a web of dangerous magic closing tight around it all.

Why is Lillian here? How is she supposed to help these new friends? And - most importantly - what happens if she fails?

An exciting tale in the magical Kingdoms and Empires world, where seemingly disparate elements are spun until all is revealed as one delicious, tantalising whole.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Adventure, Childrens, Family, Juvenile, Audiobook

448 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2023

About the author

Jaclyn Moriarty is an Australian writer of young adult literature.

She studied English at the University of Sydney, and law at Yale University and Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where she was awarded a PhD.

She is the younger sister of Liane Moriarty. She was previously married to Canadian writer Colin McAdam, and has a son, Charlie. She currently lives in Sydney.

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lillian Velvet, brought up by a cold, stern woman she called Grandmother; home schooled, never meeting other children, feeling lonely but not knowing any other life. When Lillian's tenth birthday arrived, Grandmother gave her a pickle jar filled with gold coins, with only the instruction of not spending them all at once. But something strange happened when she put some of those coins in her hands. Whisked away from her home in Bomaderry, south of Sydney, Australia, to the magical world of the Kingdoms and Empires, Lillian was stunned and bemused.

The Mettlestone family comprised of mother, father and twelve children. They were a magical family with varying gifts, but the day the parents had to leave, to pretend to die, was devastating for the family. But surely they'd be back soon? Wouldn't they?

What would Lillian Velvet have in common with the Mettlestone family? As she helped various people during her short visits to the Kingdoms and Empires world, she couldn't help wondering if every small child's life changed so dramatically once they turned ten...

The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet is a fun and entertaining middle grade novel which I thoroughly enjoyed. I didn't realise it was #5 in the Kingdoms & Empires series, and once I did, I located the first four and bought them. Christmas gifts coming up!! Aussie author Jaclyn Moriarty has a magical touch which I've just discovered, and I'm keen to read more. Although The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet is over 500 pages, I flew through the pages, captivated by Lillian's journey. And yes, this one can be read as a standalone. Highly recommended.

With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[John Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again Jaclyn Moriarty has brought me into her wonderful imaginary world, for the fifth time in this series of Kingdoms and Empires and 11th overall. This time the story was very complicated and developed shrouded in mystery as we revisited many of the Mettlestone family at various times in their lives from the four previous books, but also met more of the 12 children, their grandchildren and finally their long hidden parents, after 20 years of hiding from a nefarious bad genie.

Very entertaining and just plain fun. Four solid stars for me.

[Veronica ⭐️ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Find more children's book reviews at: https://littlesquirrelsbookshelf.blog...
The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet is an enchanting tale filled with magic, danger and unexpected twists. The plot is set out like a puzzle with different scenes appearing like random chapters and in a book and it isn't until the story nears its conclusion that it all comes together and makes perfect sense.

The Impossible Secret of Lillian Velvet is book 5 in the Kingdoms and Empires series and even though it is the first book I've read in the series there is plenty of backstory and rather than feeling lost it just made me want to rush out and buy the previous books.

Featured throughout the book are beautiful, half and full page monochrome illustrations by the talented Kelly Canby.

Young readers will find Lillian Velvet intriguing, she has been raised by a cold, unloving and strict grandmother. Having never attended school, she has never spoken to or played with other children. Lillian is smart, kind and most of all obedient.

Lillian is given a jar of gold coins for her tenth birthday. The coins transport her to another time in another world. Lillian doesn't know why she is being transported to these places, all she knows is someone always needs help and she could never say no.

At 544 pages it is the perfect book to sink your teeth into. The short chapters make it easy to pick up and read just a few chapters at a time. It won't be read in a single night but I can assure you, your child will want to read it over and over.

Jaclyn Moriarty is a truly gifted children's author who can weave a plot that is both complex yet simple to follow.

[Emma Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jaclyn Moriarty is excellent at creating books that feel like puzzles. You wonder how the disparate pieces will fit together until—snap—everything falls into place.

[Katey Flowers]

Read for #middlegrademarch 2024: https://youtu.be/7uMSJCRGvYc

DNF page 308

I tried to read Brontë Mettlestone when it first came out years ago, and I’ve had a very similar experience. I liked the first 100 pages, I enjoy the writing and the MC… but then the book just keeps plodding along and it doesn’t feel like there’s any direction or substance. Just a series of events, and after a while I get tired and give up.

Lillian even comments that her little adventures all feel like chapter 1 of a bigger story, and I agree. Sadly, commenting on it doesn’t make it more satisfying to actually read.

There’s absolutely an audience for these books - I know how popular they are and I can appreciate why! - it’s clear at this point however, that that audience is not me.

[Dayse Dantas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eu amo que a Jaclyn Moriarty é minha autora favorita. Eu amo que eu tenho alguém nesse mundo que escreve perfeitamente o que eu quero ler. Eu amo que ela escreve livros infantis e adolescentes e adultos. Que eu posso aproveitar tudo que ela pode oferecer. Que ela é a única autora que me hipnotiza tanto com suas palavras, que mesmo em plena era de short attention span, eu quase não me distraio de suas palavras. Eu amo que ela escreve personagens complexos e situações com nuance que me deixam agoniada e com lágrimas nos olhos e ao mesmo tempo piadinhas que me fazem rir que nem boba.

Enfim: essa série foi tudo pra mim. Já planejando reler tudo de cabo a rabo durante minhas férias.

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plot was interesting. Spoiler—Unknowingly a genie child, Lillian is tested on her 10th birthday for a week. She believes she’s time traveling and helps people, especially a family with lots of magical abilities. I also read Brontë and I wasn’t particularly impressed with either book, though I know some people really enjoy them.

My problem with the book, and low rating, is due to the harmful stereotyping of homeschoolers. Lillian’s Grandmother is verbally abusive, keeps her home, she isn’t allowed to socialize with anyone, she has to cook and clean excessively, there were so many harmful and offensive stereotypes! Homeschool is not a form of abuse. Don’t use it to illustrate how a person is abusive!! There are many abusive, absent parents and grandparents of public and private schoolers too. So yeah, don’t perpetuate harmful stereotypes of any people group.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did most of this on audio, but I grabbed a print copy for the last 100 pages or so. It was getting too suspenseful, and I wanted to finish it before going on vacation and not being able to listen to it.
I love the creative silliness of this series. That alone would make these enjoyable romps, but there are always underlying themes that add depth: healing from the past, overcoming adversity, finding family, or self-discovery.
Lillian's journey was more frustrating than other characters' stories in past books (except maybe Esther's)--how she was constantly being jerked around in time and her sad home life with Grandmother. If I didn't know this author's work and have faith in her abilities, I might have abandoned it. But patience paid off, and the explanation of what was happening to her and why was surprising and satisfying. I love Lillian's connection to the Mettlestones and Oscar, and the ending was just wonderful.
This felt like a series finale, but I hope it isn't. I would definitely be up for more.

[Anna Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is so great (each book can be read as a stand alone though) but I just wish they weren’t so long; so many of the children I work with would love these stories, but are too intimidated by the length (500 + pages). However, the chapters are nice and short with a super punchy storyline, so I encourage the grownups in children’s lives to read these aloud to them!

[Butterfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

THIS BOOK IS SO GOOD!!!!!!!!!!! This author is amazing!!! Jaclyn Moriarty always manages to tie everything up! My questions are always answered! There are so many twists and turns in the ENTIRE season!!! I LOVE THIS SERIES!!!!!!!!!!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Akilah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had the same problem with the beginning of this one that I had with The Astonishing Chronicles of Oscar From Elsewhere in that I found the beginning too choppy, but, just like last time, it made perfect sense within the narrative. Unlike in the other book, the reason became clear a lot sooner, which is a good thing.

There is so much I loved about this book, but mostly I loved, loved, loved how clearly Moriarty shows that growing up with a super critical parent--even one who never physically abuses you--causes so much fear in children. I mean, the ways I related to Lillian are a lot.

"Lillian," [character] said, speaking softly and sadly. "Who speaks to you in this way?" He paused and then continued: "And how does it make you feel when they speak to you this way?"

That is the whole crux of the book right there. Well, that and this:

"You're the most frightened person I've ever seen, yet you do not know it yourself."

When I read that, I was like, oh so this is going to be a killing me softly with his song book. And I was right because this also happened:

"If you jammed your fingers this was your own fault...You know perfectly well not to do that."

The number of times I heard something similar growing up is more than a lot. So I deeply appreciate what Moriarty is doing here: showing children that adults who treat them this way are not being kind and it makes perfect sense that they're scared of messing up. I mean, Lillian basically gets yelled at no matter what she does, so she tries to do everything right and even that isn't enough.

Okay, enough about me, let's talk about the rest of the book. Since this is part of the Kingdoms and Empires universe, Lillian encounters the Mettlestones throughout her adventures. So part of the fun is figuring out how/why her life is so intertwined with theirs. Lillian is a determined and fierce protector who does what she can to help people, even though she is so afraid.

Moriarty is out here dropping gems:

"And [character] had been raised by a violent father who presented himself to the world as a kindly pet shop owner. She knew about hidden evil."

These quotes are all kind of heavy, but I guess what I liked the most is the way Moriarty offers hope to kids who may be suffering the way Lillian does. She gains a lot of strength from the adults in her life who are/have been kind to her. She gets out of her isolation by indulging in her fantasies (she loves reading adventure books, naturally), which ultimately help her every time she gets to the Kingdoms and Empires. And, ultimately, she learns that:

"luckily, as life goes on, you can choose new families"

Moriarty also shows how Lillian's strength of character (as well as other characters in the books) is no accident. There's this beautifully perfect passage that just made my heart warm:

"Most people wish for gold, say, or a puppy, or for their grandma to stay healthy...But *sometimes* a person is miserable and despairing. The person lies flat on their back in a grassy field, gazes at the stars--and there is *no wish.* Instead, there's a sudden burst of determination, form deep within that person, a burst so powerful that it shoots up to the sky, sends a star spinning through space and time, sends the starlight cartwheeling, cracking into pieces--before looping and twirling back into the heart of the person on the grass. Do you know what that is?...It's a *wish upon yourself.*

* denotes emphasis in original quote

My only real complaint about this book is that I read it on my Kindle, but I wish I had a paper copy so I could flip back and forth between the different incidents in the book. This book is a masterclass in set up and payoff, and I say that because every single detail mentioned has a payoff, and I wanted to go back to certain parts to reread to see exactly how the set up was mentioned. But alas! The Kindle made that extremely difficult, so my suggestion would be to read this one on paper.

As previously noted, this is a Jaclyn Moriarty stan account and this book just further solidified that.

(Oh and my only other small complaint is that there has, as of yet, been no crossover with the characters or worlds from A Corner of White even though that also takes place in the Kingdoms and Empires [that I've noticed--if I'm wrong, someone please correct me] . However, I suppose when middle grade readers graduate to YA, they will be thrilled to encounter that world again. So, I shall just have to let that go and not complain about it anymore.)

4.5 stars, rounding up

[Mila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lillian Velvet lives a lonely life far from adventure. Homeschooled by her strict grandmother, she rarely leaves the house and has not a friend in the world. This changes on her 10th birthday when she’s gifted a pickle jar full of gold coins and finds herself magically transported to a different world. Each visit costs coins, the departure and destination are always unknown, but the thrill of adventure helping those she meets is undeniable. Little does she know, most everyone she finds herself sent to is connected by the Mettlestone family. Trouble seems to be closing in around them, and Lillians actions have far reaching consequences she could never imagine. Why exactly is she being sent to this family, and what will happen when she runs out of coins?

What a novel! Jaclyn Moriarty has done it again. Calling to mind the best of Bronte Mettlestone and Cloudburst Prince, Lillian Velvet is a masterpiece that will no doubt mean everything to those who relate. I was immediately taken by the narrator, intrigued by the reports, and awed by how richly connected it is to all previous instalments in the Kingdoms and Empires series. Not even 40% through I was chocked by tears waiting for our hero to realize what felt so painfully obvious about her situation. My head was spinning taking it all in, knowing each detail is so carefully thought out and will offer the most rewarding conclusion. If this were the final novel it’d be a perfect ending, and in many ways it feels one, but a line has me quite hopeful we’ll see more of the world yet. Sweeping in scale, deeply impactful and immensely satisfying, you can’t go wrong with this brilliant story. It might just be my favourite of the year.

If you like magical adventures, thoughtful mysteries, or have ever felt trapped this book is for you. It’s peculiar, witty, and so well thought out you’ll find yourself wanting to reread as soon as you’ve finished the last page.

A huge thank you to the publisher for a digital copy to review.

[Celeste Haehnel]

I don't know what to say about this book or the series overall really. They are full of clever ideas and kindness and whimsy and magic. I just hope that Moriarty comes back to these Kingdoms and Empires and the ever kind, ever growing Mettlestone family, so that I can too.

[Freesiab BookishReview · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. Excellent premise, memorable characters, and plot twists. I’ll read this series.

[Sherry Mackay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous and clever ending but most of the book is perhaps a little bit too clever for its own good. I almost gave up about halfway through as a lot of it didn’t seem to make any sense and was a bit repetitive, but I persevered and the ending was terrific. Very clever plotting by the author, but I almost did not get there.

[Madeleine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book and I strongly recommend this. It was also very amusing and now this is one of my favorite books

[J H · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a page turner for me. I felt sad every time I had to stop reading and put the book down—because I didn’t want to. I wanted to know what would happen next!

I liked that even though this was the 5th book, I could still understand the story fine. Personally, this is the first book I’ve read from the series. I realized that characters from previous books were mentioned, and I felt like knowing their backstory would've been pleasant and seeing how they all come together in the 5th book would make it fun for the reader (if they’ve read the previous books).

There’s lots of time/world traveling, and everything doesn’t start coming together until the last 100 pages of the book.

The book is told by a 10 year old, so she has a habit of talking in run-on sentences, but that is pretty normal for a child. Otherwise, the book is really fun and engaging. I love the extra details added - like the different drop cap designs for each chapter (which are relevant to the chapter, if you pay attention)!

I think that if you liked “The House in the Cerulean Sea” by TJ Klune, then you’ll definitely like this story. It’s just as magical and heartwarming!

[Ellie · Rating 1 out of 5]

No visible plot to speak of, and slowly drags itself forward. None of the characters are very personable, and you only meet three or so characters who actually appear more than in one short chapter. I didn't know that this was not the first book in the series, it might have made more sense if I'd started with the first one. It also puts homeschooling in a bad light, which I was not happy about either. DNF @ 55%

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

love love love love.

Loved it.

[Rosa · Rating 5 out of 5]

actually incredible and breathtaking

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a beautiful book!! Very fun for 26 year olds too

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

May have liked this one most.

[GS Dachslove · Rating 4 out of 5]

A book for 4th grade and up. 5th book in a series. On Lillian’s 10th birthday, her grandmother gifts her a pickle jar of coins. Although Lillian has been isolated for her entire life, she is suddenly magically and randomly thrust into another world that seems to run parallel to ours. Each time she is shoved into the world, she seems to help someone escape and then is shoved back to her own world. Each trip seems to cost some of her coins. She begins to meet different people from different worlds and slowly discovers that something evil is affecting her new friends and worlds. Can she figure out what is going on, save her new friends, and discover what is special about herself before her coins run out?

While this book is probably technically a stand alone novel, I think it would be much more enjoyable if you’ve read at least some of the other stories. Each book in the series contains a different adventure, and the world building is somewhat explained throughout. But there are lots of characters from the other novels that pop up and act as side characters to our protagonist. It would have been nice to know more about them and where they were coming from.

This book is detailed and sometimes confusing because in addition to the building of a parallel universe with different rules and norms, there is also time travel added to the mix. But I think of how complicated Harry Potter was and children adored those stories. I think the writing was very well paced, the characters were charming, and there was enough action and suspense to keep things interesting. The book really picks up in the second half when the confusing pieces start to come together. I think the confusion in the beginning half helps you to experience what Lillian is experiencing, but it could lose some less dedicated readers.

Overall, I really liked it! I would recommend getting the whole series and not just this one, book 5.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world invites in and doesn't let go as it twists and turns in all the right secretive and enticing ways.

Lillian has grown up with her grandmother, carefully sheltered from the world around them. With no friends and no contact to others, despite living in the middle of a town, her life takes a huge turn when she receives a jar of coins. These magical coins take her to different times and places, where she runs into people in dangerous situations. Little does she know that they are all connected, and that there is more at stake than she could have ever imagined.

Every part of this read is carefully laid out like an amazing puzzle. Each piece is intriguing and offers a tiny clue but doesn't really give the full picture until the end. The characters Lillian meets slowly build a complete picture, and while she doesn't realize the connections completely thanks to her own past, the reader gets enough little crumbs here and there to piece things together. But not completely, and that's what makes the ending sit so well when it all becomes clear.

The tale flows smoothly and is very well written with a more traditional flair. Each scene offers enough familiarity to make it easy to settle in, while fantasy adds the fun. There are tenser situations and a sense of urgency builds as Lillian's journeys continue. Lillian is easy to connect and her decisions are understandable. The characters she meets are as intriguing as the world around her and all of this comes to light through vivid details. While the story is very age appropriate, I would recommend it to slightly older audiences, ages ten to fourteen or those younger readers, who enjoy getting lost in rich worlds. I received a DRC and enjoyed the read quite a bit.

[Richard Derus · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3* of five

The Publisher Says: Lillian Velvet lives a very lonely life with her cold and remote Grandmother. That is, until her tenth birthday, when she is given a pickle jar of gold coins, along with a note with clear instructions: don't go out, don't open the door for anyone, and don't spend all your coins in one day.

What happens next seems impossible. The coins whisk Lillian away to a different time and place. There she meets a small boy in a circus about to be crushed to death; a lively family, each member in a distinctive form of mortal danger; a boy with a skateboard; and a girl who can Whisper. And a web of dangerous magic closing tight around it all.

Why is Lillian here? How is she supposed to help these new friends? And—most importantly—what happens if she fails?

An exciting tale in the magical Kingdoms and Empires world, where seemingly disparate elements are spun until all is revealed as one delicious, tantalising whole.

I RECEIVED A DRC FROM THE PUBLISHER VIA EDELWEISS+. THANK YOU.

My Review: What on Earth is this?! How HORRIBLE the treatment of this child was. How awful for people to *pretend*to*die* and leave a child to be "raised" by a stranger whose identity is also a lie.

I gave up because I was really pissed, but really felt silly for reacting this way to book five in a series aimed at middle school kids. I know kids all think they're changelings/adopted/not really related to these muggles in their house. Permaybehaps the series reader, inside the target audience, will purr like a lynx at this story.

Levine Querido offers Kindle editions for $8.99...but start your kid/grand/nibbling with #1.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. I've loved all the Kingdoms and Empires books - the entire series is excellent and fun and interwoven nicely, and even though all the characters are special and overpowered, it never seems to overwhelm or cut the heart or meat out of the story. Oscar from Elsewhere was probably my least favorite, and I deliberately waited a longer time before starting this one just to give myself more time away in case that was the problem. I guess I won't know unless or until I go back and reread it. I had a difficult time putting this one down. One of the things I really like about this book is the way Lillian loves both worlds she is in, and that (spoiler!) she chooses our world to stay in most of the time. These are primarily kids' books and when I was a kid I never would have understood a choice to stay "here" if there were a magical world option. But The Kingdoms and Empires world isn't perfect and our world certainly has enough in it to tempt Lillian even without magic. I think it's a good message to subtly send to readers. Every world you might find yourself in has wonders, every world has dangers, every world has the potential for adventure, and every world has its imperfections.

I have a feeling the time of the Kingdoms and Empires may be at an end, and if it is, I am very sorry and I have really enjoyed my time there. But I'll also be excited to see whatever Moriarty comes up with next. (If it is another K&E book, I don't think I'll complain, either!)

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 4 out of 5]

On her tenth birthday, Lillian is given a pickle jar full of gold coins by her Grandmother. Shortly afterwards, she feels a SHOVE and finds herself in a different world. There she meets an elderly man who introduces himself as Mr Turtelhaze and asks her if she wishes to stay for a while in the Forest. If so, it will cost her five gold coins. On handing four over and owing him one, he disappears.

So begin Lillian’s adventures in the Kingdoms and Empires. She doesn’t realise that she’s not only going through a portal to another world, but time-travelling as well. Most importantly of all, she doesn’t realise that every time she wishes, she uses up some of the gold coins and that there will be fatal consequences if there are none left by the time a week is over. She’s an unwitting pawn in a political powerplay between good and evil. But she thinks she’s just an awkward homeschooled kid with a particularly cranky and controlling Grandmother.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

You may need a bit of persistence to get to the tipping point in this 5th book in a remarkable series - but I promise it’s worth it! If you feel confused or frustrated while you are reading your way through to the tipping point, lean into that feeling because you are truly being immersed in the feelings and experiences of our incredible heroine Lillian Velvet, and this intense immersion will help you connect more powerfully with the things Lillian feels and learns by the end of the book.

Jaclyn has gifted us with another story that is astoundingly clever, impactful, deep, wise and full of heart ❤️ On one level you can enjoy the adventure into another world with such fascinating characters and original creatures but on another level this story is deeply therapeutic, embedding compassion for self and others, and giving us fresh metaphors and ways of thinking about really complex stuff. It was such an enriching read!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why are Jaclyn Moriarty's books so appealing? I think part of it is because they function like fairy tales, not just because there are, in fact, fairies in them, but because they expose children to the difficulties they might encounter in the world and describes how they might handle them. As Chesterton said, "Fairy tales do not give the child his first idea of bogey. What fairy tales give the child is his first clear idea of the possible defeat of bogey. The baby has known the dragon intimately ever since he had an imagination. What the fairy tale provides for him is a St. George to kill the dragon." But in Moriarty's book, there's no St. George to kill the dragon, and even the heroic child at the heart of the story isn't fully a single hero: a whole host of other good-hearted adults and children have to work together, imperfectly, to slay the dragon, which, oftentimes, is just a selfish or small-spirited person.

[Roxy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I actually had no idea that this book was coming out, but when I realized that there was a new book in this series, I was SO EXCITED. This series is one of my favorite series OF ALL TIME. Like not one of my favorite series of the year or something like that, no, OF ALL TIME. So you can imagine my excitement when I saw that a new book was out. And I wasn't as obsessed as I wish I was, but I still really enjoyed it. The plot twists were shaking up my head. And Jacklyn Moriarty really has a talent for making villians that are so real and unlikable that you feel like that villian is an actually real person. And the good guys are so likeable that you want to root for them the whole time! I would highly, highly, highly recommend this series! Also, I am a Christian, and I like to be a bit more mindful of what I read, and if you are a Christian, you might want to look up reviews for this book because there are somethings that go against Christian worldviews in this book.