A parent might reach for this book when their imaginative child is ready for a thrilling mystery with real-world stakes. It's perfect for kids who feel passionately about fairness and are starting to think about bigger environmental issues. The story follows Grian, who tumbles into a hidden, technologically advanced city while searching for his best friend, a giant gnat named Jeffrey. There, he discovers the sun is being stolen and teams up with a brave local girl, Shelli, to uncover a massive conspiracy. Blending fantasy and science fiction, the book explores themes of courage, unlikely friendships, and corporate greed. It's a fast-paced, engaging read for ages 9-12 that masterfully wraps a serious environmental message in a fantastic adventure.
A main character is grieving the presumed death of her mother, which is a recurring theme.
Sensitive Topics
The central conflict is a metaphor for climate change and resource depletion, which can be an anxious topic. The approach is metaphorical, portraying it as a solvable mystery. The resolution is hopeful, empowering kids to make a difference, but it is not fully resolved as this is the first book in a series. Shelli's mother is presumed dead, a key part of her backstory and motivation; this loss is handled with sensitivity.
Ideal Reader
This is for a 9 to 12-year-old who loves immersive world-building and high-stakes adventure, like a reader of "The City of Ember" or the "Amulet" series. They enjoy stories where clever kids outsmart misguided adults and solve complex problems. It's also an excellent choice for a child starting to show interest in environmentalism, as it presents the topic in an accessible, action-packed fantasy context.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware that the monster, the Umbra, is described in a scary way and features in several intense chase scenes. The concept of a dying world could be unsettling for more sensitive children. It might be helpful to have a conversation after reading about the book's parallels to real-world issues like renewable energy and corporate responsibility. The book can be read cold without prior context. A parent hears their child express anxiety about climate change news, or a feeling of powerlessness about big world problems. Alternatively, a parent is simply seeking a captivating fantasy series with strong male and female protagonists and a positive message about taking action.
Age Experience
A younger reader (9-10) will be captivated by the adventure: the mystery, the talking gnat, and the scary monster. They will root for the heroes to save the sun. An older reader (11-12) will be more attuned to the allegory of environmental disaster, corporate greed, and propaganda. They will appreciate the moral complexity of the Hivernatt leaders, who are doing wrong for what they believe are the right reasons.
What Makes It Special
Its unique blend of whimsical fantasy (a world on stilts, a boy whose best friend is a gnat) and sci-fi dystopia (a hidden high-tech city, energy harvesting) sets it apart. While many books tackle environmental themes, this one does so through a compelling mystery and a truly original world, making the message feel fresh and exciting rather than preachy.
Read plot summary
When Grian's unusually large pet gnat, Jeffrey, is stolen, the search leads him to Hivernatt, a technologically advanced city hidden in a deep chasm. Hivernatt is powered by stolen sunlight, and as a result, Grian's world above is slowly dying. He teams up with Shelli, a resourceful Hivernatt girl, to expose the city's leaders. They must evade the monstrous guardian of the city, the Umbra, and uncover the truth behind the energy crisis and Shelli's mother's disappearance. It's a fast-paced eco-fantasy adventure that sets up a larger series.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
The leaders of Hivernatt believe they are protecting their people by stealing the light. Do you think this makes their actions justifiable? Can someone do a bad thing for a good reason?
2
Grian and Shelli come from very different worlds and don't trust each other at first. What specific moment in the story do you think changed their relationship into a real partnership?
3
The book uses the sun's light as a resource that's running out. What things in our world are like the light in the story? What can we learn from how Grian and Shelli decided to take action?
4
In Hivernatt, people are told a different story about where their light comes from. Why was it so important for the leaders to control this information? How did finding the truth change things?
