Reviews
There are so many incredible books available at the moment that it is impossible to read them all, no matter how hard I try! Here are my thoughts about some of the books I have read and how I think they could be used in school as well as Q and A sessions with authors and illustrators.
Felix and the Future Agency
Felix has a special ability- but one which often gets him into trouble and makes others think he’s weird. Being able to foresee the future, he tries to warn others to keep them safe, often resulting in his getting the blame for what happens. However, when offered a place at Sparkleton High School, an ‘institution whose sole purpose is to educate challenging pupils’, Felix is amazed to find that this is actually a cover story for the Future Agency, a secret organisation full of people like him. Soon, he is learning how to control and develop his abilities and making friends until a dark spectre appears threatening everything Felix has just discovered…
Fast paced and full of energy, ‘Felix and the Future Agency’ is a cracking read, full of humour and heart.
Felix is a brilliant character, who tries hard to do the ‘right’ thing, but is often consumed by feelings of frustration and anger as people misunderstand or judge him. Isolated by his power, it is a real pleasure to see him make friends as he ‘finds his people’ and develops his skills. Readers are sure to empathise with his emotions as he struggles to deal with ‘normal’ school and share his excitement as he explores his new life. In his new friendships, he shows himself to be loyal and courageous, quick to defend and support others.
One thing which I really love about this story is how it draws on elements from this world! In the afterword, the author explains that Felix’s world was inspired by a real-life organisation called the Premonitions Bureau, created in the late 1960s and offers a little background on this. From this spark, she has created an absorbing world, full of detail, weaving elements from history into its fabric like Mother Redcap, William Terriss and Shakespeare! For the historically curious, it is a real joy be able to investigate further and discover more about these figures. Felix’s world is skilfully developed with many little details which add so much colour and interest to what is a brilliant adventure.
Plenty of tension and red herrings keep readers guessing about the identity of the villain of the piece right to the end and the story is left wide open for a sequel (or series?) continuing Felix’s adventures which I, for one, can’t wait to get my hands on!
Felix and the Future Agency
Rachel Morrisroe
Simon and Schuster ISBN: 978-1398539280
You can read my review of ‘How to Grow a Dragon’ here.
