A middle-grade full of emotions, reflecting on the importance of challenging ourselves and finding our own strength, even when life becomes overwhelming. Our protagonist, Lani Li, is a teenager trying to overcome her fears in order to become someone she can be proud of. When her performance band gets the opportunity to perform in London, Lani feels scared, not only about the trip itself, but also because her brother Gavin can’t join her. The story of the Eight Invincible Brothers, an old Chinese tale she grew up with, gives Lani all the strength she needs. Lani’s journey of self-discovery was truly beautiful, I immediately connected with her and I loved her as a main character. I also enjoyed the family dynamics, especially the deep bond Lani and her brother share. A beautiful middle-grade that I believe many kids will fall in love with. Highly recommend!

A wonderful fantasy story filled with moral lessons that really resonate. It touches on themes like empathy, overcoming fears, and dealing with feelings like jealousy and loneliness. I love how it beautifully represents Chinese culture, offering an authentic voice and lots of adventure along the way.

The main characters, Lani and Gavin, draw from their Chinese heritage to tackle their fears. It warmed my heart to see the strong love and support in their family, which is so important, especially during tough times. As a parent of three lovely Chinese daughters with medical conditions, I found it particularly moving. It does a great job of highlighting the importance of supporting all siblings, who can sometimes feel a bit left out.

This book has so many layers to explore! I really enjoyed the mix of settings, like Utah and England, and the cheese roll event was such a fun touch. It’s an entertaining read, and you’ll definitely pick up some valuable insights along the way!

I received a complimentary copy of this book and read it with pleasure. I was under no obligation to leave a positive review.

Although I liked the relationship Lani had with her brother and the Chinese myths, I couldn't really get into this book. Something about the writing style just didn't click for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

The Invincible List of Lani is a captivating blend of lyrical prose and enchanting fairy tales, beautifully complemented by stunning illustrations. This unique book explores themes of courage, resilience, and self-discovery, making it a profound reading experience for audiences of all ages. Each story is carefully crafted to leave a lasting impression, inviting readers to reflect on the complexities of life and the importance of embracing one's true self. Whether you're a child or an adult, the insights and emotions woven throughout the narrative will resonate deeply, ensuring that its lessons linger long after the final page is turned.

2.5 stars.

Thank you to Netgalley and Shadow Mountain Publishing for the ARC!

I originally requested this book because I myself and am alto saxophone player, and I was delighted to find out that Lani has a silver saxophone just like me!

However, I felt like the plot was more of a concept of a story rather than a fleshed out novel. A lot of things happened, but also nothing happened. The author had something really good in theory with the parallel telling of the 8 Invincible Brothers alongside the plot, but it didn't really translate well. That could be because I was reading it on mobile. Maybe it's because I am a musician, but I felt the random spatterings of musical terms as adjectives were unnecessary and forced. I really liked the plot where Lani was invisible with her mom because of her younger brother, but it was really unrealistic for her mom to just acknowledge that and try and change herself. I felt like we needed more time and more stakes to really send that home.

Obviously, I am an adult, so I could be reading into this middle grade literature too heavily. I think if you give this book to younger middle grade kids (6-7th grade) they would probably really like it.