It's kind of like if Coraline went to the beach...


It's only been five minutes and I already want to go back to Shadow Key!

Endless thank yous to J.J. Fleming, Victory Editing & NetGalley for allowing me the privilege of reading this book 💕

During an impromptu holiday* (*actually on the run from the Doorknockers), El finds herself on a creepy, crab infested, seaweed soaked* (THE SMELL!) beach with not an awful lot to do. After a quick conversation with Mrs Grapefruit Head, whom El assumes to be the village crazy lady*, (she wasn't far off) things take quite the turn.

El is welcomed with open arms into a patchwork quilt of a friend group full of marvellous and mysterious characters who may be vastly different in personality, but all have the same fear. The Oldies.

Will El be able to help her new friends to defeat The Oldies and live in safety, while also not tipping her parents off to what she's up to? Will the seaweed ever stop stinking? Will El see the baby better if she squints?

There's only one way to find out!

For your viewing pleasure, some of my favourite quotes from the book, COMPLETELY out of context 😊


"abandon hope all ye who enter here"

"Hon, no one ever called me normal my whole life."

"It's like a party on your neck!"

"KkkkkCCCCCChhhhhhcccccc!"

"lighthouses are a beacon of boredom for all"

And, my personal favourite:

"some angry child with dog-teeth."

Thank you again for this incredibly well written book. I'm not ashamed to say I shed a tear when it was time to leave Shadow Key, but I will be back many many times, just to check in with Mrs Grapefruit Head, The Captain, The Countess, The Siren Sisters and the rest of the gang. 💕

This was such a cool idea and I enjoyed the overall journey in this book, it uses the near-future element and how good the supernatural element was in this. I was hooked from the first page and enjoyed getting into this world and characters. I loved the world-building of this book and figuring out what was going on in this. The characters were so well written and cared about what was happening and glad I got to read this. JJ Fleming wrote this well and left me wanting to read more from them.

Wonders of Shadow Key is a fast-paced middle grade adventure that blends mystery, friendship, and just enough magic to keep young readers turning the pages. Fans of Small Spaces by Katherine Arden who prefer a less intense scare will find this a perfect pick.

At its heart, this is a story about climate change and loneliness. The author draws clear inspiration from the COVID era. Particularly, the way fear and safety measures created distance between people. That emotional undercurrent gives the story surprising depth. Beneath the adventure and supernatural elements lies a quiet reflection on isolation, misunderstanding, and the longing for connection. It’s also a story about friendship, an unconventional one, perhaps, but a powerful reminder that bonds can form in unexpected places.

Eleanor stands out as a brave and fiercely loyal protagonist. Her determination to help the ghosts and protect them from the Oldies shows both courage and compassion. She isn’t fearless, but she acts despite her fear, which makes her easy to root for.

There’s also a strong Cthulhu-mythos vibe running through the book almost like Lovecraft for children. The monster feels as though it could have slipped straight out of one of Lovecraft’s stories, yet it’s shaped in a way that suits a middle grade audience: unsettling, mysterious, but not overwhelming.

Overall, Wonders of Shadow Key is an engaging, imaginative read that will appeal to fans of adventure-driven middle grade stories with a touch of magic and suspense.