Felix and the Future Agency: An explosive new children's adventure series: Volume 1

Felix Green doesn't fit in at school. He can predict the future, and this skill is constantly getting him into trouble. Everything changes when he is whisked off to join a top secret, magical government agency, where he finds he's not alone in having special powers. Here, for the first time, Felix has friends and feels like he belongs there. His abilities, once trained, can help keep the world safe from disaster. Then an evil dark spectre is unleashed on London, and Felix becomes involved in a frantic search to find out who is controlling it. He and his friends are in grave danger and he must use all of his magical abilities to end the spectre's reign of terror.

Felix and the Future Agency is a highly original, well-written magical adventure. With its themes of friendship, grief and acceptance, the author gives us a story that will appeal to all who read it. Felix is a great character, misunderstood at first, he is funny, brave and loyal to his new friends. He is dyslexic, which was a drawback at his previous school, but is seen as an advantage once he enters the agency. He is told that his ability to see things differently will help him rather than hold him back. He meets Luke, whom he instantly befriends, but has to work harder to earn the friendship of the quirky Eira, who becomes a strong and reliable ally.

Set in the underground tunnels beneath London, Felix's new magical world exists alongside the human world. We are introduced to Celestaurs, magical creatures conjured from stardust, who protect their owners for life and who can be loyal companions but also powerful weapons.

There is much humour in the book, which cleverly balances the darker and more frightening passages, and the action never flags throughout this clever and exciting novel. The illustrations, by Paddy Donnelly, perfectly complement the narrative, and special mention must go to the cover, which is impactful and eye catching.

The novel ends on a major cliffhanger, which (I hope) means that there will be a sequel! I feel that book 2 will be even better, as the reader will already have an insight into the academy and the various lessons taught there. All in all, this is a great introduction into the world of Felix Green, and I look forward to finding out what happens to him next. Highly recommended.

304 pages / Reviewed by Beverley Somerset, school librarian

Suggested Reading Age 9+

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 him 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!

304 pages / Ages 8+ / Reviewed by Sue Wilsher, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+