The Invisible Wild was fabulous!

The main character is a high school teenager and this mixes preparations for her sisters wedding with mythical legends set in Hawaii. So well done! Highly recommended.

Not especially long, 256 pages. Publication date is May 6, 2025.

I see this book in every Hawaiian bookstore window. What a great book ... and a really beautiful cover.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Running Press for the opportunity to read The Invisible Wild in exchange for an honest review.

My first book by Nikki Van De Car. So glad for NetGalley to introduce me to this new to me author.

Thank you Netgalley and Running Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

“The Invisible Wild” by Nikki Van De Car is a heartfelt and beautifully written story that combines Hawaiian folklore and self-discovery as well as some environmental activism into an enchanting tale. Set against the breathtaking backdrop of Hawai’i, this novel offers a rare and authentic look into Hawaiian culture, traditions, and the pressing environmental issues facing the islands today.

The story follows Emma, a young girl who struggles with her identity—feeling not “Hawaiian enough” despite her deep connection to the land and its stories. When she starts seeing creatures from Hawaiian mythology, she embarks on a journey that forces her to confront not only her own doubts but also the larger issue of preserving both her culture and the natural world. Through her eyes, readers get a rich and immersive look at Hawaiian folktales, particularly the menehune, mythical beings who need the community’s help to survive.

One of the book’s greatest strengths is its vivid and immersive descriptions. Van De Car’s writing transports you straight to the islands, making you feel the heat of the lava, smell the ocean breeze, and experience the magic of the folklore. The environmental message is woven seamlessly into the story, highlighting the impact of overdevelopment, tourism, and climate change—not just in Hawai’i, but everywhere. It’s a powerful call to action, wrapped in a story that is both accessible and deeply moving.

Emma’s personal growth is another highlight of the book. Her journey from self-doubt to confidence is inspiring, and her relationships—especially with her best friend, who believes in her no matter what—are heartwarming. The romance in the story is subtle but sweet, developing naturally toward the end and is perfectly suitable for younger YA or MG readers. The community aspect is also beautifully depicted, as the people of Volcano come together to help the menehune, reinforcing the book’s theme of unity and responsibility.

More than just a fantasy adventure, “The Invisible Wild” is a story about finding your place in the world, embracing your heritage, and standing up for what matters. It also captures the wonder of childhood belief—the idea that magic exists if only we choose to see it. This book is a short yet impactful read that leaves a lasting impression.

I really, really loved reading this story! It’s written with Hawaiian folklore, adventure, humor, and so much love. But what I found to be the best bit: was how it tackled important issues - like protecting our environment and figuring out who we are… its so important to be our authentic selves.

Emma’s struggle with not feeling “Hawaiian enough” …. Her journey to accept herself, and I loved how the community in this book pulled together to help each other out because, well, that’s what we should do.

I loved the quiet but powerful message about the world around us. Nature has a quiet power that deserves our care and respect. This book made me realise how even the tiniest choices we make, the ones we don’t even think about, can change the future of our planet in ways we’d never expect.

And honestly, it brought back that sense of wonder we all have as kids, when everything seems magical. Somewhere along the way, we lose that, but this story reminded me it’s okay to believe again.
Absolutely unforgettable. ❤️✨

Big thanks to NetGalley and Running Press!

This was such an amazing read. Absolutely touching. Steeped with Hawaiian tradition and folklore the story this novel tells is a beautiful one. There was a lot of themes that I enjoyed. For example, environmental and the overdevelopment of land/resources. We take our nature for granted and destroy the beauty that our forests have to offer us. But we also take away the homes of creatures that live in these forests. Another theme was one of acceptance. Emma (MFC) was hard on herself because she didn’t feel Hawaiian enough or didn’t look Hawaiian enough, and this is such a relatable topic to many young people who struggle with their cultural identity and not fitting in. It was lovely to see her growth through that. I loved the community aspect and how they all worked together through crisis that they may not have understood but helped regardless because that’s what you do for those in need. Lastly, I felt that the story touched my inner child because when you’re a child you are so innocent that you believe in all the magic the world has to offer but adulthood kind of tears that down and you loose touch with the inner child inside. This story definitely brings that inner child out and that it’s okay to believe in the magic again even when others don’t believe.

I loved the Hawaiian folklore and it makes me want to learn more. I loved the message of keeping our Planet healthy and being kind to it. I loved being able to see what was going on in my mind and having the story play out in front of me. I loved how Nikki van Se Car’s characters were all relatable (even the menehune). I could see myself in everyone. This wasn’t just about saving Hawaii, this was about saving everywhere. This was about making the right choice even when it’s hard and you aren’t in the mood. Is about the little actions that can impact the Earth greatly and I loved it. It put into perspective what is going on and we need to change. 5🌸/5🌸

My first time reading a book by this author. It was an excellent read. I laughed, I cried, and I was overwhelmed by the beauty and mystery of Nikki Van De Car's Hawaii. The relationships in this story from the teen friendships, teens and siblings, to teens and their parents are written so well. Hearing about Hawaii this way makes me both want to go and want to protect it for it's people. What a moving read


Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for this egalley. I was under no obligation to leave a review. All opinions are my own.

From the publisher:
An epic adventure steeped in Hawaiian lore, this enchanting novel explores the connection between our world and that of the spirits of the wood, from bestselling author Nikki Van De Car.

According to legend, when the kanaka 'ōiwi sailed over two thousand miles across untraveled seas to the most remote island chain in the world, they encountered another people living there. They were two to three feet tall, squat and strong, good and kind, and bothered no one without cause—they were the Menehune. When the Hawaiians came, the menehune chieftains feared the changes they brought. So, on the night of a full moon, they called all men and their firstborn sons and ordered them to leave Hawai’i. Some refused and, instead, hid behind to remain with their families. In the early 1800s, Kauai chief Kaumaualiʻi took a census of his people—and 65 of his 2,000 subjects were all that remained of the original people of Hawai’i.

Flash forward to today: sixteen-year-old Emma is out running errands when she comes across a boy from Hilo living in the woods, saying things that do not make sense. It’s here, in these woods, that Emma has memories of finding a space between “the worlds” as a child. She soon realizes this boy has accessed the place she lost, as well as the people, the Menehune. She helps him hide until whatever spell has been cast over him is broken. Together, Emma and the Hilo boy have to figure out what the Menehune want before it’s too late to save the only home any of them have known.