I think Liz Hyder is a phenomenal writer of adult fiction and I adored The Gifts<\/strong> (reviewed here<\/a>) and The Illusions<\/strong> (reviewed here<\/a>), so when lovely Vicki Berwick at Pushkin Press asked me if I\u2019d like a copy of Liz\u2019s latest children\u2019s book The Twelve<\/strong>, illustrated by Tom de Freston, I simply couldn\u2019t resist. My huge thanks to Vicki for sending me a copy in return for an honest review.<\/p>\n Published in hardback by Pushkin Children\u2019s Books on 10th October 2024 and coming in paperback on 9th October 2025, The Twelve<\/strong> is available for purchase in all the usual places including here<\/a>.<\/p>\n It\u2019s supposed to be a treat for Kit, a winter holiday by the coast with her sister Libby and their mum. But when Libby vanishes into thin air, and no one else remembers her, Kit is faced with a new reality \u2013 one in which her sister never existed.<\/p>\n Then she meets Story, a local boy who remembers Libby perfectly. Together they embark on a journey beyond their wildest imagination into a world steeped in ancient folklore. Can Kit and Story uncover the secret of the Twelve and rescue Libby before Time runs out?<\/p>\n Kit\u2019s younger sister Libby is heading to the tower for midnight.<\/span><\/p>\n Used to Liz Hyder\u2019s excellent writing for adults, I had high hopes for The Twelve<\/strong>. I cannot express enough how far those hopes were exceeded. The Twelve<\/strong> is totally brilliant. I\u2019ve seen comparisons between Liz Hyders\u2019s children\u2019s books and those by the likes of David Almond and Alan Garner. I think that is to do this author a disservice. She is a magnificent writer with a compelling, beautiful and mesmerising style of her own, without the need for comparison.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The plot is bewitching. It\u2019s fast paced and exciting with twists and revelations that hold the reader captivated. I resented having to set the book aside to carry on with real life. There\u2019s an element of fantasy woven into a story that involves danger and quest, family and friendship, and that is so vividly written that descriptions are almost painfully beautiful. I was transported right to the heart of settings because Liz Hyder knows exactly how to hone her prose until it is distilled into the most intense and affecting language. Tom De Freston\u2019s stark, perfectly executed, illustrations add a contrast that makes both images and narrative so impactful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n The characters are rounded and just perfect for the target audience. I thought the way Kit receives insidious texts from Jemima was inspired. Jemima lurks in the background of Kit\u2019s life even when she\u2019s on holiday many miles away, in the same way that real life bullies are permanently in the minds of their victims. Despite her anxiety over Jemima, Kit, however, is a true role model. She doubts herself but is courageous and loyal. Her determination to find Libby is exemplary. Story too is fantastic. I loved the way that, despite being an educational no hoper, his full potential is realised. As most of the action involves just Kit and Story, there\u2019s an intimacy that hits hard at the heart of the reader.<\/span><\/p>\n Themes in The Twelve<\/strong> are pitch perfect. Along with the bullying in the background, aspects like the environment, nature, bravery, trust, deception, self sacrifice, family, friendship and love ripple through the book; all of them intersecting exactly like real life. There\u2019s much to learn here even whilst being entertained completely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n I could not have enjoyed The Twelve<\/strong> more. You\u2019ll find it hard to find a better book for youngsters aged around 10-14. I thought The Twel<\/strong>ve was utterly stunning. Liz Hyder is, quite simply, a superb author and The Twelve<\/strong> deserves to be ranked amongst the all time greats of children\u2019s fiction. It\u2019s an unmissable, mesmerising tale told by a skilled and compassionate writer. Fantastic!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Liz is a writer, creative workshop leader and freelance arts PR consultant. In early 2018, she won The Bridge Award\/Moniack Mhor\u2019s Emerging Writer Award.\u00a0Bearmouth<\/strong>, her debut novel for young adults, was published by Pushkin Press and won the Branford Boase Award and the Waterstones Children\u2019s Book Award for Older Readers. It is also published in America, France, Norway, Italy and the Czech Republic as well as the UK and Commonwealth.\u00a0The Gifts<\/strong>\u00a0was her debut adult novel.<\/p>\n Originally from North-East London, she has lived in South Shropshire for over a decade.<\/p>\n For further information about Liz, visit her\u00a0website<\/a>\u00a0or follow her on Twitter\u00a0@LondonBessie<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/lindasbookbag.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/the-twelve.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\nThe Twelve<\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nMy Review of The Twelve<\/h3>\n
About Liz Hyder<\/h3>\n
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