Review: The Book of Hidden Wonders by Polly Crosby

This is Polly Crosby’s debut novel, and I generally dislike giving a negative review, but this wasn’t the hopeful, whimsical novel the gorgeous cover seems to indicate. The author shows promise though, so I wouldn’t rule out reading other books by her in the future. That said, I believe that reviews are for the reader, not to pump up the author. Maybe the things that I dislike are fine with you and you love those elements, so books that aren’t winners for me might be for you.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

The Book of Hidden Wonders is a September 2020 release from Park Row Books.

About the Book:

Romilly Kemp grows up with her eccentric father and her adorable cat Monty within the walls of a dilapidated mansion in the scenic English countryside. As Romilly has trouble fitting in with her classmates, she turns to her reliable furry friend, and as her father struggles to make ends meet, he turns to his art and writes children’s books based on Romilly and Monty. Soon, the tiny Kemp family’s world changes with the unexpected success of The Kemp Treasure Girl books and Romilly is thrust into the spotlight as their home is overrun by tourists looking for a treasure whose clues lie within the illustrations of her father’s stories.

As they both grow older, Romilly and her father begin to grow apart, and Romilly turns to his books to find the connection they have lost. And much to her surprise, the rumors were true – between the pages of The Kemp Treasure Girl stories are the clues that start Romilly on an unforgettable journey that leads her to the heart of a mysterious family secret worth far more than the gold and jewels the tourists on her estate have been searching for.

My Thoughts:

I gave this book 2/5 stars (just okay)

Warning: this book contains some graphic descriptions of animal abuse. I know this is a deal breaker for many people so just know it is there and really awful.

It is overall so dark and depressing, I thought it would be hopeful and whimsical from reading the synopsis but overall it is just not. There weren’t any real surprises, everything that the author might have considered a twist I figured out long before it was revealed.

I felt overly sorry for Romilly throughout the entire book, her dad was eccentric at first, then is diagnosed with dementia. Her mom is absent and seems to care nothing for Romilly. Her grandmother, the only one who really cared, dies midway through without making sure that anyone is taking care of Romilly. Even after her mom returns and finds Romilly in terrible condition, she manages to still only think of herself and abandons Romilly yet again.

There is a lot of imagery and overarching themes (the panther, the disappearing friend) and I just didn’t get their meanings, I’m not that great at interpreting allegory and themes. I would have liked to see the paintings her father did, I could imagine them through the vivid descriptions and the idea of the treasure hunt was what kept me reading. (It appears that in the finished copy of the book these will be featured) The author has skill at writing, but I just needed a more hopeful book than this delivered.

Maybe others will find meaning in the story where I could not, I just found myself dragged down and sad through most of it and I don’t like feeling depressed. I was hoping for a book like The Keeper of Lost Things and this didn’t even come close.