Invisible Things by Jenny Davidson is an alternate history sort of historical fiction. Set prior to World War II, Scotland is crazy militant. Girls get brainwashed into being something like sex slaves for high power government employees. The European mainland countries have banded into a confederation. However, some elements are the same as actual history. For example there is the rise of the Nazis. Plus there are actual people from history in this book such as Niels Bohr and Alfred Noble. The main character, Sophie is a refugee from Scotland who lives in Niels Bohr’s institute. Her parents both died when she was very young in an explosion at the factory where they were employed.
To be quite honest, I spent the first 30 pages or so of Invisible Things by Jenny Davidson incredibly confused. Then after a bit of backstory and browsing online the story started to fall into place. Turns out Invisible Things is a sequel to The Explosionist, which would have been nice to know before reading. I have not read The Explosionist, so I can’t say how Invisible Things works as a companion novel or a sequel. I can only judge it on it’s own merits, not in comparison.
Once I got past my initial confusion, I found Invisible Things to be a decent read. I have a thing for science. I don’t understand it at all, but I find it to be interesting and like the idea of knowing scientists. Sophie, as you saw from the top paragraph lives with one of the most famous scientists in the world. Her interactions with Bohr and the other scientists are intriguing. It’s nice to see those people with personalities outside of what they are famous for.
I would say don’t go into Invisible Things by Jenny Davidson expecting a romance. Really, I guess this book ties up loose ends from the previous book and sets up for adventure in a third book. In essence, this is a transition book.
Other Reviews:
In Bed With Books
The Hiding Spot
Frenetic Reader
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I appreciate your honesty, April! While it does sound a wee bit confusing, something about the story definitely appeals to me, so I’m sure I’ll give it a go 🙂