We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord – at a glance
The School Reading Lists’ five word review: Science-fiction siblings defend the world.
Children’s book title: We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord.
Children’s author: Garth Nix.
Genre: Children’s Fiction, Science Fiction/Horror.
Published by: Hot Key Books.
ISBN: 9781471417351.
Recommended for children aged: 9-12 year-olds.
First published: Paperback October 2024.
This YA book is ideal for: KS2 children who enjoy science fiction adventures, stories of saving the world and fans of Stranger Things or The Goonies..
To see the latest price or order, click on the book cover image. As an Amazon Associate schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases.
Our review:
In rural Australia, 12-year-old Kim lives on a farm with his unconventional parents and his precocious younger sister, Eila. Along with his best friend, Bennie, who lives nearby, Kim is an avid Dungeons & Dragons player, having recently started a club with their schoolmates.
During an evening of exploration with Bennie and their younger sisters, the children discover a mysterious orb with telepathic powers that transforms their peaceful lives. The orb, which calls itself Aster, gradually reveals a darker nature as it establishes an unsettling control over Eila. Through her, it begins conducting disturbing experiments on animals and slowly extends its mental influence over the local population, including their parents.
As the threat grows, Kim and his friends must apply their role-playing experience to a real-world challenge: preventing Aster from extending its domination beyond their small town.
Garth Nix delivers an inventive sci-fi adventure that will resonate with readers who enjoy a mix of science fiction and horror. The story masterfully combines elements of small-town life, young D&D enthusiasts, and supernatural menace to create mounting suspense. While the narrative takes its time to unfold, the entertaining dynamics between Kim and his gaming friends keep readers engaged until the surprising and unexpected finale. Though not explicitly violent, the story maintains an eerie undercurrent that will keep the reader on edge.
Our verdict:
We Do Not Welcome Our Ten-Year-Old Overlord offers a refreshing twist on both the child with extraordinary powers and resistance against authority themes common in science fiction. An intriguing story that highlights the power of friendship and family – and their ability to overcome even threats to the world!
Many thanks to Hot Key Books for the review copy.
To order a class set of this book, please click below to order via uk.bookshop.org, an organisation that supports local bookshops, or Amazon.co.uk.
Buy from UK.Bookshop.Org Buy from Amazon.co.uk
Disclosure: If you buy books using the buttons above: we may earn a commission from Bookshop.org, whose fees support independent bookshops; as an Amazon Associate schoolreadinglist.co.uk earns from qualifying purchases.
Browse our Year 6 reading list.
