The Invisible Wild
Nikki Van De Car
May 2025 · Hachette Audio · Narrated by Barrie Kealoha
star
1 review
headphones
Audiobook
5 hr 16 min
Unabridged
family_home
Eligible
info
Want a free 12 min sample? Listen anytime, even offline.
Add
About this audiobook
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.
“Intensely lush atmospheric descriptions create an immersive and sensory read ... Intersecting topics of nativeness and heritage, self-identification, tourism, environmental justice, folklore, and more are buoyed by a bit of romance, and the sum of all the parts manages to be both starkly realistic and surprisingly hopeful.” —Booklist, starred review
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.
A New York Public Library’s Best Books of 2025!
“Intensely lush atmospheric descriptions create an immersive and sensory read ... Intersecting topics of nativeness and heritage, self-identification, tourism, environmental justice, folklore, and more are buoyed by a bit of romance, and the sum of all the parts manages to be both starkly realistic and surprisingly hopeful.” —Booklist, starred review
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.
A New York Public Library’s Best Books of 2025!
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.
“Intensely lush atmospheric descriptions create an immersive and sensory read ... Intersecting topics of nati...
Discover more
Ratings and reviews
1 review
Alexis Webb
- Flag inappropriate
August 13, 2025
The Invisible Wild was a very intriguing story. I am new to this author, but found their writing to be very encompassing. I listen to this book as an audiobook, which really added to the experience for me as I would not be able to pronounce the languages. I absolutely loved the original language as it was translated in this book. For me, it really added to the characters in the story depth. I won’t recap a synopsis of this book as one can look that up. I will say that I love following Emma A 16-year-old female. Emma is very strong, willed and mature for a 16-year-old. She is passionate, open minded, family oriented, And not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. In her daily chores, she comes across Hilo, a missing boy, In the woods. The boy has access to the people and places she lost. I won’t say more because I feel like it’ll spoil it, but just go read this book. This book has wonderful elements of lore, Hawaiian indigenous history and culture. While bringing out concerns of environmental, economic, and social issues. Here lies is a tale of friendship, lore, family, and self discovery. This book is relatable, both as a nostalgic read, but for also young adult readers looking for an adventure. Has a beautiful mix of real world and magical elements. Thank you too Hachette for this audiobook for my honest review.
About the author
Nikki Van De Car is kanaka māoli and the author of over two dozen books on crafting and magic, including The Junior Witch's Handbook and The Junior Astrologer's Handbook, and is a freelance book editor. This is her first YA novel and pulls from her experiences growing up in Hawaii.
Nikki Van De Car is kanaka māoli and the author of over two dozen books on crafting and magic, including The Junior Witch's Handbook and The Junior Astrologer's Handbook, and is a freelance book editor. This is her first YA novel and pulls from her experiences growing up in Hawaii.
Rate this audiobook
Tell us what you think.
Listening information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can read books purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
