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The Translucent Boy and the Girl Who Saw Him: A thrilling YA coming of age interdimensional adventure Kindle Edition

by Tom Hoffman (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 198 ratings
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An epic interdimensional fantasy and a coming of age series that deals with growth, acceptance, healing, and love.
"A big heart beats within this conceptually chaotic romp."– Kirkus Review
"10 out of 10" – 2020 BookLife Prize Semi-Finalist (Publishers Weekly)
"...a playfully esoteric story that, for all its fantastical content, delivers a quietly resonant message about the power of being authentically seen and how great strength of character arises from strife and misfortune."
• Silver medal winner in 2019 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards
...a Narnia for the modern age, a new classic..." –Readers' Favorite
• Finalist in Young Adult Fiction 2019 Best Book Awards
Odo Whitley is translucent, human frosted glass, eyes peering through him, never at him. His achingly lonely existence is upended when a strange girl with flaming orange hair passes him a cryptic note in science class, sending the two unlikely new friends on an interdimensional quest for a mysterious lost doll. With help from the enigmatic man in the gray hat, a huge yellow octopus from Plindor, a lovely old brainless dead lady, and their new boss at the Serendipity Salvage Company, Odo Whitley and Sephie Crumb must travel to the terrifying world of Atroxia and find the doll before it falls into the hands of the murderous children of Sensus.
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Previous page
  1. Book 1 of 5
    The Translucent Boy
  2. Print length
    279 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  5. Publication date
    January 29, 2019
  6. Reading age
    13 - 17 years
  7. File size
    894 KB
  8. Page Flip
    Enabled
  9. Word Wise
    Enabled
  10. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  11. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

Review

2020 BookLife Prize Semi-Finalist (Publishers Weekly) "10 out of 10"
"...a playfully esoteric story that, for all its fantastical content, delivers a quietly resonant message about the power of being authentically seen and how great strength of character arises from strife and misfortune.

Hoffman quickly establishes a fairy tale-like storytelling structure and tone, with prose that offers a fine blend of authoritative exposition, action, candid descriptions, and meaningful dialogue.

While messaging about acceptance of differences, friendship, and the greater good are universal, this work is undoubtedly original in the ways that it examines such ideas. The integration of scientific principles and metaphysics in tandem with the magical, provides an unexpected dimension, while the novel's wordplay and use of the absurd, calls to mind classic works of children's literature.

Hoffman's characters are shaped by ideas rather than the mere force of their personalities and experiences. Within the world Hoffman creates, their somewhat archetypal nature is an asset rather than a fault.

The Wishing Shelf 2020 Book Awards (UK) * 5 stars "A strongly plotted adventure filled with charismatic and enthralling characters. A FINALIST and highly recommended."

Reviewed By K.C. Finn * 5 Stars
This was a truly magical adventure that I didn't want to end. Author Tom Hoffman writes with clarity but with elegance, elevating the young adult form for the whole family to enjoy this magical and deeply involved read. Odo and Sephie's romantic and spiritual bonds make for a compelling central pairing that you really care about and get invested in, whilst the wider 'worlds' of the novel come and go with visceral living colour and intense world building. The Translucent Boy and the Girl Who Saw Him presents a Narnia for the modern age, a new classic that is sure to be enjoyed by all who come across it. I'd highly recommend it for fans of lavish, layered fantasy fiction with conspiracy, suspense and beautiful wordplay.

Reviewed by Jack Magnus * 5 Stars
The Translucent Boy and the Girl Who Saw Him is a wise and ineffably lovely coming of age tale that comes complete with vast galaxies, alien beings and a tasty helping of metaphysics as dessert. Watching Odo become complete, as it were, on becoming visible to Sephie is moving and unforgettable; following the two as they set off on amazing, terrifying and exhilarating adventures is an unforgettable experience. Odo and Sephie are marvelous characters; their interactions and their coming of age are joys to behold. Hoffman's story is gorgeously written and a dream to read. Hoffman deftly toys with infinite possibilities and orchestrates the most amazing stories. Once again, he's surprised and delighted me. The Translucent Boy and the Girl Who Saw Him is most highly recommended."

Reviewed by Joel Dennstedt * 5 Stars
So, maybe think of The Translucent Boy and the Girl Who Saw Him as your personal ticket to amazement and adventure, for Tom Hoffman will indeed amaze you as surely as P.T. Barnum when you follow Odo and Sephie (the Boy and the Girl) on an adventure worthy of a billion worlds,literally, as they foray first to Plindor, where yellow octopi are the norm. Filled with magic, science, metaphysical realities (a Hoffman hallmark, to be sure) and lots of Hoffmanian romantic and self-deprecating humor, you may be certain to encounter this: amazement aplenty, and entertainment served up large."

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B07MJZNRSC
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ (January 29, 2019)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 29, 2019
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 894 KB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 279 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 198 ratings

About the author

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Tom Hoffman

Tom Hoffman

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A veteran award winning author of 17 thrilling young adult and middle grade adventures, Tom Hoffman received a B.S. in psychology from Georgetown University and a B.A. from the now-defunct Oregon College of Art. He has lived in Alaska with his wife Alexis since 1973. They have two adult children and three adorable grandchildren. Tom was a graphic designer and artist for over 35 years. Redirecting his imagination from art to writing, he wrote his first novel, The Eleventh Ring, at age 63. He recently completed The Ghost Ring, a character based paranormal mystery. The Translucent Boy and the Girl Who Saw Him was a semi-finalist in the 2020 BookLife Prize Award (Publishers Weekly)

Hoffman's books provide an alternate way to view the world we live in. To see magic as science we don’t understand, to see all life as a single force, all equally precious, no matter the form. A world where violence is not necessary, a world where the protagonists are changed forever by their difficult choices, by their own sacrifices. A world of empathy, kindness, and love. And of course, ten foot tall ancient robotic rabbits and gigantic carnivorous centipedes living on post apocalyptic planets!

"The hair-raising situations his heroes find themselves in on different planes of existence are among the most imaginative I have read in contemporary literature." –Rea Nolan Martin, author Mystic Tea, Sunnyside Up, The Anesthesia Game, et al.

“An epic that hits all the perfect notes of science, magic, and sweetness.”

–Kirkus Review of The Eleventh Ring

“An endlessly stimulating sequel that caters to intellectually fearless readers.”

–Kirkus Review of The Thirteenth Monk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TomHoffmanAuthor/

Website: https://thoffmanak.wordpress.com/

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Tom-Hoffman/e/B00HMXAEB8

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/Sci-Fi-Fantasy/B07FGFDYK6

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5497772

For the full KIRKUS REVIEW of Bartholomew the Adventurer go to:

https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-reviews/tom-hoffman/eleventh-ring/

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
4.6 out of 5
198 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Rea Martin
5.0 out of 5 stars Magical, Insightful & Visionary
Reviewed in the United States on February 26, 2019
Verified Purchase
Who among us doesn’t know what it feels like to be translucent? A shell or a shadow that others can easily bypass, ignore, or dismiss as irrelevant? In a world where solidity is strength, transparency can only equal powerlessness, right? But what if it doesn’t? What if it’s precisely what’s required to save a troubled planet in another dimension, and in the process, save your own?

Such is the destiny of our translucent hero, Odo Whitley, and his sidekick, Sephie Crum, the only person on Earth who sees Odo clearly. Together they take off on one of the masterfully conceived adventures for which author, Tom Hoffman, is fast becoming known. Humor and wit abound in this story, as does a healthy sprinkling of environmental sensibility issued from the mouths of alien creatures far more advanced than we Earthlings.

In THE TRANSLUCENT BOY, Hoffman deftly weaves metaphysical insights with the science of deep physics to create a signature storytelling formula of logical, matter-of-fact magic. The adolescents (and adults) who read this novel will surely find themselves transformed into deeper, more empathetic thinkers who care about their planet and all sorts of dissimilar people formerly ignored or dismissed as translucent, unimportant, or just plain odd.

Get the book for your YA, but be sure to read it yourself.
6 people found this helpful
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Willie Pete
5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely delightful!
Reviewed in the United States on May 17, 2023
Verified Purchase
I bought this 3 years ago and finally read it. I am so glad I did. Thoroughly enjoyable and a bit silly (which is good).
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Book Addict
4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable Fantasy and Adventure for All Ages
Reviewed in the United States on December 26, 2021
Verified Purchase
Even though this book was intended for younger readers, as an adult I still found it fun to read. There were elements throughout the book that reminded my of some of my favorite stories, and yet the author turned it into a unique adventure. I found hints of "The Magician's Nephew," "Harry Potter," "Star Trek," and more. I'm looking forward to traveling along with with Odo and Sephie in their next escapade.
One person found this helpful
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V.E.
5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome book
Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2019
Verified Purchase
The Translucent Boy and the Girl Who Saw Him by Tom Hoffman is magical. A coming of age tale with a bit of time travel, this is quite a unique book. The main character is Odo, and he is translucent, not exactly see-through but almost. He appears to have been born that way, all because his Mom likes peach scented perfume. Weird. He has passed through his young life of about 16 years being basically unseen. That is, until he meets a strange girl with the flaming red hair. This is a great mashup of coming of age, teenage angst, rooting for the quiet kids in class, magic and the metaphysical. A great book that features cool and relatable characters, two formidable young people on a special quest, and the essence of vivid imagination. Time travel rounds out the story, making this tale a wondrous combination of exciting, confounding, and humorous adventures. A strong recommendation for this book, and a great addition to any young person's library.
2 people found this helpful
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JoJo Maxson
5.0 out of 5 stars An enticing fantasy.
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2019
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Intriguing from the start, The Translucent Boy and the Girl Who Saw Him takes the reader to the time when Petunia Whitley’s son is chosen as a science experiment to save the world. Being pregnant made Petunia the perfect candidate since they could hide the translucent formula in her peach scented perfume. The few times Odo is noticed by others are life changing. Sephie Crumb is an odd girl, but that she can see him makes her a unique individual. Together, they make a great team as his job sends him on dimensional travels designed just for him.
 
A veteran writer in thrilling adventures for young people, Tom Hoffman presents The Translucent Boy and the Girl Who Saw Him. I see the author’s love of science and adventure woven within the pages. He instantly grabs you with the unique characteristic of Odo and his dilemma of not being seen by others. This whole book has a chemistry that sparks interest and mystique. I think young teenagers can relate to Odo and will love reading this coming of age novel.
2 people found this helpful
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Xyz
5.0 out of 5 stars New take on fantasy I’ve never seen before!
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2022
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It was interesting and a bit of a short read but it made me excited for what would happen next!It has so many creative ideas and worlds.The creatures had their own minds and their actions made sense.It also sneaks in some climate change topics from time to time,which is good cause it gets people to think about it.
2 people found this helpful
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J. Martin
3.0 out of 5 stars Fantasy YA fiction
Reviewed in the United States on August 21, 2020
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Parts of the book I really liked. However, events seemed uneven- rushing through scenes that begged for more development and detail, and other scenes seemed to not connect very well with the overall plot. It had a common flaw of young adult books, a Mary Sue character. Adults occasionally appeared, to provide a fact or send the characters on a quest, but were rather hapless. It was up to the under-16 set to save the universe, which frankly always seems pretty unlikely. Interesting enough to keep reading, but I don't have any plan to read any sequels.
One person found this helpful
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Jimmy ray
5.0 out of 5 stars A story of an invisible boy who finds his new path
Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2019
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Odo is a 16 year old shadow who lives life without being seen. With almost see through skin, he is ignored until he meets stephie and their journey begins. The story is entwined with humor, magic, emotion , and much much more. I found myself pulled into this mystical journey in search of a doll in a mad race between them and a band of Sensus killer children. The story has hope and inspiration along with a sense of urgency and possible despair. I really enjoyed the book and felt the characters can be someone you would run in to at school and be friends with. The story is descriptive and keeps your attention while completing the mission. I recommend this one to all the fantasy lovers and all those who love to root for the little guy. Good story and a very entertaining read.
One person found this helpful
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