Invisibility is a fantasy, romance, and mystery novel written in alternating view points by Elizabeth and Stephen.  The authors, Andrea Cremer and David Levithan, seamlessly move the storyline along with the alternating voices.  I have not read any of the Nightshade Series by Cremer so going in I had no expectations regarding her writing; readers familiar with David Levithan know that alternate lifestyles are common in some of his writing and this was also the case in Invisibility.  The magic in the book is more believable than Harry Potter and is explained in a way that makes it seem plausible, even in today’s world.  The characters are well-developed and easy to like.  I found myself cheering them on as they went on their adventures. The romance that blossoms between characters is sweet and caring.  

Content Analysis:

Profanity/Language:  5 religious exclamations; 15 mild obscenities; 7 derogatory names; 1 scatological word; 5 anatomical terms; 1 offensive hand gesture.

Violence/Gore:  Character is said to be cursed; character recalls having a fistfight that ended with a broken nose; character recalls brother being beat up at school for being gay; character recalls another character being verbally/physically abusive (no details); character speaks of casting spells; character observes curses surrounding multiple people; character discusses sibling’s previous attack for being gay; teen characters discuss past suicidal thoughts and close attempts; teen characters discuss bullies from the past; character draws a curse into their body with painful consequences; character sets a blanket on fire and tries to set his clothing on fire; character tries to scratch her face off; character loses control of their legs; character is made mute; character is made to eat dirt; character cannot see his legs; child tears off her clothes thinking they are covered in scorpions; boy tears his own hair out; couple beats each other up; character tries to hang his dog with his leash; character cuts himself with glass; characters’ nose bleeds; character falls off the top of a building to his death.

Sex/Nudity:  Character takes a shower (with few details); characters are said to be gay; character jokes that another character is a lesbian; heterosexual characters kiss; heterosexual teens discuss making out; heterosexual teen characters stay the night together and make-out (few details); homosexual teen characters watch movies alone on the couch; character refers to heterosexual couple as lovebirds mating; heterosexual characters kiss and make out; homosexual character describes his crush on a male teenage character; homosexual teen character discusses his attration to another male teen character with few details; male character briefly mentally considers the risks of engaging in sexual behavior with a female character, non-detailed.

Mature Subject Matter:

Abandonment by parent, death of a family member, gay relationship, divorce, suicide, magical spells and curses.

Alcohol / Drug Use:

Adult character has a beer in a bag.