The Forgotten Five
The Forgotten Five Series is a fantasy series by Lisa McMann. Some readers may be familiar with her Unwanted Series. This series is a newer series with books still being added. I had a few misgivings about the first book, but I have read through book five thus far. Please check out my reviews. You will find that this series started fairly clean, but in book four and five other elements reflective of secular culture have made their way into this middle-grade fiction series.
Book 1: The Forgotten Five: The Map of Flames (no audio review)
“Only the five kids remained in the hideout built by their supernatural criminal parents. Forgotten and alone. And they had a lot to talk about” (p.4).
Originally created and published in 2022:
Lisa McMann has an uncanny ability for fantastical stories from unusual places. If you are familiar with the Unwanted series, you already have an idea of what I mean. The Forgotten Five: Map of Flames is the beginning of a new fantastical series with the children of supernatural criminals at the core.
In truth, the opening of the story is a little slow for about the first half of the book. The storyline is intriguing, but unless you have an avid reader willing to push through, they may sputter out. Knowing this is the beginning of a series, it is clear that McMann is laying the foundation for the other series. Strong and astute readers might understand this, but a more struggling reader will certainly put it down and claim it is “boring.”
The premise of the story centers around a set of four criminals who are known for heists all over the city of Estero. Most of these found a life in crime after being rejected by society for their supernatural abilities. The criminals have been hiding for 14 years on an isolated peninsula where they have raised children. The children have grown up hearing stories of their parents’ past and the horrors they faced in Estero. Unfortunately, over the last three years, the parents of some have “disappeared” and Louis, the last parent with the children, has died. His last wish was for his daughter to find her mother and give her the map.
Aside from traveling and entering a world the children have only heard horror stories about, most of the children also have supernatural abilities that they must keep hidden. Tenner, whose parents are actually not nice people, has the ability to see and hear with an animalistic ability, as well as hold his breath for a prolonged amount of time under water. Seven’s ability camouflages his skin to match the surrounding scenery. He has no control and struggles with being invisible. Birdie is able to communicate with animals through mind messaging and feelings. Birdie’s brother Brix is able to jump and bounce in acrobatic ways while also remaining unharmed through quick healing. Cabot is the only child to not have any supernatural abilities, as far as anyone can tell. However, she does have a photographic memory and is extremely intelligent.
Despite fear and trepidation, all five children end up in Estero and begin to unravel something more sinister than the task of simply rescuing Birdie and Brix’s mother. The story is full of adventure, mystery, and certainly sets up the beginning of a series quite well.
Some families may object over the premise of the book where criminals and supernatural abilities are at the heart of the story, and I am sure there are a myriad of ways people might read into it. However, I will be curious to see where the storyline goes as the story does pose thoughts that those who appear to be good or trying to do good, might actually be deceptive and participating in criminal behavior unbeknownst to others. From a Biblical perspective, I think this book does offer an opportunity for conversations of how our behaviors and attitudes impact others. Do we see others as a threat, do we see them as unworthy, or do we realize that all humans are image bearers of the living God? My daughter is eager to read this book, and I know that this is a conversation I plan to have with her as she finishes it up.
The supernatural abilities and elements could be something that some families may choose to abstain from. I know that I personally do not care for my children to read the Harry Potter series, for which I have read every book. I have nothing against the storyline per se, but I’m at a point in my walk that I am more aware of exposure to or an endorsement of witchcraft and sorcery. Nevertheless, this story does mention that flames on the map are the result of a “flame charm” Louis put on the map to keep it safe (p.20).
A few other mentions:
Tenner struggles with the fact that his parents were not nice people, and his father in particular was abusive. He fears meeting his father again, but his bones are found in the forest and Tenner also struggles with the emotions of his father’s death. Page 36 mentions that his parents were “crappy.”
“Perhaps the lure of fame or infamy or the addiction of thievery was stronger than the love Troy and Lucy had for their children. Or maybe they’d never loved him at all...He was tired of returning to that same thought. But it wouldn’t let him go” (p.228).
There are a couple mentions of Seven going without clothes since no one can see him. He refuses to do this until later in the story in order to save Birdie’s mom. He is uncomfortable with the suggestions and thoughts. (Page 64, 70)
On page 221, after finding proof their parents had made it to Estero, Birdie says “Holy expletive.” You may have a reader ask what the work expletive means.
In their adventures, the children become friends with another supernatural child living in Estero. She is on a mission to change the opinions and views of supernatural people. In a plea to get help from the five she states “Supernatural people need to be respected members of society. They need jobs. They shouldn’t be punished for their gifts—they should be valued” (p.368).
Overall, I enjoyed the story. I’m intrigued by where the storyline will go. I was a little put off with some of the supernatural abilities at first, but if you are someone who is into comics and some of the Marvel or X-Men movies, then there isn’t too much more there than that.
