The Invisible Wild
A Novel
An epic adventure steeped in Hawaiian lore, this enchanting novel explores the connection between our world and that of the spirits of the wood
The indigenous people of Hawaiʻi are known as kanaka maoli, “true people.” In the third century, they sailed over 2,000 miles across untraveled seas, traveling from the Marquesas to the most remote island chain in the world. According to legend, however, the true kanaka maoli were already 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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Welcome to my world, where magic and creativity intertwine on the pages of my stories. I'm Nikki Van De Car, and I invite you to delve into the heart and soul that shape each of my written adventures.
I'm not just an author; I'm a woman in search of magic, finding joy in the simplicity of life's moments—in the tranquility of a woodland stroll, the rhythmic dance of knitting needles, and the laughter shared with loved ones. My journey is one of embracing the old ways, working with my hands, and discovering peace, joy, and comfort in creativity and intuition.
With over a dozen books on crafting and magic, I see writing as a way to infuse enchantment into the everyday. My work is an invitation for readers to embrace the magic found in ordinary moments.
Feel free to connect with me through social media, and join the community that celebrates the wonders of imagination and the beauty of crafting magic through words.