The Unadoptables

Published on 27 May 2025 at 18:41

The Unadoptables

🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒🎭⚰️🌕

by Hana Tooke

★★★★-

Review

The title of this book caught my eye, and I knew straight away that it would be packed full of rebellion, danger and adventure – and I was not disappointed!

I adored the characters in this book and LOVED the fact that there were five main characters! Somehow, Tooke managed to thread each character through the story perfectly and things didn’t get confusing. Each character is brilliantly unique and provides something important to the storyline – from a non-verbal but fierce Fenna to the talented artist Egbert.

Set in Amsterdam, this story is a window into a setting that I have never experienced and is sprinkled with wonderful descriptions of Amsterdam streets, frosty canals and abandoned windmills. It also includes Dutch words and phrases, giving you a proper feel for where the adventure unfolds.

The storyline itself is wonderfully unique and kept me guessing throughout. I loved the combination of fierce loyalty, exciting escapes and mysterious secrets. I couldn’t even guess the end – and I’m usually pretty good at that!

I would recommend this charming book to lovers of adventure or fans of the Cogheart series! It’s perfect for readers who enjoy brave characters, thrilling journeys and just the right amount of danger.

Dive Deeper

At a glance

Author: Hana Tooke

Illustrator: Ayesha L. Rubio

Release Date: 23rd July 2020

Book type: Chapter, 400 pages

Reader level: Confident (8+)

Overview

Way back in the autumn of 1880, five babies are discovered at the Little Tulip Orphanage in most unusual circumstances. Those babies are Lotta, Egbert, Fenna, Sem and Milou.
The vile matron calls the children 'the unadoptables' but this talented gang of best friends know that their individuality is what makes them so special - and so determined to stay together.
When a sinister gentleman tries to get them in his clutches, the children make a daring escape across the frozen canals of Amsterdam, embarking on an adventure packed with pirate ships and puppets. But is their real home - and their real family - already closer than they realize?