Twelve-year-old Leo has always felt invisible, but he never thought it would become a literal problem. When a mysterious, shimmering fog—the Veil—descends upon his sleepy town of Oakhaven, strange things begin to vanish. First, it's small items: keys, homework, a single sock. Then, pets and people start to disappear without a trace. The adults are baffled, chalking it up to a strange weather phenomenon and mass hysteria. But Leo knows better. He saw the shadowy, glitchy creatures that slip through the mist, creatures that seem to feed on things being forgotten. The problem is, no one believes him. His busy parents are distracted, his teachers think he's seeking attention, and his older sister just rolls her eyes. Leo feels more alone than ever, until he stumbles upon a hidden, ancient locket that belonged to his grandmother. The locket allows him to see the world as it truly is beyond the Veil—a fading, monochrome version of our own, where the glitchy creatures, the "Forgetters," are actively unraveling reality. With the town's memory and very existence at stake, Leo is the only one who can see the truth. He must embark on a perilous journey into the fading world to find the source of the Fog and stop it before his town, his family, and he himself are erased forever. But to do so, he must first confront his own feelings of insignificance and discover that the greatest strength isn't always about being seen—it's about having the courage to see what others cannot. Armed with only his wits, his grandmother's cryptic journal, and a newfound alliance with a mischievous, talking fox he meets in the faded realm, Leo must race against time. He will face puzzles that test his memory, environments that shift with his confidence, and the terrifying Forgetters who prey on his deepest fears of being overlooked. A Fading World is a heart-pounding adventure that explores themes of self-worth, family legacy, and the incredible power of perception. Perfect for fans of A Wrinkle in Time and The Phantom Tollbooth, this story reminds us that even the quietest voice can save the world.
