Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been creeping into our lives for longer than you might guess. There are positives and negatives surfacing in news sources across the globe. Now we have the entertaining and engaging middle grade story with the unassuming name: THE VALE.

Bran Lee is 13-years-old and his parents are coders. They program computer code to create new devices and worlds. Mom’s best work: Maisy Maid, is a robot who takes care of you while at home. Dad’s passion is geared toward the Vale, a virtual world full of elves like the endearing Gnomly, pictured on the cover with Bran. The setting is a beautiful forest and castle. Bran has been helping his parents create this enchanting place since he was 6-years-old. Bran loves to put on the helmet and jacket that allow a user to fully experience the AI-generated Vale.

All of the inventions the family created are fantastic and unlike anything ever done. Sadly, there has been nothing but rejection in launching the products. The family can’t pay their bills and are frustrated. Bran would rather spend his spare time in the Vale with Gnomly than deal with reality of the present.

He decides to secretly enter the Vale in a multi-million dollar competition that would solve all of the family’s problems. Unfortunately, as the presentation day gets closer the Vale is going through some unexpected and damaging looks. There’s been no change to the code but now sunlight is becoming darker, a new girl character emerges, and a wizard is stealing things with the intention of becoming the most powerful. Bran and Gnomly try and uncover the truth to save the Vale and to save Bran’s family.

Chapters feature either the real world or the virtual one titled “The Book of Elf”. The third person narration in both is perfect, bringing out the emotions and changes in the characters. It’s a fast paced story and the climatic ending scene had me gripping the book tighter and tighter, hoping but not believing there would be a satisfying end. Sorry, no spoilers so you can enjoy THE VALE for yourself, a truly adventurous and magical tale.

BOOK BIRTHDAY: 9/16/2025. PAGES: 304

FIVE MORE THINGS TO LIKE ABOUT: THE VALE by Abigail Hing Wen

1. Other characters include Uncle Roy and Piper, a girl he meets at an early competition. They aren’t just secondary parts of the story line. Each in their own way provide many of the surprises in the plot. You’ll be saying “I never saw that one coming!”
2. Full page illustrations, though few in number are detailed and add visual accompaniment to this unique story.
3. Bran is portrayed accurately as a 13-year-old trying to make sense of everything happening. He has a soft heart and desires the best for his family. Uncle Roy provides him with mentorship and friendship. Bran is one you will remember as is the fun charming elf, Gnomly.
4. The use of AI will bring about much needed discussion and debate about its’ use. AI is not going to disappear so the more we understand it the better.
5. Financial stress on a family is accurately portrayed. There’s changes in personalities and tough decisions sure to be familiar with many young readers.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Abigail Hing Wen is an author, film producer and director, as well as former tech executive. She is the New York Times best selling author of multiple novels for young people, including Loveboat, Taipei, which has been adapted as the movie Love in Taipei, now on Netflix. Abigail served as an executive producer and on set during production. Her novel Kisses, Codes and Conspiracies, a thriller and romantic comedy novel featuring three teens on the run through the Bay Area, is an instant national bestseller, USA Today bestseller and Amazon Editor’s Pick for YA Book of the Month. Abigail is directing her first short film starring Lea Salonga, a prequel to her middle grade debut The Vale, coming September 2025, and featuring an inventor family that builds an AI generated virtual world. She serves on the board of Harvardwood and is a member of Dan Lin’s Rideback Rise Circle. In 2025, she served as a judge for the Golden Trailer Awards, recognizing the industry’s most outstanding film trailers.

Abigail is a frequent keynote speaker for young people, including Y’Allfest, US Presidential Scholars, and the Los Altos High Writer’s Week, as well as libraries, colleges, high schools and bookstores around the country. She’s also given keynotes and fireside chats for the National Conference of State Legislatures, Meta, Google, Paramount, Paypal and other tech and entertainment companies, and spoken on panels at venues such as SDCC, LACC, LA Times Festival of Books and ALA. For more, visit AbigailHingWen.com.

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