Review: The Invincible List of Lani Li

Written by Veeda Bybee

Illustrated by Hoan Phan

Salt Lake City, UT: Shadow Mountain Publishing, 2025. Fiction. 216 pgs.

The Li family love the Chinese legend about the Eight Invincible Brothers. Lani is about to head to England to participate in a music competition. Her younger brother, Gavin, was scheduled to go but after a problem with his heart valve arises, he is forced to stay home to have surgery. Gavin begs Lani to promise to be like all the Eight Invincible Brothers while on her trip (each brother has a special super power) so that Lani will stretch herself and Gavin can feel like he is part of her trip even though he is stuck behind.

Lani is one of those characters who feels real and relatable. Readers will sympathize with her frustrations (both from her family, friends, and those self-imposed) that force her to struggle and choose what kind of a person she will be. The bits of the Chinese legend woven throughout the story helps Lani find inspiration to finally become who she wants to be. Plus there is even the fun bit of learning about the Cooper’s Hill Cheese-Rolling race. Even though most of the story takes place on in England on the music trip, it does start out right here at Rock Canyon Park here in Provo, Utah—where Lani and her family live. Readers will be inspired by Lani and her bravery as well as enjoy the description of places here in Provo that are in our backyard.

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