Felix and the Future Agency

Wr. Rachel Morrisroe

Ill. Paddy Donnelly

Pub. Simon & Schuster

Age Range - 8+

Felix Green has a talent – a talent that often gets him into A LOT of trouble – he can forsee the future. And he's not the only one! When his latest prediction comes true, he soon finds himself whisked off to join the secret underground Future Agency. Here he starts to learn the tools to protect the country from the natural disasters set to befall it – summoning animal star constellations down from the sky, dream weaving and speaking to ghosts. When a dark spectre infiltrates the Future Agency, only Felix can unmask the culprit and save the agency from destruction...

"...everything that has happened to you has given you a strength of character you don’t even know you possess yet. Your greatest hindrance...will be your own lack of self-belief...You just need the confidence to shine and you will be unstoppable.” — Zephyr, p. 96

Felix and the Future Agency exists in the sub-genre of middle grade fantasy books that feature secret magical organizations, diverse protagonists, and hidden powers, such as Amari and the Night Brothers and Harry Potter (except for the diversity thing, because Potter doesn't feature any). Felix and the Future Agency feels particularly close to Amari because it's set a secret magical infrastructure within the real world, there's a "chosen one" narrative, the protagonist faces social exclusion (Felix is neurodivergent), and there is the compelling moral quandary of wherether they might be tempted toward darkness. But, while there are obvious parallels to Amari, there's plenty here that's different to keep it interesting.

What sets this book apart is its emotional honesty. Felix’s grief over the loss of his parents is not just a backstory, it's the emotional catylst of the novel. His longing, guilt, and anger are portrayed with nuance, making his magical journey feel personal. His relationships - with his gran, his ghostly grandfather, and his friends - are tender and complex, offering moments of warmth and humour amid the danger.

Ultimately, Felix and the Future Agency wears its influences proudly, drawing on the rich tradition of magical school adventures. While readers may recognize echoes of other stories, Rachel Morrisroe brings a fresh emotional depth to the genre. The novel offers a comforting familiarity - like stepping into a world you’ve always known, but where there are new secrets to uncover. It's like a love letter to the genre. Felix and the Future Agency is a story about finding your place in the world, even when you feel like you don’t belong. It’s about the power of friendship, the burden of responsibility, the weight of grief, and the courage it takes to face the future.

try this if you liked...

• Jessica Townsend’s Nevermoor (secret magical society, underground portals, outsider recruited for rare power)

• L.D. Lapinski’s The Strangeworlds Travel Agency (hidden magical building, suitcase travel, quirky mentors)

• P.G. Bell’s The Train to Impossible Places (magical transport system, secret delivery agency)

• A.F. Steadman’s Skandar and the Unicorn Thief (training school, bonding with magical creatures, hidden talents)

• Victoria Schwab’s City of Ghosts (ghost-seeing child, spirit world crossing, eerie magical realism)

• Tom McLaughlin’s The Accidental Secret Agent (sudden recruitment, secret agency, humorous high-stakes missions)

• Abi Elphinstone’s The Dreamsnatcher (grief, dark magic, secret societies, emotional resilience)

• Benjamin Read & Laura Trinder’s The Midnight Hour (hidden magical London, ghostly allies)

• Jennifer Bell’s The Uncommoners (underground magical society, enchanted objects)

• Ross MacKenzie’s The Nowhere Emporium (grief, magical inheritance)

• Tamzin Merchant’s The Mapmakers (magical guilds, secret missions, whimsical tone with high stakes)

• Jennifer Bell’s The Crooked Sixpence (magical bureaucracy, hidden subterranean world)

• B.B. Alston’s Amari and the Night Brothers (magical government agency, feared power, marginalised protagonist)

themes in the novel

These are some of the themes I was drawn to (SPOILERS!):

Self-Discovery and Identity

• Felix begins as an outcast, misunderstood for his ability to see the future.

• His journey into the Future Agency helps him uncover his magical talents: Spirit Speaking, Dream Weaving, and Astrology.

• The discovery of his family history, including a mysterious aunt (Nia Ross), deepens his understanding of who he is and where he comes from.

Power and Responsibility

• Felix’s premonitions carry consequences, and he struggles to use his powers responsibly.

• The agency’s mission - to prevent national disasters - highlights the burden of foresight and the ethical dilemmas that come with it.

Friendship and Loyalty

• Felix’s relationships with Luke, Dev, and Eira evolve throughout the story.

• Luke’s disappearance and Felix’s determination to find him show the strength of their bond.

• Betrayals and reconciliations (especially with Dev and Astrid) show the complexities of trust and loyalty.

Grief and Healing

• Felix is haunted - literally and emotionally - by the loss of his parents.

• His connection with his ghostly grandfather and visits to his parents’ grave are poignant moments of processing grief.

• The story explores how grief can fuel both strength and vulnerability.

Secrets and Hidden Truths

• The agency itself is a secret organization, and much of the plot revolves around uncovering hidden truths: about the spectre, missing Seers, and Astrid’s past.

• The revelation that Zephyr is actually Christopher Marlowe, a member of the ancient and sinister School of Night, adds a historical and conspiratorial twist.

Magic and the Supernatural

• The magical system is detailed and imaginative, with celestaurs (magical constellation creatures), dream-based premonitions, and ghostly communication.

• The spectre represents the dark side of magic—necromancy and uncontrolled power.

Courage and Growth

• Felix’s arc is one of bravery: he faces bullies, confronts authority, and risks everything to save his friend.

• His growth from a misunderstood boy to a powerful magical figure is inspiring and central to the story’s emotional core.

in the classroom 

 There are some important discussions to be had around the issues raised in the novel:

 Bullying and Social Exclusion

• How do we treat people who are different? What are the consequences of labeling and isolating others? Felix is ostracized at school for his abilities. He’s called names like “Ghost Boy” and is accused of causing harm (pp. 5–6).

• Quote: “Felix Green is a freak. Felix Green...Ghost Boy.” (p.6)

Prejudice and Historical Injustice

• How have historical prejudices (like witch trials) shaped societal attitudes toward women and those perceived as “different”? The novel discusses how women were persecuted for being too clever, too old, or too helpful (pp.188–189).

• Quote: “You couldn’t be too clever – look at Anne Boleyn – she lost her head for it.” (p.187)

Grief and Mental Health

• How does grief affect young people? How can we support someone who is grieving? Felix’s struggle with the loss of his parents is a recurring theme, especially in his visits to their grave and his guilt over their death.

Power and Responsibility

• What does it mean to have power? How should it be used? What are the dangers of misusing it? The spectre storyline and the School of Night raise questions about magical ethics and secrecy.

• Quote: “We’re talking about black magic...necromancy of some kind.” (p.248)

Friendship and Loyalty

• What makes a good friend? How do we rebuild trust after it’s broken? Felix’s relationships with Luke, Dev, and Eira evolve, especially after Luke is taken by the spectre.

Truth vs. Perception

• How do rumours and assumptions shape our understanding of others? Felix is blamed for events he tried to prevent, showing how truth can be distorted.

• Quote: “Because here’s the thing about logic. You can’t always trust it.” (p.6)