Charlie Bone and the Hidden King

Infobox Book |
name = Charlie Bone and the Hidden King


image_caption = First edition, 2006
author = Jenny Nimmo
cover_artist = Chris Sheban (American version)
country = United Kingdom
language = English
series = Children of the Red King
genre = Children's Fantasy novel
publisher = Egmont Books Ltd.
release_date = 2006
media_type = Print (Hardback and Paperback)
pages = 464 pgs. (American version)
preceded_by = The Castle of Mirrors
followed_by = Charlie Bone and the Beast

"Charlie Bone and the Hidden King" is the fifth novel in the "Children of the Red King" series by Jenny Nimmo. The book was released on May 1 2006.

Plot summary

The shadow from Red King's portrait has escaped through the Mirror of Amoret with the help of a dark witch. When the shadow escapes, all the animals and pets in Charlie's town disappear. One day, a strange Asian girl calls for Charlie to follow her if he wants to know where the animals are, so he does.

The girl, Naren Bloor, leads him to The Wilderness and Charlie finds out that Naren's father is actually Dr. Bloor's lost father, Bartholomew Bloor. Strange things begin to happen at Bloor's Academy. Charlie and the gang also discover that Joshua Tiplin is the son of Mrs. Chrystal Tiplin. The shadow is actually Count Harken Badlock, a man who tore the Red King's family apart and married his eldest daughter, Lilith who Mrs. Chrystal and Joshua are descended from. Charlie's mother is then put under a spell by Count Harken Badlock which makes her forget her love for Lyell Bone (Charlie's lost father). Eventually, she is saved by Charlie and the other Children of the Red King.

Charlie at last finds his father Lyell Bone, who turns out to be the piano teacher at Bloor's Academy, Mr. Pilgrim. Charlie also returns the Red King to the world with help again from children of the Red King. The flames (Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius) turn into leopards in the end of the book. Charlie's uncle learns an important lesson. Olivia and friends, including Asa Pike, help Charlie Bone to find his father and to help the Red King. A surprise awaits Charlie.