The Nethergrim April 22, 2015
Matthew Jobin
Discovery of said book:
I discovered this book at my local bookstore. Very rarely do I purchase books locally, as the bookstore mostly carries adult books. My genre I write in is YA, so this causes a little problem in finding new books to read.
With that said, I will put my little rant aside.
I know we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but we all do it. That is how we are usually drawn to a certain book. The cover should give you an idea on what type of book that you are holding in your hands. That happened to me along with the title.
I know we shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but we all do it. That is how we are usually drawn to a certain book. The cover should give you an idea on what type of book that you are holding in your hands. That happened to me along with the title.
(The Nethergrim Google Images)
Summary:
Summary:
The Nethergrim is a story about a creature that no one really understands what it is. All they know is the Nethergrim has horrible creatures as it servants and it sends them out to kill animals and humans. Its favorite is children. You first read about a knight Sir Tristan and his quest to help people. For a bit he becomes unsure of himself and wanders though out the country side with his horse. He stumbles unto a small village that is racked with turmoil and grief. The village was attacked by the servants of the Nethergrim. He meets a wizard Vithric who tells him that his master and others were killed and he is the only one that survived. After that we don't know what happened when the two decided to go against the Nethergrim.
The reader is taken to some years later into a village called Moorevale and introduced to Edmund Bale who is constantly reprimanded by his father because he rather read books than work. Edmund is the oldest and therefore is destined to inherit the inn. He would rather become a wizard. His younger brother Geoffrey likes to tease him because he reads. Edmund's reading ability will play a part later on in the book. The reader is then introduced to Edmund's friends Katherine Marshall and Tom who is a slave.These three tend to stick together and Edmund and Katherine sticks up for Tom.
Stories about the Nethergrim is told about the country. All they know is that three men survived. Lord Tristan, Vithric and John Marshall, Katherine's father. However, they themselves don't talk about what really happened, so minstrels come up with their idea and share that instead. Everyone assumes that Nethergrim is dead and will no longer bother them.
Animals start disappearing and the only remains they find of them is their bones stripped clean. Then two children disappear from a neighboring village. Rumors start to spread that Nethergrim might still be alive. No one wants to believe it though. Soon this disbelief is shattered when the villages.' children are kidnapped, one being Edmund's brother. With his friends in tow they face their fears and go to rescue the five children from the Nethergrim before its deadly plan to steal their life from them.
Sorry about that long summary. The one in the book was a little short and doesn't really give an idea on what is going on. Of course I won't include the ending so it can be a surprise to those that are interested in reading it.
My thoughts on the book:
I thought the idea was very good. I enjoy reading about other creatures that could exist. However, yup there is that word, I felt the writer could have put a little more description about it. Yes we know it eats humans and commands horrible creatures, but what exactly makes it so terrifying? We learn more about through out the book, but not much more. Where did it come from? It couldn't have just appeared one day. I guess there could be more of an explanation about it in the second book.
I felt the story is a little slow. We don't even meet one of the creatures until halfway through the book. After that it is mostly talking and hardly any action. I couldn't really figure about where the climax was. Was it when the children were kidnapped, or when the trio depart into mountains searching for the Nethergrim's lair and are ambushed by its servants? I might need to re-read it so I can pinpoint the climax. Toward's the end I felt it was a little rushed.
I haven't heard of this author before, so this could be his first book published. If so then it is a pretty good start. The book did catch my attention and I am interested in reading the second book.
Thoughts?
What about you? What is your take on the book? Were there parts that you enjoyed? Parts you didn't care for?
I would love to hear your thoughts.
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