The Nethergrim

January 27, 2014
The secrets of the past return to haunt the present when an ancient evil awakens, 30 years after being defeated by a group of heroes. In this entertaining coming-of-age fantasy, which opens in a quasi-European medieval village, several teens must pick up where the previous generation left off. Fourteen-year-old would-be wizard Edmund, chafing at his parents’ plans for him to inherit their inn, wants to rescue his younger brother, who has been kidnapped by the shadowy minions of the Nethergrim. Added by his best friends—tomboy Katherine, whose father is one of the few survivors of the first Nethergrim campaign, and Tom, enslaved by a cruel taskmaster—Edmund sets forth to prove himself and save the children intended as sacrifices for the Nethergrim’s power. First in a planned trilogy, this is a solid debut for anthropologist Jobin, who steers clear of genre clichés while offering up a refreshingly metaphysical take on magic, a believably dark setting filled with unusual threats, and a seductive and manipulative villain in the nebulous Nethergrim itself. Ages 10–up. Agent: Eleanor Jackson, Dunow, Carlson & Lerner.

Jeremy Arthur gives a thoughtful performance of this fantasy adventure, perfect for tweens and teens. Everyone believes the legend that the Nethergrim was defeated years ago by the famed wizard Vithric and brave knight Tristan. But when children from the village start to disappear, whispers that the Nethergrim has returned start to spread. When Edmund's brother disappears, he knows he must do everything he can to save him. Arthur's deep timbre is a rewarding addition to this audiobook, giving it a magical sound. He creates a wide variety of characters, and his crisp, clean narration is well paced. This is perfect for listeners who enjoy historical novels with a touch of fantasy and magic. S.B.T. © AudioFile 2014, Portland, Maine