Metalheads, microaggressions, and an age old battle of good vs evil. A solid YA horror that, as all good horror should, says plenty about the world we live in, while still throwing a grotesque monster or two our way.

Read this if you like: baby metalheads, 90s settings, horrors with heart

Thank you NetGalley for approving me to read this. A very good read that had me hooked, once started I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommend

I enjoyed this book. It was a unique story with a unique magic system. I enjoyed the good versus evil vibes, and the plot twist at the end about Vish. I wish there had been more family growth, the father-and-son relationship, and just more magic.

Perfect for those who grew up on Bellairs and would like to see it updated, but don't really want anything more hardcore. And who don't want romantic elements. YA readers who prefer realistic fiction but want a foray into the creepier stuff will really like this.

I loved this - a horror read aimed at a YA audience that manages to be complex and compelling without delving too deep into exploitative gore. Brilliant

I receive an eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to them and the publisher. Trigger warning for drug use, drug addiction, racism.

I really wanted to like this book. I mean really. The description sounded amazing, the cover was cool. But the book didn’t live up to the description. It also doesn’t have any trigger warnings.

Our MC is one of the few brown people in the city and gets mistaken for being a relative of a bookshop owner by virtue of that. And as a Black person, that’s infuriating. It’s happened to me. And millions of us. I liked the fact it showed that sort of less openly aggressive racism.

One thing I did like about this book was the racism was called out. It was relatable the way he faced the racism of his schoolmates. How they didn’t see what they were saying could possibly be racist. And the fear of getting picked on for repeatedly telling people they’re wrong and racist. I related to that.

Our MC’s father is a recovering drug addict and he has so much anger towards his dad which is valid. I felt heartbroken for him.

What bothered me was, unfortunately, a lot.

For one, the MC and his friends listen to metal. And are into occult stuff. There’s literally a point where one of the characters was like “do we like metal because we like the occult or the other way around?” And that was just so badly done. And oh my GAWD there was so much talk of Motorhead! I get it, the music is important to the character. But that much talk about Motorhead took me out of the book entirely. I didn’t care. I was tired of it.

Next, I couldn’t tell what time period it was in. The 90’s apparently? So cool. Except the author is talking about VHS and VCRs and the age target for this book probably isn’t as intimately familiar with these things as the adult who wrote it.

There’s also so many brand mentions. I was taken out of the story because of them. I didn’t care. They weren’t important. But they were shoved in there anyway. And it was annoying to read.

Also there’s a manic pixie dream girl in this book. She looks 16 but is apparently centuries old. Okay, sure. Why is she so bad with her skills then?

Look, I could go on but I don’t want to rip someone’s work apart.

Suffice it to say, I didn’t like this book and cannot recommend it. 1 out of 5.

i feel like i would’ve enjoyed this more when i was younger. i didn’t think it was bad, and i love a horror book, i just think it was a little too YA for me.

A perfect book for people wanting to get into horror, or for a younger audience that loves horror. Could not recommend it enough. A perfect spooky autumn read to be enjoyed with a hot cup of tea.

I found this one difficult to engage with. I felt like I never found my footing, never fully understood the way the world worked and what was going on. The focus was constantly shifting.

The first thing that drew me to this book was the title and the book cover; the silhouette with the white title and the skull work incredibly well visually! The blending of magic and science (particularly how it was presented) was a fun concept, referencing something closer to alchemy. The setting of an indie bookstore was a wonderful edition! The writing itself was engaging and kept me as a reader along for the ride. There were some horror elements/creepier scenes but I felt the complimented the work overall!

High scchooler Vish is struggling as his father returns from treatment or addiction When he enters a local occult bookstore he is mistaken for a relative of a regular customer and is offered a job. At loose ends Vish accepts. Immediately things get weird with one unlikely thing after another occuring. I was taken with the premise of this narrative and really wanted to like it. But after 50 percent I still had not become invested in the characters or the story line and simple could develop an interest. It is very rare for me not to finish a book and my sincere apologies to the author but it just was not in my wheelhouse.

I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. The downfall was that I requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before the book was archived. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it!

The Grimmer | Naben Ruthnum
3.5 Stars

This is such an original and creative story!
I love that the magical elements and action start right off the hop. It really grabbed my attention and I couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen next.
I do not usually read young adult novels, and I was pleasantly surprised that it was able to keep my attention and span the genres.
The characters were well developed and I felt connections to them and their stories.
The setting was amazing, being Canadian it's not common to have a small city featured in a novel and it really helped me to picture the location.
Everyone makes mistakes, and this story really shows that adult/parents and kids have imperfections and can grow and learn from life experiences.

If i have any feedback, I maybe could have used a little more info about the bad guy, and a little less scientific explanation, but overall I would definitely recommend to youth getting into horror who dont want anything too scary.

The Grimmer is a literary gem that stands out with its unparalleled creativity and unique narrative. This captivating story is a breath of fresh air, unlike anything I've encountered before in my reading journey. The characters are not only likable but also intricately developed, adding depth to an already rich plot. The author's imaginative prowess shines through, crafting a world that is both enchanting and haunting. The Grimmer is a testament to the author's ability to break away from conventional storytelling, delivering an experience that is both refreshing and memorable. A must-read for those seeking a truly original and well-crafted narrative.

I didn't know what to expect from this one, but it was a really compelling, frequently creepy and often heartfelt story that I enjoyed a lot. I thought the family dynamics with Vish and his parents were really nuanced and the exploration of addiction was well handled. I also thought the magical elements of the story were originally tackled with the focus on the physics and biology of magic, making the practice into a science. Overall, this was a great read and I will definitely pick up books from this author in the future.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I came for the cover and stayed for the story. I ended up really enjoying this one and although I am not the intended audience for this book, I know many young people who would enjoy it.
It’s fast paced and captivating, two things which read truly needed for
The younger audience

While not exactly my cup of cocoa, this book has a very intriguing storyline. I'm certain that there are many YA readers out there that will enjoy this creepy, fantastical tale. This read has a Supernatural/Grimm feel, those that enjoy those shows will get a real kick out of this one. I do like the folktale type villain and the niche of buddies that our main character, Vish, finds himself cavorting with and fighting alongside. The characters aren't just run of the mill, wannabe superhero types, they have a viable backstory that helps with making the storyline that much more odd and interesting.

Special thanks to the publisher, author, and Netgalley for the free arc. My review is voluntary.

This is a really great creative story. It's very unique. The characters are very likable and well developed. I would recommend this! Special Thank You to Naben Ruthnum, ECW Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

YA horror set in 90s Canada. Teenager Vish is happy to be home after being shunted off to boarding school for two years while his dad recovered from his addiction. All he wants is to avoid his former best friends Matt and Danny and try to stay under the radar (not easy in a gossipy town, where the few people of color, like Vish and his family, stand out). A visit to the local bookstore soon upends his summer though, when he is thrust into a world of magic and monsters. The bookstore owner, Agastya, and a teenage witch, Gisela, need Vish's help to prevent the monstrous Farris from gaining power. Let the battle commence!

First off, I loved the 90s nostalgia. Always a fun time period for me. I also generally enjoy "good vs evil" magic stories. The magic in this isn't extremely prominent, but is interesting in the way it is developed. The story is also largely about grief and the impact of addiction. Vish and his family are still dealing with the repercussions of his father's addiction, and Agastya is struggling with the loss of his wife. Some deep emotions are explored, and realistically portrayed here. I was quite surprised by an emotional reveal at the end of the story. Completely unexpected. There are some pretty creepy scenes, but it's not packed with horror. Would recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Vish Maurya is back at home after two years away at boarding school. He's full of anger; his psychiatrist father became addicted to pills, and while he dealt with his addiction, he and his wife Anji sent Vish away. This was partly to help Dr. Maurya deal with his shame, and also to protect Vish from all the rumours and gossip swirling around one of the few South Asian families in Kelowna at the time.

Vish returns home, and must deal with his resentment over his friends sharing what he thought was a secret about his dad and his family two years earlier. Vish also becomes embroiled in some seriously weird and dangerous magic at his local bookstore, run by a grieving and alcoholic South Asian man, Agastya, and his teen staff member Gisella.

Agastya and Gisella enlighten Vish about a whole other side to this world. Vish is quickly pulled into into a situation spiralling quickly out of control by a pretty loathsome and terrifying magic worker, who begins attacking Vish repeatedly. To save Vish, and their town, Gisella opens Vish's mind to the magic she, and Agastya's now dead wife Isla, perform. It's pretty arcane and bizarre, and between all the new information that's dumped on him, and dealing with the attacks, and his family trying to rebuild itself, Vish has a LOT going on over the few weeks, at most, that the story takes place.

There's plenty of body horror in this story, and then there's the horror of being one of the few South Asian teens in town, and having to suffer the range of reactions of the people who know his family's troubles, as well as racism. It's tough, and all the occult and terrifying things that happen to Vish are extra stressors.

I loved how, despite his mistake, Vish's dad is trying hard to rebuild trust, both in his family and professionally. Vish's despondency, anger, and frustration were all believable, with all the situations he has to deal with in the story.

I did find the pacing was a little on the slow side, and found my attention wandered a little. And I did like the mix of real world issues mixed in with the dark magics of the story.

Thank you to Netgalley and to ECW Press for this ARC in exchange for my review.