The Next Great Fantasy Epic is here! For fans of Ranger's Apprentice and the Chronicles of Narnia. Everyone in Moorvale believes the legend: The brave knight Tristan and the famed wizard Vithric, in an epic battle decades ago, had defeated the evil Nethergrim and his minions. To this day, songs are sung and festivals held in the heroes' honor. Yet now something dark has crept over the village. First animals disappear, their only remains a pile of bones licked clean. Then something worse: children disappear. The whispers begin quietly yet soon turn into a shout: The Nethergrim has returned! Edmund’s brother is one of the missing, and Edmund knows he must do something to save his life. But what? Though a student of magic, he struggles to cast even the simplest spell. Still, he and his friends swallow their fear and set out to battle an ancient evil whose powers none of them can imagine. They will need to come together--and work apart--in ways that will test every ounce of resolve. In a story reminiscent of the Ranger’s Apprentice epic and the Chronicles of Narnia, Matthew Jobin weaves reality, magic, and adventure into the next great fantasy phenomenon.
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“In this entertaining coming-of-age fantasy…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…First in a planned trilogy, this is a solid debut for anthropologist Jobin, who steers clear of genre cliches while offering up a refreshingly metaphysical take on magic, a believably dark setting filled with unusual threats, and a seductive and manipulative villain.”
— Publishers Weekly
“These three brave, smart, and virtuous heroes embark on the beginning of what is sure to be a sweeping, epic fantasy series. Debut author Jobin tells a riveting, slowly building story, and his rich, evocative writing style only adds to the package. Perfect for imaginative middle-grade readers craving a hearty magical adventure.”
— Booklist“This series starter is reminiscent of epic fantasy series such as C. S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia or J. R. R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings. It is appropriate for and appealing to younger readers as well as older teens and adults with an interest in fantasy. The characters are strongly drawn and the reader is quickly lured into their quest to save their town. There is a compelling blend of magic, romance, looming evil, and noble sacrifice.”
— VOYABe the first to write a review about this audiobook!
Matthew Jobin spent twenty-five years developing the Nethergrim’s world—its story, present and past; its landscapes; its language. He was originally inspired as a boy exploring the forest surrounding his home in Canada and has been intent on telling the tale ever since. Matthew, who holds a PhD in anthropology from Stanford, now lectures at Santa Clara University and lives with his wife in the San Francisco Bay area.
Jeremy Arthur is an audiobook narrator. His readings include Power Foods for the Brain by Dr. Neal Barnard, Thoughtful by S. C. Stephens, Strange Fates by Marlene Perez, and Spring Chicken by Bill Gifford, among others.