MATTHEW JOBIM’S “THE NETHERGRIM”: EVEN A BRILLIANT WIZARD HAS PROBLEMS, TOO

RATING GUIDE:

 

6 – Life-Affirming and Life-Changing!

5 – A keeper!   

4 – Very good

3 –  Passable

2 –  I’d rather read a telephone book

1 – An absolute bomb.  Read at your own risk!

0 – Nothing will compensate for what I lost reading this book 

Whenever we “see” a wizard in action (well, in our imagination), we often see him or her performing extraordinary magical feats.  Yet, we never get a glimpse into the kind of life he or she might have.  In “The Nethergrim,” author Matthew Jobin presents us with his interesting, amusing, humorous take on a wizard’s life “behind the scenes”. 

Matthew Jobim’s “The Nethergrim” is the story of a young man named Edmund.  Edmund wants nothing more than to be a wizard, but he can’t even pursue that dream.  His father thinks it’s a waste of time.  His younger brother, Georey, bullies him on a daily basis.  He is secretly in love with his best friend Katherine … but Katherine appears to be in love with someone else.  Will a Wizard-Wannabe ever get a break?

In the middle of all this angst, a beast appears tears into the town and starts stealing children.  Now, Edmund, Katherine and their best friend Tom must find the children with only a stolen spell book, a horse and a dog to aid them.  

Although “The Nethergrim” is yet another story about wizards, I enjoyed reading this book.  It was fun to read about a wizard who experiences the same (more or less) problems as today’s average teenager.  I can’t wait to see what happens in the next installment.

In an age where everything is instant, Matthew Jobim’s “The Nethergrim” is a much-needed reminder to readers of the value of reading books and of education (something that’s definitely not acquired in a short time).  His book also contains a very important reminder to today’s youth, who live in a world where Group Think has sadly become the norm rather than the exception:  that the young ones must follow their heart, no matter how difficult it may be.  The book upholds the value of staying true to one’s self and being comfortable in one’s skin. 

RATING:  4