Castle Grim

How does it feel to lose your parents? To think that they’re not coming back? Herman had never known. Castle Grim fixes that. Herman uncovered many secrets that he didn’t even know existed and faced the hard truths. The book states that the enemy is a person, but I think the real demon Herman is fighting is fear. Fear that he can’t escape. This journey forces him to change his perspective on life, and to grow.

After his father rejected his wishes for adventure, Herman decided to do something. But that desperate thing ended him in a nightmare. Castle Grim takes place in a dystopian New Zealand that is closed off from the rest of the world after a global pandemic in 2060, when a massive earthquake almost finished everyone off. The struggling country is surviving, but just barely. Sadly, the once proud capital of New Zealand (which was once called Wellington) is crumbling and famine is spreading. Wellington’s only hope is the people in the Nelson community that are willing to help. Herman had had a peaceful life in Nelson, but that life was shattered once his world broke. The threat from outside the walls had always been there, but now, it was more. Now it was reality.

After a risky decision to find adventure goes wrong, Herman is imprisoned in an orphanage. The cruel environment is harsh enough to make him want to cry. Adding to that the strict rules and brutal chores, survival seemed impossible. The only thing keeping him going was his ever-growing bond between himself and Polly (another orphan).

Shaun Barnett uses this book to make the reader feel like they’re right next to Herman, ready to spring into action. You can imagine yourself as Polly, determined as ever to escape the prison-like orphanage. Or Uncle Charlie; maybe you’re off on a reckless adventure or just sitting on the deck of the seeker, chomping on a crisp fish. Maybe you’re Herman, listening to Uncle Charlie tell stories, and if you don’t get thrown overboard, braving the rough waters of Cook Strait. Shaun lures us directly into the heart of the characters' survival. His storytelling captures the essence of what it feels like to be part of an adventure, where every choice has a consequence, and every character has a story to tell.

This book was initially difficult for me to get into; I would pick the book up and then put it right back down. But once I started reading properly, I got more and more attached to the characters, and as a result, to the story itself. Herman's determination, Polly’s knowledge, and their friends’ willingness to help bring the plot together. As I got to the halfway mark, the book was hard to put down. Herman’s inner turmoil was captivating. His real battle, the one against fear, was his most difficult challenge. Herman had both wins and losses, but through it all, he persevered.

Do you love action packed, fast paced stories? Do you like reading about survival? If you say yes to either of these questions, I think you would highly enjoy reading Castle Grim. You have read my review. You have seen my perspective. Time for you to join Herman on his adventure.