The Divine Comedy meets The Dark Tower as a hellish new attraction arrives at a smalltown carnival in this tale of horror inspired by Norse & Viking folklore. Old Grim—or Grimnir—comes from a time long before even Christianity had been born. Through all these years his kin have slowly faded into memory, and even the gods which once sat with him in his halls are now lost. His last hope was to spend his remaining years creating a world all of his own. The world of Altheim. Yet there is something missing. An ancient prophecy in which blood of his own line must rule, lest Altheim descend into chaos—the ripples of which will bring about the Twilight of the Gods themselves . . . The carnival comes every year, but in 1929, it brought something new. Beatrix finds that the price of admission, having your fortune told, may be too high of a price . . .
From Newbery Honor-winning, New York Times bestselling author Adam Gidwitz Cover may vary Did you know that Cinderella’s stepsisters got their eyes pecked out by birds? Really. And that Rumpelstiltskin ripped himself in half? And that in “The Mouse, the Bird, and the Sausage,” a mouse, a bird, and a sausage all talk to each other? (Okay, I guess that one’s not that grim.) Those are the real fairy tales. But they have nothing on the fairy tales in this book. For more twisted tales look for A Tale Dark and Grimm and In a Glass Grimmly. * “Underneath the gore, the wit, and the trips to Hell and back, this book makes it clearer than ever that Gidwitz truly cares about the kids he writes for.” —Publishers Weekly starred review “Entertaining story-mongering, with traditional and original tropes artfully intertwined.”—Kirkus Reviews “As innovative as they are traditional, the stories maintain clear connections with traditional Grimm tales while creatively connecting to the narrative, and all the while keeping the proceedings undeniably grisly and lurid. . . .Readers will rejoice.”—School Library Journal
"Dive head-, feet-, or face-first into this delicious danger." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review When Grubb, an orphan and runaway chimney sweep, entered the wondrous world of the Odditorium, his life changed forever. Apprenticed to the mechanical marvel's strange proprietor, Alistair Grim, Grubb unfortunately must settle into his new position on the lam, as all of England is convinced that Alistair Grim is a villain. Grim, however, has come up with a plan to expose the real villain: Prince Nightshade, a wicked necromancer who wants the Odditorium's power source for himself. With the evil prince hot on their trail, Grim, Grubb and the rest of the Odditorium's crew embark on a perilous adventure to find the legendary sword Excalibur: the only weapon capable of penetrating Nightshade's magical suit of armor. As expected, their quest turns out to be anything but ordinary. Not only can the Odditorium fly, but it can also swim! And so the crew battens down the hatches and sets off on an underwater voyage to the otherworldly realm of Avalon, home to Excalibur. Along the way, they must battle a banshee assassin, sea monsters, and a witch who seeks revenge on Alistair Grim for stealing her magical objects. But that's not all. Unbeknownst to Grubb and the others, their fate has been written in an ancient Avalonian prophecy-a prophecy that holds the key to a destiny not even Alistair Grim could have imagined.
Arthur Penhaligon's magical adventures continue as he faces a new grave danger -- in the form of an enemy named Grim Tuesday. More amazing fantasy from bestselling author Garth Nix. Arthur Penhaligon's magical adventures continue as he faces a new grave danger -- in the form of an enemy named Grim Tuesday. More amazing fantasy from best-selling author Garth Nix.Arthur doesn't think he will ever have to return to the strange house that nearly killed him on Monday -- the house that contains an entire world. But Tuesday brings new challenges -- in the form of an enemy named Grim Tuesday, who threatens the well-being of both Arthur's family and his world. Arthur must retrieve the Second Key from Grim Tuesday in order to save everything -- an adventure that will include stealing a Sunship, surviving a very weird work camp, befriending a bearlike spirit, fighting the voidlike Nithlings, and traveling to the scary Far Reaches for the ultimate showdown.
Grubb, age twelve (or thereabouts), has never known anything beyond his miserable existence as a chimney sweep, paid only in insults and abuse by his cruel master. All of that changes the day he stows away in the coach belonging to a mysterious guest at the inn that he is tasked with cleaning. Grubb emerges from Alistair Grim's trunk and into the wondrous world of the Odditorium. Fueled by a glowing blue energy that Grubb can only begin to understand, the Odditorium is home to countless enchanted objects and an eccentric crew that embraces Grubb as one of their own. There's no time for Grubb to settle into his new role as apprentice to the strange, secretive Mr. Grim. When the Odditorium comes under attack, Grubb is whisked off on a perilous adventure. Only he can prevent the Odditorium's magic from falling into evil hands???and his new family from suffering a terrible fate. Grubb knows he's no hero. He's just a chimney sweep. But armed with only his courage and wits, Grubb will confront the life-or-death battle he alone is destined to fight.
THRILLING, ACTION PACKED HISTORICAL ADVENTURESVividly set in the Viking Age - full of sword fights, treasure, pirates, adventurous sea journeys, kings, queens, runes and belief in the supernatural.Four-books-in-one edition of this HIGHLY ACCLAIMED series, recommended by numerous reviewers, teachers and young readers. - 'If you've not discovered Grim Gruesome yet, where have you been! ...Vividly told scary adventure...you can't stop reading' - Primary Times- 'Dahl-style jokes and adventure' - The Times - 'horrible but also funny...wonderful' - TES- 'Full of twists and turns that you are desperate to follow' - www.justimaginestorycentre.co.uk- 'A page turner...dramatic and vivid...fast-paced and enjoyable' - Birmingham Post- Shortlisted for the Solihull Children's Book Award and Lancashire Fantastic Book AwardAN UNFORGETTABLE VILLAIN!Grim Gruesome is a mysterious, hideous, shape-shifting trickster - charismatic yet evil, the terror of the North Lands. He has sworn to harm as many children as he can. No one has ever seen his face, but he can be recognised by his repulsive, pus-oozing finger stump with hypnotic powers.In each story Grim appears incognito, and in a different disguise, to lure young victims into his power. He weakens them with terrifying threats and throws them into horrifically dangerous situations. At first escape seems impossible. However, in true fairy tale style, children always overcome him by drawing on their own courage, determination and inner strength. LOTS OF CHILD APPEAL- Child-centred fiction with the emphasis on a gripping, thrilling story. - Strong appeal to both girls and boys- Written in a page-turning style with short chapters ending on cliffhangers.- Scary yet buoyant and touched with dark humour.- Vividly written: rich plots and colourful characters.- Short chapters, snappy sentences and constant drama - accessible to all reading abilities.- Language that's direct and pithy - look out for some unique Viking curses!
I knew this day would come but I didn't think it would be so soon. I peered through the curtains of my bedroom window listening to the howling wind and watched as the lightning lit up the sky. My heart was beating like a base drum. Something about this night was like no other night I have ever experienced that overwhelmed me with great fear of the unknown. Then I noticed in the distance a carriage barreling down the castle road at such a great speed. The closer the carriage got to the castle the more my fear grew. I could tell it was just a matter of minutes when death would knock upon my door. Just as the carriage pulled up to the front of the castle's gate my heart was telling me not to answer the door. I knew in my heart when destiny knocks upon your door there's no stopping a good or evil presence. Then the black figure stepped down from the carriage slowly walking to the front door of the castle and with three loud knock's on the door, I calmly walked down the castle stairs to the front door shaking like a leaf to see who was at my front door.
Shrek meets Dungeons & Dragons 'Fun.' 'Dark.' 'Ludicrous.' 'Gritty.' 'Witty.' 'Inventive.' 'Enchanting.' 'Full of action with compelling characters.' All four books available together in one set. Plus! The bonus paraquel short story, Interview with the Dark Elf. Og-Grim-Dog: The Three-Headed Ogre Join Og-Grim-Dog on their first adventure as they attempt to solve a mystery, become heroes, and join a crew of dungeon crawlers. Og-Grim-Dog and The Dark Lord Prepare yourself for a story of evil plans and dark deeds, as Og-Grim-Dog discover whether a life of villainy is really all it's cracked up to be. Og-Grim-Dog and The War of the Dead The dead walk the land. As the world around them begins to disintegrate, Og-Grim-Dog face their greatest challenge yet. Can they survive the apocalypse? Og-Grim-Dog: Ogre's End Game An epic battle of good vs evil in this time-travelling, portal-hopping finale to the series.
The night was long and cold as it was the 11th month on the 12th day of 1803 when a woman by the name April Lee Smith was giving birth. There was a scream that could be heard across town, a man named Paul Reaper stood right by her side and held Aprils hand tight as April screamed from giving birth in the one room run down shack of a home where they have been living for the past two years. The town doctor was a man by the name Frank Smith was Aprils brother that was delivering Aprils baby. It was a happy time for April and Paul for this is their first child together. Paul was a black smith here in Shady Oaks, the town was sure not getting any rest on this night. No sir not one second of rest, but it was a day that will never be forgotten here in Shady Oaks.
An uneasiness festers upon the city streets, threatening the peace and safety of law-abiding citizens. A war is escalating, and it seems as though the good and righteous are being crushed beneath the unholy weight of evil’s onslaught. Organized crime is spreading in an unchecked reign of terror. Until a mysterious agent of retribution rises up from the shadows to challenge the villains. A lone figure, clad in a slouch hat and clothes seemingly stitched from the blackest shadows, masked in the guise of a skull-faced death—a Grim Death—emerges with guns blazing. With him, a wronged ex-con clad in the striped costume of his misfortune—Bill the Electrocuted Criminal. In this beautifully illustrated 1930s-pulp-style novel, two dark new characters by Thomas E. Sniegoski and Mike Mignola take to the street to fight the growing infection of organized crime. Grim Death and Bill the Electrocuted Criminal are not your average heroes, but they want justice.
