Grimsley Hollow is home to all magical beings who once inhabited Earth. A malevolent force destroys the tranquility and respect which reigned between the different races for centuries; and a young witch named Eve is the only one empowered with the truth.
Eve’s journal records events which lead her and a few extraordinary friends to seek the only one who can help them survive: The Chosen One.
Eve of the Beginning is the second book in the Grimsley Hollow series and a prequel to the first book, The Chosen One.
Nicole Storey is the author of the Grimsley Hollow series - a middle-grade fantasy with a touch of paranormal and a lot of Halloween - and the award-winning Celadon Circle, a YA series inspired by the show, "Supernatural." She lives near Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, two children, and a menagerie of pets. When she isn't fighting demons or traveling to distant lands with potty-mouthed pixies, she enjoys reading, blogging, cooking, gardening, and spending time with her family. You can find Nicole's books on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple, Createspace and Smashwords in digital form and paperback.
"Eve of the Beginning" gave some delightful insight to Nicole Storey's first book "Grimsley Hollow: The Chosen One". While reading about Eve, I discovered that she wasn't the confident young witch I pictured while reading "The Chosen One'. She had many doubts about what she was doing and the means by which she introduced Gage to her mission.
I enjoyed the background story of Eve and the other inhabitants of Grimsley Hollow. It made the tale a little more complete, not that it needed any clarification, but "Eve of the Beginning" described why the characters did what they did and made them more believable. It's a great addition to the Grimsley Hollow series.
Grimsley Hollow - Eve of the Beginning is a prequel to the wonderful book, "Grimsley Hollow - The Chosen One" by Nicole Storey. It tells its story through the eyes of Eve Broch, the little witch in The Chosen One as she chronicles the events leading up to the her arrival in the human world to recruit Gage's help in saving her world of magical creatures from the evil Inari. It provides a great back story for the characters in the first book. Since I read the chosen one prior to this book, I am bias toward recommending the books be read in that order. However,I think this story of Eve, if read first, will flow nicely into the previously published book in the series.
I enjoyed the humor in the book a great deal and there is lots of it. But there are also some touching moments where the reader can't help but love the little witch's spirit and courage. What questions the reader of the first book may have had about Grimsley Hollow and the magical creatures who live there, are answered nicely in this addition to the series.
Eve's story is entertaining to read because she is a likable, witty and warmly written character. The book, although a prequel, is delightful as a stand alone story.
This one took hold of my imagination and ran away with it. In this short introduction to the realm of Grimsley Hollow, We are introduced to a world on the brink of disaster. Who do you think will save the day? Kids! Yep, We have Eve who is a twelve year old witch and the narrator of the story, her best friend and wolf shifter, Siren and a crazy pixie named Puck just to add some hilarious trouble to the mix as Eve and Puck must find a human boy with Autism and convince him that they are real and that he is the protector of the key to their realm before it falls into the wrong hands and their world is destroyed. It was full of non stop action and humor and an all around great introduction to this awesomely fantastic fictional world.
This is the second book I have read written by Nicole Storey and I have never been disappointed! She has a special way of telling stories that not only engages the reader but makes them almost feel as if they are a part of the story. This again is true in the writing of Grimsley Hollow: Eve of the Beginning. The story is told through the diary entries of a young witch. You learn about her world, her family, friends, life, and the changes taking place in her world. All these things lead you into the novel Grimsley Hollow: Chosen One. (Which there is a preview of at the end of this book.)
Even though I read her other book first, this one answer questions you did not realize you had until you have that "So that is how that started" moment. You can read it either before or after Grimsley Hollow: Chosen One. It can either introduce the series or fill in small gaps (that you probably didn't even notice) after reading Chosen One.
Her imagination must be one of vivid imagery and she has a talent for expressing that in words for us all to enjoy. She can keep you entertained and engaged throughout the book(s). This is one of the most enjoyable books I have read in a long time.
I suggest you give it a shot and see for yourself.... you will not be disapointed in my opinion!
Nicole Storey's Eve Of The Beginning (Grimsley Hollow Book Two) starts out and in an instant you are lured into this imaginary world.. I have just finished the first book in the series so I was excited to get right back into this storyline. The writing is clear and easy to follow and the characters are interesting and realistic.
Grimsley Hollow is a magical place, not without problems. The author has a great imagination and I can see wanting to get lost there for a while. This imaginary realm comes to life as the story tugs at your heart strings. This is an empowering story for everyone. You don't have to be different to feel as if you don't fit in.
I love the conversational writing style and the humorous bits and pieces tossed about. This story brings me great joy even though I am not a young adult. This is the kind of story that makes a young person want to read and allows them to see beyond themselves and use their imagination.
Quote ~
"Even though my mother usually forbade it, Siren brought me a steaming cup of coffee with lots of cream and sugar. He even sprinkled a little cinnamon on top. I managed a weak smile as he took the chair next to mine. While I sipped the brew, he pulled me to him, wrapping me in a familiar scent of musk, freshly mown grass, and leather - the smells of the Were, as familiar to me as my favorite stuffed animal."
I love this great little prequel to Grimsley Hollows! It reads somewhat like a journal, with updates every so often, and is a background of the story and troubles the supernaturals of Grimsley Hollows are facing with Inari. It gives a great starting point for the series! We're let in on Gage's issues with autism and the struggles he deals with on a daily basis, his lack of friends and wanting to belong, and how he fits in to be the hero that Grimsley Hollows, Eve and her family and friends, are needing.
Ever wonder what would happen if a magical wonderland was taken over by an evil witch? Who would they turn to? Travel to Grimsley Hollows and meet Eve, Ladon, and Siren along with some incredible characters and find out.
Excellent prequel to the Grimsley Hollows series. If you like werewolves, vampires, fairies, witches and the assorted magical bad guy, I highly recommend reading this series (for the young and not so young). (Short story)
I really enjoyed this book. Magical places and great scenery take us away to places we can only dream of. Mystical creatures come to life as we get to know each of them. Eve is a cutie, Gage is nervous, but underneath, he's strong. I have my favourite, Siren,the protector. A great read.
I fell in love with the story! I love how the characters come together, because they all have something in common... and they work together. The imagination that brought the story together, kept me interested!
Grimsley Hollow: Eve of the Beginning by Nicole Storey is a wonderfully well-spun tale to be read along with the first book, The Chosen One. I read the The Chosen One a while back and also read Blind Sight by Ms. Storey. I am a huge fan of her work and will read anything that she publishes - her writing is that good!
Now to the review of this well-written and highly imaginative story ... Eve is a young witch, eleven years old to be exact. She is just coming into her own as a witch, but is also still a child. And being a child is a hindrance in that most of the townspeople and her parents will not listen to her when she senses that the newest witch (Inari) in town is up to no good.
Eve has all the issues that a human tween would have, but also carries the weight of the Grimsley Hollow world on her shoulders. Once the new witch, Inari proves to be the baddest apple in Opa, Eve must grow up fairly quickly if she is to save Grimsley Hollow from the clutches of this hateful and destructive witch. Eve must be brave and make contact with the only human that can help - Gage, the autistic child from the first book.
The characters in this story come alive in every page. Eve, the not-so-sure-of-herself witch and Puck the mischievous pixie are so well-developed and likable that the reader cannot help but love them both. The same for Inari - very well-developed as a character and so very easy to hate. Ms. Storey has such a great way of weaving a fascinating tale of a magical world that it makes the reader want to know every facet of the story and what happens next for Eve and Grimsley Hollow.
As I said in the beginning of this, I am a huge fan and will read anything that this particular author publishes. Eve of the Beginning has solidified that sentiment and I eagerly await to read more from this very talented and gifted author.
Grimsley Hollow is a fun, mysterious series that captured me from the beginning. Eve of the Beginning answers questions we were left questioning from The Chosen One. We finally see everything that led up to the serious problems in Grimsley Hollow from Eve's POV. I loved that all the historical questions were answered and from another POV adding a change in tone and feeling to the book. The book is just as laugh out loud funny and has all of my favorite characters from Book 1. I highly recommend this series. The characters and plot will make you love them right away.
This is a great story but not one essential to understanding the series. All of this story is featured in the first full book. This story does not provide additional insight into the characters or the problems facing them.