What do you think?
Rate this book
Grimsley Hollow #1
The Chosen One
Gage Gilbert is an eleven-year-old boy who has autism, loves Halloween, and has no friends. Although he has always been happy with the safety and security of his family, he longs for a real friend and adventure - not just the ones he makes up in his head. Then, he meets Eve. Eve is a young witch from another world called Grimsley Hollow. It's where all magical beings live in safety and peace, but their world is in trouble. Gage is the only one who can help save them from an evil witch who has taken control. With Eve's help (along with a sarcastic pixy, a trouble-making werewolf, and a half-vampire), Gage travels to Grimsley Hollow. Together, they begin a journey that will change them all. It's a dangerous race against evil, where creatures unheard of stalk the land under a harvest moon and monsters that only exist in dreams become real. Gage wanted friends and adventure, but he had no idea they would come at such a dangerous price. Can one autistic boy defeat an evil witch and help save his new friends? Travel to Grimsley Hollow and find out!
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 24, 2011
13 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Nicole Storey
8 books124 followersNicole 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
August 1, 2013
Kids are smarter and more resourceful than adults give them credit for. The group of young people in Grimsley Hollow succeed where the adults fail. They have special help from an autistic boy named Gage who entered the strange world determined to play his part in ridding the world of an evil witch.
I love the way the author uses vivid descriptions to help the reader 'see' the settings and characters. Nicole Storey brings life to the story and makes it come alive in your imagination. I also like the way she brings autism to the attention of the public. People with autism are not understood by people who have had no contact with them but the author shows that Gage is an intelligent, loving, caring, young man who is capable of doing great things.
I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages.
I love the way the author uses vivid descriptions to help the reader 'see' the settings and characters. Nicole Storey brings life to the story and makes it come alive in your imagination. I also like the way she brings autism to the attention of the public. People with autism are not understood by people who have had no contact with them but the author shows that Gage is an intelligent, loving, caring, young man who is capable of doing great things.
I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages.
April 9, 2012
Grimsley Hollow is about a character many people don't get to read about often.
It's about a young boy without any friends, but he is smart. Gage loves Halloween and it's one of the holidays that break him out of his shell. While that may seem like many characters, it isn't.
Gage has autism.
The book dives into his emotions and it's interesting to see the perspective of someone with a disability some cannot understand. Put me in that category. I don't know many people with autism, and Nicole Storey helped me understand what a scary and brilliant world it could be for someone with it.
But even though Gage has autism, he has found ways to enjoy life whether it's through Halloween or playing make-believe games in his fort. The story starts with Gage finding a key that leads to a secret land where creatures he read about or saw in movies are real: vampires, werewolves, fairies and witches.
Even though Gage has limitations, the people of Grimsley Hollow need his help, and he doesn't seem held back in this new world. They don't care about his autism and treat him as they would any other child.
While the book is full of adventure, it's also about a boy learning to love himself.
I thought most of the characters were well done and Storey does a nice job if staying true to them throughout the book. My favorite character was a pixie named Puck. He definitely added a bit of comic relief and was one of the bright spots in the book with his dramatic flair.
The storyline was well thought out and comes with a little surprise at the end, at least enough of a surprise to get a series going if Storey decides to move in that direction.
I have two recommendations for Storey if she should continue writing – and I hope she does.
- Listen to people talk and how they say things. Some of the dialogue in the book felt a bit forced. It's how people say things or little nuances about the things people say that could actually help develop characters even further.
- The use of cliches was a bit much. There are ways to say things without having to use a phrase that has been used thousands upon thousands of times before. I'd like to see Storey come up with original ways of describing a character's feeling.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and even told my 9-year-old nephew he should read it. It's a nice children's story and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
It's about a young boy without any friends, but he is smart. Gage loves Halloween and it's one of the holidays that break him out of his shell. While that may seem like many characters, it isn't.
Gage has autism.
The book dives into his emotions and it's interesting to see the perspective of someone with a disability some cannot understand. Put me in that category. I don't know many people with autism, and Nicole Storey helped me understand what a scary and brilliant world it could be for someone with it.
But even though Gage has autism, he has found ways to enjoy life whether it's through Halloween or playing make-believe games in his fort. The story starts with Gage finding a key that leads to a secret land where creatures he read about or saw in movies are real: vampires, werewolves, fairies and witches.
Even though Gage has limitations, the people of Grimsley Hollow need his help, and he doesn't seem held back in this new world. They don't care about his autism and treat him as they would any other child.
While the book is full of adventure, it's also about a boy learning to love himself.
I thought most of the characters were well done and Storey does a nice job if staying true to them throughout the book. My favorite character was a pixie named Puck. He definitely added a bit of comic relief and was one of the bright spots in the book with his dramatic flair.
The storyline was well thought out and comes with a little surprise at the end, at least enough of a surprise to get a series going if Storey decides to move in that direction.
I have two recommendations for Storey if she should continue writing – and I hope she does.
- Listen to people talk and how they say things. Some of the dialogue in the book felt a bit forced. It's how people say things or little nuances about the things people say that could actually help develop characters even further.
- The use of cliches was a bit much. There are ways to say things without having to use a phrase that has been used thousands upon thousands of times before. I'd like to see Storey come up with original ways of describing a character's feeling.
Overall, I really enjoyed the book and even told my 9-year-old nephew he should read it. It's a nice children's story and I look forward to seeing what happens next.
November 18, 2012
Readability: Easily readable.
Hook: To me there was only one hook to the first chapter and it was not real strong.
Editing: The editing was very good. There was one sentence I had some doubt on because it appeared to be a fragment, but on further analysis, it was fine.
Characters: There were several characters. The main character Gage, his teacher Beasley, His mother Liv, and the fish named after his teacher. There was the wolf, but I did not learn enough about him to really gain an interest in him as a character.
Understandable: It was easy to follow what was going on.
Visuals: Nicole is very strong with her visuals all through the chapter. She gave excellent descriptions of outfits, character actions, and the environment.
Relatable: I always felt this way through school. I know it fairly well and related best with the teachers like Mr. Beasley that made the classes interesting. Even still I did not want to be there and found myself counting the minutes till it was time to go. I could totally relate to Gage in this.
Fun: The first chapter was nearly all character build up and very little action to it. It was a bit slow and I found myself hoping something was about to happen.
Overall: It was well written and the characters were well-developed, but it did not tug at my interest to make me want to keep turning the pages to the next chapter.
Synopsis: Gage is a kid who does not fit in and does not like school. Complicating this he suffers from a high function version of autism which inhibits his comfortable interactions with other kids. There was a large black wolf.
Favorite line: Whoever said that 'patience is a virtue' must have been a very boring person.
Favorite character: Mr Beasley with this costumes and unique ways of teaching an otherwise boring subject was my favorite character. Mr. Beasley the fish was a close second.
Hook: To me there was only one hook to the first chapter and it was not real strong.
Editing: The editing was very good. There was one sentence I had some doubt on because it appeared to be a fragment, but on further analysis, it was fine.
Characters: There were several characters. The main character Gage, his teacher Beasley, His mother Liv, and the fish named after his teacher. There was the wolf, but I did not learn enough about him to really gain an interest in him as a character.
Understandable: It was easy to follow what was going on.
Visuals: Nicole is very strong with her visuals all through the chapter. She gave excellent descriptions of outfits, character actions, and the environment.
Relatable: I always felt this way through school. I know it fairly well and related best with the teachers like Mr. Beasley that made the classes interesting. Even still I did not want to be there and found myself counting the minutes till it was time to go. I could totally relate to Gage in this.
Fun: The first chapter was nearly all character build up and very little action to it. It was a bit slow and I found myself hoping something was about to happen.
Overall: It was well written and the characters were well-developed, but it did not tug at my interest to make me want to keep turning the pages to the next chapter.
Synopsis: Gage is a kid who does not fit in and does not like school. Complicating this he suffers from a high function version of autism which inhibits his comfortable interactions with other kids. There was a large black wolf.
Favorite line: Whoever said that 'patience is a virtue' must have been a very boring person.
Favorite character: Mr Beasley with this costumes and unique ways of teaching an otherwise boring subject was my favorite character. Mr. Beasley the fish was a close second.
May 29, 2012
Gage is a good kid. He is from a good family with loving parents and a kid sister who is just about the best sister ever. Gage is also autistic. It is not who he is, just something about him. Something that makes it hard for him to make friends in school. But there is something else about Gage, something more powerful than autism. Gage has magic. Because of the unique person he is, he is the only one who can save Grimsley Hollow from an evil witch who threatens the magical world as well as the ordinary world we all live in. Gage is the only one who can stand in her way. Merely because of who he is. The things about him that have nothing to do with autism. Things like love, courage and a strong sense of what is right and what is not right.
This is a wonderful story about the best parts of all of us. A powerful metaphor about the differences between a label and what a person truly is. It is a story about how when a person is accepted for who they are, supported and loved for those reasons alone, they can perform incredible feats and overcome tremendous difficulties.
The simple fact is that Gage is a good kid, from a good family who loves him and he loves them in return. All it takes is for a few people to see him for who he truly is to give him the confidence to grow into a strong adult. Masterful tale about love, courage and a really great kid. I loved it.
This is a wonderful story about the best parts of all of us. A powerful metaphor about the differences between a label and what a person truly is. It is a story about how when a person is accepted for who they are, supported and loved for those reasons alone, they can perform incredible feats and overcome tremendous difficulties.
The simple fact is that Gage is a good kid, from a good family who loves him and he loves them in return. All it takes is for a few people to see him for who he truly is to give him the confidence to grow into a strong adult. Masterful tale about love, courage and a really great kid. I loved it.
July 25, 2012
My Review as posted on Amazon:
I am in no way a writer. I am not really sure what you are suppose to include in a book review. I could reiterate the description of the book but that would be pointless as I would think you have already read that if you are reading reviews. I could tell more of the story line, but I would hate to ruin the story for you. If you are thinking about buying this book, for yourself or a young person in your life, you will not be sorry! This is a great book, easy to read but I warn you it is extremely hard to put down!
I normally read Horror type of stories by authors like Steven King...they seem to be the only ones that could hold my attention from beginning to end. Then one day I picked up Grimsley Hollow, The Chosen One and found that I could not put it down. Nicole has a way of telling the story to keep the reader involved, interested, and intrigued to keep reading to see what would happen next. Her intended audience is young adults and her writing style is perfect for keeping young people involved! I am myself, quite a bit older than her targeted audience, but her story is written in a way that doesn't make it seem like you are reading a book intended for young people. She tells a great story, in a way that you will want to keep reading no matter if you are a young person or just "still young at heart"!
I loved the incorporation of Gage -the hero- having Autism, so many people (children and adults alike) look at autism as a disability in today's world, but Gage proves that this is not true -- in fact he shows us all that it is his ABILITY! No DIS in that. Gage is a very sweet, considerate and likable boy in this book. All of Nicole's characters are for that fact. Nicole's ability to describe the homestead, Gage's fort, the weather, the season, and even the sights and sounds of Grimsley Hollow made it seem as if I watched the book vs. read it!! I could see, feel, and smell everything she described vividly in my mind's eye. In my opinion that is real talent! A talent that is a MUST for people writing books for the intended audience.
The ONLY part of Grimsly Hollow I did not like was the ending.... or should I say -- that it ENDED! I was so involved with the characters I was not ready to have the book come to an end. As I read the last few pages, I felt as if I was saying goodbye to MY family or MY friends, not just characters in a book, and I didn't want to.
I am looking forward to book two of this series to carry on the adventures of this young hero, his family and his new friends. I will be watching my local book stores and Amazon for more books by Nicole Storey, to see (read) what adventures the future holds for my new "friends".
I am in no way a writer. I am not really sure what you are suppose to include in a book review. I could reiterate the description of the book but that would be pointless as I would think you have already read that if you are reading reviews. I could tell more of the story line, but I would hate to ruin the story for you. If you are thinking about buying this book, for yourself or a young person in your life, you will not be sorry! This is a great book, easy to read but I warn you it is extremely hard to put down!
I normally read Horror type of stories by authors like Steven King...they seem to be the only ones that could hold my attention from beginning to end. Then one day I picked up Grimsley Hollow, The Chosen One and found that I could not put it down. Nicole has a way of telling the story to keep the reader involved, interested, and intrigued to keep reading to see what would happen next. Her intended audience is young adults and her writing style is perfect for keeping young people involved! I am myself, quite a bit older than her targeted audience, but her story is written in a way that doesn't make it seem like you are reading a book intended for young people. She tells a great story, in a way that you will want to keep reading no matter if you are a young person or just "still young at heart"!
I loved the incorporation of Gage -the hero- having Autism, so many people (children and adults alike) look at autism as a disability in today's world, but Gage proves that this is not true -- in fact he shows us all that it is his ABILITY! No DIS in that. Gage is a very sweet, considerate and likable boy in this book. All of Nicole's characters are for that fact. Nicole's ability to describe the homestead, Gage's fort, the weather, the season, and even the sights and sounds of Grimsley Hollow made it seem as if I watched the book vs. read it!! I could see, feel, and smell everything she described vividly in my mind's eye. In my opinion that is real talent! A talent that is a MUST for people writing books for the intended audience.
The ONLY part of Grimsly Hollow I did not like was the ending.... or should I say -- that it ENDED! I was so involved with the characters I was not ready to have the book come to an end. As I read the last few pages, I felt as if I was saying goodbye to MY family or MY friends, not just characters in a book, and I didn't want to.
I am looking forward to book two of this series to carry on the adventures of this young hero, his family and his new friends. I will be watching my local book stores and Amazon for more books by Nicole Storey, to see (read) what adventures the future holds for my new "friends".
December 13, 2014
The Chosen One by Nicole Storey brings you right into Gage's life. I love how this tale opens wide from the very beginning. It made me want to know more in an instant.
Full of suspense and adventure, this impeccably written mysterious Halloween story sparked my curiosity and kept me interested all the way through.
The Grimsley Hollow series is clearly not just for young adults! However, it does inspire young people to read. It's a reason to get off of their devices and video games and actually read a book. What a concept! Something that is decreasing as time goes by which is a real shame since young people can get the best education by reading. Let's hope that changes because books like these gets you thinking as there are many positive messages and virtues shared throughout these pages. It's actually much more than it seems. It's golden!
I admire how the author deals with Gabe's autism. It's done with grace and respect. As well as compassion and deep understanding. I found it to be empowering.
I think it's so good for others to know that they are not alone and it is their differences that make them special. Big accolades!!!
Quote ~
He once told her it was like having an incurable disease. You could live with it and could actually be happy at times, but there was something missing. Sometimes you forgot about the missing part but your mind would stumble over it eventually, like remembering a forgotten toy when you trip over it. For the most part, he accepted his autism, but Liv knew that until society accepted it, her son would always have problems.
Full of suspense and adventure, this impeccably written mysterious Halloween story sparked my curiosity and kept me interested all the way through.
The Grimsley Hollow series is clearly not just for young adults! However, it does inspire young people to read. It's a reason to get off of their devices and video games and actually read a book. What a concept! Something that is decreasing as time goes by which is a real shame since young people can get the best education by reading. Let's hope that changes because books like these gets you thinking as there are many positive messages and virtues shared throughout these pages. It's actually much more than it seems. It's golden!
I admire how the author deals with Gabe's autism. It's done with grace and respect. As well as compassion and deep understanding. I found it to be empowering.
I think it's so good for others to know that they are not alone and it is their differences that make them special. Big accolades!!!
Quote ~
He once told her it was like having an incurable disease. You could live with it and could actually be happy at times, but there was something missing. Sometimes you forgot about the missing part but your mind would stumble over it eventually, like remembering a forgotten toy when you trip over it. For the most part, he accepted his autism, but Liv knew that until society accepted it, her son would always have problems.
June 16, 2012
A brief moment of disclosure, Ms. Storey is a person I consider a friend. However, I told her in advance that I don't play favorites when I write a review. She was willing to accept things to fall where they may. I am pleased to say that this is my first experience as a reader of her fiction, and it will not be the last.
A few bugs in the editing did not hamper this story. Yes, there is ONE instance of a name swap (not several as one might be lead to believe, however, I am certain that the author will tend to it now that she is aware, so it is probably not an issue much past the date of this review.
As for the story, it was charming and very engaging. This tale is told from the POV of a young witch's journal. It is not overdone with magic, but instead is a groundwork piece that I am certain will be enriching when I read Grimsley Hollow: The Chosen One.
I am not sure when people started thinking that YA had to mean "dumbed down" or simplistic. Ms. Storey does not take her target audience for granted, nor does she pretend that they live in a bubble. There are moments of humor and drama that will appeal to her audience of younger readers, and there are a few clever lines couched within for the adults.
Last, for parents of children with autism, I recommend this book highly and even without reading the next, will say that this is a story to share with that child...show them that they can indeed be a hero. For many parents, they already are.
A few bugs in the editing did not hamper this story. Yes, there is ONE instance of a name swap (not several as one might be lead to believe, however, I am certain that the author will tend to it now that she is aware, so it is probably not an issue much past the date of this review.
As for the story, it was charming and very engaging. This tale is told from the POV of a young witch's journal. It is not overdone with magic, but instead is a groundwork piece that I am certain will be enriching when I read Grimsley Hollow: The Chosen One.
I am not sure when people started thinking that YA had to mean "dumbed down" or simplistic. Ms. Storey does not take her target audience for granted, nor does she pretend that they live in a bubble. There are moments of humor and drama that will appeal to her audience of younger readers, and there are a few clever lines couched within for the adults.
Last, for parents of children with autism, I recommend this book highly and even without reading the next, will say that this is a story to share with that child...show them that they can indeed be a hero. For many parents, they already are.
June 10, 2012
What Grimsley Hollow was able to establish throughout the book was the fact everyone, is important, no matter what difference or disability they may have. Even though he has been labeled with the word 'autistic', Gage 'The Chosen One' is the best person to be the hero in this book. Without what the world deems as a 'defect' there is no way he would be so in tuned with his surroundings, nor have the ability to show empathy for others.
I love the story line, the way Gage's special abilities are brought out, and the way I found myself part of the fantasy and routing for the young warriors. Usually I avoid fantasy like a plague, but heard so many good things about the book I had to read it. I'm glad I did. Nicole did such a fantastic job with her descriptions the fantasy land seemed so real I didn't have to force my imagination to see the settings. I can't wait to read the next books in the series.
I love the story line, the way Gage's special abilities are brought out, and the way I found myself part of the fantasy and routing for the young warriors. Usually I avoid fantasy like a plague, but heard so many good things about the book I had to read it. I'm glad I did. Nicole did such a fantastic job with her descriptions the fantasy land seemed so real I didn't have to force my imagination to see the settings. I can't wait to read the next books in the series.
June 13, 2013
Not all heroes wear capes. Not all vampires are monsters. What some view as flaws are really strengths.
This story of a young boy with autism is an adventure for adult and young adult alike. It realistically portrays the challenges the hero faces in the normal world, and how those challenges pale in the supernatural world to which he is transported. I learned so much about autism from this book, but didn't realize it until I turned the last page. I kinda fell in love with the magical creatures Gage (the young boy) encounters and befriends, and eventually saves.
If all of Ms. Storey's writing is as strong as this, I know what I'll be reading all summer. Thanks for a beautiful book!
This story of a young boy with autism is an adventure for adult and young adult alike. It realistically portrays the challenges the hero faces in the normal world, and how those challenges pale in the supernatural world to which he is transported. I learned so much about autism from this book, but didn't realize it until I turned the last page. I kinda fell in love with the magical creatures Gage (the young boy) encounters and befriends, and eventually saves.
If all of Ms. Storey's writing is as strong as this, I know what I'll be reading all summer. Thanks for a beautiful book!
August 27, 2012
I stumbled across the intro story to this book in a FB posting daily free promo's. I'm so glad I found it. My son has Aspergers, so the story really touched me. It would have still been a great read without the personal connection. I can't wait to read about Gage's future adventures, and share them with my own little super hero!
February 4, 2012
This is a great book, well written and very visual. I enjoyed my journey, meeting characters that were really believable. A wonderful book for children and adults alike.
July 2, 2018
See notes and highlights. I don't have the heart to write a review.
September 27, 2011
Acabei de ler este livro dia 27 de Setembro de 2011. Demorei algum tempo a concluir a sua leitura, porque foi o primeiro “ebook” que li =) Ter uma visão nada boa não ajudou muito a ler o texto do ecrã do computador e valeu-me umas quantas dores de cabeça…
Queixas pessoais à parte, gostei bastante do livro! É uma história que remete para o mundo mágico de Grimsley Hollow e para a ameaça que paira sobre a paz que o caracteriza: Inari, uma bruxa ambiciosa.
O que mais me agradou neste livro é o facto de ter como personagem principal um rapaz que é autista, chamado Gage. Aqui é apresentado o drama diário de alguém que tem autismo, mas a autora rejeita o papel de “vítima”: Gage destaca-se e mostra-se tão capaz como qualquer pessoa. É um “grito de revolta social” contido na mensagem das linhas mágicas. Além disso, Gage e Sydney são mais do que personagens fictícias, são bem reais e os dilemas com que o Gage se debate e a incompreensão que enfrenta todos os dias são bem verdadeiros – aprende-se uma coisita ou outra sobre este assunto principalmente nas primeiras páginas.
Sendo um livro destinado a um público mais jovem, as personagens são bastante inocentes, fugindo de certa forma ao carácter dual das pessoas. Para alguns pode ser uma fonte de crítica, porém não é algo que me desagrada, pelo simples facto de que a história é dirigida aos mais jovens – tentar passar bons comportamentos e atitudes é algo que pode contribuir de forma positiva para o seu crescimento pessoal. A minha personagem preferida foi o Puck – aquele pixy é o máximo! É o típico tipo “duro”, que afinal tem um coração de manteiga.
O final, hum… falta-lhe ali qualquer coisita, talvez mais uma página de debate entre a jovem bruxa Eve e Gage.
É uma história muito bem conseguida e fico à espera do segundo volume da série! E o Syren também! =)
I finished reading this book on 27th September 2011. It took me some time to complete its reading, because this was the first ebook I read =) Having a bad vision didn’t help at all to read the text from the computer screen and that earned me a few headaches...
Personal grievances aside, I really liked the book! It’s a story that refers to the magical world of Grimsley Hollow and the threat to its peace: Inari, an ambitious witch.
What pleased me most in this book is the fact that the main character is an autistic boy named Gage. Here is presented the daily drama of someone with autism, but the author rejects the role of "victim": Gage stands out and proves to be as capable as anyone. It’s a "cry of social upheaval" contained in the message of the magic lines. Besides, Gage and Sydney are more than fictional characters: they are real, and the dilemmas that Gage has and the misunderstanding that he faces every day are very genuine - you learn a thing or two about this subject especially in the first pages.
As the book is directed to a younger audience, the characters are quite innocent, escaping a little the dual nature of people. To some, it may be a source of criticism, but it’s not something that bothers me, simply because the story is aimed at young people - trying to pass good behaviours and attitudes is something that can contribute positively to their personal growth. My favourite character was Puck - that pixy is the best! He’s the typical tough guy, who’s a soft heart after all.
The end, hum... there’s something missing, perhaps one more page of discussion between the young witch Eve and Gage.
It's a well done story and I am waiting for the second volume in the series! And Syren too! =)
Queixas pessoais à parte, gostei bastante do livro! É uma história que remete para o mundo mágico de Grimsley Hollow e para a ameaça que paira sobre a paz que o caracteriza: Inari, uma bruxa ambiciosa.
O que mais me agradou neste livro é o facto de ter como personagem principal um rapaz que é autista, chamado Gage. Aqui é apresentado o drama diário de alguém que tem autismo, mas a autora rejeita o papel de “vítima”: Gage destaca-se e mostra-se tão capaz como qualquer pessoa. É um “grito de revolta social” contido na mensagem das linhas mágicas. Além disso, Gage e Sydney são mais do que personagens fictícias, são bem reais e os dilemas com que o Gage se debate e a incompreensão que enfrenta todos os dias são bem verdadeiros – aprende-se uma coisita ou outra sobre este assunto principalmente nas primeiras páginas.
Sendo um livro destinado a um público mais jovem, as personagens são bastante inocentes, fugindo de certa forma ao carácter dual das pessoas. Para alguns pode ser uma fonte de crítica, porém não é algo que me desagrada, pelo simples facto de que a história é dirigida aos mais jovens – tentar passar bons comportamentos e atitudes é algo que pode contribuir de forma positiva para o seu crescimento pessoal. A minha personagem preferida foi o Puck – aquele pixy é o máximo! É o típico tipo “duro”, que afinal tem um coração de manteiga.
O final, hum… falta-lhe ali qualquer coisita, talvez mais uma página de debate entre a jovem bruxa Eve e Gage.
É uma história muito bem conseguida e fico à espera do segundo volume da série! E o Syren também! =)
I finished reading this book on 27th September 2011. It took me some time to complete its reading, because this was the first ebook I read =) Having a bad vision didn’t help at all to read the text from the computer screen and that earned me a few headaches...
Personal grievances aside, I really liked the book! It’s a story that refers to the magical world of Grimsley Hollow and the threat to its peace: Inari, an ambitious witch.
What pleased me most in this book is the fact that the main character is an autistic boy named Gage. Here is presented the daily drama of someone with autism, but the author rejects the role of "victim": Gage stands out and proves to be as capable as anyone. It’s a "cry of social upheaval" contained in the message of the magic lines. Besides, Gage and Sydney are more than fictional characters: they are real, and the dilemmas that Gage has and the misunderstanding that he faces every day are very genuine - you learn a thing or two about this subject especially in the first pages.
As the book is directed to a younger audience, the characters are quite innocent, escaping a little the dual nature of people. To some, it may be a source of criticism, but it’s not something that bothers me, simply because the story is aimed at young people - trying to pass good behaviours and attitudes is something that can contribute positively to their personal growth. My favourite character was Puck - that pixy is the best! He’s the typical tough guy, who’s a soft heart after all.
The end, hum... there’s something missing, perhaps one more page of discussion between the young witch Eve and Gage.
It's a well done story and I am waiting for the second volume in the series! And Syren too! =)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 24, 2011
The Chosen One, the first in the Grimsley Hollow series, tells the story of a young boy named Gage who has autism, loves Halloween, and has no friends. But then he meets Eve, a young witch from the magical world of Grimsley Hollow. But after an evil witch threatens to destroy the safety and peace, Gage and his friends must fight to defeat the evil witch and save Grimsley Hollow.
Let me start by saying that I usually do not read a lot Middle Grade (MG) novels. Mostly because many try to copy the awesomeness of Harry Potter while failing completely. But after reading the summary- and in dire need for a great novel-I bought it on my Kindle-PC, and was not disappointed.
I love Mrs. Storey’s way of description. Her characters- vampires, witches, pixies, dragons, and even a demon doctor- are so fun and crafty I wish I knew each one of them. After tagging along with Gage on his wild adventure filled with mild violence (which is very acceptable in my book) and the joy of friendship, I was craving more when this novel was finished. The fact the Gage was autistic added a charm to the book that few rarely capture. Instead of being helpless, Gage was a hero.
I personally enjoyed this story. Instead of whining that he could not do something, Gage triumphed through magical danger and came out victorious. It not only tells a MARVELOUS story, but sends a message that I think everyone, not just kids can learn: Just because people have special needs, does not mean they are disabled from overcoming difficulties…no matter how magical.
This is a great read for all ages, especially those craving for a book as great as Harry Potter.
Where you can find Nicole Storey:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nicolestoreyfans
Twitter: @Nicole_Storey
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-One-Grim...
Let me start by saying that I usually do not read a lot Middle Grade (MG) novels. Mostly because many try to copy the awesomeness of Harry Potter while failing completely. But after reading the summary- and in dire need for a great novel-I bought it on my Kindle-PC, and was not disappointed.
I love Mrs. Storey’s way of description. Her characters- vampires, witches, pixies, dragons, and even a demon doctor- are so fun and crafty I wish I knew each one of them. After tagging along with Gage on his wild adventure filled with mild violence (which is very acceptable in my book) and the joy of friendship, I was craving more when this novel was finished. The fact the Gage was autistic added a charm to the book that few rarely capture. Instead of being helpless, Gage was a hero.
I personally enjoyed this story. Instead of whining that he could not do something, Gage triumphed through magical danger and came out victorious. It not only tells a MARVELOUS story, but sends a message that I think everyone, not just kids can learn: Just because people have special needs, does not mean they are disabled from overcoming difficulties…no matter how magical.
This is a great read for all ages, especially those craving for a book as great as Harry Potter.
Where you can find Nicole Storey:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/nicolestoreyfans
Twitter: @Nicole_Storey
GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Chosen-One-Grim...
March 15, 2015
The Chosen One (Grimsley Hollow Book 1) by Nicole Storey is an expertly written, fantastical story that brings the reader into the life of a young autistic boy who is destined to become a hero in a far away land.
In this story, the main character, Gage is an autistic boy who loves Halloween and other scary things. He is pretty much without friends and is often ridiculed at school. His only real refuge is his tree-house and his only real friend is his sister.
One day, his tree-house is vandalized and objects within it are removed. Shortly after that, a mysterious girl shows up that leads Gage on a path to become a hero for the inhabitants of Grimsley Hollow. With vampires, pixies, dragons and witches, Grimsley Hollow is not a place for the faint of heart and Gage realizes that he must act to try to save them from the evil that will be soon unleashed upon them. Can Gage save Grimsley Hollow? I think there is a good chance that he can ...
Although the book is geared towards children, it was an engaging and exciting read for me from beginning to end. I especially liked the way the author portrayed the autism characteristics of Gage, which I later found out was first-hand experience from the author's own life of raising an autistic child. I applaud her for bringing this character trait into this series, as many children suffer from the disorder and would definitely benefit from reading about a heroic child much like themselves.
I would definitely recommend this to children who are middle-grade and up. I would also say that adults would enjoy this as well - I certainly did. So much so that I purchased the second book in the series and look forward to reading it very soon.
In this story, the main character, Gage is an autistic boy who loves Halloween and other scary things. He is pretty much without friends and is often ridiculed at school. His only real refuge is his tree-house and his only real friend is his sister.
One day, his tree-house is vandalized and objects within it are removed. Shortly after that, a mysterious girl shows up that leads Gage on a path to become a hero for the inhabitants of Grimsley Hollow. With vampires, pixies, dragons and witches, Grimsley Hollow is not a place for the faint of heart and Gage realizes that he must act to try to save them from the evil that will be soon unleashed upon them. Can Gage save Grimsley Hollow? I think there is a good chance that he can ...
Although the book is geared towards children, it was an engaging and exciting read for me from beginning to end. I especially liked the way the author portrayed the autism characteristics of Gage, which I later found out was first-hand experience from the author's own life of raising an autistic child. I applaud her for bringing this character trait into this series, as many children suffer from the disorder and would definitely benefit from reading about a heroic child much like themselves.
I would definitely recommend this to children who are middle-grade and up. I would also say that adults would enjoy this as well - I certainly did. So much so that I purchased the second book in the series and look forward to reading it very soon.
April 18, 2012
I came across Nicole Storey and her book via Ritesh Kala's Book Blog. He was doing a week long spotlight of Nicole and her book Grimsley Hollow-The Chosen one. I read the interview and learned she was inspired to write this book because of her son Gage who has Autism. As a mother, she was heartbroken when her son was sad over poor treatment at school by his fellow peers. Alot of students look at kids with Autism as stupid. Nicole wanted her son and others to know that "Autism does not mean stupid." In fact, they are quite brilliant individuals. She wanted Gage to know how wonderful he is and that having Autism is not a bad thing. She wanted other children with Autism and their fellow peers to know this as well.
So she decided to write a book that would include tidbits to explain Autistic behavior (Ex."stemming") and this wonderful idea turned into a very wonderful, descriptive and hooking start to a series! I loved all of the characters... Gage,Eve,Landon, Puck...all of them! Right from the beginning the story snatches you up and you are hooked until the end. I have gone through the other reviews and agree with all statements. I will not give an overview of the book because the other reviewers have done a wondeful job of it already, why repeat?
Thank you Nicole for being a wonderful mother and creating this wondeful story!
(I was in no way paid to give this review, in fact I proudly purchased this book for a very reasonable price and am sharing my review simply because I loved it)
A.D. Duling
Author of the Anna Kippling Series
So she decided to write a book that would include tidbits to explain Autistic behavior (Ex."stemming") and this wonderful idea turned into a very wonderful, descriptive and hooking start to a series! I loved all of the characters... Gage,Eve,Landon, Puck...all of them! Right from the beginning the story snatches you up and you are hooked until the end. I have gone through the other reviews and agree with all statements. I will not give an overview of the book because the other reviewers have done a wondeful job of it already, why repeat?
Thank you Nicole for being a wonderful mother and creating this wondeful story!
(I was in no way paid to give this review, in fact I proudly purchased this book for a very reasonable price and am sharing my review simply because I loved it)
A.D. Duling
Author of the Anna Kippling Series
December 13, 2014
The Chosen One by Nicole Storey brings you right into Gage's life. I love how this tale opens wide from the very beginning. It made me want to know more in an instant.
Full of suspense and adventure, this impeccably written mysterious Halloween story sparked my curiosity and kept me interested all the way through.
The Grimsley Hollow series is clearly not just for young adults! However, it does inspire young people to read. It's a reason to get off of their devices and video games and actually read a book. What a concept! Something that is decreasing as time goes by which is a real shame since young people can get the best education by reading. Let's hope that changes because books like these gets you thinking as there are many positive messages and virtues shared throughout these pages. It's actually much more than it seems. It's golden!
I admire how the author deals with Gabe's autism. It's done with grace and respect. As well as compassion and deep understanding. I found it to be empowering.
I think it's so good for others to know that they are not alone and it is their differences that make them special. Big accolades!!!
Quote ~
He once told her it was like having an incurable disease. You could live with it and could actually be happy at times, but there was something missing. Sometimes you forgot about the missing part but your mind would stumble over it eventually, like remembering a forgotten toy when you trip over it. For the most part, he accepted his autism, but Liv knew that until society accepted it, her son would always have problems.
Full of suspense and adventure, this impeccably written mysterious Halloween story sparked my curiosity and kept me interested all the way through.
The Grimsley Hollow series is clearly not just for young adults! However, it does inspire young people to read. It's a reason to get off of their devices and video games and actually read a book. What a concept! Something that is decreasing as time goes by which is a real shame since young people can get the best education by reading. Let's hope that changes because books like these gets you thinking as there are many positive messages and virtues shared throughout these pages. It's actually much more than it seems. It's golden!
I admire how the author deals with Gabe's autism. It's done with grace and respect. As well as compassion and deep understanding. I found it to be empowering.
I think it's so good for others to know that they are not alone and it is their differences that make them special. Big accolades!!!
Quote ~
He once told her it was like having an incurable disease. You could live with it and could actually be happy at times, but there was something missing. Sometimes you forgot about the missing part but your mind would stumble over it eventually, like remembering a forgotten toy when you trip over it. For the most part, he accepted his autism, but Liv knew that until society accepted it, her son would always have problems.
February 11, 2013
I would like to begin this by setting the scene of the impact. My journey in literacy started with the Chronicles of Narnia, The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. Every fantasy I attempted to read since the early 80s had rung flat until I gave up on the genre entirely in the mid-80s. I have read quite a variety of literature in my life and have only now come back to sampling Fantasy. I picked a good time.
Gage is the protagonist in this work, an autistic boy of eleven trying to gain control over his ailment so that he might eventually have friends. Gage is actually quite powerful in some aspects, mainly his strength of character which he will need to control the magic that has chosen him. Some one who wants friends doesn't nit-pick the little things about others.
The adventure starts in his Fort, involves witches, vampires, werewolves, pixies,..., an amazing plethora of well described mythical creatures. Reaching the end of this book I realized the most enchanting creature of all was Gage himself. His role in this book convinced me to buy the other two available when I have a monstrous TBR list and novels of my own to spin. Excellent. This is an awesome YA read and suitable for emerging readers of early years.
http://www.amazon.com/Grimsley-Hollow...
September 26, 2011
This is a charming story about a young autistic boy called Gage who gets invited into the “ storybook “ world of Grimsley Hollow to help the people and creatures defeat an evil witch, who is causing havoc in the search of a magic key.
This is very much in the vain of the Harry Potter books except the hero of the story is autistic and there’s no school.
In the story you get to meet some characters which are expertly crafted and within a short time you feel as if you’ve known them forever.
There’s vampires, witches, pixies, dragons and even a demon doctor.
Now, I loved the Harry Potter books and i can heartfully say that Nicole Storey has captured the magic and mystery of Grimsley Hollow just as good as JK Rowling did with Hogwarts in her books but with the additional insight of what an autistic person has to deal with on a day to day basis.
I just hope that the right person comes along and reads this book because it, in my opinion, has the same potential to be liked and enjoyed as much as the HP series and I can’t wait to see what adventures await Gage in the follow up books in the world of Grimsley Hollow.
This is very much in the vain of the Harry Potter books except the hero of the story is autistic and there’s no school.
In the story you get to meet some characters which are expertly crafted and within a short time you feel as if you’ve known them forever.
There’s vampires, witches, pixies, dragons and even a demon doctor.
Now, I loved the Harry Potter books and i can heartfully say that Nicole Storey has captured the magic and mystery of Grimsley Hollow just as good as JK Rowling did with Hogwarts in her books but with the additional insight of what an autistic person has to deal with on a day to day basis.
I just hope that the right person comes along and reads this book because it, in my opinion, has the same potential to be liked and enjoyed as much as the HP series and I can’t wait to see what adventures await Gage in the follow up books in the world of Grimsley Hollow.
October 11, 2011
In the world of Grimsley Hollow all the magical beings are in trouble. Living in safety and peace, their world has been threatened by a powerful evil witch.Now leaders of Grimsley Hollow have been captured and it is up to a small band of young magical beings to save them. For the rescue to be successful, they will need the help of one very special human child.
If you are looking for a delightful fantasy that will engage and educate your child this book is the one you should choose. The children I read this with were enchanted with the story. It was difficult for them to wait for the next part. I could imagine them under the covers with a flashlight. I was. You will be too. It is reminiscent of Harry Potter.
The book is a quick read. However I took so long with it as I was reading it to a few children.
*Full review on my blog*
** I was provided with a copy of this book for review purposes by the author. No promise of a good review was given. The opinions expressed are my honest feelings. I received no compensation for this review.**
If you are looking for a delightful fantasy that will engage and educate your child this book is the one you should choose. The children I read this with were enchanted with the story. It was difficult for them to wait for the next part. I could imagine them under the covers with a flashlight. I was. You will be too. It is reminiscent of Harry Potter.
The book is a quick read. However I took so long with it as I was reading it to a few children.
*Full review on my blog*
** I was provided with a copy of this book for review purposes by the author. No promise of a good review was given. The opinions expressed are my honest feelings. I received no compensation for this review.**
October 18, 2011
Grimsley Hollow is a wonderful story about Gage a boy with autism. In his world he is uncomfortable, has no friends and feels like a nobody. He is drawn into a magical world where there are vampires, witches, pixies, and dragons. It is up to him to save this magical world from an evil witch. In this world he gains confidence, friends and learns that being different is a wonderful thing.
This book shows us the life of a boy with autism. We are told the story through his perspective. I love how in the other world Gage learns to let go of his preconceived ideas of the magical beings there just like the reader will let go of their ideas of people with autism.
There was only one issue that some parents might have with the story and that is brief language. The words "damn" and "hell" are in the story. It was not overly used but just letting you know because as a parent I want to know what my children are reading.
I look forward to the next in the series!
*A free copy of this book was given to me for a honest review. No other compensation was provided for this review.
October 30, 2011
Grimsley Hollow by Nicole Storey is a truly magical book! Gage is a sweet but spunky, autistic eleven year old. I thought it was wonderful to have Gage as the leading character. It isn't often that you get to read stories about hero's who happen to have autism like Gage. For the most part I loved that the author went into great detail for the story, but I found the beginning much too slow for my liking. I did feel that the idea of Gage being autistic, was a little over explained in the beginning. I think it would've been more effective if Storey would've showed more instead of telling. I was hoping that Gage's autism wouldn't be the only focus of the story and as I read on, I was glad to see that this wasn't the case in Grimsley Hollow. It was easy to get caught up in this delightful story. I loved the imagery within the book and I think this is the perfect story for kids to read for Halloween! Overall, I really enjoyed reading about and discovering Gage's magical world. I look forward to reading more from Nicole Storey.
June 29, 2015
This a great little YA story, packed with action, adventure and friendship.
This story has everything you'd want from a paranormal YA, pixies, dragons, werewolves, vampires, magic and, of course, the big bad.
What really set this story apart from anything else that I've read was the main character, Gage. Gage suffers with autism, and as a result he struggles to make friends and deal with certain 'normal' tasks that others his age take for granted. He lives in a normal world, a safe world with guidelines and boundaries and things to keep him from harm.
But then extraordinary things begins to happen and he has to decide whether he wants to leave his path of safety or travel the dangerous path in hopes of saving a world and a people he knows very little about. However, Gage has a big heart and he soon finds himself battling with more than autism.
Very well written and full of heart.
Would recommend to age 8+ and to those who still love a good old fashioned paranormal fairy tale.
This story has everything you'd want from a paranormal YA, pixies, dragons, werewolves, vampires, magic and, of course, the big bad.
What really set this story apart from anything else that I've read was the main character, Gage. Gage suffers with autism, and as a result he struggles to make friends and deal with certain 'normal' tasks that others his age take for granted. He lives in a normal world, a safe world with guidelines and boundaries and things to keep him from harm.
But then extraordinary things begins to happen and he has to decide whether he wants to leave his path of safety or travel the dangerous path in hopes of saving a world and a people he knows very little about. However, Gage has a big heart and he soon finds himself battling with more than autism.
Very well written and full of heart.
Would recommend to age 8+ and to those who still love a good old fashioned paranormal fairy tale.
July 31, 2015
This book is a fantastic beginning to an exciting, unique series unlike any I have previously encountered. The characters are fun, three-dimensional people/creatures that had me rooting for their success. Gage is an eleven year old boy with autism who is introduced to this new world full of magic and possibilities. He is loving, responsible, and loyal to the end. Sydney and the other secondary characters were well developed and integral in the feelings evoked from this story. I felt I knew them personally by the end and will be reading the remaining books quickly. Puck is my absolute favorite part to the entire story. He provided some of the most light-hearted and entertaining moments that perfectly offset some of the more serious context. I highly recommend this book and series. This new world is one I found fascinating and addicting. You will not be disappointed!
September 4, 2012
Another chance for me to say something nice about an author flying under the radar in the YA realm. The beauty of this story is that it is written with a mother's love for her autistic child. This fantasy is set in a realm with all the pitfalls and supernatural creatures you can find in ANY fantasy tale. What sets this apart is the hero. Gage is a young man with autism chosen as the hero/savior in a world where different is the norm and his adventure will him that he is stronger than anybody ever gave him credit for. I can not recommend this book highly enough, especially for those with children who are battling demons we will never see or understand.
January 17, 2013
Super powers can come from unexpected places...in this book it comes in the shape of an eleven year autistic boy named Gage. He has been chosen to lead his group of new friends against the evil Inari, with the help of a very special Key. Join the adventure as Gage, Eve, Ladon and Siren show that "kids" can be as powerful as their adult counterparts.
For those that like to jump into action right away...warning "this book has a slow beginning" but stick with it and hang on to your chairs. Yeah, I loved it that much.
If you like werewolves, vampires, fairies, witches and the assorted mystical bad guy, I highly recommend reading this series (for the young and not so young).
For those that like to jump into action right away...warning "this book has a slow beginning" but stick with it and hang on to your chairs. Yeah, I loved it that much.
If you like werewolves, vampires, fairies, witches and the assorted mystical bad guy, I highly recommend reading this series (for the young and not so young).
June 1, 2013
Loving this series, not only for the adventure and that it's full of all the wonderful supernatural, but also because of the struggles and growth in Gage. It's fantastic! This story shows us how Gage travels into the land of Grimsley Hollows with the magical Key, helping Eve, Siren, Laden, Puck and the rest of their families, fight against evil. Evil is Inari and her bajangs! Turns out Gage is a bit magical himself, and is able to repel all the spells anybody tries to put on him, and it's his love and innocence that eventually are able to stop Inari. However, she's not stopped completely, which leads us into the next book! Loving this series!
September 21, 2011
What a wonderful tale. Hopefully you can tell by my title, I thought this book was magical. The story revolves around Gage, a young autistic boy who enters the world of Grimsley Hollow to help his friend Eve. Eve is a young witch who is trying to defeat an evil witch. This tale is full of magical creatures like dragons, witches and vampires. Most importantly, the main character is an autistic boy. Things Gage faces on a day to day basis may surprise some of us..
I look forward to more stories about Gage and his Grimsley Hollow friends.
I look forward to more stories about Gage and his Grimsley Hollow friends.
November 11, 2011
The Chosen One is a middle grade book that is a fun read even for adults. It is about an autistic kid, Gage, that travels to his own imaginary world. He is a very likable character because he is quirky. He reminds me of my son…a lot!
The world created by the author was very believable and the whole book was well written and easy to follow. This book was fun to read, easy to follow and entertaining. A good read me book, too.
I really liked the cover, too. It was very spooky and well designed. Got my attention for sure.
Reviewed by Sharon Nelson
The world created by the author was very believable and the whole book was well written and easy to follow. This book was fun to read, easy to follow and entertaining. A good read me book, too.
I really liked the cover, too. It was very spooky and well designed. Got my attention for sure.
Reviewed by Sharon Nelson
July 2, 2012
This one took me a little to get through, but after a few chapters, I was very interested. I love the story line, where Gage went, what happened, and that he grew into the individual he is.
I laughed out loud, and even got a little teary-eyed.. When those 2 things happen.. you know its a good book!
Well done Nicole Storey!
I actually give this 4.5 stars, because of the typos and grammar issues, that I found, but it didn't keep me from reading it!
I laughed out loud, and even got a little teary-eyed.. When those 2 things happen.. you know its a good book!
Well done Nicole Storey!
I actually give this 4.5 stars, because of the typos and grammar issues, that I found, but it didn't keep me from reading it!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews