The Death of Yorik Mortwell

by Stephen Messer, Gris Grimly (Illustrator)

Inspired by the artwork of Edward Gorey, Windblowne author Stephen Messer delivers a mock-Gothic tale about poor Yorick (alas!), son of the Gamekeeper at venerable Ravenby Manor, who meets an untimely demise—in chapter one! Worry not, dear reader, for Yorick returns in ghostly form, intent on revenge. In the course of his hauntings, however, ghostly Yorick discovers that all manner of otherworldy creatures inhabit the manor grounds, and that he has a part to play in saving not only his still-living orphan sister but also the manor and everyone in it.

For every young reader who enjoyed the dour dalliance of A Series of Unfortunate Events, here is Stephen Messer's playful homage to the poor orphans of Charles Dickens, the bleak poetry of Edgar Allen Poe, and the exaggerated characters of Roald Dahl.


From the Hardcover edition.

Genres: Middle Grade, Fantasy, Horror, Paranormal, Young Adult, Ghosts, Fiction

192 pages, Library Binding

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Author of Windblowne (May 25th, 2010) and The Death of Yorik Mortwell (Summer 2011), both from Random House Books for Young Readers.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you have to die at age twelve, being able to hang around as a ghost and keep an eye on your dear little sister seems to be an acceptable afterlife.
And being able to haunt the fat, little toad who murdered you would almost be the icing on the cake, right?

But, alas for Yorik . . .

Things don't work out quite that way.

The estate he's supposed to haunt is already beset by unworldly characters and lots of 'em. Yorik quickly falls in with two puzzling spirits, one of whom is pretty bossy. And before he knows it, he's battling PURE EVIL in the form of "The Dark Ones."

Much like the proverbial angel/devil on your shoulder,



these vicious blobs perch there like two chubby Satans, filling the heads of their victims with horrid suggestions and nasty thoughts.

Will Yorik and his strange companions be able to work together and save the living inhabitants of Ravenby Manor?

This is pretty dark, and should be avoided by children who enjoy reading about birthday parties and unicorns. I love disturbing fiction, but even I had trouble getting into (and staying interested in) this one. Maybe it's because Yorik kicks the bucket so early in the book and you never really get to know him.. Points are awarded for imagination, however.

And being a fan of Gris Grimly, I must state that the book suffered greatly from not enough of his weird and wonderful drawings.

[Chris - Quarter Press Editor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not fully sure how I feel about this one.

Of course, I love the artwork, as Gris Grimly is one of my favorites, and I tend to buy everything I can that he's a part of.

Story-wise, there is plenty to like, as the world is interesting, and the themes it's working with run deeper than the surface.

But where I start to be unsure is with the pacing. Yes, it's a book for younger readers, and it should move along quickly, but it's almost too fast. And even at that pace, it feels as if not much happens. Perhaps it's the fact that it's boiled down to key scenes--or that so many younger books are becoming longer and longer--but I kept wanting more, and never really got it.

Because of this, the characters aren't as complex as they could be--or aim to be--especially for the ones that grow. However, they serve their purpose for the story in an interesting way.

So, again, I'm torn, because I did enjoy the book well enough, but it's not without its share of noticeable problems. In the end, it comes down to whether you can move beyond them as to how enjoyable this will be.

[Leigh Statham · Rating 5 out of 5]

I *loved* this little book so much! Mostly because it was little, beautifully illustrated, and told an original tale of good vs evil that I can't wait to share with my kids. Also, Stephen Messer is just a really nice guy. If you have little ones who enjoy ghost stories, pick this up and read it with them. It's wonderful!

[Marsha · Rating 3 out of 5]

A story that begins with the sentence of the titular character’s expired state is a tale that grabs you right from the start. The weirdness doesn’t stop there.

Yorik is used to being a servant and now his servitude continues even in death. Bound to the mercurial, temperamental, childish and volatile self-titled All-Powerful Princess of the Aviary Glade, Yorik’s adventures in the realm of the dead seat him firmly in the land of the living.

The story deals with nothing less than the end of the world, or at least its domination by the Yglhfm, more commonly called the Dark Ones. Yorik proves to be resourceful, valiant and merciful, forgiving the nasty boy who murdered him and rescuing his living sister.

While I found myself irked by the deus ex machina of the princess’s magic (literally fixing everything with a wave of her wand), I have to admit that the main engine of the novel is Yorik himself. It is he who confronts the ghost of his former tormentor, legions of Dark Ones, an angry princess and her beastly father.

The illustrations of Gris Grimly feature his usual love of skeletal figures and jangly-toothed skulls. Grimly’s style is unique enough that you recognize it instantly if you’ve encountered it elsewhere and his Gothic tone amply suits this yarn of malevolent whispering blobs and a dying mudclod called Erde.

If matters are too neatly tied up again by novel’s end, we can smile at the sweet innocence of a little girl’s simple delight in a new father and flotation of dandelion seeds.

[Jess Bonanni · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another one I have conflicting feelings on. I picked this up mainly due to the illustrator who is one of my favorites.

I love me a good spooky middle grade story but this one just felt more sad than anything despite the grim title. This one starts with the title characters death and he has to do what he can to save his former home from a bigger threat. From the beginning there are heavier themes present that as an adult, I understood quite well but for younger audiences, idk, I think my childhood self would have probably been upset at the amount of child and animal deaths involved in this quick little story. But that's always been a solid trigger for me so I won't ever give a book a full five stars because of that.

The pacing also went slow at first and then incredibly quick so things happened and then resolved without much time to process, which I can sort of understand what with this being a middle grade book but still.

IDK if I would recommend this as a good book for kids but it does teach some valuable lessons as well as show the harsher side of life at times. As far as spooky, I think the spookiest part of this book were the illustrations which were top-notch as always.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part ghost story part dark fantasy this was a spooky middle grade read. Gris Grimly’s illustrations helped add the atmospheric quality of the story. If you enjoy spooky reads I highly recommend this book.

[Virginia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book because of the illustrator.

[Reem · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful heartwarming read!
I kinda wish there was more about the world-building though cause it sounded so interesting.

[Kat San Andres · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the concept, but loved the illustrations even more. Dark, unique, and very gothic. Full of triumph and love.

[McKenna R · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun read with maybe a few loose ends. But still very enjoyable and a great Halloween-y type book.

[J.W. Griebel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 3.5 stars.



The Death of Yorik Mortwell was entertaining, to say the least. It's a simplistic-yet-fun story of a boy who dies and comes back as a ghost intent on protecting an orphan sister we are given absolutely no reason to care about, as she appears in about six (or less) pages, and is hardly focused on beyond a springboard for Yorik's demise.

My main problem with this story (besides the lack of "Sister," who was focused on so little I have to call "Sister" because I forgot her name already, even though I finished the book not fifteen minutes ago) is that it robs you right at the end, eliminating any challenge, anticipation or even suspense. Messer basically gives you the ending. It's as if he got itchy and couldn't bear to write any further, so he just threw the "happily ever after, the main character had zero bearing on the outcome after all and basically wasted all of his time running around for no reason" ending in there that I loathe so deeply. In fact there is a scene in which one of the main characters is told she is under the influence of some malevolence or another and immediately she agrees and states how silly she had been, la dee da now she can save the world and all is bright once more because someone pointed this out to her. It instantly pissed me off.

Gris Grimley's artwork is wonderfully creepy, as always, and if it wasn't for the art, The Death of Yorik Mortwell wouldn't have gotten that extra half star. As it stands, The Death of Yorik Mortwell is a decent popcorn read, if you're in the mood for something easy and quick to sprint through. It's fun and quirky, and if you're not as jaded as I am you might even enjoy the ending.

[Alexis Neal · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excerpt:

It’s not every day you come across a book where the hero dies in the first chapter. But in The Death of Yorik Mortwell, that’s exactly what happens to 12-year-old Yorik Mortwell, orphaned son of a gamekeeper at Ravenby Manor: he dies. Fortunately for the readers, Yorik does not pass quietly into the great beyond, but returns as a ghost.

[...] a delicious spooky and morbid tale that never loses its buoyant, childlike spirit. And with a [SPOILER] happy ending to boot, all but the most sensitive readers will be able to enjoy the thrills and chills without any actual distress. [...]

[The book] provides an excellent structure for discussing sin, confession, reconciliation, and forgiveness. Children learn that hiding wrongdoing is a recipe for personal disaster, that confession is good for the soul, that forgiveness is always possible, and that they, in turn, should forgive others. With such a great set of life lessons wrapped up in an eerily entertaining story, I couldn’t help enjoying this little book.

For full review, see The Death of Yorik Mortwell: Gothic Fantasy Novel at Children's Books and Reviews.

[Monica Kulling · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Death of Yorik Mortwell by Stephen Messer

“Rest in peace. Here lies So-and-So in their eternal repose.” These words are usually meant to be final, but not in poor Yorik Mortwell’s case. Alas! No sooner has the orphaned servant boy died then he’s up and running to avenge his death at the hands of Lord Ravenby’s son and to haunt Ravenby Manor, if only he can get past the demon-hounds and avoid having his mind “blasted into a million fragments” by the Dark Ones. Yorik is bullied by the officious Princess of the Aviary Glade who keeps him in the dark about most things, especially the identity of Erde and “beastly Father.” Poor Yorik. He is at the mercy and whim of many voices, more a servant than he ever was when he was living. How Yorik finds his own voice (it’s never too late) and brings peace to himself and the Estate is the meat of this cleverly written ghost story.

Stephen Messer’s debut novel, Windblowne, was a fantastical flight of a completely different variety, and equally enjoyable. The Death of Yorik Mortwell will appeal to “fans of Lemony Snicket, Edward Gorey, and Neil Gaiman” and in my case, Dicken’s. Gris Grimly’s (appropriate name) are quirky, grotesque and perfect for this ghostly adventure.

[Clare Rossetter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting ghost tale where the title character dies in the first chapter. The story was not really scary despite the subject matter. Yorik is charged as a ghost to haunt the manor house. As a ghost Yorik is not very threatening and he ends up following his own orders and not the others who try to use him in his ghostly form. The illustrations and the text reminded me of a Tim Burton creation. This is not my favorite type of illustration but I know the kids like it and the tale, while not frightening, is one that those who like ghost tales will find fun to read.
The story seems to be an allegory about the human condition and the problems we create for the planet. It ends with the all will be well as Yorik has managed to right the wrongs and save the day.

[Jared · Rating 3 out of 5]

My son was given this book at his school's literacy night. Since he was in the middle of another book, I took the opportunity to read it.
It's unique in that it starts with the main character dying. From that point on he's a ghost, aided by a princess in a glade and the dogs he knew in life, trying to stop strange little creatures from taking over the world of the living.
It's a short book, easily read in an hour or two if you're uninterrupted, but it's an entertaining story. The illustrations are what really took it to another level for me. There are drawings scattered throughout the pages and they are brilliant in their portrayal of what's happening. I enjoyed it.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Yorik and his family are servants to the Manor, and after his father dies it's up to him to take care of his sister. This get complicated when he falls out of a tree and dies. When he wakes up as a ghost, he becomes the servant to another girl who wants him to spy on the Manor. But as things happen he comes to realize he no longer needs to serve anyone, and in fact, must stop the destruction of the world and everyone in it.

[Nura · Rating 3 out of 5]

ketakutan terbesar itu ternyata bukan pada sesosok hantu, monster, apalagi kematian. Yorik belajar itu semua dalam hidupnya yang singkat sebagai hantu baru. tewas dengan cara tak wajar, Yorik menyimpan kebencian terhadap pembunuhnya. tapi kebencian itu perlahan memudar saat dia tahu siapa (atau apa) yang ada di balik semua itu. ceritanya sih simpel, ga berbelit-belit. good versus evil. dan si hantu messer menciptakan karakter yang mudah sekali dibenci, macam si putri penunggu hutan itu.

[Kátia Cristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great Book! Stephen Messer and Neil Gaiman have the same style. Gaiman darker than Stephen. Loved the book and learnt not to judge people, I kept judging the characters without really knowing them. We also learn not to lose our faith and that only the ones pure in spirit are protected from evil. It's definitely a book I'd love to read again.

[Emily Mellow · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story but I felt like, somehow, the writing was a little bit stumbly when I would read it out loud. It didn't flow as smooth as the books I love reading to the kids, so I was glad to finish it ;)
Anyway, the story is magical, ghostly, and interesting.

[Zach Sparks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book is geared towards younger readers, I am still amazed at how much world building Stephen Messer can squeeze into so few pages. In some ways this felt like the retelling of an older fairytale but if it is, it's one that I'm not familiar with. All in all a good, if quick, read.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very amusing; I was quite charmed. It was less morbid than I expected--it's a sweet children's novel with scary-ish villains and a ghost villain. The style is earnest, but there's still humor incorporated.

[Wendy A · Rating 3 out of 5]

I waffled between 3 and 4 on this one - I chose four because it IS quite a good satire of the gothic style. Worth your time, if you can appreciate the satiric tone. Some younger readers likely will not, but may find other qualities to praise.

[Natalie A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

It shows how a brother loves his sister and will do anything to keep her safe dead or alive

[Elsa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Got an ARC at midwinter and read it on the plane. Middle grade novel for kids that like sorta spooky stuff.

[Coyle · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent, quick read. Great story line, interesting characters, and an alluring world. Highly recommended...

[Janni]

This book was weird in ways that really works for me, with a faint touch of the same Diana Wynne Jones'-ish edge that I also very much enjoyed in Windblowne.

[Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5