The Grimmelings

On the day of Josh Underhill's disappearance, Gus, a strange boy, arrives with tales of an ancient creature, the kelpie, a horse that could – and would – kill you in a heartbeat. Despite these strange events, Ella and her family's horse trekking business continues to run, although not as smoothly as before. Her horse Magpie is misbehaving, even biting Gus! Due to this she can’t ride Magpie on treks, and when she is on a trek she finds a horrible sight… sheep with their heads ripped off. As days go by and Josh is still unaccounted for, Ella starts to think that only one creature, one monster, the same thing that killed the sheep – the mythical kelpie – might just have come to finish what it started. Could the same fate as the sheep have come to Josh, or something much worse?

This stunning novel, written by New Zealand author Rachael King, is a captivating and thrilling book. It is filled with adventure and stunning vocabulary, such as long forgotten English and Scottish words, like glamourie, an enchantment; or a blirt, a gust of wind and rain. This interested me because the words would often link to the chapter ahead and therefore gives you insight to what may be coming. This story will keep readers on the edge of their seat and begging for more.

My favourite character is the main character, Ella, because I love how she will stand up for herself in times of danger. She is also very kind. You also learn more about her and her family members as the story continues. For example, you find out that her father went missing several years ago out fishing on the lake. Even how the kelpie came to be in New Zealand is a story in itself, which can be linked to her grandmother. This makes you more connected to the characters because you can really see what her family has gone through and why they might do certain things.

I love the way that the author creates such a beautiful picture in your mind, from the way the birds fly, to the lake nearby with its mysterious deepness and how no one can touch the bottom. This makes it feel like you're really there with Ella as you follow the story from her point of view, seeing everything she sees. From churches, to the shores of beaches, to the brilliant emerald green hills.

I really love this book because it describes NZ beautifully and that really makes me more connected to the book and the characters, because it makes you feel like you are there with them. It has everything from plot twists, to hidden magic and danger. This book is a riveting tale that is a must read for any fan of The School for Good and Evil because of the idea of magic hidden just out of reach like the bottom of a lake, and will intrigue readers because of different magical creatures and animals.

- Zoe is 11 years old and lives in the Coromandel.