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Grimwell
Embark on an unforgettable journey into the enchanting realm of Grimwell, where books wield an unexpected power to shape destinies. Meet Derek Winnebaker, a spirited barista with a penchant for literature and a taste for strong coffee. When Derek stumbles upon a novel detailing the whimsical adventures of a fantasy creature known as a grimkin, he finds himself irresistibly drawn into its fantastical world.
Using the book as his guide, Derek bravely navigates through life's twists and turns, transforming from a downtrodden bystander into a courageous protagonist. From mustering the courage to ask out his crush to standing up to his tyrannical boss, Derek's journey mirrors the epic saga unfolding within the pages of his newfound literary companion. Yet, just as Derek begins to master his narrative, the whims of fate take a dark turn reminiscent of Kafka's surreal tales, challenging Derek's agency in his own story.
In this captivating blend of comedy, romance, and twisted fairy tale, Grimwell prompts readers to ponder the profound influence of literature on our lives. Will Derek seize control of his destiny, or will he remain ensnared in the machinations of an unseen narrator? Prepare to be enthralled and enlightened as Grimwell invites you to reconsider the power of storytelling and the choices that shape our realities.
Using the book as his guide, Derek bravely navigates through life's twists and turns, transforming from a downtrodden bystander into a courageous protagonist. From mustering the courage to ask out his crush to standing up to his tyrannical boss, Derek's journey mirrors the epic saga unfolding within the pages of his newfound literary companion. Yet, just as Derek begins to master his narrative, the whims of fate take a dark turn reminiscent of Kafka's surreal tales, challenging Derek's agency in his own story.
In this captivating blend of comedy, romance, and twisted fairy tale, Grimwell prompts readers to ponder the profound influence of literature on our lives. Will Derek seize control of his destiny, or will he remain ensnared in the machinations of an unseen narrator? Prepare to be enthralled and enlightened as Grimwell invites you to reconsider the power of storytelling and the choices that shape our realities.
- GenresFantasy
314 pages, Paperback
Published September 2, 2024
1 person is currently reading
4265 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
July 3, 2024
Top Ten Reasons to Read Grimwell:
1) Both of my sons love it, and even though they can't yet read, they have excellent taste in books.
2) Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien will delight in meeting a new hobbit-esque creature called a grimkin.
3) There's romance with a twist... and a tail. I'll let you draw your own conclusions.
4) Chris Belden, author of the novel, Shriver, warned you should "be prepared to laugh until you cry, to gasp with surprise, and most of all to lose yourself in the strange, wonderful world of Grimwell. You may never want to come back!"
5) Grisel Yolanda Acosta, author of Things to Pack on the Way to Everywhere, called it "funny and brilliant every step of the way!"
6) It features not only book-within-a-book storytelling, but also parts of a screenplay--that's three stories for the price of one!
7) Not only are there fantastical creatures called grimkins, but there's a sorcerer, a ferocious creature called a brimble, and two giants named Frem and Brem.
8) It combines two of my favorite things--coffee and books--into a novel about a barista who loves reading.
9) The author Michael Belanger gave it a five-star rating, calling it "three stories for the price of one!"
10) There's been talk of the book being made into a TV series. And sure, I've been the one talking about it, but still, as the book says, "Everyone has a book written just for them--the trick is finding it." If any TV execs happen to find it, I'll be ready.
1) Both of my sons love it, and even though they can't yet read, they have excellent taste in books.
2) Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien will delight in meeting a new hobbit-esque creature called a grimkin.
3) There's romance with a twist... and a tail. I'll let you draw your own conclusions.
4) Chris Belden, author of the novel, Shriver, warned you should "be prepared to laugh until you cry, to gasp with surprise, and most of all to lose yourself in the strange, wonderful world of Grimwell. You may never want to come back!"
5) Grisel Yolanda Acosta, author of Things to Pack on the Way to Everywhere, called it "funny and brilliant every step of the way!"
6) It features not only book-within-a-book storytelling, but also parts of a screenplay--that's three stories for the price of one!
7) Not only are there fantastical creatures called grimkins, but there's a sorcerer, a ferocious creature called a brimble, and two giants named Frem and Brem.
8) It combines two of my favorite things--coffee and books--into a novel about a barista who loves reading.
9) The author Michael Belanger gave it a five-star rating, calling it "three stories for the price of one!"
10) There's been talk of the book being made into a TV series. And sure, I've been the one talking about it, but still, as the book says, "Everyone has a book written just for them--the trick is finding it." If any TV execs happen to find it, I'll be ready.
June 23, 2024
This was a really unique take on a fantasy adventure! I loved it so much. Derek found a mysterious looking book that he just had to check out. As a fantasy lover, he was set to enter the world of Grimwell.
As he reads, he realizes that there are uncanny parallels to the story and events that happen shortly after in real life. But does he want that? Is there some magic in this book that's now controlling his life, or is it being written as he goes?
So fun, and so real, this was a great adventure to go on!
As he reads, he realizes that there are uncanny parallels to the story and events that happen shortly after in real life. But does he want that? Is there some magic in this book that's now controlling his life, or is it being written as he goes?
So fun, and so real, this was a great adventure to go on!
June 25, 2024
LOVED this book - Funny, romantic, couldn't put it down! Review coming soon!
September 6, 2024
Feeling stuck in life is frustrating, but there are many ways through it.
Derek was a likeable and sympathetic protagonist. While it’s not at all necessary for me to share a lot in common with a main character in order to enjoy reading about them or agree they’re well written, I was delighted to see how much I could identify with his vivid imagination, his love of the fantasy genre, and the troubles he dealt with in real life that didn’t have easy solutions. He was an intelligent person who had made a few understandable mistakes, and I nodded along as he acknowledged where he had gone wrong in the past and what he wished he’d done differently. There is nothing like meeting a character who feels so familiar, and I hope other readers have the same warm and understanding reaction to this realistically flawed but also genuinely good individual.
While I will admit to finding the pacing a little slow in the beginning, this writing style was necessary in order to introduce Derek to the readers and set everything into motion for his grand adventure. I was so glad I remained patient for these sections as they richly rewarded me once I was about sixty pages into it and became a solid five-star read shortly after that. There were plenty of bright spots much earlier than that, of course, but this was the sort of tale that works best in my opinion for readers who are willing to let things simmer a little at first. This is not a criticism, only a heads up for anyone who needs it as there are plenty of wonders waiting to be discovered if one gives them time to appear.
Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that found creative ways to blend together common fantasy tropes with situations that often happen in the real world. For example, Derek’s manager at work was someone who was excellent at giving orders but rarely interested in rolling up his sleeves and helping his employees actually get anything accomplished when they hit a busy period. I’ll leave it up to other readers to discover how Derek was inspired to try to change this dynamic by how such things can play out in the fantasy genre when a boss is lazy or treats their workers unfairly, but I mentally cheered him on as he realized just how much better things should be for him and everyone else who works in the service industry. This was a clever example of how something can be deeply rooted in more than one genre in ways that enrich both or all of them.
Grimwell made me yearn for a sequel.
Derek was a likeable and sympathetic protagonist. While it’s not at all necessary for me to share a lot in common with a main character in order to enjoy reading about them or agree they’re well written, I was delighted to see how much I could identify with his vivid imagination, his love of the fantasy genre, and the troubles he dealt with in real life that didn’t have easy solutions. He was an intelligent person who had made a few understandable mistakes, and I nodded along as he acknowledged where he had gone wrong in the past and what he wished he’d done differently. There is nothing like meeting a character who feels so familiar, and I hope other readers have the same warm and understanding reaction to this realistically flawed but also genuinely good individual.
While I will admit to finding the pacing a little slow in the beginning, this writing style was necessary in order to introduce Derek to the readers and set everything into motion for his grand adventure. I was so glad I remained patient for these sections as they richly rewarded me once I was about sixty pages into it and became a solid five-star read shortly after that. There were plenty of bright spots much earlier than that, of course, but this was the sort of tale that works best in my opinion for readers who are willing to let things simmer a little at first. This is not a criticism, only a heads up for anyone who needs it as there are plenty of wonders waiting to be discovered if one gives them time to appear.
Some of my favorite scenes were the ones that found creative ways to blend together common fantasy tropes with situations that often happen in the real world. For example, Derek’s manager at work was someone who was excellent at giving orders but rarely interested in rolling up his sleeves and helping his employees actually get anything accomplished when they hit a busy period. I’ll leave it up to other readers to discover how Derek was inspired to try to change this dynamic by how such things can play out in the fantasy genre when a boss is lazy or treats their workers unfairly, but I mentally cheered him on as he realized just how much better things should be for him and everyone else who works in the service industry. This was a clever example of how something can be deeply rooted in more than one genre in ways that enrich both or all of them.
Grimwell made me yearn for a sequel.
September 5, 2024
This was such a fun and enticing read. I loved how this book-within-a-book weaved in discussion of classic book tropes and turned them on their head. I felt transported to a strange new world when Derek picked up a strange book and became immersed in a story filled with grimkins, talking trees, sorcerers, brimbles, and giants. Even when I felt something ominous lurking in chapters ahead, I couldn’t help but smile and chuckle as I made my way through the story.
I found Derek to be an extremely relatable protagonist as we followed the Friendly-ish Neighborhood Barista and book enthusiast on his unexpected journey. I loved how the author weaved romance into the fantasy story. Kat was more than just a love interest - she was a multidimensional quasi-protagonist with her own story to tell. I loved this story and devoured every page!
I found Derek to be an extremely relatable protagonist as we followed the Friendly-ish Neighborhood Barista and book enthusiast on his unexpected journey. I loved how the author weaved romance into the fantasy story. Kat was more than just a love interest - she was a multidimensional quasi-protagonist with her own story to tell. I loved this story and devoured every page!
February 15, 2025
This book is highly addictive and so well written. As a bibliophile, I instantly became hooked by the idea of finding a book that mysteriously seems to be written about the reader, and the library coffee shop environment just adds to the intrigue. Michael does a phenomenal job of writing a book within a book, of intertwining the two plot lines, and of making them more and more gripping as they unfold. I couldn’t put this down, and when I absolutely had to take a break from reading, I couldn’t stop thinking about the story—an aspect that feeds right into the plot given that the characters feel the same way about reading The Strange Life and Times of Eldrid Babble. Grimwell is a novel that you want to binge ravenously while also not wanting to reach the end quickly because you want to keep exploring this fantasy world for as long as possible. “Must read” is an understatement.
September 5, 2024
Tolkien meets the metaverse with a magical smile of self discovery.
In genre too often bleakly serious, the world of Grimwell has not just the required swords and spells but also heart and laughs. With a main character so many can identify with this is a fun and important addition to the world fantasy literature.
In genre too often bleakly serious, the world of Grimwell has not just the required swords and spells but also heart and laughs. With a main character so many can identify with this is a fun and important addition to the world fantasy literature.
September 19, 2024
This book within a book has it all! The protagonist, Derek, aka your typical “Friendly-ish Neighborhood Barista,” becomes glued to the pages of a peculiar (and seemingly sinister) book. I laughed out loud through every the twist and turn of Derek’s journey into the strange world of Grimwell. I loved this unexpected adventure and I can’t wait for a sequel!
January 18, 2025
It was a pleasure to read Grimwell--not only because it's an escapist fantasy, but more importantly because it's an imaginative exploration of the act of reading itself. As the narrator observes, "The ultimate power...[is] to make your reader truly inhabit your pages." Mike Belanger has found a really creative, engaging, and heartwarming way to do just that.
January 3, 2025
I loved the style of this book and just like with the world of Grimwell, I kept finding myself thinking about the book when I wasn’t reading it and was very pleasantly surprised with the path the story took
August 8, 2025
A delightful story about a regular guy who gets caught up in a fantasy novel. The book moves quickly as our protagonist learns to be the hero of his own story while reading a book he can’t put down. I hope to visit Grimwell one day!
September 8, 2024
Couldn’t put it down, finished it in 2 days! A wonderful story about the power of stories! Also grimkins is just fun to say!
September 26, 2024
What a fun read! Weaving two stories into one, Grimwell is an imaginative take on a fantasy. Highly recommend!
October 6, 2024
2.5 stars, rounded up because I love The History of Jane Doe and only want the best for Michael Belanger.
PLEASE WRITE MORE BOOKS!!!!
PLEASE WRITE MORE BOOKS!!!!
December 30, 2024
The premise was good. It just could not keep my attention.
July 8, 2025
Did not like the main character. I found him very whiny.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews