The Grimmelings

by Rachael King

Spellbinding middle-grade fantasy adventure of loyalty, courage, and being careful what you wish for . . .Thirteen-year-old Ella knows that words are powerful. So she should have known better than to utter a wish and a curse on the same day, even in jest. When the boy she has cursed goes missing, in the same sudden, unexplained way as her father several years earlier, Ella discovers that her family is living in the shadow of a vengeful kelpie, a black horse-like creature. With the help of her beloved pony Magpie, can Ella break the curse of the kelpie and save not just her family but the whole community? Rachael King's writing is immersive and vibrant, and rich in lore and an appreciation of the natural world that fans of Katherine Rundell, Susan Cooper and Kiran Millwood Hargrave will love.

Genres: Fantasy, Middle Grade, Fiction, Childrens, Mystery, Mythology, Horses

Kindle Edition

Published February 20, 2024

About the author

Rachael King is a writer, book reviewer, and former literary festival director from Aotearoa New Zealand. When she was young, she played bass guitar in rock bands, rode horses bareback along a beach, and voraciously read fantasy books. She is the author of two middlegrade fantasy novels based on Scottish mythology in a New Zealand setting – Red Rocks (republished in 2025 as Secrets at Red Rocks to coincide with the Emmy-nominated television adaptation) and The Grimmelings; a junior fiction series Violet and the Velvets; and a YA folk horror fantasy due in 2026, Song of the Saltings. She holds an MA in Creative Writing from the Victoria University Wellington, and has also written two books for adults, The Sound of Butterflies and Magpie Hall. In 2023 she was named Best Reviewer at Voyager New Zealand Media Awards for her book reviews.

Reviews

[Zac · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, this was a wild ride and I couldn’t get enough of it! The writing is beautiful and haunting. There were so many parts that made my spine tingle and the sense of foreboding is apparent from the first words to the last. Rachael conjures up the landscape and the imposing, menacing figure of the kelpie vividly. It’s one of those books that will stay with me for a long time and I’ll keep thinking about it. The Grimmelings is one of the most unforgettable NZ books that I’ve read in a long time. It is bound to be a winner in the 2024 NZ Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.

[Rebecca · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars.

I first read about this book in the Allen & Unwin teachers newsletter, and bought it for two reasons:
- recommended reader age 9-13
- the blurb/cover

Don’t choose a book for its cover? This cover is brilliantly crafted and defies the old expression.

The recommended reading age is for the general public - not schools.

As an adult I read this book in 3 x one hour sessions and devoured it. The author’s note listed the very reasons I adored it:
- love of language and words
- the work of Susan Cooper and Robert MacFarlane
- the Backlisted podcast

I was mildly concerned about a few passages that could cause concern for younger, sensitive readers. But, the majority will lap this up.

Opening with a curse, exploring mythological heritage and language from Scotland and just dialling up the creepy. This is certainly a book to devour and share.

Making me want to return to my childhood reads of Susan Cooper, Alexander Lloyd and Rosemary Sutcliffe.

[Klee · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You’re cursed, Josh Underhill. Better watch out."

Get ready for an enchanting adventure perfect for kids! Meet Ella, a brave thirteen-year-old who learns the hard way that words have magic. One day, she accidentally curses a boy, and soon he disappears just like her dad did years ago. But there's something sinister lurking—a vengeful kelpie, a mystical horse-like creature, is causing trouble. With her trusty pony Magpie by her side, Ella sets out to break the curse and save her family and friends. Rachael King weaves a spellbinding tale full of courage, loyalty, and the importance of being careful what you wish for. Dive into a world of magic, friendship, and bravery.

I was explaining the synopsis to my child and his summary of what I said was, "So, it's about a murder horse." Close, ha ha! Ella is a fantastic wee authentic character - she has fitting behaviour for her age group that is for sure. The tension kicks off from the beginning and I would consider this middle/fast paced - so sure to keep attention spans. Full of magical Scottish folklore and back country New Zealand, this book would be great in the hands on any kids who want to delve into a fantasy/horror type experience.

[Emma McCleary · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s so much to like about The Grimmelings - the descriptions and word use are a love letter to language, the story is full of intrigue, and at times downright creepy and suspenseful. Full of heart and a narrative that unfolds in a slow, compelling way. I was scared; I cried; I was hopeful. Definitely a book that will be added to my list of books I like to recommend.

[Stefanie Parks · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, magical tale for middle grade readers. I loved the mix of New Zealand landscape and Scottish folklore. Whenever I see a pink evening sky I’m now reminded of this book 🩷

[Nancy Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

I feel so glad I randomly picked up this book in an airport in New Zealand. The cover drew my attention instantly and I was most surprised this book is written by a kiwi author living in Christchurch. If I hadn't bought it when I had the chance, I would have ended up wanting to kick myself in the shins because it isn't being sold in the US.

There is a kindle edition of this book, but sadly, it is only available in the Australian store. I really hope the publishing house considers offering this book wide because they are locking themselves out of 90% of the world market.

To sum it up, older readers should not shy away from this book because it is aimed at a Middle Grade/YA audience. It is a mixture between Coming of Age/Dark Fantasy taking place in rural New Zealand. Woo Hoo!

After visiting the country, I feel the book exemplifies quite succintly the geography, sense of humor and vibe of New Zealand. It felt quite refreshing, to say the least. For readers that love horses and feel annoyed out of their wits that books only write them to become theater props, they will love this book. Every horse in this story has their own personalities. Some are stubborn, others are very laidback, one or two get jittery when they are spooked. Our protagonist Ella owns a very special grey horse named Magpie, who is larger than normal, indomitable and very protective.

This is a story centered around the dynamics of a family of 4 women who are treated as outcasts in the village. Ella is the older daughter and a bit feisty, her younger sister Fiona is sweeter and frequently makes strange protection charms with bird bones and dried plants, their stern mom who doesn't believe in the supernatural, and their spunky grandmother who is dying of cancer.

At first sight, there should be no reason why the town hates these 4 women. But ever since the husbands of the grandmother and mother vanished in the nearby lake without a trace, rumors spread like wildfire and blame them for being witches. So, you see a lot of tension between the characters who are just trying to live their lives as a rental horse riding business.

Things get weird when a boy named Josh that bullied Ella vanishes... just like her father and grandfather. While her family tries helping with the search, Ella encounters a strange teenage boy named Gus with an enchanting magnetism that is hard to resist, while a magnificent gigantic black horse meanders the lands and terrorizes the horses.

Is Gus and the black stallion related to Josh's disappearance?

While the book never gets quite violent, the spookiness of the mystery and sense of danger lurks in every corner of this story, which certainly maintained my interest. I also quite enjoyed the aspect where every chapter includes unusual words of the English language that originally came from Scottish and Irish. This is a book that serves as a great vocabulary builder.

I also find it appreciative that Maori culture also takes an important seat in this story. The family business has a female Maori employee named Hana, who is quite likeable and we get tons of Maori phrases peppered in the story. For New Zealander readers, they are going to love this book for sure.

While I didn't fully like the ending because the vibe changed too much from the more serious tone of the evocative buildup, this is certainly a most underrated read that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages.

[Ericafh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Horsegirl October is here. If I had read this for the first time alongside The Puzzle Ring I would have been insufferable with non-stop talking about Scottish mythology. I knew I would like this book and I'm happy to report that I did. King's writing did the Scottish kelpie justice for how terrifying it is, (murder faerie horse my beloved) and breathed life into the pages with her lovely descriptions and inclusions of both Scots Gaelic and Maori words. As an older reader with a love of myth I loved picking up on early clues as to the true nature of some characters.

Middle grade books will always be special because when done well, they can cover heavy topics in ways that young people will understand them. Not only were there the usual themes of growing up
and being brave, but King also managed to cover grief, letting go, small-town beef, corporatisation and climate change. In 300 pages. Wow.

Also this may just be me but I read both Ella and Fiona as being neurodivergent. Not sure if that was intentional. On the topic of characters, I liked Ella as our protagonist, she was brave and gutsy and helped save the day, but I think my favourite character was Fiona. I also liked grandma Grizzley, though it felt a little like it was ultimately her story to tell. And of course I loved all the horses, especially Ella and Magpie's relationship.

Also maybe it's bc I've been on a bit of a faerie kick lately but I love how the fae realm is described as both beautiful and dangerous. Like the sweet smell masking rotting fruit. And how it's nebulous and liminal and feels like it would slip through your fingers if you think about it too much.

[Carole · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fabulous read for intermediate/junior secondary students. Set in a small town in New Zealand (I pictured it being somewhere in the Mackenzie Country), Ella lives with her mother, grandmother and younger sister. Her mother runs a horse trekking business and life is pretty tough since Ella's father's unexplained disappearance. Ella has a special horse of her own, Magpie, who is highly strung and only responds well to Ella. The book opens with the disappearance of a boy who has been bullying Ella and her sister, and Ella is worried that her 'curse' on him is responsible. The story is gripping right from the start, weaving Scottish folklore and danger with everyday life as the family tries to make a living in a town were they are on the outer. I liked the way a few of the more unusual or sometimes Scottish words were defined at the beginning of each chapter, to foreshadow the next set of events as well as introduce readers to some beautifully poetic words. Gorgeous writing, a gripping plot and wonderful characters - highly recommended.

[Rachael · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Grimmerlings is a riveting adventure set on a horse trekking farm in the lakeside wilds of the south island of New Zealand, where lonely 12 year old Ella, the granddaughter of a rumoured witch, finds herself the target of an ancient and vengeful waterhorse. Ella's courage, grief and grit make her a worthy protagonist the reader cannot help but sympathise with and root for as she fights to save her family from the saddle of her feisty pony, Magpie. Exquisitely crafted and thrumming with old magic, The Grimmerlings wraps the reader like an heirloom quilt, stitched with glittering folklore, mysterious family secrets and the love of horses. An absolutely delicious read.

[Megan Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a haunting, fantastical, adventure set on a farm with a Scottish folklore with an undercurrent of hope and illintentioned love. There is a middle grade friendly horror element, with the mythical parts causing the plot to push forward. Each character was lovingly created and developed, and described in meticulous clarity with an array of wonderful words to build the world, especially with the horses.

[Omiai · Rating 1 out of 5]

I couldn't make it through this one. I got almost 30% through but was finding myself uninterested in the story and characters. Very little seemed to be happening besides horse riding, and even that wasn't very interesting. There was the odd mention of the Kelpie, but not enough for me to read on.
I had high hopes for this but it just wasn't for me.

[Melinda Szymanik · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderfully crafted prose tells a mysterious fantasy story, weaving an Aotearoa/New Zealand setting and horses together, with Scottish mythology skillfully grafted on. A great read that I would have loved as a youngster. Ella is a great main character but I absolutely adored the enigmatic Fiona, and the magical Magpie

[Wendy Bamber · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love books with witch-like women in them and this is a wonderful New Zealand set story, a community of distrusting neighbours, dangerous supernatural beings and disappearances of children. Lots to go at here, will be loved by horse-lovers and non-horsey mystery lovers alike.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Old magic that follows a family across the world, several disappearances, and a mysterious black horse are haunting Ella’s school holiday in this fantastical story. I appreciate how the author uses magic in a classic free flowing way reminiscent of a folktale.

[Fabee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is perfect for lovers of Goosebumps styled creepy books for young readers - but with folklore and myths as its cornerstone!
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Utterly gorgeous and making me miss Scotland!

[Jenelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved loved loved this book! When you combine mystery, intrigue, an old Scottish curse, and base it in New Zealand, then you can't go wrong 😉 loved it!

[Alicia Chiruka · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was soo good. Must read!!

[Melanie Lindstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

A real page turner. Part mythical creature thriller and part horse lover book. Original and gripping.

[Tricia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in New Zealand but full of Scottish folklore

[Kobe · Rating 5 out of 5]

it is the best
it's got a plot twist and I kept me noes in the book
if you like mystery books then this is the book you need to read

[Kristy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid story filled with everything children like; horses, curses, mystery and chills.
Loved the Scottish definitions and the cover.

[Mandi Bramwell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Magical novel for younger readers.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved The Grimmelings! It was such a fun story! I haven’t read very many things that have kelpies in them, but I really enjoyed the way this one was written. The ending made me so happy too! It was a well written and fleshed out story, and one that I would read to my kid when he’s older. I would definitely recommend!

[Amelia Drinkwater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read and taught this with one of my Year 7 classes. Beautifully written and super engaging. The kids and I loved it!

[Andi C Buchanan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up in a place with its own terrifying waterhorse stories, and I've long been fascinated by them. The Grimmelings does them justice. It cuts, I think, the right balance and taste for the target age; I would have been scared but loving every minute of it. Actually, adult-me was also scared but loved every minute.
There are quite a few layers to this one. It's a pacey adventure story in which a girl has to unravel a mystery and save herself and others, but there's a quieter story about family and love, about loss and exclusion.
There's also a story about gendered violence and stalking, and how hard it is to leave that behind, how much it impacts through generations. The impossible question: do you raise your daughters to live in fear (but perhaps keep them safe) or try and shield their innocence and risk sending them into the world ill-equipped? A story that is perhaps easier to tell when the threat is from a mystical water-horse, but the connotations, while age appropriate, are definitely in the text.
The rare words the protagonists' grandmother gives her add flavour and interest to the story, but there's also a wider wider theme about communication, about what migration carries from home countries and leaves behind. Added to the decision to tell stories or keep silence, and the loss (both actual and impending) of loved ones, there's something complex shifting around words and stories and how we connect with each other.

[lucy black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three generations of ‘witches’ live in a house by a lake in the South Island, Grandpa is gone, Dad is gone and now the bully from the bus is gone and main character Ella is worried her curse caused the disappearance. Ella’s Scottish grandma teaches her language for the weather and landscape that lonely Ella moves through on her horse Magpie searching for the lost boy. The Grimmeling’s highlights the bigotry of small towns, the length and depth of grief and the magical nature of thin places and the creatures that inhabit them.
I enjoyed this folklore inspired adventure and the imagery King weaves, the magpies, talismans and hilly lakeside grandeur. I think readers of all ages who are fans of Diana Wynn Jones, Susan Cooper and Neil Gaiman will enjoy this spooky tale.

[Freya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you Guppy Books and NetGalley for providing me with this arc in exchange for my honest review.

An enchanting and very entertaining read with a breathtakingly beautiful cover!

As an adult horse owner I often crave a good book with horses, preferably one for older kids or adults but those are hard to find! I loved being able to relate to this family in so many ways, who had horses at home like I do. A tight knitted family of strong and interesting women, every single one of them.

The same day Josh, a boy from Ella’s school, goes missing, a mysterious and impressive black horse appears on the hill above their house. Ella feels guilty.. She didn’t like Josh and she thinks she cursed him.

That horse, a mysterious boy, even more mysterious dreams and a story that might be more than just a story, told by their dying grandmother, are the start of a grand and dangerous adventure for Ella, her amazing pony and her younger sister Fiona. An adventure with higher stakes than they could have ever imagined.

There’s sadness and some very scary moments in this book, but also a lot of love and courage and it was so entertaining that I had a hard time putting it down! The ending was a little too abrupt in my opinion and I am not the biggest fan of using (slightly altered) quotes, events and names from other books (classics in this case so easily recognizable) but I know that other readers will love that and there weren’t too many so it didn’t bother me too much. I loved the Scottish folklore and the warmth this book radiated and I 100% recommend picking this one up!

[The Bibliognost Bampot · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book. King is a very talented word-smith. Her writing is evocative, exciting, tangible and there is not a word out of place. In a literary landscape where editors seem to be falling out of fashion, when they are absolutely needed the most, King’s story is well paced, absorbing and perfectly formed. The horses, the landscape and the language are all as big a part of the story as the strong, appealing characters. The only thing I was a little bit disappointed in was the lost opportunity to use the New Zealand setting more. For a kiwi author writing about a kiwi family on a kiwi farm, in the South Island High country, it felt like a lost opportunity not to include the strength and connection of the land of New Zealand and it’s guardians and spirits to help control the interloper. It was a great story but was far more suited to being set on the Black Isle or Loch Linnhe, setting it New Zealand lost the real power of the story. Removing the folklore from its original setting actually diminishes the power and fear it should have inspired in the reader.

[Riri Laurie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley for providing an E-arc of this book for my honest review.
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What appealed to me about this book is that the story is set in New Zealand but also features Scottish Lore. A mix of two beautiful cultures creates a gorgeous story.
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The characters are written well, the plot is unique and well-thought-out. I loved the addition of the Magpies. I enjoyed this book so much that I purchased a physical copy.
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My only issue is that this is targeted at younger Middle grade aged readers and there were pretty adult words that even I struggled with and didn't know.

[Anna Mitchell · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the most original children's books I have read. Excellent timing and characters, and unpredictable twists. Pretty borderline YA, as it deals with a lot of death, but I still adored this book.

Plus David Mitchell liked it, so it has to be good.