Grimoire: A YA Paranormal Urban Fantasy Prequel Novella

by Krysten Harlow

A nameless young boy feels trapped in his life...

...powerless at the hands of his abusive, alcoholic parents.

All that is about to change when he discovers a strange book in their possession.

As he soon learns of its power, a journey down a dark, dangerous path begins.

One that will change his life forever.

Grimoire is the prequel to the Visions of Darkness Series. If you love exhilarating urban fantasy with thrilling action, magic, and bloodthirsty demonic forces, then don't miss this demon-hunting thrill ride that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

47 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 19, 2024

About the author

Krysten Harlow began crafting fantastical tales during moonlit nights while listening to the whispers of the winds. Her vivid storytelling invites you to lose yourself in worlds of ancient magic, epic battles, powerful demons and cunning sorcerers.

You can follow Krysten here:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3isa0PX
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3gokez4
Bookbub: https://bit.ly/3iBKRmf

For a free reader magnet, please click here:

The Chronicles of Lethia Series: https://bit.ly/3cnKEk5
Visions of Darkness Series: https://bit.ly/3k2ovup

The Chronicles of Lethia

Book 0: Zero
Book 1: The Exiled
Book 2: The Hunt
Book 3: The Enthrallment
Book 4: The Redemption

Visions of Darkness Trilogy

Book 0: Grimoire
Book 1: Smoke and Mirrors
Book 2: The Red King
Book 3: City of the Forsaken

The Damiano Legacies

Book 1: Secrets of the Under Market
Book 2: Veins of Ice
Book 3: Harbinger
Book 4: The City Never Sleeps
Book 5: Winter Demon

Note: 'The Damiano Legacies takes place' just before the 'Visions of Darkness Trilogy' in a shared world. Some characters and events crossover. Each series can be read independently of the other. Book 0s are free prequel novellas.

Reviews

[Eel Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grimoire by Krysten Harlow is the prequel to The Visions of Darkness Series, a short yet impactful read. This young adult paranormal urban fantasy is only 48 pages, but it drops you into the protagonist’s life with abusive parents that immediately makes your heart ache. The glimpse into their world is emotional, & makes you immediately invested.

Harlow skillfully provides just enough detail and emotion to leave you wanting more. My suspicions about the mysterious shift in the protagonist’s parents were confirmed, and has left me with questions.
The story is intense, setting the stage perfectly for what’s to come in Smoke & Mirrors.

thanks to Book Sirens and Krysten Harlow for the ARC – I can’t wait to see what the rest of The Visions of Darkness Series has in store!

[Cozy Beauty Reads · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good start to a new series. I do like how powerful this spellbook is and how one can control just about anything with the right spells. While reading this, I felt I had so much hate toward the boys' parents because I couldn't understand why they were treating him badly. But it makes sense, and it all has to do with that spellbook.
I want to continue on in this series and find out more about the boy and his journey with this spellbook and why it's so important. This is my first book by this author is I actually enjoyed it. It was fast-paced yet left me wanting to continue on to the next story. I liked the authors writing as well. It was easy to follow and understand.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I understand this was a prequel, it was missing a lot. A prequel usually gives you some background information about the first book. While this was a prequel, it felt more like the first chapters in the series instead of a prequel. The characters needed a lot more information on who they were.

World building in this book was almost non-existent. Who is the librarian why does she do what she does, who is the neighbor and who is she all questions that could have had better hints than they did. Also who is the boy and why are his parents so nasty? Yes I understand what happened but it had to start long before what happened did happen, *no spoilers sorry*

Overall, this book was just okay. I may or may not continue the series.

[Shernina Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

While I understand this was a prequel, it was missing a lot. I feel like a prequel usually gives you a bit of background information to the first book. This felt more like the first chapters of a book instead. I feel like the characters needed just a little more information on who they were. Also, a tiny bit of world building to set up the world we are diving into would be nice also. Also, a little information on the neighbor would be nice, because I feel she isn’t who she seems. Overall, this book was just okay.

*I received this book from book sirens, and this review is my own honest opinion.

[Christinaraven · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked this short prequel and it made me want to go find the rest of the series to find out what happened next. I thought it read like a glimpse in a day of a character from the series to see what might have motivated him and not a fully flushed out prequel complete story like some. It was a bit dark as the boy did not have a good home or parents and wanted power. But it was intriguing and I want book 1 now to read. Thought he was motivated and did not give up and want to see if he is the good guy or bad guy in the series (yes this is the first book I have read in the series so do not know who he was) So it did its job.

[Fayette Dávila · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book made me want to read the trilogy, it all seems so exciting.

The main character seems very intelligent and also very bitter. I’ll have to keep reading the trilogy to know what becomes of him.

(I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

The only things that I didn’t like about this book were that the punctuation was a bit off, some words didn’t have spaces in between and some paragraphs are repeated. Things that come down to editing always find a way to annoy me, unfortunately.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grimoire is a Prequel for Visions of Darkness by Krysten Harlow. I thought that this story was dark. The boy was abused by his parents and they did not even give him a name. The Grimoire is a book that will change his life… will it be for good or bad? I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Chantel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to booksirens and Krysten harlow for letting have an arc copy.
I choose books based on the cover alone and it hasn't steered me wrong yet.
This is a prequel and I cannot wait to read the rest. It makes your heartache for boy and resent his parents. But I couldn't put the book down.
It's my first book of this authors I've read and I can't wait to read more from her.

[Momma T's Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes you wonder. Gives you just enough to make you want more. Next up … Smoke and Mirrors.

[Catherine Corry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good prequel but very short.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.