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Through the Nethergate
Can one girl banish evil?
Margaret, a girl born with second sight, has the unique ability to bring ghosts trapped between Heaven and Hell back to life. When her parents die suddenly, she goes to live with her beloved grandfather but the cellar of her grandfather’s ancient inn is haunted by an evil spirit of its own.
In the town of Bungay, a black dog wanders the streets, enslaving the ghosts of those who have died unnatural deaths. When Margaret arrives, these phantoms congregate at the inn, hoping she can free them from the clutches of Hugh Bigod, the 12th century ghost who has drawn them away from Heaven’s White Light in his canine guise.
With the help of her grandfather and the spirits she has befriended, Margaret sets out to defeat Hugh Bigod, only to discover he wants to use her for his own ends – to take over Hell itself.
A clever melding of fiction and historical facts.
Margaret, a girl born with second sight, has the unique ability to bring ghosts trapped between Heaven and Hell back to life. When her parents die suddenly, she goes to live with her beloved grandfather but the cellar of her grandfather’s ancient inn is haunted by an evil spirit of its own.
In the town of Bungay, a black dog wanders the streets, enslaving the ghosts of those who have died unnatural deaths. When Margaret arrives, these phantoms congregate at the inn, hoping she can free them from the clutches of Hugh Bigod, the 12th century ghost who has drawn them away from Heaven’s White Light in his canine guise.
With the help of her grandfather and the spirits she has befriended, Margaret sets out to defeat Hugh Bigod, only to discover he wants to use her for his own ends – to take over Hell itself.
A clever melding of fiction and historical facts.
213 pages, Paperback
Published August 26, 2019
4 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Roberta Eaton Cheadle
19 books125 followersRoberta Eaton Cheadle, is a South African writer and poet specialising in historical, paranormal, and horror novels and short stories. She is an avid reader in these genres and her writing has been influenced by famous authors including Bram Stoker, Edgar Allan Poe, Amor Towles, Stephen Crane, Enrich Maria Remarque, George Orwell, Stephen King, and Colleen McCullough.
Roberta has two published novels and a collection of short stories and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories included in several anthologies. She is also a contributor to the Ask the Authors 2022 (WordCrafter Writing Reference series).
Roberta is also the author and illustrator of sixteen children’s books, illustrator to a further three children's books, and the author and illustrator of three poetry books published under the name of Robbie Cheadle, and has poems and short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
Roberta has two published novels and a collection of short stories and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories included in several anthologies. She is also a contributor to the Ask the Authors 2022 (WordCrafter Writing Reference series).
Roberta is also the author and illustrator of sixteen children’s books, illustrator to a further three children's books, and the author and illustrator of three poetry books published under the name of Robbie Cheadle, and has poems and short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
October 14, 2019
Through the Nethergate is the latest novel from author Roberta Eaton Cheadle and was published in October 2019. I snatched a copy as soon as it was available because I loved her short stories, children's book series, and memoir co-written with her mother. This latest book falls within the young adult and fantasy genres, something we've seen a little bit of before from her, but never to this degree. Let's get into the story.
Margaret's parents die in a car crash when she is sixteen. Although Margaret would like to live with her aunt, the will indicates she should live with her maternal grandfather in an old castle that was converted into a bed-and-breakfast inn in Great Britain's countryside. Although her grandfather is loving, he has high expectations of Margaret, and when some of the staff are busy, she pitches in to help. In the beginning, she sees a few ghosts in random parts of the castle that make her a tad nervous, but by 20% into the book, readers realize these ghosts might truly be out to hurt her. What we don't know is why... until the game changes and the ghosts begin to materialize into human form. What is it about Margaret that makes them come alive again?
This is the quintessential story about good versus evil, except there are many twists to the traditional story. We also have several fabulous history lessons to root us in the time period when the original 'problem' began for these ghosts. When Margaret is attacked, her grandfather recognizes the signs and calls a priest to perform an exorcism. At first, I thought... "that might be a bit unnecessary." Then, I see how wrong I was. All HELL breaks loose at this point, and I do mean HELL. These ghosts are being controlled by a ~900-year-old vengeful former member of the royal family and its close circle of supporters-cum-enemies. And let's not forget the black dog with red eyes that seems to follow Margaret (and the victims) everywhere.
My absolute favorite aspect of this story was the way in which it was told. In the beginning, it's almost like a collection of stories glued together by a common thread: Margaret. Once Margaret meets a new ghost, the chapter ends and we switch to how that particular ghost died years ago. It really helps amp up the spookiness and the suspenseful nature of the books. Robbie handled this with great care and expertise, and I found myself unable to put the book down because each time something came to an end, something else even more intriguing began. What a fantastic style!
Sections two and three follow a different format, but it's also a strong one. The biggest shocker hurtles at us when we learn the connection of this ancient royal creep. Lucifer himself. This is actually a tale about religion and politics (in a good way), the penultimate battle in the garden of good versus evil. Who will win? Who will be hurt? When Robbie begins to talk about the fall of modern society because of technology and social media, it was all too obvious of a reality check. I'd also begun watching American Horror Story: Apocalypse that evening, so it was a huge theme taking over my life. Immersive, thrilling, and completely unexpected from the author.
Robbie weaves multiple themes within the plot. Various awful historical figures come back to life (Hitler's cronies, for example) to show who's controlling the ghosts and deciding the fate of the world. Though over-the-top in some aspects, there are beautiful lighter moments when Margaret turns to her family or the kind ghosts for help. I'm kinda hoping there is a part two coming out in the future because these characters are going to stay with me for a long time. Kudos to Robbie Cheadle for a great adventure and a thoroughly enjoyable book. I highly recommend this for something unique and captivating.
Margaret's parents die in a car crash when she is sixteen. Although Margaret would like to live with her aunt, the will indicates she should live with her maternal grandfather in an old castle that was converted into a bed-and-breakfast inn in Great Britain's countryside. Although her grandfather is loving, he has high expectations of Margaret, and when some of the staff are busy, she pitches in to help. In the beginning, she sees a few ghosts in random parts of the castle that make her a tad nervous, but by 20% into the book, readers realize these ghosts might truly be out to hurt her. What we don't know is why... until the game changes and the ghosts begin to materialize into human form. What is it about Margaret that makes them come alive again?
This is the quintessential story about good versus evil, except there are many twists to the traditional story. We also have several fabulous history lessons to root us in the time period when the original 'problem' began for these ghosts. When Margaret is attacked, her grandfather recognizes the signs and calls a priest to perform an exorcism. At first, I thought... "that might be a bit unnecessary." Then, I see how wrong I was. All HELL breaks loose at this point, and I do mean HELL. These ghosts are being controlled by a ~900-year-old vengeful former member of the royal family and its close circle of supporters-cum-enemies. And let's not forget the black dog with red eyes that seems to follow Margaret (and the victims) everywhere.
My absolute favorite aspect of this story was the way in which it was told. In the beginning, it's almost like a collection of stories glued together by a common thread: Margaret. Once Margaret meets a new ghost, the chapter ends and we switch to how that particular ghost died years ago. It really helps amp up the spookiness and the suspenseful nature of the books. Robbie handled this with great care and expertise, and I found myself unable to put the book down because each time something came to an end, something else even more intriguing began. What a fantastic style!
Sections two and three follow a different format, but it's also a strong one. The biggest shocker hurtles at us when we learn the connection of this ancient royal creep. Lucifer himself. This is actually a tale about religion and politics (in a good way), the penultimate battle in the garden of good versus evil. Who will win? Who will be hurt? When Robbie begins to talk about the fall of modern society because of technology and social media, it was all too obvious of a reality check. I'd also begun watching American Horror Story: Apocalypse that evening, so it was a huge theme taking over my life. Immersive, thrilling, and completely unexpected from the author.
Robbie weaves multiple themes within the plot. Various awful historical figures come back to life (Hitler's cronies, for example) to show who's controlling the ghosts and deciding the fate of the world. Though over-the-top in some aspects, there are beautiful lighter moments when Margaret turns to her family or the kind ghosts for help. I'm kinda hoping there is a part two coming out in the future because these characters are going to stay with me for a long time. Kudos to Robbie Cheadle for a great adventure and a thoroughly enjoyable book. I highly recommend this for something unique and captivating.
April 10, 2020
The book started off well offering compelling descriptions of the main character's feelings and experiences. Margaret is a teenage girl who has suffered an incredible loss. Both her parents have died in an accident, and she has to move in with her grandfather - the owner of an inn that had been built many centuries earlier. It is there that the sensitive teenager encounters the supernatural. Her feelings and emotions are rendered masterfully by the author - the fear is almost palpable, the sadness and anguish - overwhelming. This part of the novel has something of Stephen King's horror novels in it and affects the reader on an emotional and intellectual level.
But then Margaret gets kidnapped by Lucifer and the novel, at least in my opinion, starts to lose its charm. Many historical figures are introduced, and their stories detract from the main plotline. Lucifer himself is unconvincing, his aspirations are unclear. Maybe more should have been left to the reader's imagination.
Overall, the novel is very well-written and has some excellent descriptions. It encompasses horror, history, religion and is suitable for YA readers.
But then Margaret gets kidnapped by Lucifer and the novel, at least in my opinion, starts to lose its charm. Many historical figures are introduced, and their stories detract from the main plotline. Lucifer himself is unconvincing, his aspirations are unclear. Maybe more should have been left to the reader's imagination.
Overall, the novel is very well-written and has some excellent descriptions. It encompasses horror, history, religion and is suitable for YA readers.
November 15, 2019
Margaret’s troubles begin right from the start when she moves into her grandfather’s Inn after the tragic deaths of her parents and starts to have interactions with ghosts that haunt the place. With all of them, there is a connection with a fearsome black ghostly dog, as it turns out, the incarnate form of a very evil man, Hugh Bigod. The way Cheadle works in actual history into the story is fascinating, and it’s clear that she’s done a lot of research for this book. For example, the story of the two cousins Stephen and Matilda who fought for the crown of England is worked in, Bigod having originally supported Stephen before turning against him. Many unfortunate characters who died in one tragic way or another come to interact with Margaret, and the poor girl doesn’t know how to handle it all.
The story is well researched, and enjoyable. It could flow a bit better with a touch more editing. The flow was hampered a bit here and there by slightly awkward phrasing and descriptions, and some confusion could be done away with a bit of rewriting. Here’s one example of a sentence that could use a bit of help:
“Grandfather loved books and antique bookshelves crammed with all sorts of novels stood everywhere.”
Initially, I was confused, thinking the sentence incomplete because it sounded like the author was trying to say that Grandfather loved books as well as antique bookshelves that were crammed with all sorts of novels, and the words “stood everywhere” was tacked on oddly at the end. Then I realized that what the author had meant, was that Grandfather loved books. Because of that, antique bookshelves crammed with all sorts of novels stood everywhere. All the sentence was missing was a comma, and the confusion would be dispelled. Like this:
“Grandfather loved books, and antique bookshelves crammed with all sorts of novels stood everywhere.”
Additionally, we are given a description of Margaret as we are in her head and thoughts as she’s walking down the stairs into the cellar with Grandfather. It’s odd that she would be described during this incident when she can’t see her own face and physical features, especially when it’s already been noted that she feels an malignant presence. I think she’d be more worried about that. It’s important for us to get to know what she looks like, but at the moment, it might be more important to focus on the problem at hand, which is her fear. Her physical appearance could be worked in at a later time. At the moment of her going downstairs with Grandfather, perhaps the most pertinent things could be given to the audience, like her general age. But what she looks like isn’t so important at that particular time.
Overall, though, the story is enjoyable, and young adults who like horror would likely enjoy this tale.
The story is well researched, and enjoyable. It could flow a bit better with a touch more editing. The flow was hampered a bit here and there by slightly awkward phrasing and descriptions, and some confusion could be done away with a bit of rewriting. Here’s one example of a sentence that could use a bit of help:
“Grandfather loved books and antique bookshelves crammed with all sorts of novels stood everywhere.”
Initially, I was confused, thinking the sentence incomplete because it sounded like the author was trying to say that Grandfather loved books as well as antique bookshelves that were crammed with all sorts of novels, and the words “stood everywhere” was tacked on oddly at the end. Then I realized that what the author had meant, was that Grandfather loved books. Because of that, antique bookshelves crammed with all sorts of novels stood everywhere. All the sentence was missing was a comma, and the confusion would be dispelled. Like this:
“Grandfather loved books, and antique bookshelves crammed with all sorts of novels stood everywhere.”
Additionally, we are given a description of Margaret as we are in her head and thoughts as she’s walking down the stairs into the cellar with Grandfather. It’s odd that she would be described during this incident when she can’t see her own face and physical features, especially when it’s already been noted that she feels an malignant presence. I think she’d be more worried about that. It’s important for us to get to know what she looks like, but at the moment, it might be more important to focus on the problem at hand, which is her fear. Her physical appearance could be worked in at a later time. At the moment of her going downstairs with Grandfather, perhaps the most pertinent things could be given to the audience, like her general age. But what she looks like isn’t so important at that particular time.
Overall, though, the story is enjoyable, and young adults who like horror would likely enjoy this tale.
May 30, 2020
I enjoyed the story and the setting for Through the Nethergate as it had the intriguing plot of a teenage girl, Margaret, who has the ability to see supernatural beings and even imbue them with the properties of living beings through her presence. We are in an ancient haunted inn where the ghosts take on a certain amount of physicality and seem able to retain their sense of good or evil from their past experiences when they lived. The author has obviously researched in depth some of the historical events and incidents that befell the ghosts that Margaret meets and who are trapped between the Underworld and the Overworld. This was completely fascinating for me, although I wondered how many of the young readers targeted would find this amount of detail a little too much sometimes. Many of these characters and events had me reaching for history and reference books to discover more than my shady recollections told me; in particular about the Chartists of 1839. But this is a tale of good versus evil after all and so there are dastardly villains in the form of Lucifer and Hugh Bigod, each with designs upon world domination. I enjoyed Margaret’s interactions with her Grandfather and the various spirits and incarnates along the way, and we even have a little gentle romance hinted at with Henry. However, I have no wish to spoil the plot and young readers can find out more when they read this historical fantasy adventure themselves. While the story does romp along at a good pace most of the way I found the ending a little too slow at unfolding. It needed more of a sense of urgency with less detail from history and more description of sounds and smells, and maybe traumatic sights for the young fans of a historical novel that combines fantasy with horror.
November 10, 2019
Margaret moves in with her grandfather after the tragic deaths of her parents. Her new home is a centuries-old English inn, and shortly after her arrival, ghosts from the near and far past begin appearing—some dark and evil, others light yet stuck between worlds. Things start going a little mad when Margaret’s presence causes the ghosts to incarnate, able to act on the modern world. In short order, Lucifer takes notice.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the macabre history of real-life maniacal murderers, primarily those who killed when there were no laws protecting peasants from the powerful. Though the author qualifies her tale as fiction, she points out that many of her characters are based on true people, and her research shines. These are some twisted people. The cast of evil-doers isn’t limited to medieval England but goes back to Nero and Caligula as well as forward through the Nazi regime of WWII.
Another interesting aspect of the book is the way technology is identified as a vehicle for evil. Hell looks like an office building full of cubicles. Cheadle ties in current events including the war in Syria, mass shootings, xenophobia, economic disenfranchisement, and “fake news” - all the work of the devil. Grounded in the old testament, faith has a hand in the story too.
I enjoyed the story though the plot got a little wild with lots of characters and simultaneous action. Margaret ends up sharing the lead in the story with several other POV characters including the incarnates. Her character is the most 3-dimensional though I was intrigued by several secondary characters. I’d recommend this book to YA readers who enjoy horror and a quick pace.
What I enjoyed most about this book was the macabre history of real-life maniacal murderers, primarily those who killed when there were no laws protecting peasants from the powerful. Though the author qualifies her tale as fiction, she points out that many of her characters are based on true people, and her research shines. These are some twisted people. The cast of evil-doers isn’t limited to medieval England but goes back to Nero and Caligula as well as forward through the Nazi regime of WWII.
Another interesting aspect of the book is the way technology is identified as a vehicle for evil. Hell looks like an office building full of cubicles. Cheadle ties in current events including the war in Syria, mass shootings, xenophobia, economic disenfranchisement, and “fake news” - all the work of the devil. Grounded in the old testament, faith has a hand in the story too.
I enjoyed the story though the plot got a little wild with lots of characters and simultaneous action. Margaret ends up sharing the lead in the story with several other POV characters including the incarnates. Her character is the most 3-dimensional though I was intrigued by several secondary characters. I’d recommend this book to YA readers who enjoy horror and a quick pace.
November 26, 2019
Margaret is a girl with a special gift that allows her to see ghosts who are trapped in an overworld between Heaven and Hell. She’s able to help them regain life, then help them move on in the hereafter. When she moves in with her grandfather after the death of her parents, Margaret encounters a number of ghosts, and a particularly nasty black dog that is actually the embodiment of Hugh Bigod, an evil spirit who has held the ghosts trapped for centuries. Hugh has his own ideas how Margaret’s gifts can be used to his benefit.
This is a YA horror novel that will also appeal to adults, especially with the deep research the author layers into the historical aspects of the book. I found those the strongest and was enthralled by how skillfully Cheadle brought the past to life. There are a few POV issues and a good deal of internal thought, the latter which occasionally bogs things down, but for the most part this is a quick and easy read. Margaret’s grandfather is also a strong character, and the background of many of the ghosts adds a fascinating aspect. Most of the spirits are based on historic figures. I don’t usually read books that employ Lucifer as a character, and admit to skimming some of those chapters, but overall, I found this a compelling story on multiple levels.
This is a YA horror novel that will also appeal to adults, especially with the deep research the author layers into the historical aspects of the book. I found those the strongest and was enthralled by how skillfully Cheadle brought the past to life. There are a few POV issues and a good deal of internal thought, the latter which occasionally bogs things down, but for the most part this is a quick and easy read. Margaret’s grandfather is also a strong character, and the background of many of the ghosts adds a fascinating aspect. Most of the spirits are based on historic figures. I don’t usually read books that employ Lucifer as a character, and admit to skimming some of those chapters, but overall, I found this a compelling story on multiple levels.
November 28, 2019
Gifted with second sight, young Margaret learns she has the ability to see ghosts. Following the deaths of her parents, she goes to live with her grandfather at an inn, which has a creepy past. As she discovers the ghosts of those who have died horrible deaths, Margaret must free them from the wrath of evil Hugh Bigod.
Having read a few of Ms Cheadle’s books before, including a couple of her horror stories (in Dark Visions), I was keen to see how she would handle this spooky story aimed at young adults. Being a tale of good and evil, you’d expect all sorts of devilish things to occur, and indeed they do. The first section of the book felt a little too much like a history lesson, although I can see why the author presented it this way. At times, it did feel as if there was an awful lot going on, with several different points of view (which confused me), and I think the book would benefit from another edit to tighten things up, but on the whole this is a well-researched and interesting story that’ll appeal to YA readers who like a bit of scary stuff.
Having read a few of Ms Cheadle’s books before, including a couple of her horror stories (in Dark Visions), I was keen to see how she would handle this spooky story aimed at young adults. Being a tale of good and evil, you’d expect all sorts of devilish things to occur, and indeed they do. The first section of the book felt a little too much like a history lesson, although I can see why the author presented it this way. At times, it did feel as if there was an awful lot going on, with several different points of view (which confused me), and I think the book would benefit from another edit to tighten things up, but on the whole this is a well-researched and interesting story that’ll appeal to YA readers who like a bit of scary stuff.
February 9, 2020
Well, wow!
What can I say?
I have read a few of the author's books already, aimed at younger readers, and this particular novel is a definite veer off the children's fiction track!
We follow the story of Margaret, a girl who has lost her parents and is brought to Bungay to live with her grandfather.
Here, it becomes apparent that she has a gift (or is it?) of seeing ghosts. Not only seeing ghosts but giving them the illusion of a physical figure, rather than a spirit.
The Inn her Grandfather lives in is filled with spirits who vie for her attention.
Some good, some not so good, and some downright BAD!
What I really loved about the way this was written was that the author has weaved a fictional tale but used the stories of true characters as the spirits in the tale.
Together with them, she travels a road where Evil is trying its hardest to overcome Good.
Will Lucifer succeed?
All I will say is, it was pretty gripping, and I am going to be asking for a Part Two please, Mrs Cheadle!
What can I say?
I have read a few of the author's books already, aimed at younger readers, and this particular novel is a definite veer off the children's fiction track!
We follow the story of Margaret, a girl who has lost her parents and is brought to Bungay to live with her grandfather.
Here, it becomes apparent that she has a gift (or is it?) of seeing ghosts. Not only seeing ghosts but giving them the illusion of a physical figure, rather than a spirit.
The Inn her Grandfather lives in is filled with spirits who vie for her attention.
Some good, some not so good, and some downright BAD!
What I really loved about the way this was written was that the author has weaved a fictional tale but used the stories of true characters as the spirits in the tale.
Together with them, she travels a road where Evil is trying its hardest to overcome Good.
Will Lucifer succeed?
All I will say is, it was pretty gripping, and I am going to be asking for a Part Two please, Mrs Cheadle!
December 2, 2019
In this YA paranormal story, Margret moves into an inn her grandfather runs after her parents die. She has a unique gift of seeing the ghosts that live there. My favorite part of this book is the ghosts and their stories, which are taken from history. The attention to detail drew me into the story and tugged at my heart. I loved it when Margret interacted with them, but I couldn’t bond with her at first in everyday life. Yet, the rest of the story was so intriguing and held my attention to the very end. Not only does Margret deal with ghosts, but there are also evil entities involved. The description of hell and bringing in current events was clever. The rich history shared through the ghosts and the good vs. evil theme made this a page-turning read
July 4, 2020
I enjoyed this unique novel. It follows the story of a girl who loses her parents in a tragic accident, and through various circumstances, encounters ghosts who are trapped by an evil being who wants to take over Hell itself. I enjoyed the fact that this was a mash-up of all different types of genres - paranormal, horror, historical fiction - and pulled no punches. I would say fans of Supernatural, Stephen King, and gritty YA stories would like this one.
January 15, 2020
Religious ghost story
Through the Nethergate is a fantasy YA novel following the adventures of a teen Margaret, who born with a caul, can see and interact with ghosts. Margaret's parents have recently died and she has moved to live with her grandfather at a haunted inn. Though we get glimpses into Margaret's thoughts, I felt I didn't get to know her very well. Most of her thoughts involve her recent supernatural experiences and we do not get to see much of her life beyond these experiences. The only thing I really know about her, besides that she can see and talk to ghosts, is that she is very religious. She and her grandfather go to mass most days and Margaret will chastise herself for even thinking the words "oh my god." There is a lot of religion throughout the story as eventually Lucifer gets involved and there are exorcisms and ghosts talk of "turning away from the white light." If you are interested in supernatural themes in religion this would be a good read for you.
Through the Nethergate is a fantasy YA novel following the adventures of a teen Margaret, who born with a caul, can see and interact with ghosts. Margaret's parents have recently died and she has moved to live with her grandfather at a haunted inn. Though we get glimpses into Margaret's thoughts, I felt I didn't get to know her very well. Most of her thoughts involve her recent supernatural experiences and we do not get to see much of her life beyond these experiences. The only thing I really know about her, besides that she can see and talk to ghosts, is that she is very religious. She and her grandfather go to mass most days and Margaret will chastise herself for even thinking the words "oh my god." There is a lot of religion throughout the story as eventually Lucifer gets involved and there are exorcisms and ghosts talk of "turning away from the white light." If you are interested in supernatural themes in religion this would be a good read for you.
March 10, 2020
Author Roberta Eaton Cheadle writes an incredible and terrifying adventure; a journey into a ghostly story with many historical tales relevant to this fascinating story and incorporating many real fictionalized characters that once lived and breathed that had experienced horrors from the past.
This story will greatly please ghost story lovers and I do love a great ghost story and this story has many ghosts; there are helpful ghosts and evil ghosts as well as entities to be dealt with that are as dangerous, wicked, and deadly as you can imagine.
What I found of great interest beyond the incredible ghost story is the intriguing depth of knowledge given to the reader by the author. As I reader, I loved the historical in-depth knowledge that is a fascinating addition to this story. This author has done her work that helps to create the reality within the story. Margaret, the main character, carries the story forward to a very satisfying ending, that will not disappoint the reader.
I give the historical ghost story by Author Roberta Eaton Cheadle, a 5 star rating.
This story will greatly please ghost story lovers and I do love a great ghost story and this story has many ghosts; there are helpful ghosts and evil ghosts as well as entities to be dealt with that are as dangerous, wicked, and deadly as you can imagine.
What I found of great interest beyond the incredible ghost story is the intriguing depth of knowledge given to the reader by the author. As I reader, I loved the historical in-depth knowledge that is a fascinating addition to this story. This author has done her work that helps to create the reality within the story. Margaret, the main character, carries the story forward to a very satisfying ending, that will not disappoint the reader.
I give the historical ghost story by Author Roberta Eaton Cheadle, a 5 star rating.
January 24, 2020
After the death of her parents, Margaret moves to Bungay, England to live with her grandfather. Once there, she realizes she can see the spirits of the dead. Even more terrifying, Margaret sees the spirits of how they looked at the moment of their death. If that’s not creepy enough, hang on… this story takes a dark turn. Soon, Margaret realizes she must figure out how to free these lost souls from the ultimate evil.
Some of the ghosts are evil and some are good, while others seem to be stuck between the worlds in a sort of limbo. Margaret’s gift of sight acts as a catalyst for some and the ghosts begin to incarnate and interact with our world. All of this activity alerts the big guy below and he fantasizes about Margaret’s abilities and what her power could do for him.
Cheadle builds her story off of the legend of Black Shuck, the Devil Dog of Bungay who in 1577 terrorized the parishioners of the local church by killing two people kneeling in prayer after bursting through the church doors amid a flash of lightning. In the book, the dog resurfaces as the evil Hugh Bigod, the vilest of spirits who commands the other spirits who chose not to go into the light when they died.
What makes this story stand out from other YA horror novels is how the author weaves the historical accounts of real-life murderers into her plot. Some of these accounts, while interesting, bogged down some of the pacing in the novel. Yet, it didn’t stop me from reading into the wee hours to find out what happened next.
Additionally, I found the story to be heavily influenced by the Christian concepts of heaven, hell, and the devil. These aspects didn’t affect my personal view, except that I don’t think a belief in spirits belongs to any specific religion.
I found the political elements in the story to be the most compelling. There are some valid points made between the rise of fascism/nationalism and the spread of evil in our current world cultures skilfully woven into the story. The author intertwined many other current events into the storyline including “fake news,” mass shootings, and the war in Syria, all as part of the machinations of Lucifer.
This book had plenty of terrifying moments to hold a reader’s attention. I thought the story concept was solid and the author’s approach to history enriched the storytelling. If you love YA fiction, you’ll enjoy this book.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book as a gift from the author.
Some of the ghosts are evil and some are good, while others seem to be stuck between the worlds in a sort of limbo. Margaret’s gift of sight acts as a catalyst for some and the ghosts begin to incarnate and interact with our world. All of this activity alerts the big guy below and he fantasizes about Margaret’s abilities and what her power could do for him.
Cheadle builds her story off of the legend of Black Shuck, the Devil Dog of Bungay who in 1577 terrorized the parishioners of the local church by killing two people kneeling in prayer after bursting through the church doors amid a flash of lightning. In the book, the dog resurfaces as the evil Hugh Bigod, the vilest of spirits who commands the other spirits who chose not to go into the light when they died.
What makes this story stand out from other YA horror novels is how the author weaves the historical accounts of real-life murderers into her plot. Some of these accounts, while interesting, bogged down some of the pacing in the novel. Yet, it didn’t stop me from reading into the wee hours to find out what happened next.
Additionally, I found the story to be heavily influenced by the Christian concepts of heaven, hell, and the devil. These aspects didn’t affect my personal view, except that I don’t think a belief in spirits belongs to any specific religion.
I found the political elements in the story to be the most compelling. There are some valid points made between the rise of fascism/nationalism and the spread of evil in our current world cultures skilfully woven into the story. The author intertwined many other current events into the storyline including “fake news,” mass shootings, and the war in Syria, all as part of the machinations of Lucifer.
This book had plenty of terrifying moments to hold a reader’s attention. I thought the story concept was solid and the author’s approach to history enriched the storytelling. If you love YA fiction, you’ll enjoy this book.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book as a gift from the author.
February 18, 2020
Young Margaret has a gift that turned into a possible curse. After the untimely death of her parents, she went to live with her grandfather at an inn that was hundreds of years old. Right away, she had frightening encounters with the ghosts who haunted the inn. As the story unfolded, not only did Margaret have the gift of seeing ghosts, but also the power to incarnate them into physical bodies. When Lucifer came calling, with one desire, to use Margaret's gifts to bring the world into his clutches, things got a little more than sticky. This was a compelling story. The author did a lot of "telling" instead of "showing" throughout the book and that took some of the emotion away from the story. If you like a good ghost story and don't mind the "telling" narrative, you'll enjoy this book full of suspenseful situations and tragedies.
February 22, 2020
'Through the Nethergate' is a paranormal novel about Margaret a young school girl who has the ability to see ghosts & poltergeists. I was attracted to the book firstly by the book's cover design & the cover design relates to the novel in a very strong way. The story takes time to develop but once it does it is a racy read all to the end. The real action begins with a horrific kidnapping while the beginning portions of the story set the scene for the characters we will meet in the pages of 'Through the Nethergate'. The plot & concept of the book is commendable. I loved seeing the unique way the author Cheadle presented Lucifer, the devil of the underworld & how he works to create terrible happenings in the world of humans. The characters are all described in detail, especially the ghosts like Henry, Lizzie, Katherine etc. I loved the grandfather of the main protagonist & the lengths he goes to, to save Margaret from getting trapped by the evil lord of hell. The story fits the genre of paranormal fantasy, this is not a book of horror but a commendable tale about people who are willing to risk their lives & ghosts willing to risk their after lives for the sake of a little innocent girl. I especially love the action in the book after the kidnapping scene. If the beginning of the book was a bit better edited, the book would have merited a 5 star from me. Cheadle is a talented author with a lot of new ideas of looking at the genre of paranormal fiction. Her take in this book about ghosts & their relationship to that part of the realm of existence called 'Nethergate' is something to watch out for. All in all, 'Trough the Nethergate' is a book that with some more editing can turn into a very compelling read. I am giving this book a 4 after analyzing it on the parameters of - genre, descriptions, unique plot, unique concept & development of the story. I wish Cheadle all the very best in her future endeavors in writing.
January 20, 2020
Not a ghost story, but a GHOSTS story.
What might happen if a teenaged girl, encountered supreme evil? Ah, but Margaret is not the average teenaged girl.
I’ve read several of the author’s books for children, and found them delightful and imaginative. I was surprised when she began writing much darker stories, although I could imagine the need for “balance” that must have taken her to the horror genre. She bravely dives into the scary, ghostly stuff right away.
Cheadle’s love of history is evident in Through the Nethergate. This adds positively to all aspects of the story. As a self-proclaimed research geek, I can tell that the author put considerable effort into her investigations.
Through the Nethergate takes place in a variety of settings. It also includes an abundance of vivid characters, from the girl and her grandfather, to ghosts and demons, to priests.
There is an unexpected Biblical aspect to the story. Personally, this was neither positive nor negative for me, as I don’t tend to associate ghosts with religion. However, I think it will add to the story for many readers. There was an unexpected detail with one of the otherworldly settings, which I thought was a terrific touch, but I don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun by describing it here.
There are some gruesome descriptions, but no extremes in language. The Kindle version is 270 pages, if that helps you. Whether it is listed as “young adult” or simply “horror” I don’t think one can be too old to enjoy this otherworldly tale.
What might happen if a teenaged girl, encountered supreme evil? Ah, but Margaret is not the average teenaged girl.
I’ve read several of the author’s books for children, and found them delightful and imaginative. I was surprised when she began writing much darker stories, although I could imagine the need for “balance” that must have taken her to the horror genre. She bravely dives into the scary, ghostly stuff right away.
Cheadle’s love of history is evident in Through the Nethergate. This adds positively to all aspects of the story. As a self-proclaimed research geek, I can tell that the author put considerable effort into her investigations.
Through the Nethergate takes place in a variety of settings. It also includes an abundance of vivid characters, from the girl and her grandfather, to ghosts and demons, to priests.
There is an unexpected Biblical aspect to the story. Personally, this was neither positive nor negative for me, as I don’t tend to associate ghosts with religion. However, I think it will add to the story for many readers. There was an unexpected detail with one of the otherworldly settings, which I thought was a terrific touch, but I don’t want to spoil anyone’s fun by describing it here.
There are some gruesome descriptions, but no extremes in language. The Kindle version is 270 pages, if that helps you. Whether it is listed as “young adult” or simply “horror” I don’t think one can be too old to enjoy this otherworldly tale.
January 22, 2020
This is a fairly short read at about 211 pages and I wasn't sure what to make of it at first, but I love me a good ghost story and this is a great ghost story. (with a nice mixture of good and bad ghosts)
The story started out a bit slow for me but as we got to know Margaret and her family and the ghosts that were appearing to her the story took off and the battle of good versus evil begins with Margaret at the center of the action. I really enjoyed how the author mixed "real life" past baddies into the mix of helpers that Lucifer had in his plan to cause chaos and confusion in the world and start WWIII. Some of them are familiar people but others like Amelia Dyer, I had to google.
So yes, this is a ghost story at first, complete with 2 priests that are prepared to do an exorcism, bit what it really is, is a tale of good versus evil; the classic storyline.
This was a totally amazing story that falls in the young adult genre but at times has a bit of the horror genre, there are some real tense bits. My younger self would have relished this, so its not too scary, just enough!
By the time I'd reached the end I felt tears for the ghosts that were finally going to make it to the "white light." The relationships that developed between the dead and living were really well done.
Great read!
The story started out a bit slow for me but as we got to know Margaret and her family and the ghosts that were appearing to her the story took off and the battle of good versus evil begins with Margaret at the center of the action. I really enjoyed how the author mixed "real life" past baddies into the mix of helpers that Lucifer had in his plan to cause chaos and confusion in the world and start WWIII. Some of them are familiar people but others like Amelia Dyer, I had to google.
So yes, this is a ghost story at first, complete with 2 priests that are prepared to do an exorcism, bit what it really is, is a tale of good versus evil; the classic storyline.
This was a totally amazing story that falls in the young adult genre but at times has a bit of the horror genre, there are some real tense bits. My younger self would have relished this, so its not too scary, just enough!
By the time I'd reached the end I felt tears for the ghosts that were finally going to make it to the "white light." The relationships that developed between the dead and living were really well done.
Great read!
April 11, 2020
The premise for this book is a clever one. The central protagonist is able to see ghosts. When those ghosts tell their stories readers discover fascinating historical facts. By selecting events in various periods of English history Ms Cheadle is able to bring to light the horrors experienced by ordinary people at the hands of some members of the aristocracy. Her heroine is a sixteen year-old girl who discovers additional powers with which she is able to release these spirits enabling them to enter paradise.
I will not reveal any more of the plot which is a complex tale of good versus evil. For the most part Ms Cheadle avoids the perils of 'info-dumping' as the ghosts of real people tell their personal stories. I can see how this novel will appeal to a youthful readership with many adolescent girls able to visualise themselves in the role of the main character. My fear is that the well intentioned recounting of the struggles behind the social advances we tend to take for granted will be too much of a distraction for some, a touch too preachy, perhaps.
For me the climactic event, although described in suitably cataclysmic language, lacked either a logical context or the panic I would imagine surrounds a real terrorist attack. Nevertheless, this is a brave attempt to bring history alive for a young readership. I hope it succeeds.
I will not reveal any more of the plot which is a complex tale of good versus evil. For the most part Ms Cheadle avoids the perils of 'info-dumping' as the ghosts of real people tell their personal stories. I can see how this novel will appeal to a youthful readership with many adolescent girls able to visualise themselves in the role of the main character. My fear is that the well intentioned recounting of the struggles behind the social advances we tend to take for granted will be too much of a distraction for some, a touch too preachy, perhaps.
For me the climactic event, although described in suitably cataclysmic language, lacked either a logical context or the panic I would imagine surrounds a real terrorist attack. Nevertheless, this is a brave attempt to bring history alive for a young readership. I hope it succeeds.
December 2, 2019
3 stars
Sixteen-year-old Margaret’s parents are killed in a tragic traffic accident. She goes to live with her grandfather who runs a centuries-old English inn. Almost immediately she encounters a series of ghosts… different people from different time periods. All died horrible deaths. The only link between the ghosts seems to be a ferocious black ghost-dog with glowing red eyes—that and the fact that the ghosts seem to want something from Margaret. The question is what? And what it will cost her? The ante is raised and the horror begins when the ghosts begin to take human form. To say more would be a spoiler.
Normally I don't read horror stories, but I found this to be a compelling concept—a story that fictionalizes real-life murderers from history, weaving their lives together into a modern story. The premise is a fresh take on a classic horror / good VS evil tale. It reads like a brilliant first draft that needs serious editing. It contains a lot of telling, awkward phrases and a lack of trust in the reader to interpret the action or dialogues for themselves. This lengthens the word-count without adding to the story and in the end, slows the story for this reader. I give it a three.
Sixteen-year-old Margaret’s parents are killed in a tragic traffic accident. She goes to live with her grandfather who runs a centuries-old English inn. Almost immediately she encounters a series of ghosts… different people from different time periods. All died horrible deaths. The only link between the ghosts seems to be a ferocious black ghost-dog with glowing red eyes—that and the fact that the ghosts seem to want something from Margaret. The question is what? And what it will cost her? The ante is raised and the horror begins when the ghosts begin to take human form. To say more would be a spoiler.
Normally I don't read horror stories, but I found this to be a compelling concept—a story that fictionalizes real-life murderers from history, weaving their lives together into a modern story. The premise is a fresh take on a classic horror / good VS evil tale. It reads like a brilliant first draft that needs serious editing. It contains a lot of telling, awkward phrases and a lack of trust in the reader to interpret the action or dialogues for themselves. This lengthens the word-count without adding to the story and in the end, slows the story for this reader. I give it a three.
January 11, 2020
Fantastically researched. Spooky as hell. I've never had to put a book down because I was too freaked out, but now I have. If you want to know more about some really horrible people and horrible circumstances, this book is full of them.
Something strange about this book that I rather enjoyed but which might not appeal to everyone was the piles of stories about the ghosts and "incarnates". Many ghosts or groups of ghosts had a story behind them, and Cheadle put together a well-researches summary of their lives and why their souls were trapped on Earth or in Hell. In effect, this book often felt like a compilation of historical stories, but that was right up my alley. There was also not as much dialogue as you might expect in a novel, but a lot of it was tied into this historicity.
That's not saying that the overall plot wasn't good - it was definitely good - but it wove more like a thread into and between all these other stories. It held everything else together like a glue. The main premise - that ghosts gained bodies when they were around Margaret - was also a lot of fun. Margaret wasn't overpowered, so the stress you feel at failures and difficulties was very worthwhile.
Something strange about this book that I rather enjoyed but which might not appeal to everyone was the piles of stories about the ghosts and "incarnates". Many ghosts or groups of ghosts had a story behind them, and Cheadle put together a well-researches summary of their lives and why their souls were trapped on Earth or in Hell. In effect, this book often felt like a compilation of historical stories, but that was right up my alley. There was also not as much dialogue as you might expect in a novel, but a lot of it was tied into this historicity.
That's not saying that the overall plot wasn't good - it was definitely good - but it wove more like a thread into and between all these other stories. It held everything else together like a glue. The main premise - that ghosts gained bodies when they were around Margaret - was also a lot of fun. Margaret wasn't overpowered, so the stress you feel at failures and difficulties was very worthwhile.
January 20, 2020
Through the Nethergate was a brilliant YA paranormal with a hint of horror that young adults and adults alike would enjoy. Margaret has gone to live with her Grandfather following the sudden death of her parents. Her Grandfather runs and ancient Inn the town of Bungay situated in the beautiful English countryside, but there is nothing beautiful about the Inn for Margaret.
Margaret has the ability of second sight and soon after arriving at the Inn she starts to see the ghosts of those who are trapped between Heaven and Hell, and she discovers that she has the ability to bring them back to life! I loved how when Margaret encountered a ghost we then got their story on how they died, each story related to the Black Dog who persuaded them to ignore the White Light and remain on earth. Margaret learns of the Black Dog and his nefarious reasons for holding not letting the ghosts follow the light.
This was a book of good verses evil, and I found once I started reading I could not put it down. Who will win? Will Good prevail or will Hell reign on Earth? I highly recommend you check this book out to find out!
5 stars
Margaret has the ability of second sight and soon after arriving at the Inn she starts to see the ghosts of those who are trapped between Heaven and Hell, and she discovers that she has the ability to bring them back to life! I loved how when Margaret encountered a ghost we then got their story on how they died, each story related to the Black Dog who persuaded them to ignore the White Light and remain on earth. Margaret learns of the Black Dog and his nefarious reasons for holding not letting the ghosts follow the light.
This was a book of good verses evil, and I found once I started reading I could not put it down. Who will win? Will Good prevail or will Hell reign on Earth? I highly recommend you check this book out to find out!
5 stars
December 9, 2019
THE FIGHT BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL IS BROUGHT TO LIFE IN THIS SPELLBINDING NOVEL!
At the sudden death of her parents, teenager Margaret travels to Bungay to live with her aging grandfather in a mysterious old inn.
Before long, Margaret begins to see spirits of people who died horrible deaths and are somehow tied to the inn and the nearby castle of Hugh Bigod. The spirits, some kind and others malicious, tell the stories of the last moments of their lives and the part a large black dog with glowing eyes took in tying them to the netherworld.
They believe Margaret is the key to their escape, but dangerous forces are out to stop her at all costs, and soon Margaret is drawn into the fight of her life.
This book is filled with historical tidbits told through the spirits point of view that I found completely fascinating. The author seamlessly integrates religious beliefs and historical data with immersive storytelling.
I give Through the Nethergate 5 lovely kisses- a fascinating read!
At the sudden death of her parents, teenager Margaret travels to Bungay to live with her aging grandfather in a mysterious old inn.
Before long, Margaret begins to see spirits of people who died horrible deaths and are somehow tied to the inn and the nearby castle of Hugh Bigod. The spirits, some kind and others malicious, tell the stories of the last moments of their lives and the part a large black dog with glowing eyes took in tying them to the netherworld.
They believe Margaret is the key to their escape, but dangerous forces are out to stop her at all costs, and soon Margaret is drawn into the fight of her life.
This book is filled with historical tidbits told through the spirits point of view that I found completely fascinating. The author seamlessly integrates religious beliefs and historical data with immersive storytelling.
I give Through the Nethergate 5 lovely kisses- a fascinating read!
October 13, 2020
Author Roberta Eaton Cheadle provides a balanced mix of history and ghosts in this young adult horror story. Margaret, the 16-year old girl, moves to live with her Grandfather after a horrific accident makes her an orphan. Upon her arrival, her Grandfather shows her his Inn explaining the past along the way. His knowledge of the history and her curiosity is common ground between Margaret and her Grandfather. I liked the detailed, rich storyline that draws out the reader’s imagination. It sets the stage between good and evil, with Lucifer right in the middle.
The possibility of Margaret being enabled to see and communicate with the ghost in her Grandfather’s Inn appears early and opens up the challenge or gift of her life. The intrigue begins almost immediately with the plaque on the wall of the Inn. A servant girl who was caught stealing in 1589 and chained up in the cellar of the Inn until she died. Lizzie became the first ghost haunting the Inn.
“ She suppressed this thought and nodded; she knew the Inn was said to be haunted.
“Her death is a blight on the history of the Inn,” said Grandfather. “It is best not to dwell on the injustices of the past.”
Grandfather turned away and started climbing the stairs. Margaret followed him. At the bottom of the stairs, she paused, something was moving. She glanced back into the room.
A figure stood in front of the plaque. The figure was a young girl dressed in a tattered, floor-length dress. She held an ale tankard in her hands.
I can’t breathe! Margaret’s hands flew to her constricted throat, her pale fingers instantly chilly. A soft moan oozed from her mouth as she screwed her eyes tightly shut and rubbed them. Slowly she opened one, and then the other. The figure was gone. Margaret stared at the plaque and thought: I couldn’t have seen anyone. I’m tired from the early morning and long journey. Grandfather’s comments have given me the willies. She turned and trotted up the stairs.
Margaret didn’t see the cat lying on the sixth riser from the top. She tripped, grabbing hold of the banister to save herself.
On reaching the top of the stairs, Margaret stood for a moment, breathing heavily. The strange vision in the cellar, combined with the cat on the stairs, had scared her. Adrenalin pumped through her body. “
Margaret possessed a decidedly unique ability to not only see dead souls but transform them into human bodies. It was seeing them or being near that is the catalyst for this transformation. As we learn, it started very early in her life and seemed like a game. Overworld ghosts are caused when one dies too early or too violently and misses the chance to travel to the White Light or the Underworld.
Her empathetic relationships with these ghosts help ease their pain and make her a target of Lucifer. Lucifer abducts Margaret to force her to help transform his dead souls into an army. Lucifer shows his true colors of greed and manipulation.
Margaret is grounded in Catholicism. She finds within herself the strength to resist the evil, but not without paying the price. A different ghost story ladled with history, filled with good versus evil, and a surprising ending. Author Cheadle creates a good read for young adults and beyond who like an unsuspecting scare. It would be near terrifying to be around the campfire and have someone tell this story.
The possibility of Margaret being enabled to see and communicate with the ghost in her Grandfather’s Inn appears early and opens up the challenge or gift of her life. The intrigue begins almost immediately with the plaque on the wall of the Inn. A servant girl who was caught stealing in 1589 and chained up in the cellar of the Inn until she died. Lizzie became the first ghost haunting the Inn.
“ She suppressed this thought and nodded; she knew the Inn was said to be haunted.
“Her death is a blight on the history of the Inn,” said Grandfather. “It is best not to dwell on the injustices of the past.”
Grandfather turned away and started climbing the stairs. Margaret followed him. At the bottom of the stairs, she paused, something was moving. She glanced back into the room.
A figure stood in front of the plaque. The figure was a young girl dressed in a tattered, floor-length dress. She held an ale tankard in her hands.
I can’t breathe! Margaret’s hands flew to her constricted throat, her pale fingers instantly chilly. A soft moan oozed from her mouth as she screwed her eyes tightly shut and rubbed them. Slowly she opened one, and then the other. The figure was gone. Margaret stared at the plaque and thought: I couldn’t have seen anyone. I’m tired from the early morning and long journey. Grandfather’s comments have given me the willies. She turned and trotted up the stairs.
Margaret didn’t see the cat lying on the sixth riser from the top. She tripped, grabbing hold of the banister to save herself.
On reaching the top of the stairs, Margaret stood for a moment, breathing heavily. The strange vision in the cellar, combined with the cat on the stairs, had scared her. Adrenalin pumped through her body. “
Margaret possessed a decidedly unique ability to not only see dead souls but transform them into human bodies. It was seeing them or being near that is the catalyst for this transformation. As we learn, it started very early in her life and seemed like a game. Overworld ghosts are caused when one dies too early or too violently and misses the chance to travel to the White Light or the Underworld.
Her empathetic relationships with these ghosts help ease their pain and make her a target of Lucifer. Lucifer abducts Margaret to force her to help transform his dead souls into an army. Lucifer shows his true colors of greed and manipulation.
Margaret is grounded in Catholicism. She finds within herself the strength to resist the evil, but not without paying the price. A different ghost story ladled with history, filled with good versus evil, and a surprising ending. Author Cheadle creates a good read for young adults and beyond who like an unsuspecting scare. It would be near terrifying to be around the campfire and have someone tell this story.
April 2, 2020
The central character, Margaret, goes to live with her grandfather after her parents are tragically killed in a car accident. Grandfather owns an inn filled with ghosts. Many of the spirits feel trapped in The Overworld, a dimension between life on Earth and the White Light or Underworld. Margaret soon discovers that she has a mysterious power that makes the ghosts begin to take shape in human form. The spirits begin to ask Margaret to help them escape.
One of the strengths of the book is the research that the author, Robbie Cheadle, has put into her project. The ghosts are real people from history, many who are infamous. Cheadle skillfully incorporates them at regular intervals into the story. It's like getting a history lesson while also moving the story forward.
The book has a strong religious tone to it as many of the ghosts aspire to move toward the White Light while the devil, Lucifer, tries to place them permanently under his control in the Underworld. At one point, Father Merton performs an exorcism to try and rid the evil. One of the more compelling parts of the story for me was that technology was, in some instances, a source of evil. For example, Lucifer monitors a bank of computers that have everchanging numbers on them. The numbers go up when death and destruction occur in different parts of the world. Lucifer tries to utilize Margaret as a vehicle for causing violence and chaos in the world. It was fascinating that many of the ghosts in the story were trying to control their destiny by doing good and helpful deeds, but others were bent on revenge.
Beyond the Nethergate is a fast-moving and intricate plot, one that held my attention throughout. There were many characters to keep track of, but I understood what was going on the entire time. Some of the scary scenes perhaps could have been even more suspenseful with a little more showing than telling. I liked that the story was never predictable. I believe that fans of YA will enjoy this book.
One of the strengths of the book is the research that the author, Robbie Cheadle, has put into her project. The ghosts are real people from history, many who are infamous. Cheadle skillfully incorporates them at regular intervals into the story. It's like getting a history lesson while also moving the story forward.
The book has a strong religious tone to it as many of the ghosts aspire to move toward the White Light while the devil, Lucifer, tries to place them permanently under his control in the Underworld. At one point, Father Merton performs an exorcism to try and rid the evil. One of the more compelling parts of the story for me was that technology was, in some instances, a source of evil. For example, Lucifer monitors a bank of computers that have everchanging numbers on them. The numbers go up when death and destruction occur in different parts of the world. Lucifer tries to utilize Margaret as a vehicle for causing violence and chaos in the world. It was fascinating that many of the ghosts in the story were trying to control their destiny by doing good and helpful deeds, but others were bent on revenge.
Beyond the Nethergate is a fast-moving and intricate plot, one that held my attention throughout. There were many characters to keep track of, but I understood what was going on the entire time. Some of the scary scenes perhaps could have been even more suspenseful with a little more showing than telling. I liked that the story was never predictable. I believe that fans of YA will enjoy this book.
February 27, 2020
I have not yet read about the war between heaven and the devil as complex and so embroiled as in this book. The devil, we know is always prowling and looking at how to create the most damaging havoc on God’s people, especially those who reject him.
In this story, the devil targeted Margaret, a young girl of sixteen whose parents have just died in a ghastly accident. Her grandfather took her in and brought her to his home, an old Inn with a history of being habited by ghosts trapped in what is referred to in the book as the Underworld. A place between heaven and hell.
It turned out that Margaret was born with extraordinary power. She could see and communicate with ghosts, and her presence alone could transform the ghost from their translucent forms into human bodies. She was able to meet and learn about the stories of many souls who are trapped, and she was able to bring solace to some of them.
Unfortunately, her gift of transforming ghosts back into their human bodies worked for the good and the bad. This is why Lucifer, himself abducted Margaret to use her as his tool to raise an army to disrupt the world. With the help of Father Merton and Father Muike Lucifer’s plan was foiled. Whatever happened to these two Fathers?
This is a beautiful story, but it was riddled with missing words and some actions read like afterthoughts. There were some choice words in this story to take away!
In this story, the devil targeted Margaret, a young girl of sixteen whose parents have just died in a ghastly accident. Her grandfather took her in and brought her to his home, an old Inn with a history of being habited by ghosts trapped in what is referred to in the book as the Underworld. A place between heaven and hell.
It turned out that Margaret was born with extraordinary power. She could see and communicate with ghosts, and her presence alone could transform the ghost from their translucent forms into human bodies. She was able to meet and learn about the stories of many souls who are trapped, and she was able to bring solace to some of them.
Unfortunately, her gift of transforming ghosts back into their human bodies worked for the good and the bad. This is why Lucifer, himself abducted Margaret to use her as his tool to raise an army to disrupt the world. With the help of Father Merton and Father Muike Lucifer’s plan was foiled. Whatever happened to these two Fathers?
This is a beautiful story, but it was riddled with missing words and some actions read like afterthoughts. There were some choice words in this story to take away!
December 14, 2019
3.5 stars
Who wouldn't love a good historical fiction/horror novel? I love that so many historical characters and events fueled the plot to this story. The plot is really unique and interesting. 16 yo Margaret has the ability to see/hear ghost and gives them physical substance by being in their presence, but they are still technically dead. This makes her an immediate target for evil beings and even Lucifer himself. Margaret's adventure into the underworld introduces some nasty characters from history and it was nice to imagine them getting their just deserts. Further, Lucifer takes Margaret to meet some ghosts that he wants to do his bidding once her gifts give them the ability to cause real mischief in the world. Again, many ghosts are based on people who lived, which was really cool.
For as cool as the plot was, the story telling wasn't as strong. There were a lot of characters and they were either good natured folk or sinister. There wasn't much difference in personality other than that. I thought Margaret's love story was underwhelming and unnecessary. The ghost's stories were often more intriguing and emotional than the main plot. Lastly, I thought the ending was cheesy. This could be because I am absolutely not religious and the ending was heavy in faith and god.
STILL, super cool concept and immensely enjoyed the historical aspects.
Who wouldn't love a good historical fiction/horror novel? I love that so many historical characters and events fueled the plot to this story. The plot is really unique and interesting. 16 yo Margaret has the ability to see/hear ghost and gives them physical substance by being in their presence, but they are still technically dead. This makes her an immediate target for evil beings and even Lucifer himself. Margaret's adventure into the underworld introduces some nasty characters from history and it was nice to imagine them getting their just deserts. Further, Lucifer takes Margaret to meet some ghosts that he wants to do his bidding once her gifts give them the ability to cause real mischief in the world. Again, many ghosts are based on people who lived, which was really cool.
For as cool as the plot was, the story telling wasn't as strong. There were a lot of characters and they were either good natured folk or sinister. There wasn't much difference in personality other than that. I thought Margaret's love story was underwhelming and unnecessary. The ghost's stories were often more intriguing and emotional than the main plot. Lastly, I thought the ending was cheesy. This could be because I am absolutely not religious and the ending was heavy in faith and god.
STILL, super cool concept and immensely enjoyed the historical aspects.
Read
March 31, 2022I read this book almost a year ago. I'll keep my review brief as I don't want to construe details and I'm also sort of new at writing reviews, this being only my second ever.
Okay let me begin. What's not to like about Through the Nethergate. A clever young protagonist in Margaret who embodies the burdens often thrust upon the innocent, her 'booky' and historical grandpa who despite his stoicism is as soft as all parents automatically become around their grandkids.
Then there's the historical mystery interwoven with a spirit world and ghosts that haunt an inn. If you like a spooky mystery, so far you're already covered.
But wait, here comes a journey for Margaret to the underworld itself. Now we are firmly in thriller and somewhat horror territory, though not too scary, just scary in terms of the stakes(for me personally).
Add a thrilling finale and a great pace to keep you turning the page, and you can see why i rated this so. If you haven't already, get yourself a copy for a rainy lonely night cozied up in bed.
Okay let me begin. What's not to like about Through the Nethergate. A clever young protagonist in Margaret who embodies the burdens often thrust upon the innocent, her 'booky' and historical grandpa who despite his stoicism is as soft as all parents automatically become around their grandkids.
Then there's the historical mystery interwoven with a spirit world and ghosts that haunt an inn. If you like a spooky mystery, so far you're already covered.
But wait, here comes a journey for Margaret to the underworld itself. Now we are firmly in thriller and somewhat horror territory, though not too scary, just scary in terms of the stakes(for me personally).
Add a thrilling finale and a great pace to keep you turning the page, and you can see why i rated this so. If you haven't already, get yourself a copy for a rainy lonely night cozied up in bed.
October 13, 2020
When I started 'Through the Nethergate' I thought to myself, "Ooo, a good old fashioned ghost story!" Then suddenly, author Roberta Eaton Cheadle went and changed the rules. Ghosts became semi solid, famous (and infamous) figures from history were involved in socio-political intrigue, and the Big Bad was nothing short of Lucifer himself! I’ve rarely come across a book with such left of centre twists and turns, where the stakes rise and rise until it literally turns into an epic battle between good and evil.
Amidst all that, Cheadle weaves in historical nuggets about characters, places, and events spanning from Roman times right up to the late 1900s. Her history accounts are very well researched, and I found myself learning a lot about historical characters and events that I only had a passing knowledge of.
Somewhat reminding me of Stephen King’s 'The Stand', 'Through the Nethergate' pits the forces of good against the literal forces of evil. There’s a strong message (or two or three) about the state of humanity and its dwindling morals and ethics, but the message doesn’t get in the way of the story. The same goes for an underlying theme of religion; it’s present, but does not come across as pontifical, and just because the author explores religious themes, this is not a pious read; expect horror, gore, and some disturbing moments.
'Through the Nethergate' is one heck of a surprising read. The characters are numerous and fleshed out (no pun intended!), the story twists and grows into something epic, the horror is nicely done without being over the top, and the end is deeply satisfying. A solid read I can highly recommend.
Amidst all that, Cheadle weaves in historical nuggets about characters, places, and events spanning from Roman times right up to the late 1900s. Her history accounts are very well researched, and I found myself learning a lot about historical characters and events that I only had a passing knowledge of.
Somewhat reminding me of Stephen King’s 'The Stand', 'Through the Nethergate' pits the forces of good against the literal forces of evil. There’s a strong message (or two or three) about the state of humanity and its dwindling morals and ethics, but the message doesn’t get in the way of the story. The same goes for an underlying theme of religion; it’s present, but does not come across as pontifical, and just because the author explores religious themes, this is not a pious read; expect horror, gore, and some disturbing moments.
'Through the Nethergate' is one heck of a surprising read. The characters are numerous and fleshed out (no pun intended!), the story twists and grows into something epic, the horror is nicely done without being over the top, and the end is deeply satisfying. A solid read I can highly recommend.
September 11, 2020
Through the Nethergate by Roberta E. Cheadle started out interesting enough but seemed to bog down in certain areas as the story progressed. Margaret, a 16-year-old girl, discovers that she has special powers when meeting ghosts from centuries past after she moves in with her grandfather in a centuries-old Inn. It's clear the author did a great deal of historical research when the ghosts tell their stories of times long gone. These ghosts were trapped in an "otherworld" ruled by Hugh Bigod, a treacherous ghost from the 12th century, who distracted them upon their death convincing them to remain with him and not enter the white light of Heaven. Thus, they remained in this netherworld for eternity as slaves to Bigod. Margaret vows to help all the poor souls defeat Hugh Bigod and solicits the help of her grandfather and two local priests. However, Hugh has different plans and wants to use Margaret against Satan and take over hell. In the interim, Satan kidnaps Margaret and wants to use her to conquer and rule the world. This is when the story changes and the luster is lost.
Like others, I thought the author told the story instead of using the characters to move it along with dialog. As a result, I found excessive use of the passive voice and the lack of emotion which, I feel, contributed to the flatness of the story.
The battle at the end doesn't seem realistic and the story ends as I expected. Perhaps a younger crowd would find this story more appealing and compelling. I feel that better editing and added dialog would make this story much stronger.
Like others, I thought the author told the story instead of using the characters to move it along with dialog. As a result, I found excessive use of the passive voice and the lack of emotion which, I feel, contributed to the flatness of the story.
The battle at the end doesn't seem realistic and the story ends as I expected. Perhaps a younger crowd would find this story more appealing and compelling. I feel that better editing and added dialog would make this story much stronger.
January 21, 2020
I couldn't turn the pages fast enough of this horror book that can also be considered historical fiction. Margaret is a teenage orphan with special powers. She can reincarnate the dead who are trapped between the underworld and heaven. She first experiences this when she spends time with her grandfather at his inn. As she reawakens those who have died violent or unnatural deaths and were tricked into turning away from the white light by an evil man whose presence is seen as a black dog, she discovers each person's story, and we, the readers, also learn about true historical figures from ancient to present times. When Margaret is captured and brought to the Underworld, we also see a different version of Hell than brimstone and fire. This one features office cubicles where demons track disasters and use the Dark Web to aid terrorists and modern evildoers. Lucifer gets into the act, and Margaret's (and the world's) only hope lies with the good incarnates and God. This read will really make you think, and the action is fast-paced. Don't miss it.
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