The Twisting Trails: Casey Grimes #3

by A.J. Vanderhorst

Against all odds, Casey Grimes survived the terrible, fiery "Assassin Inferno." That's on top of his dangerous studies at Trickery School, one of America's top monster-control academies. In his second semester, he and Gloria finally have a chance to carve out a home in Sylvan Woods. Unfortunately, something is terribly wrong with the forest itself. "A true adventure, where the stakes are high, the danger real, and the goal almost impossible to reach.” – Bookworm for Kids

314 pages, Paperback

Published July 23, 2022

About the author

AJ Vanderhorst has had many jobs, including journalist, paramedic, escape artist, and baby whisperer. One time in fifth grade, he built a traffic-stopping fort in a huge oak tree, using only branches and imagination, and slept there for a week.

Now he and his wife live in a woodsy house with their proteges and a ridiculous number of pets, including a turtle with a taste for human toes. This makes AJ an expert on wild, dangerous things—invisibility spells, butcher beasts, hungry kids, you get the idea.

He is the only author in the world who enjoys pickup basketball and enormous bonfires, preferably not at the same time. He and his family have drawn up several blueprints for their future tree castle. Visit AJ online at ajvanderhorst.com.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another tightly crafted story with a plot that doesn't disappoint. Casey and the crew maneuver their way through difficult interpersonal issues and constant danger.

My only quibble is that the new aspects of Trickery school aren't described in quite as much depth as I'd prefer. To get a really clear picture of everything Trickery is, some Tolkien-esque background would be great. And honestly, that critique is a compliment. My desire to know more about this alternate world speaks to the way in which it is compelling, alluring, and awesome.

*not just a fan because he's my brother, I actually know my way around kid lit and the Casey Grimes universe is unparalleled insofar as its contemporary competitors.

For those who long for the golden age of children's literature (Lloyd Alexander, C.S. Lewis, Jonathan Stroud, ND Wilson), there's an author near you who'd love to ship directly to you. AJ is bound for great heights.

[Francine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun kids book. Imaginative, friendships and a little magic. (Older grade school level and older)

[Flewts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good clean fun reading that would appeal especially to boys, but with enough strong female characters that girls would also enjoy reading this.

[Brooklynn Agnello · Rating 5 out of 5]

OK WHAT! ANOTHER MASTERPIECE OF A BOOK!

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow the books keep getting better and better—at first I thought it was going to be to scary but it kept you guessing and in the end it turned out great. The next book will be even better.