The Skeleth (Nethergrim, #2)

by Matthew Jobin

In a vast kingdom divided by power-hungry lords, land equals power. With the Nethergrim now awake, her limitless wellspring of evil spells opportunity for those willing to do her bidding. One Lord, in particular, is happy to align himself with the Nethergrim and to let loose her minions as he attempts to overthrow other Lords and rule the north. The worst of those minions are the Skeleth, forces of energy that absorb whole anyone who attempts to kill the beings. In this way the slain end up as Slayers, a vicious cycle that never ends. Yet that will not stop young Edmund, an apprentice wizard and his friends Katherine and Tom, from trying. Together, they team up with the legendary Tristan in a battle of courage, determination, and sacrifice to stop the Skeleth and save the Barony of Elverain from being conquered. The Nethergrim is, like Ranger's Apprentice, a world built from the ground up, with people and lands that feel pulled from the pages of a history book. Yet its high concept fantasy and deeply layered mythology are so rich that they will satisfy fans of Robert Jordan, Game of Thrones, or Chronicles of Narnia.
Worth the wait, The Skeleth proves that The Nethergrim is a fantasy epic sure to live a long, well-worn life.

• ISBN10: 0399159991
• ISBN13: 9780399159992
• Publish Date: 10 May 2016
• Publish Status: Out of Stock
• Out of Print: 9 August 2023
• Publish Country: US
• Publisher: Penguin Putnam Inc
• Imprint: Philomel Books,U.S.
• Format: Hardcover (Deckle Edge)
• Pages: 400
• Language: English
• URL: https://penguinrandomhouse.com/books/isbn/9780399159992

Reviews

[Silvara]

Check out my other reviews, discussions and link ups at Fantasy of the Silver Dragon.

I received this book for free from Philomel Books in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I liked the first book a little more than this one. But I still really enjoyed this book as well. One of the things I loved about the last one was the strong friendship between Edmund, Katherine and Tom. And how they worked together to save the children stolen by the Nethergrim. In this book they're separated for a great deal of the story. Tom is away with Katherine's father, and then ends up on a quest of his own. Edmund and Katherine are in the same village still, but they're kept apart by various things.

This book had a much darker feel than the first one. Which makes sense, both because of the friends not being together, as well as because of all the evil that they now know is loose in the world. Offsetting that, there are possible love interests for all three main characters. While it isn't a huge thread for Tom or Edmund, Katherine spends a lot of the book with hers.

We learn more about the magic, including the fact that there are three branches. We get to meet the Revered Elder for one of them. We also learn more about the last time the Nethergrim was active in the land. A little of the history about why she was allowed into the world that time, and how some of her minions were contained.

All three of the main characters are challenged in new ways. When they get back together, and fight the new evil, you can see how they've grown and changed over the course of the book. Edmund has learned a few new tricks with magic. Katherine is even more sure of herself and her abilities. And Tom... Well, you'll see!

This was just as quick a read as the last book. If you haven't read this series yet, you need to do so!

This review was originally posted on Fantasy of the Silver Dragon