The Casey Grimes series comprises six volumes, including five full-length novels, a novella, and two short stories. It promises to take readers on a thrilling journey through worlds of endless adventure, boundless courage, and heart-pounding encounters with all manner of fantastical beasts and creatures.
From the first page to the last, this book is packed with spine-tingling action, breathtaking bravery, and of course, plenty of monsters lurking around every corner. Whether you’re a fan of epic fantasy, spine-tingling horror, or heart-stopping adventure, this collection is sure to satisfy your every literary craving and leave you longing for more.
Despite the individual books in the series being previously published, the complete Casey Grimes series is released on March 11th, 2022, by Lion & Company Press. This highly anticipated series is the collaborative work of talented authors A. J. Vanderhorst and Asher Vanderhorst, who have woven together a captivating and thrilling storyline that is sure to leave readers spellbound.
Summary of The Casey Grimes Series
The Casey Grimes series is captivating and features an impressive collection of eight exciting stories that will keep readers engaged and thrilled from beginning to end. In the first novel, “The Mostly Invisible Boy,” we follow the story of Casey Grimes, who believed he was doomed to a life of invisibility until he stumbles upon a secret society that controls monsters in the forest.
With a newfound sense of belonging, Casey must fight to stay alive in this dangerous world. The second novel, “Trickery School,” takes readers on a wild ride as Casey and Gloria attend a school for monster control, only to find themselves facing a mysterious enemy who plays to win. The third novel, “Crooked Castle,” follows Brook, an orphan who finds herself stranded on a treacherous island inhabited by a beast that defies all reason.
Casey and Gloria have come a long way since their first semester in Sylvan Woods. In “Twisting Trails,” the fourth novel of the series, they are now settled and hoping to make the forest their home. Nonetheless, their situation turns sour as they become aware of an eerie presence lurking in the woods, a presence that could potentially jeopardize their safety.
“Dark Sky’s Ashes,” the fifth novel in the series, follows Conley as he leaves behind his safety-obsessed neighborhood and moves to the historic Kansas City Dragon District in search of adventure and new friends.
However, his hopes are quickly dashed when he finds himself living in an ancient house with a deadly secret that could end up burning him alive. With summer break over, Conley must navigate the dangers lurking in his new home while trying to uncover the truth behind its dark past.
The series also includes a gripping novella titled “The Ghost of CreepCat,” in which Lila Banks sets out for a hike, only to find herself stalked by the ghost of her beloved cat.
“Into Thin Air” (Short Story), a collaborative effort between author A.J. Vanderhorst and his son, Aidan, features a Casey Grimes character in a funny and surprising tale. And in the final short story, “The Pencil Killer,” another Casey Grimes character takes center stage in a humorous tale with an unexpected twist.
Throughout this thrilling collection of stories, readers will be taken on a rollercoaster ride of suspense, action, and mystery as they follow Casey Grimes through his many adventures. If you are a passionate follower of young adult literature or just searching for an exciting book to keep you engaged, The Casey Grimes series is an essential read.
Review of Casey Grimes Series
We meet Casey Grimes in “The Mostly Invisible Boy,” the first novel of the series. Casey Grimes, an 11-year-old boy who has been invisible since moving to Vintage Woods, Oregon, discovers a giant oak tree with a fortress and meets Luci, a girl from an enchanted forest called Sylvan Woods.
Luci attends Trickery School, where young Sylvans learn ways to combat deadly monsters that threaten both worlds. Casey and Gloria, his 6-year-old sister, who also suffers from invisibility, join Luci in saving Sylvan Woods from a killer infestation of Butcher Beasts.
Vanderhorst effectively employs a simple narrative style with sparing yet sufficient descriptions and age-appropriate dialogue. The book has short chapters and takes the reader on a journey with Casey and Gloria through a series of small mysteries and action scenes.
Sylvan Woods is a fantastic concept that has a magical feel even though its inhabitants view magic as passé. Vanderhorst excels at characterization, with the brother-sister dynamic between Casey and Gloria being beautifully portrayed and Luci having a strong-willed personality.
Although the book has faults, such as the abrupt resolution of interpersonal conflicts and the occasional rushing past of significant moments, it maintains urgency that will captivate young readers. In the second novel, “Trickery School,” Casey Grimes enrolls in Trickery School, a top monster-control academy in America situated in Sylvan Woods.
However, Casey faces bigger problems than classes, with a cunning enemy targeting him after surviving a near-death experience fighting Butcher Beasts. Despite the challenges, Casey is relieved to no longer be invisible and has good friends by his side.
Casey and his sister Gloria have good friends, including Luci, Robert, and Jake, at the beautiful campus of Trickery School. However, Casey realizes he has bigger problems than his classes, with magic causing controversy and someone targeting him.
As the shadow enemy draws closer, Casey races to uncover the reason for the attack and solve the deadly mystery with all his courage and tenacity. This fast-paced middle-grade fantasy adventure is full of magic and monsters. This gripping fantasy adventure is perfect for middle-grade readers who love monsters and magic, and it’s sure to keep them on the edge of their seats!
In the third novel, “Crooked Castle,” the author presents a thrilling YA contemporary fantasy that follows Brook, an orphan who is forced to navigate a deadly island after being abandoned by a mysterious creature.
Haunted by a past that she can’t quite remember, Brook sees the towering castle at the center of the island as her only chance at a better life. While the book can be read independently, it also serves as the 3rd novel in the Casey Grimes series.
As she and her ally, Fox, face near-death experiences on their journey to infiltrate the stronghold, Brook is determined to discover her true identity and the reason for her unexpected presence on the island. With its gripping storyline and skillfully developed characters, the readers remain hooked to the narrative, cheering for Brook’s triumphs despite mounting adversities and challenges.
With its fast-paced action, compelling storyline, and unexpected twists, “Crooked Castle” is a stand-alone novel that will leave readers excitingly anticipating the next installment in the Casey Grimes series. Highly recommended for fans of YA fantasy and thrillers.
The fourth novel, “Twisting Trails,” tells the story of Casey Grimes, a survivor of the “Assassin Inferno,” who is now studying at Trickery School, a prestigious academy dedicated to monster control.
In his second semester at the school, Casey and his friend Gloria is excited to finally settle down and make a home for themselves in Sylvan Woods, a beautiful forest located near the academy. However, their dreams are soon shattered as they begin to notice something is wrong with the forest itself.
The trees are twisted, and the trails are contorted in unusual ways, leading Casey and Gloria to think that there is something sinister lurking within the woods. As they investigate, they discover that the forest holds many dark secrets that threaten their survival.
“Twisting Trails” is an enthralling novel that will keep readers on the edge of their seat. The author does an excellent job of creating a chilling atmosphere, making it impossible to put the book down. The characters are well-developed, and readers will find themselves rooting for Casey and Gloria as they navigate the dangerous forest.
It is a fantastic read for anyone who loves horror, suspense, or adventure. The book has a great plot, well-crafted characters, and an eerie setting that will leave readers with goosebumps. If you’re looking for a heart-pumping adventure through a haunted forest, then “Twisting Trails” is definitely worth checking out.
The fifth novel, “Dark Sky’s Ashes,” follows the story of Conley, a young boy who moves from his safety-obsessed neighborhood to the historic Kansas City Dragon District in search of adventure and new friends.
However, Conley’s dreams of adventure quickly turn into a nightmare when he discovers an ancient house with a dangerous secret that could roast him alive. As he goes deeper into the mysteries of the dragon district, Conley finds himself embroiled in a battle between his family and the city’s dragonish past.
“Dark Sky’s Ashes” is a standalone novel that also serves as book 5 in the Casey Grimes series. The writer does an excellent job of weaving a thrilling tale filled with action, suspense, and fantastical creatures. The characters are well-developed, and readers will find themselves rooting for Conley and his family as they navigate the dangerous dragon district.
With its exciting plot, engaging characters, and thrilling dragon battles, this book is sure to captivate readers of all ages. It is a rip-roaring adventure filled with magic and danger.
“The Ghost of CreepCat” (Novella) is a thrilling and spooky middle-grade adventure book that will keep young readers engaged from start to finish. Written by an accomplished author, this book offers a unique and exciting experience for children who love fantasy and adventure.
Readers will be captivated by this thrilling standalone book. When Lila sets out on her twelfth birthday hike, she never expects to be stalked by the ghost of her recently-deceased cat. Orangesicle was never very friendly, but trying to eat Lila takes it to a whole new level.
With a central mystery, a monster, and a touch of horror, “The Ghost of CreepCat” is perfect for kids ages eight and up who love middle-grade fantasy/adventure books. Follow Lila’s journey as she tries to survive the night and uncover the secrets of Sylvan Woods.
“Into Thin Air,” a short story, was written by author A.J. Vanderhorst in collaboration with his son, Aidan. This hilarious and unexpected tale features the beloved character Casey Grimes in a whole new adventure.
In “Into Thin Air,” readers are treated to a funny and surprising story that showcases the unique writing style of both authors. The character of Casey Grimes is just as charming and witty as ever, and readers will enjoy following him on his latest escapade.
Despite its short length, “Into Thin Air” packs a punch with its clever dialogue, fast-paced action, and unexpected twists and turns. The story is a testament to the talent of both authors, and it’s clear that they make a great team. The collaboration between A.J. Vanderhorst and his son Aidan has resulted in a delightful story that is sure to leave readers entertained and wanting more.
For fans of the Casey Grimes series, “The Pencil Killer” is a short story that should not be missed. In this final installment of the collection, another Casey Grimes character takes center stage in a humorous tale that is sure to leave readers both entertained and surprised.
Despite its short length, “The Pencil Killer” manages to pack in plenty of humor, action, and unexpected plot twists. The story is a testament to Vanderhorst’s skill as a writer and his ability to create memorable and engaging characters.
The Casey Grimes series is a thrilling and action-packed expedition into a realm of secret societies and monstrous creatures. A.J. Vanderhorst has crafted an enthralling collection that will captivate young adult fiction enthusiasts and anyone seeking an exhilarating read that will leave them on the edge of their seats. Comprising five novels, a novella, and two short stories, this series offers a rollercoaster ride of suspense, action, and mystery as readers embark on Casey Grimes’ thrilling escapades.
Our Verdict
The Casey Grimes series is a gripping and fast-paced middle-grade and YA fantasy adventure series that has captured the hearts of readers who love monsters and magic. The books follow Casey Grimes, an 11-year-old boy who is mostly invisible, and his sister Gloria as they join forces with their friend Luci from Sylvan Woods to save the magical forest from killer beasts.
The books are characterized by a simple narrative style, age-appropriate dialogue, well-drawn characters, and fast-paced action. While each book can be read as a standalone, the series continues to captivate readers with its unexpected twists, eerie settings, and suspenseful plots that keep them on the edge of their seats.
Overall, the Casey Grimes series is a highly recommended read for fans of middle-grade and YA fantasy and thrillers.
Our Rating: ⭐ (4.5/5).
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