Book Review: Grimm Remains

Grimm Remains is the sequel to Eli Celata's debut novel High Summons, in which Jon continues his studies with Jordan about demon hunting, which takes a more challenging turn thanks to the arrival of havfine, or demonic mermaids that usually stay in ocean waters but have shown up in Lake Ontario.

I enjoyed following Jon's journey in learning more about demon hunting and the skills it requires, all while he's having to keep it a secret from his college friends, with whom he now shares an apartment. It gets challenging when Jon experiences encounters with demons and mystical forces at the apartment itself, certainly a situation that makes for awkward moments.

All the while, as Jon learns more about everyone in Rochester who is tasked with protecting the people from demons, he and Jordan are tasked with having to locate three missing orphans, during which Jon learns more not only about his father, but Jordan's as well.

What makes the book work is the main character and the struggles he goes through. He wants to learn more about demon hunting, only to find out how difficult certain skills can be to master, and how difficult it can be to keep demons away when he just wants to spend time with his friends. And then there's Jon's relationship with his mother -- he goes through a period in which he doesn't keep in touch with her and that leads to bigger problems for the relationship between Jon and Jordan.

I did find the pacing to be problematic -- certain chapters went too long when they might have benefitted from a break in the action, with a page turner that prompts the reader to keep going. Other chapters were too short for my liking.

But I liked the main character so much and had plenty of interest in learning how his relationship with Jordan further develops. Grimm Remains is a good follow-up to the first book and a recommended read. You may order it here.