School Library Journal Reviews
Gr 6 Up—As long as he can remember, Jeremy Johnson Johnson has heard ghosts in his town of Never Better. When he was six, his mother ran off with another man after eating an enchanted Prince Cake. Because his father is reclusive and absent-minded, Jeremy's friend, the ghost of Jacob Grimm, becomes a mentor and protector. When the town's adventuress, Ginger Boultinghouse, falls for Jeremy, she draws the boy from his into her escapades. Things are not what they seem in Never Better. Hazards lurk around every corner. Children are disappearing and the Finder of Occasions, an entity with unknown evil intentions, is hiding in the town's shadows. Grimm feels the need to protect Jeremy more than ever. Will he succeed? W. Morgan Sheppard's voice is soothing, but at times the pace of his narration drags. His voices are easily distinguishable and suit the characters' personalities. He also does a good job of bringing to life the perspective and ghostly state of Jacob Grimm. While McNeal's novel (Knopf, 2013) is slow-paced, fans of macabre-style stories that are dark and suspenseful or those who like the Grimm Brothers original fairy tales will enjoy this audiobook. For larger library collections.—Jessica Moody, Olympus Junior High, Salt Lake City, UT
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