Status
Available
Series
Genres
Collection
Publication
Tiny Fox Press LLC (2022), 284 pages
Description
""You did nothing. You were nothing. And so, you shall remain here, until the end of your days. As nothing." Ollie's only friend disappeared a few days ago, and now, he's frantic to find her. But he doesn't have much to go on until a mysterious note arrives, which reads: "Still looking for your friend? I know where she is." Unfortunately for Ollie, the trail leads to the last place he'd ever expect. Somewhere dark. Somewhere deep. The kind of place where magic spills like blood, vengeance is merciless, and escape seems all but impossible. Worse still, it soon becomes clear that someone-or something-was expecting him." --Back cover.
User reviews
LibraryThing member reading_fox
Interesting premise well executed, with an unusual if occasionally unbelievable choice of hero.
Ollie knows he's more than just overweight and always has been, even at 19 when he's judging himself to be among the fattest people in the room (including during his weight sessions), but somehow
The ending is somewhat confused, and doesn't really make that much sense, but despite the trilogy and slight hook set in the epilogue, it is self contained and closes all the story lines out neatly.
I'm not sure if this is the author's debuet novel, but it's well enough written to be worth keeping an eye out for other works by them.
Ollie knows he's more than just overweight and always has been, even at 19 when he's judging himself to be among the fattest people in the room (including during his weight sessions), but somehow
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although he knows better and tries hard, he can't quite resist temptation of just one more sweet. As such given the society we live in he'd always struggled making friends although he goes out of his way to be tolerant and forgiving, not even holding grudges against his schoolyard bullies. And so he treasures such kindnesses he might receive eithe at work (in a bakery really?) or from another overweight woman at his class. When she doesn't turn up for a couple of weeks Ollie takes, for him the very unusually proactive, step of searching for her. One of the last conversation they had suggested she might have boyfriend troubles, and he happens to pass the Woman's Resource Centre, but tehy rebuff all his inquiries. Disillusioned he returns to work, only to find a strange not telling him to meet up late at night in an abandoned park. His contact turned out to be a trusting fellow who'd believed his earlier questions, and claimed to know the location of Ollie's friend, but getting there wasn't straight-forward. He was to follow the tourist trail and at each location pronounce a secret word. Ollie being the butt of many practical jokes was quite suspicious, but gave it a try anyway for the sake of friendship. One of the plaques gave a sudden twist and Ollie fell into the 'Neath' a world somewhat different to the ordinary one 'above' - although given the magic was probably involved considering either as physically related seems odd. The ' Neath' is a closed world dotted with islands and a continually shining 'sky'. He was told his friend could most likely be found at Hendrick's End, and so he sets off there, towed by a giant black crow - counterpoint to the tourist white swam boats 'above'. And so many things go this way slightly altered from normal. But As ever int he best of stories, people are people with all that implies about meanness and kindness. Ollie seems to bring out the best in a few of those he encounters, and finally finds some who appreciate his inner worth rather than outwards appearance. The ending is somewhat confused, and doesn't really make that much sense, but despite the trilogy and slight hook set in the epilogue, it is self contained and closes all the story lines out neatly.
I'm not sure if this is the author's debuet novel, but it's well enough written to be worth keeping an eye out for other works by them.
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LibraryThing member dndizzle
Thankful for the win to receive and review this book!
I'm conflicted on how I feel about this book. It's a strange book, honestly. And there is a lot of confusion going on in this book for me. But the writing isn't bad and the flow isn't bad. I'm just not sure if I like this or if I dislike it.
I'm conflicted on how I feel about this book. It's a strange book, honestly. And there is a lot of confusion going on in this book for me. But the writing isn't bad and the flow isn't bad. I'm just not sure if I like this or if I dislike it.
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It's one of those books for me where I had no problem finishing it, but felt confused and not sure if I'd re-read or want to continue as soon as the last word was read. Show Less
LibraryThing member mato123
This is a great imaginative story of a journey and contest between two totally different and opposing worlds. Particularly, about the love and the quest to serve justice to victims of violence or abuse, which is no wonder; reflects the author’s experience with survivors of domestic and sexual
Ollie Delgato’s journey from the Northern End of Brickside, all the way to the Herrick’s End of the Neath, shows us that; this secretive underworld or mystical place is created based on the constant struggle faced by victims of family-related violence and abuse. This constant struggle is the outcome of our society’s inactions, oppressions, insecurity, threat or any other similar conditions that prevent justice to be served to those victims.
He started off as an innocent, unsuspecting, and loving friend, but eventually grow to become a hero of justice at the end. This may, in other words, shows us that; many victims of family-related violence and abuses get themselves into these troubles innocently and unsuspectingly, because of love. They don’t know what will happen because they are blinded by love and then when their loving world becomes the opposite, they become its victims. A situation that they have created by themselves.
But, under such circumstances, under that blind love and our society’s inactions, oppressions, insecurity, or threats; they can fight for justice, for themselves, and their loved ones, if they do something and take action.
The settings of the contents of the book through the Prologue keep me wondering with interest how the initial ancient scenes will connect with the modern settings of the story when I started reading the first chapters. But as the story reach the part on the Freedom Trail, I started getting the idea that; it will be the change of scenes into something mystical or ancient. If similar connections have been developed and established on the book chapters' titles with specific story topics, rather than just the use of numbers, then I think it will be more engaging and well connected.
Yet, I give it a rating of 5 stars, because it is a great imaginative story that reflects the 2 types of worlds that exist for the victims of one of our society’s major social problems. One is the world that many may seem to portray to the public and the community in which they live under the auspice of normal and loving family life. And another is the world that exists under the banner of a blind and unsuspecting love, where there is abuse and violence and where victims are constantly struggling for justice in solitude. A justice to problems, they have somehow created by themselves.
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violence. There may be some other reasons to capture this story in rather a strange and mystical place such as Herrick’s End, but I strongly feel that; the author is trying to bring us to imagine and see that; there is a secretive, hidden and unknown world that exists for the victims and survivors of such violence.Ollie Delgato’s journey from the Northern End of Brickside, all the way to the Herrick’s End of the Neath, shows us that; this secretive underworld or mystical place is created based on the constant struggle faced by victims of family-related violence and abuse. This constant struggle is the outcome of our society’s inactions, oppressions, insecurity, threat or any other similar conditions that prevent justice to be served to those victims.
He started off as an innocent, unsuspecting, and loving friend, but eventually grow to become a hero of justice at the end. This may, in other words, shows us that; many victims of family-related violence and abuses get themselves into these troubles innocently and unsuspectingly, because of love. They don’t know what will happen because they are blinded by love and then when their loving world becomes the opposite, they become its victims. A situation that they have created by themselves.
But, under such circumstances, under that blind love and our society’s inactions, oppressions, insecurity, or threats; they can fight for justice, for themselves, and their loved ones, if they do something and take action.
The settings of the contents of the book through the Prologue keep me wondering with interest how the initial ancient scenes will connect with the modern settings of the story when I started reading the first chapters. But as the story reach the part on the Freedom Trail, I started getting the idea that; it will be the change of scenes into something mystical or ancient. If similar connections have been developed and established on the book chapters' titles with specific story topics, rather than just the use of numbers, then I think it will be more engaging and well connected.
Yet, I give it a rating of 5 stars, because it is a great imaginative story that reflects the 2 types of worlds that exist for the victims of one of our society’s major social problems. One is the world that many may seem to portray to the public and the community in which they live under the auspice of normal and loving family life. And another is the world that exists under the banner of a blind and unsuspecting love, where there is abuse and violence and where victims are constantly struggling for justice in solitude. A justice to problems, they have somehow created by themselves.
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LibraryThing member MyWord
A 21st century take on Orpheus in the Underworld, this novel's protagonist is an anti-hero for our age: Ollie Delgado, overweight and under-friended - so much so that when the only young woman who has ever shown him kindness, disappears, he decides to find her, little knowing where his quest will
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lead him. The novel has the convincing but disorienting quality of a dream, and is a diverting and occasionally disturbing read. Ollie's development from dweeb to warrior feels a little skimped, but he is a sympathetic character, and one to watch, perhaps, as the series continues. Show Less
LibraryThing member Leano
An Early Reader’s review of Herrick’s End by T. M. Blanchet:
I LOVED the characters in this book—they were flawed, uncertain and hurting but they struggled to help each other and they found fulfillment and happiness in unconventional ways and places.
This is a magical story of an unlikely hero
This is a story that can be read on multiple levels adding layers of meaning and understanding.
I can not wait to reread this book!
I LOVED the characters in this book—they were flawed, uncertain and hurting but they struggled to help each other and they found fulfillment and happiness in unconventional ways and places.
This is a magical story of an unlikely hero
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who rescues people who have rescued him by showing him kindness in a dark place. All the characters support each other—the conflicts are mostly internal (though, of course, there have to be a few jerks) and the successes are tiered.This is a story that can be read on multiple levels adding layers of meaning and understanding.
I can not wait to reread this book!
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LibraryThing member Caesia
Following an interesting prologue that sets up lots of options, I found the first few chapters rather pedestrian and they didn’t engage me at all. I kept on reading however and am very glad I did, because the plot took a a big turn and events started happening and didn’t really stop! There is
Overall a good read and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
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an interesting plot arc, with a nicely turned ending. The characters were well developed and the world building felt both plausible and intriguing. Overall a good read and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
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LibraryThing member belladonna624
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review. This did not influence my thoughts in any way.
Herrick’s End is a strange book. Having only read the description, I went into it thinking it was a middle-grade story. It definitely was not middle-grade. There were several mature themes
Herrick’s End is a strange book. Having only read the description, I went into it thinking it was a middle-grade story. It definitely was not middle-grade. There were several mature themes
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throughout. I enjoyed the plot and the world building. The Neath is a weird place with weird people and weird creatures. The heroes were heroic, the villains were villainous. I’m looking forward to the next installment. Show Less
LibraryThing member calicok3
This young-adult fantasy takes place in Neath and is the first book in a trilogy. The main character, Ollie, is easy to connect to and you find yourself routing for him as he searches for his friend Nell. The book leaves you wanting more, which is ideal in a trilogy.
LibraryThing member suebaldwin12
Its trite and overused to say that I couldn't put it down, but I couldn't. An imaginative, amazing story. The world is well described, strange and different. I was totally immersed in where it was going with the character's and at the same time surprised at the left turns the story took. The author
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kindly supplied me with the first and second copies of the book, but I was under no obligation to give a positive review, it was my pleasure as a voracious reader to do so. Can't wait for the 3rd book. Show Less
Language
Original language
English
Physical description
284 p.; 9 inches
ISBN
1946501476 / 9781946501479