by Tom McNeal
First published 2013
Jeremy lives as an outcast in Never Better after admitting he hears voices that others cannot. His mother has abandoned the family and his father withdraws from the world, leaving Jeremy isolated. Among the voices Jeremy hears, one belongs to Jacob Grimm's spirit, who serves as his protector against malevolent forces that lurk between worlds. The ghost warns Jeremy of dangers that threaten from unseen realms. When Ginger, a bold local girl, becomes fascinated by Jeremy and his supernatural gift, her involvement triggers a series of tragic events. Jacob Grimm tries to shield Jeremy from the dark powers that hunt him, but the protective barrier begins to weaken. The story unfolds like the fairy tales the Grimm Brothers collected, where magic comes with a price and endings often bring sorrow rather than joy.
Genres: literary-fiction, coming-of-age, fantasy, supernatural
Vibes: atmospheric, suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: found-family, unreliable-narrator
Setting: Never Better
384 pages · Kindle Edition · RHCP Digital
Content warnings: mental-illness