Grimpow: The Invisible Road

by Rafael Ábalos

Book Overview

Grimpow had no idea who the dead man was, but hidden in his leather bag was a treasure that would change his life for ever. Ruby and emerald encrusted daggers, silver coins, jewels, and a letter with... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0385733747
• ISBN13: 9780385733748
• Release Date: October 2007
• Publisher: Delacorte Press
• Length: 493 Pages
• Weight: 1.40 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.6" x 5.8" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 12 years and up
• Grade Range: Grade 7 and higher

Customer Reviews

Better than the Da Vinci Code

Grimpow, by Rafael Abalos, is an outstanding debut historical novel written for young adults in the style of The Da Vinci Code, only better. Much much better. This is an incredible top-notch art-history mystery adventure tale that will engross readers of all ages from the opening paragraphs right through to the last page. Grimpow, together with a friend, is a teenage boy living off the land as a local bandit and thief. One day as he is passing through the forest he finds a dead body in the snow, a well dressed older man with a pouch of gold nuggets, silver coins, jewel encrusted daggers and a mysterious brown stone. In fear that they will be accused of murder, the boys flee to the nearest abbey where they have been befriended in the past when in need of food and shelter. Soon after their arrival, an evil knight comes knocking, and searching, knowing that someone nearby has found the dead body of a man they have been pursuing. Pursuing because the man had been traveling with a hidden secret that will reveal the grandest of all treasures to be found by mankind. The Abbot and resident monks at the abbey hide Grimpow and his friend underneath the abbey in tunnels that lead to hidden rooms and a secret library. And here, tucked away in this vast and wondrous library, is where Grimpows story, and journey, begins. The evil knight takes Grimpow's friend captive, but because he was hidden away, they were not aware of Grimpows existence. Saved by the monks, Grimpow is soon educated in all manners of knowledge. He is taught the arts of language, literature, religion, art, science, and astronomy, and soon hears of the incredible story of the lost treasure of the Knights Templar in which he will soon learn, is his destiny. The stone that he found on the dead man, is a key to finding the treasure that has been lost for hundreds of years and sought after by many. With cryptograms, anagrams, riddles and codes, secret maps and magical stones, Knights in shining armor and damsels in distress, Grimpow embarks on the journey of his life. This is a coming-of-age story full of adventure and mystery that is certainly cinema bound and a classic in the making. A book to withstand the test of time. There is a fantastic blend of quality story telling here mixed with great character development and a superior complex plot. Written in a literary style, this historical novel is set in France with just enough historical background and description to give the reader a real-life experience as if they were living in that time period. But not too much to be boring, or for the story to be dragged down with historical facts. The characters are delightful and loveable, the story is very different and leads you down paths you might not expect, with an ending that I found just perfect and not predictable. If you are looking for a fantasy novel, you will not be happy. The fantasy aspects in this book are minimal and not a feature. If you want a high action thriller adventure, this

Courtesy of Teens Read Too

Rafael Ábalos' GRIMPOW: THE INVISIBLE ROAD starts out with the discovery of a dead body on a cold winter's day. In other words, it's a sure sign of a dangerous and exciting story, and the novel does not disappoint. The body turns out to be a nobleman with a saddlebag full of coins, jeweled daggers, and a letter with a strange wax seal of a snake swallowing its own tail. Grimpow, a young thief, finds a stone clenched in the man's hand. He soon realizes that the stone is magical and bestows on him strange powers, such as the ability to read in all languages and to see visions. The first thing he reads is the cryptic message of the letter. As a rule of thumb, an extraordinary object is always sought after by the worse sort of people. It soon becomes apparent that others are searching for the stone and the letter. With the help of new and old friends, Grimpow not only has to avoid capture but also unravel its secrets. Set in the early fourteenth century, this novel is a blend of fantasy and history. I really liked that Rafael Ábalos actually took the time to describe what things looked like at the time and to explain some medieval beliefs and superstitions. The book never feels rushed, and its slower pace also makes it easier to keep track of the characters who move in and out of Grimpow's quest. However, there is little chance that the readers will get bored. Fans of The Da Vinci Code and medieval lore will love this book. It contains, but is not limited to, the Knights Templar, jousts, battles, cryptograms, alchemy, and secret societies. There are several illustrations in the book. While it may be hard to put the book down, it is fun to stop reading and try to figure out the riddles by yourself or even with a few friends. While a little gory, GRIMPOW: THE INVISIBLE ROAD is a fun and thrilling read. And may even inspire an interest in history! Reviewed by: Natalie Tsang

Surprisingly addictive

I bought this book to read while traveling over the holidays. I was surprised to find that I couldn't put it down. The Publisher's Weekly review was dead on when it compared it to the DaVinci Code, but for kids. I was never bored with it and it went from one intriguing scene to another without long bouts of boring the way some books do. I can't wait for another book from this author!

I was surprised!!!

I was looking for a book to read during my commute on the train and this was handed to me by my wife. She told me not to freak out as it was a "young adult" book. I had low expectations after that comment but should have known better. I could not put it down. I found myself still reading it in the train station after I arrived at my stop, at lunch to finish up a chapter, and after I got home. This is a great book for anyone (as I am no "young adult"). I am curious to hear if there is a follow up book to this one.

fascinating fantasy

In 1313 in mountainous France, youngster Grimpow sees the corpse. He had no idea who this dead person is, but scared he brings adult Durlib to look at the body. Durlib says the deceased died peacefully and wrenches a stone out of the man's clenched hand. He tosses the stone to Grimpow. The pair examines a nearby bag containing a large booty. They argue over what to do with the silver coins, ruby and emerald covered daggers, and precious jewels; as Durlib insists they are tramps and thieves while Grimpow says they are not grave robbers. However, they also find a letter written in an unknown alphabet containing a strange seal of a snake swallowing its tail. Grimpow may learn to regret the last item he grabbed. As he holds the stone as an amulet, he begins seeing weird visions of unknown locales. Frightened further because now Grimpow can read the letter as if the language was something he always knew, but the note is for someone else who Grimpow fears will soon be coming for the bearer of the letter. Even worse befalls him when he finds he cannot leave the letter or the stone behind as if they are part of him. Thus begins Grimpow's centuries' journey on "The Invisible Road". GRIMPOW is a fascinating fantasy that readers will appreciate because as the hero's adventures occur, he learns more about the stone he possesses or as he has come to believe possesses him. Interestingly men have grasped this amulet, but never owned it; however, Grimpow is the first child to hold the stone. Readers will want to travel alongside Grimpow as he unlocks the secrets of the stone. Harriet Klausner