Eren by Simon P. Clark


Eren
Written by Simon P. Clark
Middle Grade, Fantasy
Published November 2014
208 Pages
Thank you to Allen and Unwin
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People are keeping secrets from Oli. His mum has brought him to stay with his aunt and uncle in the countryside, but nobody will tell him why his dad isn't with them. Where is he? Has something happened? Oli has a hundred questions, but then he finds a secret of his own. He discovers the creature that lives in the attic... Eren.

Eren is not human. Eren is hungry for stories. Eren has been waiting for him.

Sharing his stories with Eren, Oli starts to make sense of what's happening downstairs with his family. But what if it's a trap? Soon, Oli must make a choice. Learn the truth, or abandon himself to Eren's world, forever.
Taken away from his friends and father, who's left working in London, twelve year old Oli and his mother have moved to the lazy country town of Coxborough to spend the summer with his uncle and aunt, and the house his mother's family called home. But nothing could prepare Oli for what resides in the attic above his new room. Eren. It begins as a message, papers flying through their air about town, a black cat, followed by whispers on the wind. As Oli explored his new surroundings, entering the attic has freed Eden, now the monster demands stories to feed.
This is a story for readers and dreamers. For people who know that there's a wolf in every story and darkness in every dream, just as much as there are heroes and magic. 
But Eren doesn't feed on fairytales, and lures Oli into the loft to share his life, his fears and emotions as Oli tries to make sense of the adults in his life. He can hear the raised voices and hushed tones hiding from him what he already expected. His father isn't stuck in London working. So where is he? Can he trust his new friend in Em, the girl who has enough stories to feed Eren for a lifetime? His mother, or the monster that lives in the attic?

With Eren's help, Oli starts to realise that stories have no ending. He just needs to learn where his begins.

My Thoughts


Eren is a dark, yet magical story of fairytales come to life. Oli is out of his depth. Whisked away suddenly to spend the summer at his mother's childhood home, along with the Uncle and Aunt he's never met. His father is expected to join them shortly, but it soon becomes apparent that he may not be coming. Oli is kept in the dark and expected to begin a new life, with new friends and a new family unit with no explanation as to why. But rather than upset his mother, he takes the new move in his stride and tries to assimilate into the small country town.

But no one understands, until Eren. He feeds on stories and emotions, using words to trap his prey. In this case, Oli.
'There is no end,' he says. He swoops down and his wings darken my sky. 'No end, Oli. Tales go on and on. They come from before you were born, and they echo on after you leave.'
It's not clear if Eren is real or a figment of Oli's imagination, just that the boy who was desperate for companionship is now trapped within Eren's claws. Incredibly dark and delicious, especially for a middle grade title. It's complex, and first time author Simon P. Clark has imagined a magical realism world where readers can fully immerse themselves. I was lured into the storyline from the very first page and by the final page, feeling as trapped within Eren's grasp just as Oli felt. But the ending let me down sadly, I needed solid answers. But in true story form, it did indeed have no ending.

The dark, passionate illustrations are sprinkled throughout the pages, adding to mystery of who and what Eren is. Reminiscent of a Tim Burton retelling, Eren will appeal to readers looking for a quirky and imaginative read that will reel you in and keep you captivated.

29 comments

  1. This reminds me so much of Patrick Ness' A Monster Calls...there is a monster, a little kid who's got problems of his own that he needs to figure out and admit to...and I guess I would like Eren but I too need solid answers, and that's why although I love magical realism when it doesn't give answers I get really frustrated.

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    1. I actually have a copy of that Mawa, and plan on reading it over the Christmas break. This one is classed as middle grade, so probably not as dark as Patrick Ness's work but it sounds pretty similar.

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  2. Ooh this does sound kind of fun. I don't think I've read much magical realism. I like that it has some illustrations too.

    -Lauren

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    1. The illustrations are so dark and delicious, they really add to the imagination of Eren. I've read a few and generally like them in most circumstances. This is one of the better ones I've read though.

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  3. Ooo I've got tingles :) The ending part bums me out though. I was too frustrated with Ness' 'More than This' ending!

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    1. I was waiting for you to break into song then Alyssa.

      It seems to be the 'in' thing now, open endings left for the reader to interpret. I blame John Green. That bastard.

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  4. This sounds interesting, and dark for a Middle Grade title. I like Eren's supernatural background, kinda like a dream eater, except he feeds on emotions. I don't read too many middle grade titles, but you've got me convinced with this one.

    Fantastic review, Kelly! <3

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    1. A story eater is probably the best way to describe him actually. I love the darker, twisted middle grade. You can't help but be lured in and this is one of the best ones I've read actually.

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  5. Okay so we need to petition Tim Burton to make this into a movie, right?!! IT SOUNDS SO GOOD!! I love freaky chilling things, particularly if they're MG. I mean smaller humans like freaky things too right? And their parents totally like them wandering around all night in a terror. *nods* I know my parents did.
    Anyway. Want want want.
    *goes to stalk it on goodreads*

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    1. We totally do. Even an animated version would make a brilliant movie.

      My parents would accidentally scare the crap out of me quite often. Speaking from experience, it wasn't my thing but I'm pretty sure other children love being scared senseless.

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  6. This sounds really sort of dark and spooky - and awesome! I'll bet my son would really enjoy this book (and I would too!)

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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    1. He would. I can imagine it would appeal more so to boys with them being able to related to the narrator more. But adults will love this. It's dark and pretty complex for middle grade, but oh so good!

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  7. I only recently heard about this one, but it sounds pretty good. I don't often read magical realism, but it sounds like it delivered. AND I like the sound of 'imaginative' and 'captivating'. Those are always good qualities!

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    1. They certainly are Rebecca. When well written, I like a bit of magic realism, it adds that little touch of whimsy to the storyline. This one does it so well for middle grade. I was actually surprised how creepy it was. As a kid, I would have went screaming for the hills.

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  8. Ooh this one sounds truly delightful, Kelly! I got it for review as well--how nice does it feel to touch?

    Lovely review, girl <33

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    1. Ohh, it's really soft and silky and I often pick it up just to rub against my face. Even smelling it, pretty sure I caught a whiff of attic monster in there. Could have just been my dear husband though. He tends to smell too.

      You know, boy germs and all.

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  9. Reminiscent of a Tim Burton retelling? That sounds dark and delicious. MG doesn't exactly call out to me, and neither does Magic realism, but this one sounds layered and full of complexities. Plus illustrations? That must of added wondrously to the reading experience! Lovely review, Kelly!

    And can I just say, I totally grinned as I scrolled down and say The Raven Boys in your currently reading. IN FACT, I AM SO HAPPY MY HEART KIND OF HURTS <3

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    1. I read it almost specifically for you Jess, but I couldn't finish it. I know, I know, but I just don't think I'm in the mood for it right now. Bit stressed this time of year and gravitating towards lighter reads. I've shelved it and going to try again in January.

      My first thought when I put it down was, Oh Jess is going to be so disappointed in me.

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  10. I got this one from Netgalley but I'm having a hard time reading it for some otherworldly reason. I think I need to reread it from the very beginning with the knowledge that it's a dark magical tale. When I first read the few pages, it felt like everything was just so bizarre and surreal and ti was hard to keep going. I'll try again!

    Faye at The Social Potato

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    1. I found it difficult to get into at the beginning too Faye, and really wasn't sure what I was getting myself into to be honest. But if you go into it with that whimsical sense of imagination, you'll absolutely adore it. Can't wait to see if you give it another go Faye.

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  11. I've heard this one has some wonderful illustrations in it! I always find middle grade stories that have a dark edge to it really fascinating, especially if it reaches out to us as adults as well. The magical realism sounds like it was done well here, although it's not really my thing. Lovely review hun!

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    1. It was. It's not always my thing either, but some authors are able to mix in fantasy extremely well and this one is one of those titles. It's a quick read, but definitely one that I'll read again and again.

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  12. FANTASTIC review. It made me think a bit of "The Ocean at the End of the Lane" by Neil Gaiman -- another Middle Grade Fantasy that I just loved. Mr Clark should give you a commission; I'm definitely sold on this one!

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    1. Thanks Manda. I've been getting into a bit of Neil Gaiman lately too and just bought two more of his titles, Hansel and Gretel and Sleeper and the Spindle as well. I'm loving the dark middle grade at the moment. Awesome quick reads that drag you out of that reading slump.

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  13. Oooh, this does sound super delicious, and I'm loving the cover. If I had to guess, I would say Eren is either from Oli's imagination or only appears when kids really need him. Loving the fact that he feeds on stories, that's so awesome! Wonderful review Kelly xx

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    1. Thanks Joy. I don't know if any child would really need Eren though, they might think they do but he's so much more trouble than he's worth. Once he gets those claws into you, there's no escape and it never ends. He's just another never ending story... But so dark and delicious.

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  14. I haven't heard this before but it does sound interesting. Sounds very dark too, for a middle grade, it was creeping me out just reading the review! I'm intrigued, but not 100% sure if I want to read it yet. Great review, thanks for sharing.

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    1. It reminds me of Neil Gaiman's work, but far more imaginative. I think you'd really enjoy this one Rochelle and it's a quick read as well.

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  15. Hi Kelly! I found your blog through the Aussie group on BookBlogging.net and it's beautiful! Love the theme. This book looks intriguing, reminds me of A Monster Calls like others mentioned. Will definitely look into this one (:

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