On The Bridge: The Complete Gretchen Thyrd Novella

by Jason T. Graves

Although this novella is no longer available, most of its text comprises the heart of the new Gretchen novel—Gretchen Thyrd: On the Bridge.


Gretchen Thyrd stands on the threshold: of adulthood, of independence, of love, of madness…

Gretchen is definitely not an average teenage girl. A free-spirited orphan with two foster moms, she spends many of her days rescuing and nurturing injured birds and animals, including some that are a bit otherworldly. Her pleasant life is turned upside down when a friendly 'tree spirit' faces a life-threatening crisis--a crisis that requires a potentially sacrificial commitment from Gretchen. Soon afterwards, she is visited by a mysterious and seriously ugly childman and three bone-white and beautiful vampire wannabes decked out in black leather and deadly attitude.

Whom should she trust? As the net of their conflicting interests constricts around her, she is unexpectedly plucked from their grasp by a man whose intentions may be the darkest of them all. In the end, she finds herself running from everything she has ever known, into an uncertain future, bearing the fate of her beloved 'tree spirit,' as well as her own survival, by the thinnest of threads.

122 pages, Paperback

First published December 12, 2012

About the author

Jason T. Graves is an author, editor, and illustrator, who relishes everything about books. He holds an advanced degree in genetic mysteries and has an extensive history of writing, drawing, mad science, and teaching—both high school and college. With a penchant for dark beers, black coffee, and dry, red wines, you can find him, most days, spinning stories of similar color and complexity.

Reviews

[Marni · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish to thank the author for providing me a copy of this novella in exchange for an honest review.

Where to start? Mr. Graves takes the reader from regular everyday life to a parallel fae realm. We’re not talking unicorns and butterflies, but of tunnels, murder, fighting, trolls, manchildren, evil and a fantastical way of travel which reminded me a bit of Stargate’s wormholes. All of this wrapped neatly in a novella that promises to be the beginning of something way more.

I was intrigued by the story but found myself faltering and losing interest early on with the verbiage used in the writing. I applaud the author in increasing my vocabulary and allowing me to also become well educated with my ereader’s dictionary, but I feel that it really needs to be toned down. If I had not been committed to reading this book, due to the review, I most likely would have put this book aside and may never have come back to it. As the story goes along the author switches out of that style but then implements many fantasy labels, terms and names that had my head swimming trying to remember what was what. That's what took me so long in ready this.

The story itself is quite interesting and woven in a way that by the end of the novella, you are frustrated by such a cliffhanger of epic proportions. Oh why did he have to end there? I know the author is planning on expanding in a full length continuation but I’m ready NOW for it. The characters have now been pretty much catalogued on who they are, why they are and what they were that my brain has it all wrapped up and is ready to focus on the story at hand.

I recommend this to anyone who likes a good fantasy novel. There is just a touch, and I mean a touch, of romance but the dark fantasy realm will have serious fantasy readers ripping through this novella like there’s no tomorrow.

[Rebecca Porter · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novella quickly sucked me into the strange world of Gretchen, the foster child with two quirky moms. The story starts with a seemingly normal occurrence for the teenager, although it is certainly not any day I have ever had. Beloved by her foster moms and the quirky mix of neighborhood friends (including wild birds), Gretchen is happy communing with bitter pixies and the warm embrace of a tree spirit that seems perfectly normal to her. Confusion strikes when the tree housing her friend is felled. Afraid for her friend, Gretchen attempts to soothe the spirit, and the real action begins.

Pulled into an alternate reality where she is in mortal danger, and with only a half man-half child to protect her, Gretchen undergoes a quasi-rebirth into the world of fey or fairies. But the impossibly white enemy will not let this intelligent young black woman reach her goal. As more and more guardians join her and the mysterious douma cradled in her belly, she begins to hear and see the truth that has lingered just below the surface. “I’m tall, I’m black, and I’m human.” She cries only to realize there is so much more to her past.

The action slingshots back and forth between the fey world, and our far less colorful human world, leaving Gretchen disoriented and unwilling to accept this strange new adventure.

I hate to give any more away, but a few tidbits made me smile. Her unwillingness to interrupt a troll as a mystical creature—she can only relate in terms of the internet , and her insistence on using “Dude” even though she knows those who are struggling to protect her don’t understand. The novella ends at the precipice of a great novel. I can’t wait to read it, but for now, I’ve found a new source of great imagination, Jason T. Graves.

[Purpinkrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was given this book in exchange for an honest opinion.

Gretchen Thryd is in foster care, because her mum is in the care of the doctors at the hospital for seeing things that aren't there. Gretchen is good with animals, especially birds. She has one jackdaw called stop who sits on her shoulder. Gretchen also starts having visits from pixie's. Which she returns to a tree she's called Hoom. Hoom speaks to Gretchen. but when Hoom asks the unthinkable of Gretchen she has a choice to make. Will she take it? And what will she learn about herself!

I loved this book. Jason Graves is an upcoming Author and one to watch out for. Jason has a talent for taking what you think you believe in about mythical creatures and turning it upside down. He has the talent of giving books a whole new side to them.

Ok so you know I don't do spoilers and this is no different. So all im going to say about this is YOU need to read it. I loved everything about this book. I love stories about fairies/Fey. This one for me is Outstanding.

Thank you Jason for another amazing book.

5/5 stars and 5/5 for movie moments

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recived this book in echange for an honest review. First off I would like to thank the author Jason T. Graves.

In this book we are taken to a new land full of magic. I enjoyed the concept of this book and how the author switched the worlds back and forth. The author was very descriptive but this was also a little bit of a downfall for me. (I had to look up a few words to understand what he meant.) However this is very creative and unique. and the worlds were well built. The transitions between the "real" world and the one of magic was done easily and flowed nicely.
Gretchen, Pal and hoom are realy the only characters that were given much personality and depth. The others were backdrop to the story and described ecaxtly with enough detail to build the story. I felt that the real world had more appeal than the one of the Fey but that could be because there was alot that happened in the magic world was conversations between charaters.
Overall its a good novella and flowed nicley. (I finished this book in one day)
Again I would like to thank the author for allowing me to read this book

[Jasmyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had quite a few really great elements. Gretchen was an amazin character. Her special connection with the world around her misunderstood and putting her in danger. She carries something priceless inside that many would kill to get their hands on. The paranormal world was incredibly detailed and their history was rich and exciting. Gretchen finds herself suddenly emerged in their world and she doesn't know what to do.

I had a hard time putting this down once I got into it. At first the author's lyrical way of writing was a little hard to read. Once you get used to it though, it's very fitting for the story and really adds to its telling. Towards the end it began to drag out a little bit as the build up for the ending seemed to go on a little too long in the tunnels. The end itself was incredibly satisfying and disappointing at the same time. It just seemed to stop abruptly without a really good sense of conclusion. I was left with the feeling of an incomplete series.

- See more at: http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com/...

[Alayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! I have just read Jason Graves' novella and it was quite a story. I found it to be gripping, and the characters were intriguing. I didn't want to put it down. Was Gretchen really half fey, or was she schizophrenic? Was Lars really dead?

It still needs some proof reading - at one point near the end the story goes from being told in the present tense and first person, to a paragraph in the past tense and third person. There are a few mistakes that have not been picked up - typos mostly.

I didn't give it 5 stars, although I really enjoyed it, because of the main fault that I found with it which was right at the end. Pal had told Grethchen to take Stop and not let it go, and so much emphasis was put on this and then it went nowhere. Was she supposed to use Stop to save herself? Save Hcum? Save Pal even? It wasn't mentioned again.

I was disappointed with the ending, feeling that it stopped too soon. I would have liked to know whether Hcum could save Gretchen rather than leaving it up in the air - but that's just me.

I would highly recommend this novella.

[Tanya Harrison]

I did not review this book and I will not be reviewing this book