GRIMPOW

Grimpow, the hero of this slow-moving fantasy, moves from being an apprentice thief, to an eager squire, to the wisest sage in the world. When Grimpow finds the fabled philosopher’s stone on a dead man’s body, he is thrust into a conflict between the Knights Templar, the Pope and the King of France. All of these luminaries covet the vast wealth they believe will be revealed by the philosopher’s stone. Grimpow, meanwhile, has already been granted unexpected knowledge merely by his possession of the stone: He can read languages and has startlingly wise insights into great philosophical secrets. Along with the friends he makes along the way, Grimpow solves a multitude of puzzles to reveal the secret of the wise and protect the world from the greed of powerful men. This exposition-laden tale peopled with stock characters fails to engage, despite sweeping battles and epic themes. (Fantasy. 12-14)