Nim is an orphan trying to make a living on the streets of London during World War 2. Nim prides himself on being independent (except for his dog, Winnie) and hatches a plan to break into a creepy old house to see if there's anything that he can salvage or sell. Except a kid he knows from one of the other gangs, Mouse, wants to go too. Nim relents and as the boys are searching for anything of value, they accidentally set loose a monster that thrives on pain, sorrow, and steals souls. The story follows Nim as unravels the mystery of monster and how to handle it. It's a scary and compelling story that kids who like horror will enjoy.

This was such a fun book! I’ve already started recommending this book to many of my 4th graders knowing this would be something they would enjoy. I look forward to having a physical copy for my classroom and get my students to enjoy this one.

If World War II bombings and orphaned children in London trying to survive isn’t sad and scary enough, Nimble Nottingham also has to deal with monsters that are stealing souls.

The beginning of the book is a little slow, but the atmospheric descriptions of a spooky, danger-ridden London create a lot of interest and vibes.

I didn’t feel like some of the characters worked particularly well. The creature’s ending was predictable, and the adult character seems to flip-flop for the sake of the story rather than because of who he is as a person.

Young readers who like scary stories may enjoy this book a lot, particularly with the vivid descriptions of the setting. It didn't have enough depth or characterization for me to love it, but I think a lot of people will.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Set against the chaotic back drop of the blitzing of London is the story of Nimble Nottingham, an orphan and a loner, who unwittingly unleashes a dark and frightening force that hunts in the dark for prey to feed upon. Dripping with atmosphere and adrenaline, the reader is running through the streets with Nimble and nowhere feels safe. Those who like adventure and plucky characters will find much to love here. However, be sure that you also like being on the edge of your seat, being a little anxious for the safety of Nimble and his new-found friends, and being a whole lot scared of what lurks in the dark. The author captures that fear and simmers it at a level that will work for many younger readers. The historical setting was a nice touch and gave the narrative a bit more context and texture. Clipping along at break-neck speed, this book was an engaging read. Recommended for brave readers–who aren’t afraid of what hides in the dark.

Jack aka Nim is an orphan boy during WW1 who lives in London. He ran away from his orphanage when they evacuated to the countryside because of the blitz. He is nimble and likes to hangout on roof tops and has exactly 1 friend, Winnie, his dog. He is a thief to survive. He bites off more than he can chew when he accidentally unleashes a monster upon London.
A dark MG historical fantasy.
Nim is layered with emotions and likes to keep his distance from people as a self preservation technique. However, once this monster is released he realizes he actually NEEDS others and deep down wants others too.
This is a book that will introduce WW1 and the bombings of London in a very digestible way for children. The characters are dealing with a literal monster while tackling issues of being unattended street kids. They face: bullying, malnutrition, starvation, unattended injuries, loss of family members, fear and moral dilemmas.
There are also strong themes of friendship, empathy, remorse, strength, endurance, found family and hope.
I enjoyed the ending and how the story was wrapped up. The monster and the situation around it was well thought out and felt seamless, weaving into the already dark WW1 London setting.

Thank you NetGalley and PENGUIN GROUP Penguin Young Readers Group | Nancy Paulsen Books for the advanced copy.
#TheDarkTimesofNimbleNottingham #NetGalley

"Sometimes the dark still scares me.
I’ve seen what lurks in it, after all.
But I remind myself that there can be no darkness without light. That for all the evil in the world, there will always be good to match it. always people to stand against it, no matter man, or army, or monster made of shadows.
That even the darkest times can’t last forever.

Easily one of my top three books of 2025, if not the best.

When I first started reading stories at around 11 years old, one of the very first books I picked up was Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens. I know it might seem strange to compare The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham with Oliver Twist, since they don’t have much in common on the surface. But in terms of my own reading experience, I find more similarities between them than most people probably would.

The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham follows Nimble Nottingham, a Northerner surviving on the streets of London during World War II, with only his beloved dog Winnie by his side. After a bomb falls on a creepy mansion, Nimble decides to sneak in, hoping to find food and resources. But instead of supplies, he ends up awakening something far worse. What began as a desperate search for survival turns into a nightmare, as Nimble unleashes a monster locked away in a safe. Now, he must protect the people he loves from this creature, no matter the sacrifices it takes.

The image of an orphan wandering through the streets of London instantly reminded me of Oliver Twist. This book truly has it all: adventure, friendship and found family, the unconditional love of a pet, historical charm, a touch of magic, and the comforting reminder that no matter how tough life gets, there is always good to balance it out.

The writing in this book is, without a doubt, some of the most beautiful middle grade prose I’ve ever read. It’s immersive, often lyrical, and so atmospheric that it completely pulls you in and holds your attention. The story begins at the end of October, and every page drips with that eerie, mysterious autumn vibe—you can almost feel the chill in the air.

I also loved the historical aspect. Since the book is set during World War II, there are moments that feel genuinely sad, with vivid descriptions of bombs falling and the impact on the townspeople. Those historical details really help the atmosphere and ground the story in something very real.

"The war was far from over, but people were beginning to remember what life was supposed to be like. Not like the grim, lightless London of the past, but a different London.
A hopeful one. "

As for pacing, the beginning may feel a little slow, but once the story takes off, it becomes a non-stop ride of banger chapters.

At its heart, this book is about friendship and love, how far you’re willing to go to save the people who matter most, and what you’re willing to sacrifice for them. It’s so moving, and even brought me to tears at times.

Fans of Oliver Twist might also find something familiar here. Though very different in plot, The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham feels, to me, like a modern Oliver Twist.

Nimble Nottingham has easily become my favorite middle grade hero. And since this story takes place in October and is so steeped in atmosphere, I highly recommend reading it in the autumn. If you’re looking to romanticize the season with cozy yet haunting reads, this one is perfect. I loved it so much, and I’m pretty sure it’s going to end up in my top 5 books of the year.

Thank you so much to Penguin Group, Ryan James Black, and NetGalley for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. I already pre-ordered my copy and can’t wait to re-read it!

This was such a wild ride—equal parts spooky, adventurous, and heartwarming. Nim is such a scrappy, endearing character, and his bond with Winnie made me melt. The war-torn London setting gave the story real grit, but the supernatural twist with the shadow monster made it feel fresh and exciting. The banter between Nim and Mouse is pitch-perfect, and the action kept me on my toes the whole time. It felt like classic adventure storytelling with a modern edge—absolutely loved it.

Set in London during the Blitz, this fast-paced adventure has Nim facing off with a shadow monster he's accidentally unleashed on the town. As more and more kids succumb to the shadow, Nim learns that his wits alone are not enough, he's going to need help.

Those who enjoyed Sam Subity's Dragon Wings with dragons at Dunkirk, may be the perfect audience for this middle grade historical fantasy!

Nim can do it all alone. He’s been handling everything alone for a while, and was even abandoned by his family as a baby. So, he can survive, even in the midst of World War II. But when he breaks into an abandoned bombed house and releases a monster from the basement, suddenly he’s faced with the biggest challenge he’s ever had to overcome. Nim would leave London if he could, but now that his faithful dog has been attacked by the monster and has fallen ill, Nim is determined to see answers, no matter how far into the dark he has to go to find them.

I received an advanced reading copy of The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham in exchange for an honest review.

The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham is a middle grade novel that sort of teeters on the boundary between fantasy, historical fiction, and horror. It takes place in London during the Blitz, which means that already, when you open the book, you’re already dealing with high stakes. And yes, even in the early pages, Ryan James Black, the very talented author, quickly sucked me into Nim’s story.

Nim as a character was incredibly compelling. From the beginning, I could tell that he was stubborn and brave, and even though he pretended that he could do everything by himself, I could tell that he was constantly looking for some sort of connection. One main form of connection is his dog, Winnie. (I know some of you struggle with reading a book with pets if you don’t know if the dog will be OK, so, I can spoil it for you if you like. If you don’t want to be spoiled, jump to the next paragraph. OK, ready? Spoiler warning! Winnie is just fine at the end of the book. All right! now with that out of the way, let’s keep going.)

Winnie is such a cute and furry companion that the reader quickly falls in love with her, but she’s not the only companion Nim has. He’s also accompanied by the charmingly-named glasses-wearing Mouse, and his older sister. At first, Nim is reluctant to team up with his human companions, but as the monster continues to attack an already besieged-London, he finds himself trusting them more and more.

There were plenty of twists in this story to keep me guessing, several of them coming from Nim himself, who was trying to figure out how to save London from a monster, something that should only exist in fairy tales. His desperate actions had me clinging to the edge of my seat as I read, but cheering him on as he faced insurmountable odds. I rooted for him as I’m sure many kids will, and was excited at his wild plans.

The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham was a quick and compelling read. I can see this being the kind of book families can read together, especially in the coming fall months, or the kind of book kids read under the covers with a flashlight while feeling a delightful fright creep up their spine as they chase away the dark with their own little circle of light.

The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham will be released on August 26. You can preorder your copy from Nancy Paulsen Books here.

The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham is set during the Blitz of WW2. It follows Nim, an orphan and loner, who avoided the evacuation in favour of staying with his only friend: a dog called Winnie. An opportunity to scavenge in the remains of a house destroyed in the Blitz sees Nim unwittingly releasing a monster. The story follows Nim's heroic deeds as he uncovers the mystery of the monster - a living shadow. Will he be able to uncover the truth and save the children of London?
This book is ideal for horror and mystery fans aged 10-12. Black's attention to detail adds authenticity to the story that helps make the story all the more chilling - especially if you're just a little worried about the shadows underneath your bed!

The perfect dark and spooky book set in the perfect time period for it! What person didn’t at one time or another fear the dark? The dark is uncertain. The dark is unknown. The dark makes the perfect villain. The Dark Times of Nimble Notthingham reminds me of one of my favorite Dr. Who episodes. I love how the author took something so common, a shadow, and wove a story with unexpected twists that left me looking over my shoulder as I walked home in the dark. I look forward to reading Nim’s story again while I wait for more books from Ryan James Black.

This book was listed as perfect for fans of Lockwood and Co. I requested and received this copy from NetGalley in exchange for feedback and a review.

This book was captivating in so many ways. The characters introduced were charming and had me on the edge of my seat. Through the story the author created a world you could really immerse yourself in. I saved the last few pages as long as I could as I didn’t want the story to end. I hope to see the author continue with these characters. I will definitely be grabbing a physical copy once this book releases!

What worked:
Nimble Nottingham has been alone for as long as he can remember. Even when surrounded by other kids at the orphanage, he’d rather perch on the roof by himself than be teased and bullied. Now, he only cares for himself and his partner Winnie, a scraggly, one-eyed dog he found. Gangs of other homeless kids don’t want him, and that suits him just fine. He’s “not very good at people”, although he tolerates a tag-along kid named Mouse. Nim doesn’t want help from anyone, but he slowly learns that he doesn’t need to live that way. However, it also means there are more lives for him to worry about. Nim’s character narrates his first-person account of the incredible events.
The author is a master of description, and readers are immersed in a creepy 1940s London. The countdown to October 31 is a fortunate coincidence. The book opens with Nim preparing to enter the “gloom at Gravenhurst Manor”. “… darkness waited… Even moonlight knew better than to linger.” Hidden doors pop up in different buildings, and Nim knows hidden doors “always-always- led to treasure.” He unlocks a secret safe and the “reek whooshed out”, and he finds a “greasy, flickering black candle”. Nim’s first descriptions of the shadow monster “splatting like wet meat” are like “a lump of liquefying tar… a bubbling inky puddle”. Young readers will be unnerved as it lurks in the darkness, waiting to pounce on its next victim.
Some books have satisfying resolutions, while others don’t fully resolve all of the issues. This book teases readers, as Nim is ready to stop the shadow monster, only to have something unexpected happen to keep the threat going. The problem isn’t solved even after the creature is captured. Then, a conflict arises when characters disagree over what should be done with the shadow monster. Pieces of information are slowly shared, and Nim is frustratingly angry when he realizes he’s not getting the whole picture. However, his haste to stop the creature blinds him to the full truth when he should have his eyes wide open.
What didn’t work as well:
The shadow monster’s demise is predictable, as Nim immediately realizes its sensitivity to light. However, the details of its defeat aren’t known until the end, when the author builds to an inevitable showdown.
The final verdict:
Young readers enjoy scary stories, so they should love this book. The author’s skillful ability to evoke emotions and mental images will captivate all readers, and I highly recommend you give this book a shot!

I had a fun time reading The Dark Times of Nimble Nottingham by Ryan James Black. This book had a wonderful plot and I definitely recommend reading this book.

This spooky historical fiction fantasy is a unique story with the traditional horror movie trope of explaining the spooky at the end, but inexplicably making things scarier as opposed to less scary. Love it!

Gosh I really LOVE middle grade books! This one was absolutely fantastic! I was charmed from the beginning by this group of kids and was on the edge of my seat throughout their adventure.

This was such a fun read with fantastic writing, lovable characters, and a thrill ride adventure with a monster on the loose! I strongly recommend this one to all readers of fantasy, horror, and mystery.