No Country for Old Gnomes: The Tales of Pell is just what I'd expect from a sequel to Kill the Farm Boy. Despite a new and equally amusing and likeable cast of characters, everything that happened in Kill the Farm Boy is still there. The humor that was so expertly created in the first book continues, this time with an even more compelling story. However, be warned: if the humor in the first book offended you, the humor in the second book might be too much.

The books are wonderful! Read the first one if you haven't. Okay..so number 2 is not a filler book. It is just as much fun as the first and it will keep you turning the page. I finished it in a day and now I have to wait for the third. :(

I thought this book was even better than the first. Very punny which I love. I see a lot of allusions to one of my favorite stories, The Princess Bride, in a playful but not harsh way.

Two gnomes, a dwarf, a gryphon, a half-sheep woman, and a halfling set out one morning from a gnome refugee center. No, that’s not the start to a joke, it’s the start of an adventure in No Country for Old Gnomes, the latest entry in the Tales from Pell series by Kevin Hearne and Delilah S. Dawson. Everything’s not fine and dandy in Pell even now that King Gustave (who was definitely not once a goat because wow wouldn’t that be silly) on the throne. The gnomes are in trouble because of some very cruel halflings and it’s up to our new band of heroes to find a way to save the day. Hopefully. What could possibly go wrong?

In all honesty, a heck of lot of things go wrong for our heroes but it would make for a pretty boring story otherwise. And if you think a book by Hearne and Dawson is going to be boring, boy do I have a lake on Tatooine to sell you. No Country for Old Gnomes has the same irreverent sense of humor as the first book, combined with the same heart and soul as a new set of heroes embarks on a crazy journey.

One of the nice things about this latest installment in Tales from Pell is that it can standalone. There are certainly references to the first novel but one could easily pick this book up first and not be terribly lost. (Okay, maybe King Gustave might need a little bit of an explanation…) I did find myself missing characters like Agrabella and Fia this go-round but it was nice to at least have multiple nods throughout the book towards their adventures and even get a few minutes with them (although the cameo did feel like a bit of a tease since I was so eager to see them). That said, it’s not fair to judge these characters by the ones in the previous one because many of them are a delight and it’s fun to watch them go through their own journeys. Krisi is definitely my favorite of this new batch of characters. She’s full of heart and pluck and takes a decidedly unexpected yet fantastic turn towards the end of her arc. I’d love to read another story about her.

Surprisingly, this book doesn’t feel like it turns the humor and reference dial up to 11 but rather turns it down a notch or two, something I certainly didn’t expect. There were fewer references to well known pop culture stories and even the humor seemed to be a bit subdued. I wish it hadn’t been. Part of Kill the Farm Boy’s charm (for me, at least) was with how over the top it was. That said, No Country for Old Gnomes features plenty of jokes including one that Star Wars fans will undoubtedly get a chuckle out of. This is a series that’s not afraid to poke fun at some of the standard tropes while also clearly loving the genre. It’s a breath of fresh, relaxing air that’s probably not the best thing to read on a plane because of how much it might make you laugh. (I may know this from personal experience…)

Bottom line is that if you enjoyed Kill the Farm Boy, you’ll almost definitely also like No Country for Old Gnomes and should certainly pick it up. If you want a little bit more levity in your life and to escape from the mess that is our own world for a little bit, run away to Pell. Their problems are far more entertaining. You can pick up a copy for yourself in your bookstore of choice next Tuesday, April 16, 2019.

No Country for Old Gnomes by Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne
Available April 16, 2019

After the halflings destroy Offi’s home and send his family off on a journey to find sanctuary amongst the humans, Offi teams up with a rag-tag crew of gnomes, halflings, ovitaurs, dwarves and a killer gryphon who loves eggs. Together they must find out who is causing the increasing tensions between the gnomes and halflings and find out the mystery behind a golden metal man.
With their hilarious wit and fun twist on the old fairy tale tropes, Dawson and Hearne have written an incredibly amusing tale of friendship and found family.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

No Country for Old Gnomes (The Tales of Pell, #2)
by Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne

War is not a pretty thing, and it means less and more for the ones faced with it. The Gnomes are facing an oppressive force, destruction at the hands of a relentless enemy. What they do to stop the battles, and change the world is what this story is about. The king has little to know about the circumstances the gnomes are facing it takes a party of mixed ancestor to gather the information to change the world.
This is a hilarious adventure of mammoth proportion with many opportunities for misconception and misdirection. Bringing the humor of Terry Pratchett, and Monty python, to the modern reader.

I received a copy of this from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my open and honest review.


"Red sky before night, no need for a fight. Red sky at dawn, don’t yawn. Halflings probably set your barn afire, so gather your war ponies, tie back their manes, and attack–then, my good gnomes, you burn them back.”
Gnute Yakkin, in The Compendium of Gnomeric Resistance Rhymes

First, let me say that I have a deep and intense love of humor, satire, and cheekiness. I am a smart ass in the most profound and deep sense of the word. This was much to my detriment growing up. I can say without hyperbole that this is one of the funniest books I have ever read. Maybe it is my particular brand of punny and silly humor, but this story speaks to me. It is hilarious. It isn’t perfect, the story trips over itself a few times and gets lost in the humor, but generally, this book is laughing out loud funny the whole way through.

The story is the second one thus far that takes place in the land of Pell; the first is the tale Kill the Farmboy. However, if you have read the first book in the series some of the characters are revisited, but this is very easy to keep up with as a stand-alone book.

“Few gnomes appreciate how stonking big the culinary accouterments must be to feed the taller folk. More than one gnome has mistaken an oven for cozy guest quarters, only to discover that it’s a box of deadly fire.”
Sonni Somnambulist, in How I survived Twenty-One Terrible Places to Sleep

Pell is a land full of creatures of myth and fantasy tropes. In this edition of the series, the brothers Offi, Onni, and their family head to a town for refuges after their home has been attacked by a halfling gang known as Rogues Under Bigly-Wicke. There is a lot of fun cheeky naming going on. With a cast of characters brought from the four corners of fantasy, a ragtag group set off to fight the halfling horde and by God RESTORE THEIR LAND.

All I am going to say is goth cardigans…

Read this if you want some light and fun humor. I wouldn’t call the story engaging in a deep plot sort of way, but more like an excellent vehicle for funny jokes which are actually quite good, so give it a try.

I read the Iron Druid chronicles from Kevin Hearne last year and loved it, so when I saw this on NetGalley, I just knew I had to read it! I am a first time reader of Delilah S. Dawson, and I’m already a new fan. Although the Tales from Pell series is vastly different from Iron Druid, it still has the witty humor that I’ve come to expect from Kevin Hearne. In fact, No Country for Old Gnomes is, I dare say, even funnier.

“Mother, Father. Take Care,’ Onni said, injecting nobility into every word as he squinted to the horizon. ‘We will return.’
‘By gumballs, what do you think Mama and Papa are going to do?’ Offi scoffed pulling himself to stand beside his twin. ‘Beat a pudding pan with a stick and say, Hey, halflings, hows about you lob a foine firebomb me-wards, or something? Of course they’re going to be careful! And what’s with all the squinting? Do you need my glasses?”— No Country for Old Gnomes by Delilah S Dawson and Kevin Hearne

No Country for Old Gnomes takes us on an unusual ride in the wonderful world of fantasy. With unique characters and literal humor throughout, this book caught my interest quickly and I found myself laughing on just about every page. I highly recommend reading No Country for Old Gnomes if you’d like a book that’s unusual and fantastic!

“Looking off to the horizon, properly and heroically squinting, Onni added, ‘Get your washtub ready, brother. It will be a bloody business when the gnome empire strikes back.”— No Country for Old Gnomes by Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne

No Country for Old Gnomes is the second novel in the Tales of Pell series. It's a series born from joint effort, being written and developed by both Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne. If you've read the first novel, Kill the Farm Boy, then you already have a strong idea of what sort of inane humor you're going to find within this one.
The series has been described as being a cross between Monty Python and Terry Pratchett. And honestly? There's unlikely to be a more accurate description out there.
As the title suggests, this novel focuses on a different cast of characters than the first novel did, some of whom are gnomes. I am happy to report that the original characters do make appearances as well.
Warnings: Like the original novel, there are some...peculiar moments in the series. And that sometimes results in graphic deaths, animal deaths, and things like that. It's kept mostly light and bubbly, despite the content. Some may find that more jarring though.
No Country for Old Gnomes quite possibly exceeded my expectations. I'm not going to say that I enjoyed it more than Kill the Farm Boy – I think I liked them both equally well. But I did truly enjoy the sudden shift in focus for the series.
This is a whimsical novel, but it's also quirky, odd, and utterly unique. I still maintain that the description above is the most accurate one you're going to get though. I personally enjoyed the unique form of storytelling, and I'm not just talking about the tone of voice or style itself. We don't see enough author team-ups, in my opinion, and I would absolutely adore seeing more.
I must confess that in this instance I am not a reader of both authors – I'm an avid fan of Delilah S. Dawson, but have read very little of Kevin Hearne. Clearly that's something I 'm going to have to change, based on how much I've enjoyed this series.
I can't praise the decisions made for this novel as much as they deserve. I love that an entirely new cast was made, while also allowing for moments for the original characters to make appearances as well.
The new set of characters allowed for a new perspective, a new set of issues and dilemmas, and a better understanding of the world of Pell as a whole. And of course the specific characters chosen helped to enhance the whimsical and sometimes silly nature of the story.
I think in some ways I liked this cast better, though I honestly couldn't quite explain why. They were so cute and endearing on the whole, with such big tasks on their small shoulders. I guess it was impossible not to root for them.
The world of Pell is proving to be surprisingly rich and full of diversity. Best of all, it's filled out with references upon references. That may break the immersion for some, but I personally loved the added touch. Some were references to classic fairy tales, which makes sense, others to more modern writing (relatively speaking), and others yet to modern day events and issues. It's a fascinating blend.
Where Kill the Farm Boy shocked me with a decision made early on in the novel, No Country for Old Gnomes surprised me with its conclusion. I won't say what specifically, for obvious reasons. But I will say that I actually teared up a little bit, and truly hadn't seen it coming. And that's coming from somebody who thought they had steeled themselves to expect anything and everything from this series.
I know that No Country for Old Gnomes just released, but I honestly can't wait to hear more about the next novel. So far I just know the name, Princess Beard, and even then it's not listed on Goodreads yet, so grain of salt with that title.

I tried reading this one earnestly because I am a big fan of Kevin Hearne's Iron Druid Chronicles. I had the assumption that this book will have more or less similar charms to Iron Druid. The first few pages were funny, but I soon lost interest and realized that this book is probably written for a different audience. The writing style and the jokes may be suitable and funny for young adults, but I find them annoying. I may give this book a second chance later.

No Country For Old Gnomes (The Tales of Pell #2) is the hilariously awesome sequel to Kill the Farm Boy. This time around we're following the gnomes of Skyr as they attempt to retake their home from the halflings. Gustave is about to face his first real test as the Goat King - will he bring peace or civil war to the kingdom. I can't believe I got approved for this on NetGalley. Book one was absolutely hilarious and exactly my thing and the sequel does a fantastic job of expanding the world of Pell all while keeping up with everything I loved about Kill the Farm Boy. Hearne's and Dawson's off-the-wall sense of humor is awesome and I have to admit I couldn't get enough of the pop culture references. If you love The Princess Bride, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and Terry Pratchett, then you need to this series in your life. I can't wait to see what Dawson and Hearne do in the future.

I generally only post reviews of books if I love them, or they really challenge me in some way, but I got an ARC of this so review it I shall.

Meh.

The first book in the series was also meh. It was mostly along the lines of a satire as done by the Scary Movie guys - various pop culture references and plenty of leaning on the 4th wall, but no real bite to it the way someone like Pratchett does satire. This was in the same ball park.

On the whole I think I liked it better. The characters were deeper, and by the end I was pretty caught up in what would happen to them. The first book the jokes were better - I particularly liked the literal troll who also wore a fedora and who's final words were, "Well, actually..."

On the whole, if you're looking for something light and fun, this isn't a bad choice. I would probably have loved it if I'd gotten it in middle school. As it is: meh.

First I want to say thank you for providing me with this read in exchange for an honest review!

Kevin and Delilah did it again with this book. Just like Kill the Farmboy, No Country for Old Gnomes was silly and just and over all a very fun read! The banter and quips through this novel was very entertaining.

I am never disappointed with a KH book and this one delivered imo.

Funny! Ridiculous! Thoroughly enjoyable to read. Fans of Piers Anthony's Xanth series should really like this series. I didn't realize it was a sequel when I started reading it, but it became obvious that there's another story before this one. I would still say this is readable as a stand alone, but some will probably enjoy it more if the previous book is read first.

This series is entertaining and very goofy! The main cast is great. My only complaint is that sometimes the jokes go on too long, but that's just a personal pet peeve. The authors are fantastic and I love the world they created!

For those of you that have a fun and pun sized whole in your heart, this book is what you are looking for. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me an ARC for an honest review. Gnomeric and ungnomeric sensibilities abound in this satirical fantasy questing merry band of gnomes, a halfling, an ovitaur, a gryphon, and of course a dwarf on its meadeschpringa. Will they uncover the halfling Marquant Dique's conspiracy to drive the gnomes out of their homes? This was such a pleasant book to read that had me laughing and weeping.

No Country for Old Gnomes is the second tale set in the fantastical kingdom of Pell, a land filled with mythical creatures, silly misfortune, and heroic deeds. This time around, gnomes are under attack by the drubs, a halfing gang known as Dastardly Rogues Under Bigly-Wicke. After his gnomeric home is bombed, Offi and his family head to a refugee center, where he meets up with a motley crew of unlikely heroes. Together, the merry band sets off to find the king and restore law and order to the land.

No Country for Old Gnomes is a new adventure in the lands of Pell, separate from the first book. However, several of the previous characters make appearances in the story, with some, like King Gustave, playing a critical roll. But this is a standalone tale, and one could pick up the book without having read Kill the Farm Boy.

As in the first book, the humor is witty and fun, although sometimes the silliness seemed to get in the way of the tale. The play on words is fabulous: things like “Dique” and “smöl” and “Foine” all made me smile. The combination of subtle digs and pop culture references along side blatant ridicule and humor is brilliantly written. Yet… I struggled.

Although I enjoyed my return visit to Pell, meeting a whole new cast of characters, and revisiting familiar faces, it took me nineteen days to get through this book (about 4 times longer than usual). I loved the premise of the plot and found the group’s quest both noble and entertaining. But I struggled to get through this one. It’s not that it was bad; I just never could get into the story whole-heartedly. The storytelling is choppy, with the group going from one situation to another, each time meeting new people, finding new danger, etc. Although there is a cohesive mission in their journey, the constant interruptions, and often outrageous side quests, proved to be too much distraction, never allowing me to submerse into the adventure fully.

If you are a fan of Terry Pratchett’s anything-goes humor and storytelling, I urge you to give The Tales of Pell series a try. It’s a lot of fun, just not for everyone.

My Rating: C, Finished It – Liked some, didn’t like some

Dawson and Hearne are back with another hilarious instalment of their The Tales of Pell series.This time focusing on the land of Skyr, home of gnomes and halflings, which are currently not getting along very well. While this book doesn’t follow the same cast of characters as the first book, we still get to spend a little time with our past heroes and are introduced to a whole new wonderful group setting out on their own quest.

All the humor that I loved in the first book is back just as strong and the slight parody on fantasy tales works just as well this time around as in the first book. I loved getting to meet so many new characters, see more of Pell, and watch our heroes battle new and exciting dangers.

I hope this series sticks around and I can’t wait to join the next group as they transverse Pell on their own quest.

This book was received as an ARC from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine - Del Rey in exchange for an honest review. Opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

At first thins book was very hard to understand and comprehend. The first few chapters were very confusing and it was difficult keeping up with all the characters and their motives throughout the story. It was not until midway through the book where I started to follow along and it got more clear as I read on and then everything started to make sense and the story just got good. This book at time did remind me of Monty Python and the Holy Grail and also the Box Trolls but with Gnomes and Halflings. This book in the end was really cute and creative but at first readers will have some difficulty catching up and most of them might quit right there.

That is why we give this book 3.5 stars.

DNF. I read the first 30% and while I had a few chuckles, I did not connect to any of the characters. I also did not have a clear idea of where the plot was heading. And finally, by that point I was already finding the humor to be too heavy-handed, drowning out the underlying story. The premise was good and I loved the title, this just wasn't the book for me.