Gizzard Stones

Imaginative YA novel that features excellent world-building and strongly realised characters. Although it's aimed at younger readers, I found plenty to interest older age-groups, and the way in which the author arouses our sympathy for both opposing species is skilfully done - I was rooting for both Nail and Lianne. The plot and milieu are so well-constructed that a sequel has to be compulsory!

This was an amazing adventure. I haven't read adventure fiction in a while, and I think I needed something like this to bring me back home. Firstly, I read the description for the book, both on Goodreads and here, and I think I spent the entire novel waiting for Lianne and Nail to join forces (which is the impression I got). Grit was a good substitute; her personality made me chuckle quite some. I could relate to Lianne on so many levels, which is very important to me - I need to be able to relate to a character; distinguish the parts of myself which I see in them. I got so drawn into her powerlessness against the Believers (Mitroan, actually) at the start, and I loved the way she went ahead and turned it around. Her compassion created a wonderfully stark contrast against the world this story was set it, which is refreshing. Now, back to Nial... he lost it for a bit. I didn't blame him, I actually supported him, but my point is: this was so well written and thought out that I could completely understand why every event happened the way it did and why the characters are the way they are. Even Queen Maeve was someone I eventually felt empathy towards.

All in all, a really great adventure. Thank you for the galley copy!

In this story, there is magic, goblins and humans which engaged me into a well built fantasy world. There is a nasty queen who wants more and more power. She gets her power by eating the gizzard stones of the goblins. It doesn't matter to her that the goblins must be killed in order to get them. Also in the story is a girl named Leanne who has been somewhat isolated from other humans due to her father. She seems to not completely to understand why her father is involved with the underground resistance group called the "Believers." Nail is a goblin that helps the goblins escape from the Queen's clutches. How did he do it?

The writing is excellent. The characters are engaging. Yet I was a little confused as to why Leanne's story was included with the goblin Nail. I don't really think it was made clear enough as how they worked together. When you read the story, you will hopefully see what I meant. Perhaps the author intends to write a sequel to this novel? It is worth reading.