Member Reviews

Are you ever trying to hide the fact that you're reading (because you're supposed to be at work) but you keep giggling so much that you have to stop reading? Because that's this book/.

I loved it, and I recommend it highly, just not for discreet reading.

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While this is a sequel (of sorts) to Kill The Farm Boy, most of the main characters are new besides Grinda and King Gustave with brief appearances by a few other returning characters. No Country for Old Gnomes involves a quest by a ovitaur, a dwarf, two gnomes, a halfling, and a gryphon to restore peace, law and tidiness to various parts of Pell. There are exciting adventures, strange encounters, magic, cursing, and general mayhem. In the end, the quest is accomplished, but not without loss. Also be careful not to fall afoul of the puns and strange names. They are part of the fun of this series. And the authors have promised a third book at least - The Princess Beard!

Thanks Netgalley for the opportunity to read this title!

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I received this from NetGalley and Publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I was not aware that this was part of a book installment but with that being said, I still read it and highly enjoyed the whimsical world this book was set it. When I seen that book involved Gnomes, I had to dive into it.

The author did a fantastic job with the world building and the character development in this. I will go back and have to read the other installments in this now. I highly enjoyed.

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NUMBER OF HEARTS: 4
Another excellent installment of the Tales of Pell. No Country for Old Gnomes takes us on a grand adventure that starts with the Gnomes of Pell are being attacked by a group of halflings. It will take a group of unlikely friends to set everything right.

The amazingly talented Luke Daniels narrates this book for us again. Luke does an amazing job of bringing the Tales of Pell characters to life.

This was a great book that introduces us to a group of new characters and we get to see some of our old friends. I really enjoyed the Gnomes, Halfings, Dwarfs and the Gryphon. There are a lot of wonderfully fun characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Netgalley and audio review copy from Random House Audio in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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The hilarious (and ridiculous) adventures continue…

No Country for Old Gnomes is the second in The Tales of Pell series from duo Kevin Hearne and Delilah Dawson. Full of clichés, puns, and whimsy, the novel still allows the reader to become immersed in the land of Pell and forget the normalcy of their standard daily lives. While this tale focuses on the gnomes of Skyr as they try to reclaim their home and can serve as a standalone in the young series, familiar faces make appearances to the delight of any who have read Kill the Farm Boy. I was particularly delighted to check in on Gustave the Goat, now king and responsible for the fate of the realm.

If you like The Princess Bride, Blazing Saddles, Monty Python, and/or Robin Hood: Men in Tights, then No Country for Old Gnomes (and the Pell series) is a must-read. Hearne and Dawson will take you for a humorous ride along on a quest to seek the Great Library and restore peace in the land…with some distractions during the journey for the gnomes and those who join them. Have no fear – Tolkien jokes are included.

With well-developed characters and earnest moments between them, Old Gnomes doesn’t have to lean on humor to carry the story as there is genuinely good storytelling at hand. Hearne and Dawson demonstrate that, while incredible authors on their own merit, they can pair up to produce an incredible, enjoyable tale that will lift your spirit (and get you looks from strangers as you laugh out loud in public while reading their book in an airport…or perhaps that will just be me).

Highly recommended read.

*Digital ARC from NetGalley and the publisher provided for an honest review.

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This is a great and whimsical fantasy read with tons of references to other pop culture phenomenons. Sometimes celebrating them and sometimes poking fun at them. This book is quirky and whimsical, with some great word play and a large dose of humor. I actually ended up reading most of it all in one sitting. I was engaged for most of it, there were a few meandering side quests for personal development, but overall it was solidly written. I haven't read the first book and I don't think you necessarily need to to enjoy this one, but now I will go back and read the first so I have an even larger appreciation for the world that they have created.

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Another round of rollicking fun from the authors of Kill the Farm Boy. Loved getting to go on another adventure in our land of Pell and meeting a whole new cast of interesting and hysterical characters to take us along the ride.

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I got a copy of this book from netgalley and was happy to get a chance to read and review it. I'd read Kill the Farm Boy, and this is a sequel, but it could also stand by itself well - we see some of the "Farm Boy" characters, but the main characters in this one are new, and I really liked them. The primary conflict is between the inventive gnomes, and the halflings who are trying to take over We also meet a dwarf, a gryphon, a part sheep, and others, in a punny quest.

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It’s not often I use the word delightful. It sounds old and baggy and sort of like an aging great-great aunt telling you about the UPS guy just trying to drop off a package. (He was so delightful, dear, she says, and you know in your heart of hearts that this UPS guy got the full force of her naive-elder-folks-isms, and was a patient dude while she did so even though Great-Great-Aunt Becka should know that he’s got a full route to get through.)

(I’ve got a lot of complicated feelings about words. So sue me.)

But the book this week? It was an actual delight to sit down and read it.

I’m of course talking about NO COUNTRY FOR OLD GNOMES by the writing duo Delilah Dawson and Kevin Hearne.

So like, first things first? I would die for Delilah Dawson. My first ECCC I almost rampaged to the Harper Collins booth so I could meet her. I almost cried. (That’s not like, saying a whole lot, I know, but trust me. This was my First Big Con, and I was READY and I got TOO EXCITED and she didn’t immediately hate me so. Yeah.) Kevin is a cool dude, and I have the first few books in his Iron Duid series, but straight up. Just saying. I would die for Ms. Dawson and you can quote me on that.

No Country for Old Gnomes is the second book in the Books of Pell series, following last year’s hit Kill the Farm Boy. And while we get cameos from some of our beloved characters from before, we’re back with some new POVs, some new political intrigues, and some new toppings for omelets.

This is the perfect book to kick off your summer reading. I say this having read the majority of this book in a hammock during a week of 80-degree weather, and just totally ignoring how cold it is right now in Nebraska. But you, though? You’re warm. This book is perfect for you in your nice, warm weather.

(I’m not mad about the cold. Not at all. It’s May. It’s supposed to be cold.)

But, weather-fretting aside, this truly is a nice, easy-going book to just crack up and devour. I’m glad Netgalley gave me the chance to!

Check out the podcast episode OF EGGS AND HIDDEN INNER VIOLENCE out now on iTunes, Spotify, and Awesound!

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No Country for Old Gnomes is an astoundingly original take on the fairy tale genre, pairing every fantastic creature you can imagine with a fantasy kingdom worthy of housing them. The writing is smart and sharp, providing endless laughable moments as you get to know these strange and varied characters. From a gothic young gnome to a dwarf filled with anger to an ovitaur entrusted with a sacred mission, you’ll have no trouble finding plenty to love about this brilliant novel.

The kingdom of Pell is a fascinating place. I’m new to the setting and was floored by the originality on every page. The authors take the tropes and stock characters you’d expect to find in any run-of-the-mill fairy tale and turn them on their head. Gone are the fables, replaced by extremely real situations where they’re forced to adapt to their hectic surroundings. The witch doesn’t eat the young gnome who wonders into her cottage, but has her do a few chores before sharing one of her shiny red apples. A young gnome laments about the burden of being cheerful, wishing to espouse the expected bright sweaters for black cardigans. Everyone’s existence is quirky and not quite what you’d expect, making for a delightful reading experience.

I also loved the progression of the story. We’re not following a single character as they embark on an epic journey alone. We get to enjoy multiple storylines with a variety of different perspectives of the world at hand. Some show us the impending war between the gnomes and halflings, others show us what it’s like to rule as a man who once was a goat. Above all, the book is hilarious, filled with unexpected jokes and asides you’d never expect in a storybook world.

Overall, No Country for Old Gnomes is a bit of brilliance, from the group of wildly entertaining characters to the infinitely creative setting, right down to the brilliant title. You might just find yourself wishing you could visit this strange world.

Review to be published on 4/30: https://reviewsandrobots.com/2019/04/30/no-country-for-old-gnomes-book-review

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This is the fantastically funny sequel to Kill the Farm boy this time we are adventuring through pell with Gnomes. In fact we are adventuring with another unlikely band of characters. In this tale we are venturing through Skyrr a land claimed by halting and gnomes. Halfings are bent on controlling it and have begun to bomb gnomes so a battle of sorts has begun. After a bombing of his home Offi and his family head off to seek refuge and meet up with our unlikely band of characters.

This a adventure set of the world of Pell and you can easily pick this one up and you won;t be lost it can totally stand on its. In my opinion i feel it a better story then to the Kill the Farm boy. It moves along at a faster pace and i feel that the plot was much stronger. It just as hilarious as the first book and you if you like this one that one is worth your time as well. It a great fun story sure to be enjoyed.

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This is a fun read but you have to pay attention as it is full of puns and words with multiple meanings and hilarity . The characters are wonderful, some brilliant (gnomes) some really dumb (haflings). Pell is a fascinating place as was seen and enjoyed in the first book in the series, "Kill the Farmboy" and this book is a great addition to the series.The authors are already planning the next book .
This is a most enjoyable read!!!

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This second trip into Pell cements this series as a favorite. If you enjoyed Kill the Farm Boy you won't be disappointed by No Country for Old Gnomes. This is a series for people who just love fantasy, warts and all. So funny and fun.

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Pell is a punny place, and I do so enjoy reading about the adventures here. The characters are fun and weird. Come on, Offi the gnome is a goth gnome, and that’s just amusing. Gern the gryphon is amusing, and allows the authors to use and abuse weird spellings and an overabundance of umlats.

I still really enjoyed the story, but it had lost a little of the novelty that I found with the first book.

Honestly though, the chapter title alone make this a story worth reading.

Oh, and fun fact…you don’t have to read Kill the Farm Boy in order to read this one. There are a few characters from that first one who make brief appearances in this one, but nothing that happens is really a big spoiler or anything. While yes, I recommend reading Farm Boy before Old Gnomes, it isn’t necessary.

I don’t know if The Princess Beard will be the final Tale of Pell, or if there is the possibility for more, but I do know that these light-hearted but at the same time heart-warming stories are definitely worth the read.

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The Tales of Pell continue! Humorous and fantastical. Think Princess Bride or Hitchhiker's Guide but on a planet populated with gnomes, dwarves, halflings, and other sundry creatures. Word play abounds and you too shall soon learn to RESPECT THE UMLAUT!

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Thank you so much to Del Rey Books (Random House - Ballantine) and NetGalley for the e-ARC of No Country for Old Gnomes! Received for free in exchange for an honest review.

Honestly - I loved this sequel so much more than Kill the Farm Boy. Hearne and Dawson outdid themselves on the puns, umlauts, gnomerisms, and general insanity - but also managed to tell a pretty dark story underneath it all.

A new motley crew of heroes find each other on the path to set right the atrocities being committed to the gnomes. The halflings seem to be mobilizing under Marquant Dique and his drubs, as he and another lord are attempting to overthrow the kingdom. The characters go on quite the quest to an ancient library then the home of the gnome/halfling leadership. Refugee situations, martial law, murder, treason, heroic deaths, coming of age...there is truly a bit of everything in this novel.

Not to plenty plenty of puns, umlauts, seering cabbages, and honestly a better cast of characters. Kirsi and Offi, the gyphon and the ovitaur (sheep person), and B¤ggi the dwarf each have their own revelations and heroics. No spoilers but I love who these two decide to kill off. The authors do so unapologetically and it allows for all the elements of a good quest story. The characters from book 1 make token appearances but I felt no loss with the new cast. The book also had a pretty satisfying ending - if there is a third book, I do hope it wraps up similarly well because the series is in a good place right now.

Along with all the laughs, I also HIGHLY recommend checking out at least the audiobook exerpt.

Thank you all again for the eARC, I highly recommend these to any fans of fantasy/comedy, epic quests, and fluffee omlets!

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I absolutely adore Kevin Hearne and Delilah S. Dawson! I can't get enough of their wit and humor. This book was just so funny I had to catch myself from laughing out loud in some spots while reading in public. It is paced well and the characters are well rounded and you want to keep reading to get to know them better. I would recommend this book.

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The first book in this series, Kill The Farm Boy, was a fun romp incorporating several fairy tales. No Country for Old Gnomes continues the pun-filled collaboration of
authors Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne. Although both books are set in the same universe, only a few of the characters from the first book appear in the second.

I enjoyed the many fascinating characters and the quest they embarked on. Plus, as is often the case with fantasy novels, the authors cleverly wove in issues relevant to real-life such as immigration, and political corruption.

But with so many different characters and story lines occurring, I got a bit lost trying to keep all everything straight in my mind.

Overall, if you enjoy pun-filled humor, silly situations, with a bit of social commentary mixed in, then this is the book for you! Very fun.

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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.

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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. :(

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