Reviews

No Country for Old Gnomes by Kevin Hearne, Delilah S. Dawson

markijbema's review against another edition

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3.0

While I still don't like this series as much as I like Discworld I think it does carve out it's own niche. It does feel a bit like The Hitchhikers Guide set in a Fantasy. The story is predictable in one way (a group of adventurers sets out on a quest), but its more about the journey than the goal. And it's a wild journey. If you like silly fantasy, you'll like this

PS. This book has capybaras, which I think is a great plus, I don't see capybaras that often in fantasy and I think that's a shame

samrushingbooks's review

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4.0

This was another enjoyable pun-filled adventure in Pell, though it didn't hold the fresh charm of the first book. It was still a good read, and the characters continued to be amusing and diverse. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing what shenanigans are to be had in the third book. Oh, and fun fact, you don't actually need to read Kill the Farm Boy before reading this one...though I'd still recommend it.

mhmissey's review

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4.0

If you love Asprin and puns then this is for you

lovenecy's review

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adventurous funny mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

This book sounded like it was going to be fun and adventurous. It was neither. The authors got bogged down introducing new characters every couple chapters the story got lost.

katietopp's review

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5.0

I just love this series. The characters are always lovable, and well developed. Kevin Hearne is just so good at creating a world that you cannot wait to get back to.

katie_browske's review against another edition

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adventurous funny medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

bethtabler's review

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4.0

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.

ogreart's review

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3.0

Cute. I like the humor. The whole book made a weird sort of sense.

malreynolds111's review

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5.0

Recieved an advanced copy from netgalley to review. I loved this book. I find myself laughing at every page and the nods to other books. The characters are well rounded. If you want read a great story that doesn't take itself too seriously you need this book.

spalmer24's review

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adventurous funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75