by Delilah S. Dawson, Kevin Hearne
Series: The Tales of Pell #2
Narrator: Luke Daniels
Length: 14 hours and 7 minutes
Genres: Fantasy
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups Speed: 1.2x
Go big or go gnome. The New York Times bestselling authors of Kill the Farm Boy return to the world of Pell, the irreverent fantasy universe that recalls Monty Python and Terry Pratchett.
The Skyr is a rich, verdant land claimed by both halflings and gnomes. For centuries, the halflings have worked to undermine gnomish power structures and seize total control--through legal means, certainly, but more insidiously through their extensive organized crime network. Now, threatened with being pushed out entirely, the gnomes are desperate and ready to fight back. Gustave the Goat King faces his first test as a leader: Can he bring peace to a fraught region or will a civil war consume the entire kingdom?
No Country for Old Gnomes by Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne is the second novel in the Tales of Pell. This is not a continuation and works on its own. Fans of Monty Python will delight in this fantasy universe.
Narrated by Luke Daniels, I once again found myself in the land of Pell a fantastical kingdom filled with mystical creatures as a group of quirky characters band together on an honorable quest. We will meet many new faces beginning with Offi, a gnome whose land is under attack and see some familiar faces like King Gustave.
From their play on words, to twists on beloved tales such as Macbeth, Dawson and Hearne quickly pulled me in once all the players joined up. As with the first, I found it best to listen to only one or two chapters a night.
Be warned their quest meanders a bit from side quests to personal growth slowing the pace down and at times it felt disjointed. But it also played in my favor allowing me to listened at a slower pace and picking up on clever bits.
I found the story to be tighter than the previous book and enjoyed the characters. The humor and puns was toned down, but there were plenty of fandom references including Star Wars.
A war is waging between a sector of halflings and gnomes. Their quest involves the Great Library where they hope to find the original documents of the gnomeric and halfling civilizations. Joining the gnomes on their quest are an ovitaur named Agape. Agape is mostly human except for the bits that are sheep. I loved Daniels voice for her. We’ve got Halfling Faucon who loves upholding the law and adores his toe rings. Then there is an outcast gryphon, named Gerd and a dwarf named Båggi Biins. Each seeks answers to questions from the library. Omelettes, an automaatti, side-quests and dangers await them!
Luke Daniels completed this tale with his array of unique voices. Honestly, I do not understand how he kept them all straight. I laughed aloud at his antics. I generally listen to Daniels at 1.3x but slowed this down, as the story is meaty and required through chewing.
I would love to sit in on a writing session with these authors… I imagine they laugh almost as much as I did. Grab your headphones and begin your quest!
#loveaudiobooks No Country for Old Gnomes by Delilah S. Dawson and Kevin Hearne offered a worthy quest, unique characters and lots of humor #mustlisten #TaleofPell Share on X
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Oh, it’s really good to hear that the humor was toned down in this one. I LOVE Delilah S. Dawson on Twitter, but I found that the first book in this series was just a little too silly for me. (I’m just not that fond of gross-out humor) But I loved the writing otherwise and the story was great. So I think I’ll give this one a try. Maybe audio is the way to go too.
MarthaE
I have been thinking of trying this series. I probably should catch up in The Iron Druid series.
Thanks for sharing on this.
Mary @StackingMyBookShelves!
I like the narrator after listening to the sound clip on here. I love the voices! This sounds like a great fantasy. I will have to add this one to my list too. Great review!
Mary
Stephanie Jane (Literary Flits)
This sounds like such a fun series and absolutely nothing like Cormac McCarthy’s No Country For Old Men!
Debbie Haupt
I know you love Hearn and the narrator Luke Daniels, I don’t remember book 1 or Delilah Dawson but it sounds like a book I would like. Thanks Kim
blodeuedd
I am really curious about this series, it just sound so much fun 😀
Anne - Books of My Heart
I read the first one. It is obviously wicked clever, maybe too smart for me. I might like it better with Luke Daniels so maybe I’ll try this one on audio sometime. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Wonderful review!
Suzanne @ The Bookish Libra
This sounds like so much fun. and the title made me LOL.
JoLee @ Wickedly Delicious Book Blog
Lovely cover.
Melissa (Books and Things)
Yep, I want to try this series on audio. I love Luke’s rendition of the Iron Druid (I just finished an audio of his the other night). I’m going to have to bug my library to get these!
Jennifer
I have this one and the previous title to listen to. I’ve been waiting for when I’m ready to listen to something non-romance.
Jen
Great review. I shared similar feelings and thoughts. I felt the side trips made the story harder to sink into fully. I do love the whole world and the humor, though!
Katherine @ I Wish I Lived in a Library
I love a good pun title and this is a fantastic one! I’ve heard really good things about Kevin Hearne and Luke Daniels is one of my favorite narrators. Sounds like one I need to try!
Heidi
I am on the fence about this one. I adore Hearne and Daniels but when I Finally for through the last book in October, it was a let down for me. I think the puns and such got to be too much, I don’t know. I know if I had read it, it wouldn’t have worked, Daniels saved the first book for me. I will consider this…..
Kimberly
This was much tamer with the goofy and over the top “boys” stuff.
Lindy@ A Bookish Escape
What a unique and entertaining cast of characters! I would enjoy the literary references, and puns. I could see why you’d want to slow this story down with only one to two chapters per setting. Great Review Kim!
sherry fundin
even gnomes gotta have a home
Melliane
I confess that it’s one of the series I’m curious to try but I sawmixed review of book 1 so I waswaiting to see more
Kimberly
The first had a lot of slap-stick humor, sometimes crude with lots of nods to fandoms. Honestly, if you don’t love Monty Python, you probably won’t like it.
Cynthia
Okay… I am loving the title and your review has me so curious about this book and series.
Nadene
I see you had fun with this one. Kim, thanks to your awesome reviews my TBR has been increasing rapidly,?
kindlemom1
This sounds fun and glad Hearne is still writing!
Nick
That cover is adorable! Twists on Macbeth you say? That certainly intrigues me as well. I’m glad this was an even better read than the first book!
RR
This definitely sounds an interesting book. Thank you for your review!