Today I am taking part in the Book Blitz organised by Storytellers on Tour for Game of Gnomes: The Necrognomicon by M. J. Northwood. Thank you for including me in this blitz, Justine and Timy!
The Necrognomicon by M. J. Northwood
Published: May 22, 2020 by Critical Tales (https://www.criticaltales.co.uk/)
Series: Game of Gnomes (#1)
Genre: Fantasy, Humor
Pages: 111
CW: Body horror, bullying, fatphobia, gore, violence, police (guard) brutality, racial bigotry (against gnomes)
Book Description
Every hurdle in a gnome’s life is just a little bit bigger. After years apart, the three gnomes Gassy, Borty, and Turdlet aim to scale the tallest of challenges a thief can face: The Crimicompetition.
Fighting for the clout against MagInc—a corporation of unimaginable influence—the gnomes are about to discover how small honour amongst thieves can get.
And so begins the Game of Gnomes.
My Review
I was sent a digital copy of this copy by Storytellers on Tour in exchange for an honest review. Thank you very much to Justine, Timy and the author, M.J. Northwood!
This book is puerile, absurd humour at its best. The main characters are a trio of gnomes named Gassy, Borty and Turdlet. The names should give you an idea of the type of humour we are looking at here!! They are a gang of thieves making their way to a convention for criminals: The Crimicon.
The trio are morally grey, self-serving, yet likeable rogues who look out for each other despite perilous circumstances and their camaraderie is delightful. Borty is their fearless leader, Turdlet is rash and reckless, while Gassy prefers to plan everything in great detail and feels anxious when things don’t go to plan.
The world they inhabit is interesting and vividly depicted, filled with unusual, highly inventive and sometimes fearsome creatures. There is the snugglebumble, which collects scents and in so doing reduces the scent-bearer to a puddle of liquid goo; the chameladon, a humanoid reptile that can change its appearance and body structure to morph into its victim and the flying donkeys to name but a few.
Life at four feet tall can be somewhat frustrating so they are pleased that this year’s Crimicon theme is “Under four feet” despite them thinking it was “Four feet under” and everything and everyone taller than four feet is forced to stoop or crawl to fit into the convention, but it’s all designed at a perfect height for gnomes.
They discover that this year’s competition is a heist, but not just any kind of heist. They are to try and steal an important book, The Necrognomicon, “the holy grail of gnome-based relics” from the private chamber of the dreaded upper council member, Day Lord. Feared by all the gnomes, but especially Gassy who has had a run-in with the Day Lord before, he will eviscerate any thief he catches. This is a heist that Gassy has previously tried and failed, and his entire crew died in the attempt. He is very scared and needs quite a lot of persuasion to come onboard this time, but luckily the other two know just how to talk him round.
What follows is exciting and hilarious as the thieves attempt to break into a manor, get over their outrage at the ignorant racism inherent in the Day Lord’s backyard gnomery, distract a porter with a conversation about the longevity of shit-shovellers and take on their rival gangs of thieves while racing to the prize.
There were many laugh out loud moments in this short book – I would recommend it to lovers of Pratchett, Adams, D&D and other TTRPGs and gnomes in general!
Amazon | goodreads | Critical Tales | Kobo | Google Play
**UK Giveaway**
Prize: One of three paperback copies of Game of Gnomes: The Necrognomicon by M. J. Northwood – UK Only
Starts: August 18th, 2021 at 12:00am EST
Ends: August 23rd, 2021 at 11:59pm EST
Click here or on the banner below to enter:
A Gnome Hope – Game of Gnomes (#2)
The next book in this humorous series, A Gnome Hope was recently published on August 6th.
A Gnome Hope by M. J. Northwood
Published: August 6, 2021 by Critical Tales (https://www.criticaltales.co.uk/)
Series: Game of Gnomes (#2)
Genre: Fantasy, Humor
Pages: 216
Book Description
Intrigue. Explosions. Illicit Magic Abuse.
These morally questionable ingredients make up another outrageous adventure from Gassy, Borty, and Turdlet. With the Crimicon long in the past, the gnomes find themselves bouncing from one criminal caper to another until an encounter with a familiar face reveals a nobler path.
Will they answer the righteous call and save the day? Or will emotionally scarring misadventures lead them astray?
The stakes are higher, the story’s bigger, but our heroes are just as small.
Amazon | Critical Tales | Goodreads
About the Author
A Co-Founder of Critical Tales, M. J. Northwood has taken his years of storytelling experience and gathered it into his latest books.
Regardless of the media format, M. J. Northwood adores telling fresh and exciting stories that plays with the reader’s imagination while tickling that rather childish funny-bone many of us adults still have.
After winning a competition at a younger age, M. J. worked towards creating his first full-length novel under commission. After spending a few years travelling and living in Japan, he delivered his first book.
Soon after, M. J. independently developed Game of Gnomes: The Necrognomicon. He worked tirelessly with a few friends to found Critical Tales and give Game of Gnomes the launch it deserved.
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