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The Golden Needle
2024 Washington State Book Award Finalist
2024 Eric Hoffer Grand Prize Short List
2024 Eric Hoffer Young Adult Honorable Mention
Hours away from the executioner’s blade, Dashi doesn’t hesitate when she's offered a way out of prison. But her freedom comes with a price—she must enter the khan’s race.
Competing to find a mysterious artifact, Dashi must journey across the desolate taiga, where predators stalk the trees and danger inhabits every shadow. With the perils of the race mounting, she finds herself forced into an unlikely pact with a fellow contestant. Yet even as the bond between them grows, Dashi suspects her newfound ally is holding back a secret about the artifact they’ve been charged with recovering.
In a race where winning is the difference between life and death, Dashi must prepare for treachery at every turn, even if it means casting aside her honor and becoming the least trustworthy one of all.
2024 Eric Hoffer Grand Prize Short List
2024 Eric Hoffer Young Adult Honorable Mention
Hours away from the executioner’s blade, Dashi doesn’t hesitate when she's offered a way out of prison. But her freedom comes with a price—she must enter the khan’s race.
Competing to find a mysterious artifact, Dashi must journey across the desolate taiga, where predators stalk the trees and danger inhabits every shadow. With the perils of the race mounting, she finds herself forced into an unlikely pact with a fellow contestant. Yet even as the bond between them grows, Dashi suspects her newfound ally is holding back a secret about the artifact they’ve been charged with recovering.
In a race where winning is the difference between life and death, Dashi must prepare for treachery at every turn, even if it means casting aside her honor and becoming the least trustworthy one of all.
- GenresFantasyYoung Adult
341 pages, Paperback
Published February 1, 2025
About the author
T.J. Carroll
4 books9 followersT.J. Carroll has lived all over but now calls Earth home. When she's not writing, she enjoys hiking, saying she's going to establish a family game night, and lurking in bookstores. The Golden Needle is her debut novel and the first book in The Taiga series.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
December 23, 2025
A fun, entertaining story!
June 25, 2025
Definitely one of my better finds among my kindle freebies! I would even say that books like this make me want to try kindle freebies among all the other ones that end up disappointing me.
Although the story is advertised as a mix between Indiana Jones and Hunger Games, I would happily add The Lies of Locke Lamora to the mix as well partly because of the heroine's, Dashi, history in stealing art pieces and I felt that she simply had this vibe to her that reminded me of Locke Lamora. Yes, this story is more Indiana Jones in the sense that the heroine's goal is to retrieve one item while Locke Lamora acquired several in complicated heists, but the vibe was definitely there.
Also, as a romance reader, I cannot believe I am saying this, but I am glad that there was no romance subplot! But I think that the sisterly relationship made up for it.
Although the story is advertised as a mix between Indiana Jones and Hunger Games, I would happily add The Lies of Locke Lamora to the mix as well partly because of the heroine's, Dashi, history in stealing art pieces and I felt that she simply had this vibe to her that reminded me of Locke Lamora. Yes, this story is more Indiana Jones in the sense that the heroine's goal is to retrieve one item while Locke Lamora acquired several in complicated heists, but the vibe was definitely there.
Also, as a romance reader, I cannot believe I am saying this, but I am glad that there was no romance subplot! But I think that the sisterly relationship made up for it.
November 30, 2023
So suspenseful!
I finished this book last night and immediately bought the second one in the series. The character development and pacing of the intrigue was wonderful. The plot held my interest every second. I cared about Dashi, Idree and Sevlin as though they were old friends and could picture each scene as though it was a vivid movie. This is a great accomplishment for a first time novelist. A Very impressive debut for YA literature. Rhonda Nyerges
I finished this book last night and immediately bought the second one in the series. The character development and pacing of the intrigue was wonderful. The plot held my interest every second. I cared about Dashi, Idree and Sevlin as though they were old friends and could picture each scene as though it was a vivid movie. This is a great accomplishment for a first time novelist. A Very impressive debut for YA literature. Rhonda Nyerges
April 29, 2026
3.5 stars rounded up
This was a fun adventure, akin to The Mummy maybe? Dashi was a good middle of the road character whose life experiences made her make a bit of sense. Her past had a bit of TOG vibes with being raised by a criminal, but the scenery was unique enough. The story kept my attention and I enjoyed the Indiana Jones style adventure in the temple. I wish there had been
more set up, as she was thrust into the race early and we didn’t get much detail on her background and other relationships. Idree felt like a nothing character which led me to guess part of the ending, because otherwise why was she there? It made no sense. Loved the ants, hated the rats. I also had trouble following a few of the action sequences, especially in the temple, the spatial descriptions were hard for me to imagine so they felt kind of meh.
I’ll probably check out the second one!
This was a fun adventure, akin to The Mummy maybe? Dashi was a good middle of the road character whose life experiences made her make a bit of sense. Her past had a bit of TOG vibes with being raised by a criminal, but the scenery was unique enough. The story kept my attention and I enjoyed the Indiana Jones style adventure in the temple. I wish there had been
more set up, as she was thrust into the race early and we didn’t get much detail on her background and other relationships. Idree felt like a nothing character which led me to guess part of the ending, because otherwise why was she there? It made no sense. Loved the ants, hated the rats. I also had trouble following a few of the action sequences, especially in the temple, the spatial descriptions were hard for me to imagine so they felt kind of meh.
I’ll probably check out the second one!
June 14, 2026
Went into this book with my only expectation being “for fans of Indiana Jones” and it did not disappoint!
I really enjoyed this one!
It is a part of a series but it can also be read as a stand alone book as the end wraps up enough in my opinion.
In this story, you follow Dashi, a thief who has been in prison for a few months after she murdered her friends’ murderers. The noble frees her from prison but traps her in a competition to get a trinket to give to him to give to the khan. Along the way, her younger sister joins Dashi in her travels and they start working with Sevlin, another competitor. I will leave it at that to not give away too many spoilers. The story is about adventure, secrets, healing from old wounds, magic, betrayal, and acceptance.
I highly recommend this book
I really enjoyed this one!
It is a part of a series but it can also be read as a stand alone book as the end wraps up enough in my opinion.
In this story, you follow Dashi, a thief who has been in prison for a few months after she murdered her friends’ murderers. The noble frees her from prison but traps her in a competition to get a trinket to give to him to give to the khan. Along the way, her younger sister joins Dashi in her travels and they start working with Sevlin, another competitor. I will leave it at that to not give away too many spoilers. The story is about adventure, secrets, healing from old wounds, magic, betrayal, and acceptance.
I highly recommend this book
February 3, 2024
this was everything that I was expecting and hoping for from the description. I was invested in the adventure elements and how great it worked overall. The characters felt like they were meant to be there and I enjoyed what was going on. It was a great start to the Taiga series, and left me wanting to read more in this series. T.J. Carroll has a great writing style that left me wanting more.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 30, 2024
Adventure, Danger, Sisterhood!
I was surprised by this fresh take on action adventure fantasy. Dashi is as prickly as a porcupine with hemorrhoids, inclined to leap without looking and not terribly self aware, but she's also brave, intelligent and loves deeply, even if she'd rather be skinned than admit it.
Looking forward to her further adventures.
I was surprised by this fresh take on action adventure fantasy. Dashi is as prickly as a porcupine with hemorrhoids, inclined to leap without looking and not terribly self aware, but she's also brave, intelligent and loves deeply, even if she'd rather be skinned than admit it.
Looking forward to her further adventures.
December 5, 2023
This was a great adventure read, with wonderful world building, interesting characters, a fun quest/hunt for treasure with many perils and creatures along the way. Great for higher elementary age to teens! I can't wait for the second book to find out what happens next with these characters!
January 17, 2024
Great adventure
This was such a fun read! I am almost 50 and loved it and also bought it for my 15 year old. The writing is so descriptive and creative! Can’t wait to see where Dashi goes next!
This was such a fun read! I am almost 50 and loved it and also bought it for my 15 year old. The writing is so descriptive and creative! Can’t wait to see where Dashi goes next!
July 15, 2024
Extremely well written
Very good young adult fantasy adventure novel. The characters are relatable, the action is engaging, and the prose is very readable. Extremely well done, especially for a debut novel. Please write more books!
Very good young adult fantasy adventure novel. The characters are relatable, the action is engaging, and the prose is very readable. Extremely well done, especially for a debut novel. Please write more books!
July 28, 2024
Absolutely fantastic…
This story has great characters, evil, good, scheming …all kinds. The dangers they have to face are well thought out, and the creatures too! I could picture things easily from the descriptions … well done and thanks for the adventure!
This story has great characters, evil, good, scheming …all kinds. The dangers they have to face are well thought out, and the creatures too! I could picture things easily from the descriptions … well done and thanks for the adventure!
January 2, 2026
A MUST READ
The Golden Needle is a great book. It has great characters and the plot is so interesting I could hardly put it down. It is a definite must read!! I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
J
The Golden Needle is a great book. It has great characters and the plot is so interesting I could hardly put it down. It is a definite must read!! I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
J
November 19, 2023
One of the better fantasy novels I have read in a long time.
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November 30, 2023Read for Cybil Award YA Speculative fiction. Did not nominate.
December 1, 2023
This book was amazing! I ended up staying up way too late to finish it! So many twists and turns and mystical creatures. I highly recommend!!
December 10, 2023
What an adventure! The characters were richly developed and the plot was full of twists and turns. Can’t wait to read the next in the series!
December 13, 2023
Awesome read! Loved every minute of it.
June 9, 2025
4.5 A solid fantasy adventure book. Reminded me of Throne of Glass in its pacing and fierce FMC. Quite well done. Clean, but with descriptions of fighting and injuries- probably the only caution.
June 30, 2025
Free Kindle. YA adventure book. Good characters and build up of the story line
December 24, 2025
I enjoyed this free book from bookbub, good story and characters plus a bit of Daniel in the lion's den with the ant V. Good conclusion although it is only a starter.
January 4, 2026
Rating: 🙂/3
Source: Bookbub
Review: Vengeance filled adventure with magic and lore. A little too much telling me instead of showing me and not enough character build.
Source: Bookbub
Review: Vengeance filled adventure with magic and lore. A little too much telling me instead of showing me and not enough character build.
August 30, 2023
I got a hold of an ARC copy and I loved it, it pulled me in from the start. I'm a fantasy fan and this one has turned out to be one of my favorites so far. A friend and I do "buddy reads" so I can't wait to share it with her. Enjoy.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews