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Giants
Between a mother who dotes on him, a friend who is unwaveringly loyal, and plenty of stories, there is little else that Kato appears to need. But what Kato wants more than anything is to be like everyone else. To be able to talk.
When a fabled Old One, Kene the giant, comes to him looking for a storyteller, Kato is sure that a mistake has been made. Over the course of the next year, Kato must find out for himself what having a voice really means, because the world he knows and the people in it are about to be changed forever.
In lyrical prose that blends magic realism and a deep understanding of human nature, Giants is a startling debut about the stories we tell and those that make us.
When a fabled Old One, Kene the giant, comes to him looking for a storyteller, Kato is sure that a mistake has been made. Over the course of the next year, Kato must find out for himself what having a voice really means, because the world he knows and the people in it are about to be changed forever.
In lyrical prose that blends magic realism and a deep understanding of human nature, Giants is a startling debut about the stories we tell and those that make us.
- GenresFiction
266 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 5, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 25, 2025
I wish I could hug Kato and tell him that his silence never made him less. 🌸 Sometimes, the ones who don’t say much carry the deepest stories inside them, and that’s what "Giants" reminded me of so beautifully.
This isn’t just the story of a mute boy and a forest giant—it’s the story of finding your place in a world that often forgets to listen. Kato’s bond with Kene felt like that invisible hand we all secretly wish for when life gets heavy—someone to remind us that even when we feel voiceless, we are not powerless.
What touched me the most is how the book shows the power of memories and stories. They are not just words; they are roots. They are what keep us connected to who we are, where we come from, and the people who came before us. Even though Kato cannot speak, he becomes the keeper of his people’s stories, showing us that storytelling isn’t always about a voice—it’s about courage, love, and hope.
Reading this book felt like sitting by a warm fire on a quiet evening, listening to old tales that carry both grief and magic, fear and strength. It reminded me that we don’t always need grand battles or loud declarations to be strong. Sometimes, the quietest courage is the one that changes everything. 🌿✨
If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or out of place, Kato’s journey will touch your heart. It will remind you that your story matters, even if it doesn’t sound like everyone else’s. You don’t have to shout to be heard—sometimes just holding on to what truly matters is enough. And maybe that’s the gentlest and strongest lesson of all.
This isn’t just the story of a mute boy and a forest giant—it’s the story of finding your place in a world that often forgets to listen. Kato’s bond with Kene felt like that invisible hand we all secretly wish for when life gets heavy—someone to remind us that even when we feel voiceless, we are not powerless.
What touched me the most is how the book shows the power of memories and stories. They are not just words; they are roots. They are what keep us connected to who we are, where we come from, and the people who came before us. Even though Kato cannot speak, he becomes the keeper of his people’s stories, showing us that storytelling isn’t always about a voice—it’s about courage, love, and hope.
Reading this book felt like sitting by a warm fire on a quiet evening, listening to old tales that carry both grief and magic, fear and strength. It reminded me that we don’t always need grand battles or loud declarations to be strong. Sometimes, the quietest courage is the one that changes everything. 🌿✨
If you’ve ever felt unseen, unheard, or out of place, Kato’s journey will touch your heart. It will remind you that your story matters, even if it doesn’t sound like everyone else’s. You don’t have to shout to be heard—sometimes just holding on to what truly matters is enough. And maybe that’s the gentlest and strongest lesson of all.
September 6, 2025
Set in North East India, this middle grade, coming of age story is the perfect blend of magical realism, folklore and myths.
What if the mythical people in our dreams actually exist, and they come knocking on our door? That's exactly what happens to Kato, a mute boy of 13, who loves stories and is doted on by his lovely mother and grandmother.
He gets to experience the world in all its beautiful glory and the things invisible to normal people.
But he comes to know all their world is going to be turned upside down and a lot of undesirable changes are going to happen, as he is assigned the task of being the storyteller. But he has to discover his faith in himself and courage by letting go of all his fears in order to be the storyteller. Surrounded by his loved ones he has to do this before it's too late.
✨Set in Nagaland during Kohima war
✨Coming of age
✨Rural living
✨folklore, myths, storytelling
✨mythical crratures
✨middle grade
✨love, friendship
✨Heartwarming relations
TW: de@th of loved one, violence
What if the mythical people in our dreams actually exist, and they come knocking on our door? That's exactly what happens to Kato, a mute boy of 13, who loves stories and is doted on by his lovely mother and grandmother.
He gets to experience the world in all its beautiful glory and the things invisible to normal people.
But he comes to know all their world is going to be turned upside down and a lot of undesirable changes are going to happen, as he is assigned the task of being the storyteller. But he has to discover his faith in himself and courage by letting go of all his fears in order to be the storyteller. Surrounded by his loved ones he has to do this before it's too late.
✨Set in Nagaland during Kohima war
✨Coming of age
✨Rural living
✨folklore, myths, storytelling
✨mythical crratures
✨middle grade
✨love, friendship
✨Heartwarming relations
TW: de@th of loved one, violence
July 30, 2025
“The village—Ayito-phu—was located on the top western flanks of a mountain, a strategic choice that had made it virtually unassailable during the old days of headhunting. If one were to be completely factual, the days of headhunting were neither old nor gone, for in the areas that bordered Burma there were still tribes who took great delight in lopping off heads and stacking skulls like the macabre hoard of some unknown devil.”
It is in this village, far away from Kohima that our protagonist, a 12 yr old boy named Kato lives with his parents who till the land and labour hard. Kato’s mother, maternal grandmother, even his father at times, regale him with stories - of an uncle who saw a big giant in the forest, of Alhou who created the whole world and different spirits to guard different realms, of rivers that had a will of their own. Kato consumed these stories hungrily, remembered them but could not tell them to others for he was mute. What happens when a timi-ala (a forest giant) named Kene visits Kato on full moon nights, gifts him a voice for the night when they are together, tells him stories and convinces him that he is born to tell stories and save his clan?
‘The land is the oldest and it is very much alive. It is the land that sustains everything that lives.’
But, what when this very land is under the threat of a face-off between the British soldiers and Imperial Japanese army? For a people who had nothing to do with WW2 and were in awe of the simple rifle, the bombs, cannons, roaring fighter planes and endless machine guns sounded like the end of the world itself. How could a young, mute boy tell stories to avert disaster, save his clan and his land that now reeked of the smell of metal and blood? Read Giants by Huthuka Sumi to get the answers.
Even though the story doesn’t offer crisp and straightforward answers, even when magic is overpowering, even confusing at places that the reality slips away, Giants offers an intimate and authentic portrayal of the way of life of people, the Sumis, a major ethnic group native to Nagaland. The clan’s reverence for nature and the land they live upon, their faith in traditions, skepticism to anything modern that may alter a natural order shine in the narrative that meanders, strays and moves languidly. Pork cooked in axone paste has an unmatched flavour, aqhumi, a shawl woven in a certain way has a special social status, description of farming seasons and tiger hunt, there is a lot to learn from Kato’s tale suffused with magic filled with spirits and witches that guard or abduct people.
‘Memories are roots’. Without stories we have no memories and without memories our roots shrivel and die'. The crux of the book - that stories on who we are, where we come need to be told and retold lest we forget our history or identity - though beautiful isn’t delivered in a crisp and convincing fashion, the storytelling never gathers steam and fails to deliver an impression. The illustrations by Canato Jimo are mere motifs alongside the chapters' titles, they don't supplement the storytelling or add detailing. It is the portrayal of emotions that hold the fort - loyal friendship, love, loss, grief, guilt, shame, hope, standing tall with confidence and self-acceptance and redemption populate the book. Tighter editing could have cut it short by at least 50 pages and saved the read for us. Overall, a good read!
It is in this village, far away from Kohima that our protagonist, a 12 yr old boy named Kato lives with his parents who till the land and labour hard. Kato’s mother, maternal grandmother, even his father at times, regale him with stories - of an uncle who saw a big giant in the forest, of Alhou who created the whole world and different spirits to guard different realms, of rivers that had a will of their own. Kato consumed these stories hungrily, remembered them but could not tell them to others for he was mute. What happens when a timi-ala (a forest giant) named Kene visits Kato on full moon nights, gifts him a voice for the night when they are together, tells him stories and convinces him that he is born to tell stories and save his clan?
‘The land is the oldest and it is very much alive. It is the land that sustains everything that lives.’
But, what when this very land is under the threat of a face-off between the British soldiers and Imperial Japanese army? For a people who had nothing to do with WW2 and were in awe of the simple rifle, the bombs, cannons, roaring fighter planes and endless machine guns sounded like the end of the world itself. How could a young, mute boy tell stories to avert disaster, save his clan and his land that now reeked of the smell of metal and blood? Read Giants by Huthuka Sumi to get the answers.
Even though the story doesn’t offer crisp and straightforward answers, even when magic is overpowering, even confusing at places that the reality slips away, Giants offers an intimate and authentic portrayal of the way of life of people, the Sumis, a major ethnic group native to Nagaland. The clan’s reverence for nature and the land they live upon, their faith in traditions, skepticism to anything modern that may alter a natural order shine in the narrative that meanders, strays and moves languidly. Pork cooked in axone paste has an unmatched flavour, aqhumi, a shawl woven in a certain way has a special social status, description of farming seasons and tiger hunt, there is a lot to learn from Kato’s tale suffused with magic filled with spirits and witches that guard or abduct people.
‘Memories are roots’. Without stories we have no memories and without memories our roots shrivel and die'. The crux of the book - that stories on who we are, where we come need to be told and retold lest we forget our history or identity - though beautiful isn’t delivered in a crisp and convincing fashion, the storytelling never gathers steam and fails to deliver an impression. The illustrations by Canato Jimo are mere motifs alongside the chapters' titles, they don't supplement the storytelling or add detailing. It is the portrayal of emotions that hold the fort - loyal friendship, love, loss, grief, guilt, shame, hope, standing tall with confidence and self-acceptance and redemption populate the book. Tighter editing could have cut it short by at least 50 pages and saved the read for us. Overall, a good read!
November 11, 2025
-A Magical Coming of Age Story-
Review of 'Giants'
Quote Alert
"𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐭."
Fantasy has always been my go-to genre. The infinite possibilities it provides of speculation make for an engrossing reading and there is nothing better than learning about a magical world full of interesting characters and abrupt twists. I have so many favorite genres but fantasy remains my first love.
So what is it about? Between a mother who dotes on him, a friend who is unwaveringly loyal, and plenty of stories, there is little else that Kato appears to need. But what Kato wants more than anything is to be like everyone else. To be able to talk.
When a fabled Old One, Kene the giant, comes to him looking for a storyteller, Kato is sure that a mistake has been made. Over the course of the next year, Kato must find out for himself what having a voice really means, because the world he knows and the people in it are about to be changed forever.
The author hasn't hurried the story, choosing to set it at a reasonable pace. I like how he lets life seep out from his story, drenching the reader slowly with his words and introducing the nuances of the characters in his own time. He skillfully sets the characters up, pushing them into twists and turns slowly but surely.
Folk tale like storytelling is quite engaging. Have a look:
"There was Alhou, the creator who'd existed since the beginning. He made man and the spirits, the animals, the trees and the plants, the rivers and the mountains. But before he made men, he said to himself, "Man will be weak-fragile as a dead leaf and as foolish as a newly hatched chick. On his own he will not survive this place I've created." So, he decided to make other beings before man, wiser, stronger and much longer-lived. The shi-kheu to look after the animals in the forest, the aki-ghau to look after the homes of men, the aghoki-ghau to look after the rivers and fishes, and finally a giant named timi-ala to look after man's welfare when he wandered the great forests and jungles.'"
The author exerts a tight control on the elements of the story, balancing pace with the emotions, walking a tight rope of keeping reader's interest in the story while helping the main character evolve at a comfortable pace.
Review of 'Giants'
Quote Alert
"𝐈𝐭 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, 𝐚 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐰 𝐡𝐚𝐝𝐧’𝐭 𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐭𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐥𝐝, 𝐲𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐭𝐬𝐞𝐥𝐟 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫. 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐞 𝐡𝐚𝐝 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐜𝐤 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐥𝐝 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐞 𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐜𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐨𝐠𝐠𝐞𝐝𝐥𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐥𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐭 𝐚𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐨𝐭𝐭𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐟 𝐚 𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐡𝐞𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐨𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐨𝐭."
Fantasy has always been my go-to genre. The infinite possibilities it provides of speculation make for an engrossing reading and there is nothing better than learning about a magical world full of interesting characters and abrupt twists. I have so many favorite genres but fantasy remains my first love.
So what is it about? Between a mother who dotes on him, a friend who is unwaveringly loyal, and plenty of stories, there is little else that Kato appears to need. But what Kato wants more than anything is to be like everyone else. To be able to talk.
When a fabled Old One, Kene the giant, comes to him looking for a storyteller, Kato is sure that a mistake has been made. Over the course of the next year, Kato must find out for himself what having a voice really means, because the world he knows and the people in it are about to be changed forever.
The author hasn't hurried the story, choosing to set it at a reasonable pace. I like how he lets life seep out from his story, drenching the reader slowly with his words and introducing the nuances of the characters in his own time. He skillfully sets the characters up, pushing them into twists and turns slowly but surely.
Folk tale like storytelling is quite engaging. Have a look:
"There was Alhou, the creator who'd existed since the beginning. He made man and the spirits, the animals, the trees and the plants, the rivers and the mountains. But before he made men, he said to himself, "Man will be weak-fragile as a dead leaf and as foolish as a newly hatched chick. On his own he will not survive this place I've created." So, he decided to make other beings before man, wiser, stronger and much longer-lived. The shi-kheu to look after the animals in the forest, the aki-ghau to look after the homes of men, the aghoki-ghau to look after the rivers and fishes, and finally a giant named timi-ala to look after man's welfare when he wandered the great forests and jungles.'"
The author exerts a tight control on the elements of the story, balancing pace with the emotions, walking a tight rope of keeping reader's interest in the story while helping the main character evolve at a comfortable pace.
August 9, 2025
Thank you HarperCollins for sending beautiful books to me. Giants tells the story of Kato, a mute boy who longs “to be like everyone else” and “to be able to talk.” His journey with Kene, a giant, is not just about finding his literal voice, but understanding what it truly means to have one. The book shows his path towards confidence and self-acceptance, while also carrying the weight of responsibility to save his clan and his land.
The story places a strong focus on the power of storytelling—how it preserves identity, history, and memory. The idea that “memories are roots” runs through the narrative, reminding us that without stories, both personal and collective heritage can fade away. Even though Kato cannot speak, he is told he was “born to tell stories and save his clan,” making storytelling an act of courage and preservation in the face of loss.
Set against the backdrop of World War II, the book also offers an authentic portrayal of the Sumi people—their bond with nature, faith in traditions, and skepticism towards modern changes. As British soldiers and the Imperial Japanese army close in, the clan faces a threat to their way of life. Kato’s voice and stories become the key to uniting his people and standing strong against forces that could destroy everything they know.
The story places a strong focus on the power of storytelling—how it preserves identity, history, and memory. The idea that “memories are roots” runs through the narrative, reminding us that without stories, both personal and collective heritage can fade away. Even though Kato cannot speak, he is told he was “born to tell stories and save his clan,” making storytelling an act of courage and preservation in the face of loss.
Set against the backdrop of World War II, the book also offers an authentic portrayal of the Sumi people—their bond with nature, faith in traditions, and skepticism towards modern changes. As British soldiers and the Imperial Japanese army close in, the clan faces a threat to their way of life. Kato’s voice and stories become the key to uniting his people and standing strong against forces that could destroy everything they know.
August 24, 2025
Having a voice isn’t just about words!
Inspired by the folklore of Nagaland, we follow Kato, who is approached by a Giant to be a storyteller. But the power of words is not something Kato is equipped with, and yet over the course of time, he is able to discover the power of voice and how it will place him in this world on the brink of change.
The North-Eastern lingo present in the book gave it a unique touch, and though I did not understand half of it, I enjoyed reading them anyway (Lakhi, kini, kuthu… 1,2,3…).
Its descriptions have a sweet undertone to them, whether about Tapu the Otter, other creatures, or natural occurrences like the thunder and rain down the valley. The lushness of nature surrounds every part of the book, and you can’t help but take a sigh of relief as you read through.
The overall pacing is a tad bit slow, but it grows on you like a vine, slowly wrapping its tendrils around you and as you proceed further, Kato’s hold on you becomes stronger. Our protagonist Kato has so many shades: he is mischievous, dreamy, and caring, and the author does a great job of casting him in different lights. And the entrance of the Giant 🙈 what a great suspense buildup there!
I recommend this tale to readers who want a little inner exploration of themselves as they venture out into the world, rooted in magical realism, folklore, and emotions.
Inspired by the folklore of Nagaland, we follow Kato, who is approached by a Giant to be a storyteller. But the power of words is not something Kato is equipped with, and yet over the course of time, he is able to discover the power of voice and how it will place him in this world on the brink of change.
The North-Eastern lingo present in the book gave it a unique touch, and though I did not understand half of it, I enjoyed reading them anyway (Lakhi, kini, kuthu… 1,2,3…).
Its descriptions have a sweet undertone to them, whether about Tapu the Otter, other creatures, or natural occurrences like the thunder and rain down the valley. The lushness of nature surrounds every part of the book, and you can’t help but take a sigh of relief as you read through.
The overall pacing is a tad bit slow, but it grows on you like a vine, slowly wrapping its tendrils around you and as you proceed further, Kato’s hold on you becomes stronger. Our protagonist Kato has so many shades: he is mischievous, dreamy, and caring, and the author does a great job of casting him in different lights. And the entrance of the Giant 🙈 what a great suspense buildup there!
I recommend this tale to readers who want a little inner exploration of themselves as they venture out into the world, rooted in magical realism, folklore, and emotions.
August 15, 2025
I honestly did not expect Giants to affect me like this. It’s about Kato, a boy who can’t talk but somehow still tells you so much without saying a word. The story is pretty simple and quiet, but it’s got a lot of heart and strength in those little moments.
The book takes place in a time and place where everything is changing fast, and Kato’s journey with Kene, the giant, feels really honest. This story is not about big battles or flashy magic... it’s about courage, hope and holding on to the stories that keep people together.
What I really liked is that Kato being quiet doesn’t mean he is weak at all. It’s actually what makes him strong in his own way. And the way the book shows what his community is going through made me feel like I was right there with them, living it all.
If you’ve ever felt out of place or like no one really sees you, this book is like a soft reminder that your story does matter. You don’t have to shout to be heard. Sometimes just being there and holding on to what is important is enough. It is a gentle and warm story that stays with you long after you finish.
The book takes place in a time and place where everything is changing fast, and Kato’s journey with Kene, the giant, feels really honest. This story is not about big battles or flashy magic... it’s about courage, hope and holding on to the stories that keep people together.
What I really liked is that Kato being quiet doesn’t mean he is weak at all. It’s actually what makes him strong in his own way. And the way the book shows what his community is going through made me feel like I was right there with them, living it all.
If you’ve ever felt out of place or like no one really sees you, this book is like a soft reminder that your story does matter. You don’t have to shout to be heard. Sometimes just being there and holding on to what is important is enough. It is a gentle and warm story that stays with you long after you finish.
September 7, 2025
The protagonist of the book is the young boy named Kato. Kato stays with his hardworking loving mother and a loyal friend but here is one thing Kato cannot speak. Just like anybody else he too wants to speak .
Other than that he was happy in his life.
One day A giant named Kene came to their village to look for a storyteller. Kato was chosen by kene to be the storyteller.
We know that kato cannot speak at all..So from here on kato's journey starts as he tries to understand what to have a voice. Because he should understand to have the capacity to change the world.
This book is beautiful. The main themes of giants and mountains are plotted at beautiful places. This theme is from Naga stories of folktales.
What we loved most is kato's journey and his curiosity on everything in life. He learns so much in life.
A story to inspire you
A story to understand All giants are not bad
Read the book as you cannot miss such simplicity of writing
Other than that he was happy in his life.
One day A giant named Kene came to their village to look for a storyteller. Kato was chosen by kene to be the storyteller.
We know that kato cannot speak at all..So from here on kato's journey starts as he tries to understand what to have a voice. Because he should understand to have the capacity to change the world.
This book is beautiful. The main themes of giants and mountains are plotted at beautiful places. This theme is from Naga stories of folktales.
What we loved most is kato's journey and his curiosity on everything in life. He learns so much in life.
A story to inspire you
A story to understand All giants are not bad
Read the book as you cannot miss such simplicity of writing
August 11, 2025
Giants is one of those books that quietly touches your heart and stays with you long after you finish it. At the center is Kato—a boy who cannot speak, but whose silence is more powerful than words. He has a loving mother, a loyal friend, and a world full of stories, yet he longs for something we all take for granted—a voice of his own.
When the giant Kene chooses him to be a storyteller, Kato doesn’t understand why. But slowly, through his journey, we begin to see how strength, courage, and expression don’t always need words. The writing is beautiful, almost magical. It blends fantasy and real emotions in such a natural way that every page feels like a quiet revelation.
This book makes you understand your worth, and realizing that your story matters, even if it’s told in silence.
A gentle, moving, and unforgettable read. Highly recommended for anyone who has ever felt unheard.
When the giant Kene chooses him to be a storyteller, Kato doesn’t understand why. But slowly, through his journey, we begin to see how strength, courage, and expression don’t always need words. The writing is beautiful, almost magical. It blends fantasy and real emotions in such a natural way that every page feels like a quiet revelation.
This book makes you understand your worth, and realizing that your story matters, even if it’s told in silence.
A gentle, moving, and unforgettable read. Highly recommended for anyone who has ever felt unheard.
September 8, 2025
Some books feel like the wind knocking at your door, reminding you of their ethereal presence. The story of Kato and Kene is not about a world accelerating, but about roots and history that leave their imprint on every breath we take.
Kato, a mute boy, didn’t just dream, he longed with every fiber of his being to have a voice of his own!! The universe responded in the form of Kene, the mythical giant, who guided him on a journey of folklore, wisdom, and empathy.
This book is a metaphorical map leading to hidden gems beneath an ancient tree, waiting to be discovered. Reading it felt like stepping into a Ghibli film, where I drifted with falling leaves, listened to chirping birds, felt the heat of a shimmering afternoon sun, and soaked in the warmth of peaceful family time.
Kato and Apu were not merely characters, they were mirrors reflecting the flickering void within us, where true friendship and fleeting encounters shine like a full moon, shedding much-needed light on the soul.
The writing is flamboyant yet tender, tugging at your heart and moistening your eyes. It is one of those books that never leaves your side, nudging you to dive deeper into emotional resonance, folklore, and the dream of meeting Timi-ala. It is a world where silence speaks the loudest.
This masterpiece breathes folklore into the very air around us, traveling in vibrations like an unseen current, waiting for us to step into its range of wonder. Truly, a solid chest of gold.
Kato, a mute boy, didn’t just dream, he longed with every fiber of his being to have a voice of his own!! The universe responded in the form of Kene, the mythical giant, who guided him on a journey of folklore, wisdom, and empathy.
This book is a metaphorical map leading to hidden gems beneath an ancient tree, waiting to be discovered. Reading it felt like stepping into a Ghibli film, where I drifted with falling leaves, listened to chirping birds, felt the heat of a shimmering afternoon sun, and soaked in the warmth of peaceful family time.
Kato and Apu were not merely characters, they were mirrors reflecting the flickering void within us, where true friendship and fleeting encounters shine like a full moon, shedding much-needed light on the soul.
The writing is flamboyant yet tender, tugging at your heart and moistening your eyes. It is one of those books that never leaves your side, nudging you to dive deeper into emotional resonance, folklore, and the dream of meeting Timi-ala. It is a world where silence speaks the loudest.
This masterpiece breathes folklore into the very air around us, traveling in vibrations like an unseen current, waiting for us to step into its range of wonder. Truly, a solid chest of gold.
November 27, 2025
Kato has a loving mom and a good friend, but he feels left out because he can't speak. One day, a giant named Kene comes to Kato and wants him to tell stories. This starts a big journey that changes everything.
The author tells the story in a slow, careful way, so you really get to know the characters and see them grow. The story is told like a folk tale, with lots of details to imagine. As Kato learns to find his voice, he also learns how powerful it can be.
It's a magical story where anything can happen, and Kato's adventure will make you think about the power of words and the impact they can have.
The author tells the story in a slow, careful way, so you really get to know the characters and see them grow. The story is told like a folk tale, with lots of details to imagine. As Kato learns to find his voice, he also learns how powerful it can be.
It's a magical story where anything can happen, and Kato's adventure will make you think about the power of words and the impact they can have.
December 6, 2025
Thanks to “Giants,” Huthukha Sumi allowed me to complete my discovery of Naga literature. It is a beautiful coming-of-age novel in which Kato, a young boy, meets a good giant, Kene, who comes to fetch him on certain nights to roam the hills of Nagaland. Kato is amazed, but during the day, he must continue his life in his village with his parents and his friend, Apu. Until a plane crashes in his parents' field and Japanese soldiers come to dictate their law to the village chiefs.
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November 15, 2025
A story that will touch the hearts of the readers with its story and pace.
January 31, 2026
i did not like this. maybe it's just because i don't like the genre, but half the time i couldn't follow. it was confusing and not really my style... sorry
October 6, 2025
Can a person who can't speak become a storyteller?
This book answers the very same question that Kato, a 13 year old boy from the Sumi tribe and our main character had, when Giant said that he is the chosen one to whom the pathways have led Giant when sought for a storyteller.
This book starts slow but then the narrative is so intriguing and lyrical that you will be captivated by it in no time. It was also wonderful to get to know more about the Sumi tribe and their tradition through the various folklores told in this book.
Highly recommend it for all ✨✨
This book answers the very same question that Kato, a 13 year old boy from the Sumi tribe and our main character had, when Giant said that he is the chosen one to whom the pathways have led Giant when sought for a storyteller.
This book starts slow but then the narrative is so intriguing and lyrical that you will be captivated by it in no time. It was also wonderful to get to know more about the Sumi tribe and their tradition through the various folklores told in this book.
Highly recommend it for all ✨✨
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