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Smailholm
Shh! Can you keep a secret?
In wild medieval Britain thirteen-year-old Wynn Hoppringle has a big secret of the smallest kind. She has discovered a miniature village hidden close to her family home of Smailholm Tower. When tales of merciless Border raiders reach the small folk, they realise they are in danger and must seek a cure to their strange predicament. Can Wynn help her tiny friends or will the scheming King quog have other ideas? Heroes, it seems, come in all sizes.
In wild medieval Britain thirteen-year-old Wynn Hoppringle has a big secret of the smallest kind. She has discovered a miniature village hidden close to her family home of Smailholm Tower. When tales of merciless Border raiders reach the small folk, they realise they are in danger and must seek a cure to their strange predicament. Can Wynn help her tiny friends or will the scheming King quog have other ideas? Heroes, it seems, come in all sizes.
248 pages, Hardcover
First published January 28, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
February 10, 2020
I would have loved this book when I was 10 or 11 years old. It is full of small people reminiscent of The Borrowers, and it is set in historical times and the main character is a girl. All things I enjoyed in my books back then.
For my adult self it was all just a little bit too cute, but the book was not written for me, and I am sure it will appeal greatly to its middle school readership target. I loved the idea of those little people busy in their tiny country town under the brambles. I was amused by the parents who named all three of their daughters Ann. And I enjoyed the series of adventures the little group of travellers experienced.
The book ends with a lost character or two which clearly indicates that there is another book to follow in the future.
My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
For my adult self it was all just a little bit too cute, but the book was not written for me, and I am sure it will appeal greatly to its middle school readership target. I loved the idea of those little people busy in their tiny country town under the brambles. I was amused by the parents who named all three of their daughters Ann. And I enjoyed the series of adventures the little group of travellers experienced.
The book ends with a lost character or two which clearly indicates that there is another book to follow in the future.
My thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 27, 2020
3.5 - 4 stars
Smailholm was an engaging middle-grade fantasy that was easy to read and fun to enjoy. It is a historical fantasy with olde-worlde language in small parts. I enjoyed the setting of Scotland, the differences between the haves and the have-nots and of course the Lilliput/Borrowers context of little people in a little land.
There were two protagonists in this story, a 13-year old girl called Wynn who was noblewomen-to-be living in Smailholm Tower and then short chapter interludes from Deablin. Who or what Deablin is, is revealed during the story but it was a clever connection, even though her short interjections were sometimes a little confusing. That said, the confusion was part of the story and it did build up to answers eventually.
Wynn had found the little village, hidden under the brambles, where she was a giant and they were very small. Wynn had been getting to know these folks for a few years and they had become trusted friends. At the fore of the village people were Jimmy and Jenny. Vargo, Wynn’s dog was also a key character and a sweet addition to the story.
What starts off as an interesting story becomes one of adventure, fantastical beings and unsavoury creatures. It all made for a rather fast-paced story. There were moments of reading confusion with some of the fantasy elements but the world building came and caught me up on most questions. I found the eventual Deablin answers a bit confusing and some of the beings or spirits connected to that difficult to get into. The rest of the story kept me engaged, however.
The story finished rather openly and with some elements I want to know more about and some characters I need to know about. This was a solid debut from CL Williams and I would definitely read her work again.
I need to mention what a glorious physical creation this book is. It is a small hardback clothbound book with gorgeous illustrations that really helped with the visualisation of beings in this world. The book itself is beautiful to read and own and it stands out amongst other books.
Thank you to the author for a review copy in return for an honest review.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities Blog.
Smailholm was an engaging middle-grade fantasy that was easy to read and fun to enjoy. It is a historical fantasy with olde-worlde language in small parts. I enjoyed the setting of Scotland, the differences between the haves and the have-nots and of course the Lilliput/Borrowers context of little people in a little land.
There were two protagonists in this story, a 13-year old girl called Wynn who was noblewomen-to-be living in Smailholm Tower and then short chapter interludes from Deablin. Who or what Deablin is, is revealed during the story but it was a clever connection, even though her short interjections were sometimes a little confusing. That said, the confusion was part of the story and it did build up to answers eventually.
Wynn had found the little village, hidden under the brambles, where she was a giant and they were very small. Wynn had been getting to know these folks for a few years and they had become trusted friends. At the fore of the village people were Jimmy and Jenny. Vargo, Wynn’s dog was also a key character and a sweet addition to the story.
What starts off as an interesting story becomes one of adventure, fantastical beings and unsavoury creatures. It all made for a rather fast-paced story. There were moments of reading confusion with some of the fantasy elements but the world building came and caught me up on most questions. I found the eventual Deablin answers a bit confusing and some of the beings or spirits connected to that difficult to get into. The rest of the story kept me engaged, however.
The story finished rather openly and with some elements I want to know more about and some characters I need to know about. This was a solid debut from CL Williams and I would definitely read her work again.
I need to mention what a glorious physical creation this book is. It is a small hardback clothbound book with gorgeous illustrations that really helped with the visualisation of beings in this world. The book itself is beautiful to read and own and it stands out amongst other books.
Thank you to the author for a review copy in return for an honest review.
This review can be found on A Take From Two Cities Blog.
March 12, 2020
Beautifully written.
Very imaginative.
Unexpected outcome.
Deeper (sad, but realistic) meaning.
Loved the two perspectives.
Definitely anticipating the next book.
Very imaginative.
Unexpected outcome.
Deeper (sad, but realistic) meaning.
Loved the two perspectives.
Definitely anticipating the next book.
January 10, 2020
An enchanting middle grade fantasy book that combines some of the best bits of other fantasy books such as The Borrowers and The Hobbit whilst still adding a delicious, unique core of good characters and fantastic settings.
Set in the wilds of Scotland and featuring a number of real-life locations, the plot follows Anne (Wynn) as she deals not only with trying to break the curse of a miniature village nearby to the tower she calls home, but also the trials of being a girl of noble birth in a time where this means she will effectively be used as a pawn in a game of social currency.
What I loved:
1. The world of Smailholm. The best part of fantasy books are always the settings, and here we are treated to miniature villages, dark volcano caverns, mysterious forests and wild moors - all of which are wonderfully realised. The map in the cover takes this a step further, and it's really lovely to be able to visualise the adventure from the start.
2. The characters (mostly). The majority of the cast of characters in Smailholm are fun, engaging and bring a lot of colour and fun to the story. Wynn is feisty without being cliche (though I do worry that she believes girls and boys can't just be friends), Jimmy is a suitable match to her, Vargo is adorable and I think the devious Uncle was a great possible future villain (let's see how the sequel pans out!). Plus, Jenny is a great warrior woman who i think was my favourite of all.
3. The creatures! Quogs, moon people, miniature personages of tiny villages, ailing spirits and long-haired witch grandmothers - there's a real Tolkien/ Alice in wonderland feel to the more colourful inhabitants of Smailholm, and I loved finding out about them all!
4. The descriptive writing. Williams has a real knack for description, which really helps to bring the world to life.
There were a couple of things I wasn't so fond of:
1. Some of the characters needed to be fleshed out more and given more to do. For every awesome bow wielding Jenny, there was a mother who felt like a bit of a nothing character, and there needs to be a slightly better balance. This is obviously something that can easily happen in the sequel, though.
2. I wanted to know more about the fantastic beings who populate this story. Like, what are quogs? Why do they mine? Tell me some more details about the lives of others! This is just me wanting more knowledge, but I think these are questions I will want answered in the future.
3. Language consistency. Smailholm is written in a beautiful old style, though this occasionally becomes more modern. It's mostly not a problem but there are a couple of parts here and there which would benefit from being a bit more consistent. I also think the olden style of the Deablin chapters may be a problem for some younger readers, but I personally really liked them!
4. Boys and girls can be friends! haha.
Overall, it's a fab fantasy debut that leaves a lot open for a sequel. By weaving together elements of well-loved fantasy series and adding a unique voice, Smailholm conjures a beautiful world of adventure that I enjoyed exploring. I'm just hoping the next instalment journeys even deeper!
4 stars.
Set in the wilds of Scotland and featuring a number of real-life locations, the plot follows Anne (Wynn) as she deals not only with trying to break the curse of a miniature village nearby to the tower she calls home, but also the trials of being a girl of noble birth in a time where this means she will effectively be used as a pawn in a game of social currency.
What I loved:
1. The world of Smailholm. The best part of fantasy books are always the settings, and here we are treated to miniature villages, dark volcano caverns, mysterious forests and wild moors - all of which are wonderfully realised. The map in the cover takes this a step further, and it's really lovely to be able to visualise the adventure from the start.
2. The characters (mostly). The majority of the cast of characters in Smailholm are fun, engaging and bring a lot of colour and fun to the story. Wynn is feisty without being cliche (though I do worry that she believes girls and boys can't just be friends), Jimmy is a suitable match to her, Vargo is adorable and I think the devious Uncle was a great possible future villain (let's see how the sequel pans out!). Plus, Jenny is a great warrior woman who i think was my favourite of all.
3. The creatures! Quogs, moon people, miniature personages of tiny villages, ailing spirits and long-haired witch grandmothers - there's a real Tolkien/ Alice in wonderland feel to the more colourful inhabitants of Smailholm, and I loved finding out about them all!
4. The descriptive writing. Williams has a real knack for description, which really helps to bring the world to life.
There were a couple of things I wasn't so fond of:
1. Some of the characters needed to be fleshed out more and given more to do. For every awesome bow wielding Jenny, there was a mother who felt like a bit of a nothing character, and there needs to be a slightly better balance. This is obviously something that can easily happen in the sequel, though.
2. I wanted to know more about the fantastic beings who populate this story. Like, what are quogs? Why do they mine? Tell me some more details about the lives of others! This is just me wanting more knowledge, but I think these are questions I will want answered in the future.
3. Language consistency. Smailholm is written in a beautiful old style, though this occasionally becomes more modern. It's mostly not a problem but there are a couple of parts here and there which would benefit from being a bit more consistent. I also think the olden style of the Deablin chapters may be a problem for some younger readers, but I personally really liked them!
4. Boys and girls can be friends! haha.
Overall, it's a fab fantasy debut that leaves a lot open for a sequel. By weaving together elements of well-loved fantasy series and adding a unique voice, Smailholm conjures a beautiful world of adventure that I enjoyed exploring. I'm just hoping the next instalment journeys even deeper!
4 stars.
May 18, 2022
A strong fantasy debut from a promising new author.
Smailholm is rich with all the right fantasy elements and magical peoples to ensure a captivating read. All without falling into cliched storylines.
In Wynn we have an engaging and relatable protagonist, whilst in Deablin and the king quog we have refreshingly two-dimensional antagonists.
Williams creates a page-turning pace throughout. Minor gripes aside, the story is well-edited, highly readable, and free from the dull filler content that so often plagues the fantasy genre.
This series will be one to watch.
Smailholm is rich with all the right fantasy elements and magical peoples to ensure a captivating read. All without falling into cliched storylines.
In Wynn we have an engaging and relatable protagonist, whilst in Deablin and the king quog we have refreshingly two-dimensional antagonists.
Williams creates a page-turning pace throughout. Minor gripes aside, the story is well-edited, highly readable, and free from the dull filler content that so often plagues the fantasy genre.
This series will be one to watch.
January 28, 2020
3.5 stars
This was a really fun first book. I really enjoyed the whole idea of the quest Wynn, Jimmy, Jenny, Fie and Vargo went on. It was neat to kind of imagine the world being a tiny person. It reminded me of The Borrowers.
There weren't any characters I disliked. I loved Wynn's free spirit and dedication to her friends. I think she was my favorite character (aside from Vargo, but who doesn't like the dog the best). I also really liked Jenny. Her strength and determination were so great.
I think the thing that tripped me up the most was the writing style. I didn't find myself not enjoying it, and it wasn't hard to read. But at times it felt like this happened, then this happened, then this happened. Almost like it wasn't a fluid story. I was also a little bit confused by the Deablin parts. They were a page and a half long at most (mostly shorter) in between the story chapters and I just didn't know what they were for until much later in the book. Which I know is the point and I understand the significance of them, but they just felt like a strange addition to me. I almost wished that she had a separate point of view rather than just a page here and there of her ramblings because I thought her story was interesting too.
Overall, I did enjoy this story. I am positive I would have enjoyed it more as a middle grade reader when I was younger, but I still would absolutely love to read the second book. I need to know what happens!
This was a really fun first book. I really enjoyed the whole idea of the quest Wynn, Jimmy, Jenny, Fie and Vargo went on. It was neat to kind of imagine the world being a tiny person. It reminded me of The Borrowers.
There weren't any characters I disliked. I loved Wynn's free spirit and dedication to her friends. I think she was my favorite character (aside from Vargo, but who doesn't like the dog the best). I also really liked Jenny. Her strength and determination were so great.
I think the thing that tripped me up the most was the writing style. I didn't find myself not enjoying it, and it wasn't hard to read. But at times it felt like this happened, then this happened, then this happened. Almost like it wasn't a fluid story. I was also a little bit confused by the Deablin parts. They were a page and a half long at most (mostly shorter) in between the story chapters and I just didn't know what they were for until much later in the book. Which I know is the point and I understand the significance of them, but they just felt like a strange addition to me. I almost wished that she had a separate point of view rather than just a page here and there of her ramblings because I thought her story was interesting too.
Overall, I did enjoy this story. I am positive I would have enjoyed it more as a middle grade reader when I was younger, but I still would absolutely love to read the second book. I need to know what happens!
January 3, 2020
Smailholm tells the story of 13 year old Wynn Hoppringle. She has a big secret of the smallest kind and has discovered a miniature village beneath her family home of Smailholm. With danger close by Wynn must help her tiny friends by finding a cure to the curse and join them on a journey to Rubers Law, a fire mountain, home to the scheming bat-like quogs.
I purchased the book for my niece and we read it together. We enjoyed the fast pace plot and heartwarming setting of Smailholm. The characters too were easy to like and it was exciting to go on an adventure with them. I very much look forward to reading the second book.
C.L Williams is a talented author with a bright writing future ahead. The attention to detail she has given this and the thought and care she has put into the package and all the extras makes her stand out from the rest.
My niece wears her pin and carries Smailholm around with her so she can find clues on the map.
I would highly recommend everyone to give this book a read.
I purchased the book for my niece and we read it together. We enjoyed the fast pace plot and heartwarming setting of Smailholm. The characters too were easy to like and it was exciting to go on an adventure with them. I very much look forward to reading the second book.
C.L Williams is a talented author with a bright writing future ahead. The attention to detail she has given this and the thought and care she has put into the package and all the extras makes her stand out from the rest.
My niece wears her pin and carries Smailholm around with her so she can find clues on the map.
I would highly recommend everyone to give this book a read.
February 11, 2020
A digitized ARC of this book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the work in any way.
3.25/5
Can you keep a secret? Trust me, it's harder than it may seem...
All in all, Smailholm is quite a charming middle grade book, though it definitely has its flaws. The richly re-imagined Scottish lore and history were quaintly appealing and beautifully conveyed, and the concept of the story was intriguing. However, it was difficult to follow the characters' journey at points, and I couldn't really sympathize with any of the cast.
3.25/5
Can you keep a secret? Trust me, it's harder than it may seem...
All in all, Smailholm is quite a charming middle grade book, though it definitely has its flaws. The richly re-imagined Scottish lore and history were quaintly appealing and beautifully conveyed, and the concept of the story was intriguing. However, it was difficult to follow the characters' journey at points, and I couldn't really sympathize with any of the cast.
March 26, 2020
Full disclosure, I haven’t quite finished this yet, but the last 60 pages aren’t going to change my thoughts on it. I bought it because I grew up in Smailholm (a tiny village that even a lot of Borderers don’t really know exists), so obviously had to have a book named for it. The premise could have made for a fun historical fantasy for older kids/young teens, and I love a good kids book so have no problem with reading something aimed at that age bracket. But this is not a good kids book – it reads more like dodgy fan fiction than publishable material, and clearly has never been near a decent editor. The attempts at Olde Worlde language sometimes work, but are often too self-conscious and grating, and there are a lot of missing commas and clumsy sentence structures. The most significant problem is with the sections narrated by (and the dialogue for) Deablin, where Williams uses the thou/thine etc form, presumably in an attempt to make the character sound even more old fashioned. Except she doesn’t use “thou” – she doesn’t even seem to know it exists, exclusively using the word “thee”. Yes, the two words both mean “you”, but “thou” is the subject and “thee” is the object and they are not interchangeable (think “thee have, thee say” etc rather than “thou hast, thou say’st”. I have to assume she’s never seen a Shakespeare play or read anything in Early Modern English, because to anyone even vaguely familiar with this language it sticks out so dramatically and sounds so obviously wrong. I have a strong personal connection to Traquair where the sequel is supposedly going to be set, but honestly wish I hadn’t wasted my time on this, never mind another one. This is one of those books that just made me wonder how the hell, in the desperately competitive world of publishing, a) this author got published, and b) this editor ever got hired.
February 29, 2020
Gullivers Travels meets the Borrowers meets Alice in Wonderland meets The Hobbit
13-yo Anne-Wynn Hoppringle (otherwise known as Wynn) is the middle child to the Laird of Smailholm Tower. Adventurous and independent, she discovers a miniature village hidden in the brambles and bracken away from the tower, descendants of a forgotten curse against the clans of Smailholm. When border raiders discover the existence of the tiny folk, a small band of heroes must brave the wider world to revoke the curse and save their people. With the help of the enigmatic Moon Folk, Wynn, herself about to be shipped off to the Queen's court, and her dog Vargo join them on their adventurous quest to the fire mountain Rubers Law. But will the King of the Quogs grant their wish and release them from the curse?
Told through the eyes of Wynn and interspersed with the ramblings of lost soul Deablin, Smailholm is a lavish tale of adventure and magic. Aimed at middle grades, this has everything I would have wanted in a story as a child: Adventure, magic, strong female lead characters, friendship, mystery, moors, and the merest hints of romance. The huntress from the tiny village, Jenny, is Arrietty for the middle ages, bold as brass and strong and capable. Wynn is an every-girl that the young reader can imagine herself as: slightly awkward, a little bit clueless in her tiny form, not always brave but journeying forth regardless.
As an Aussie, it blew my mind that this is set in real places that still exist today, and it puts into perspective just how far the tiny folk have to go to save their kin.
This was a fun adventure with a slightly bittersweet open ending, that tells of tales still to come. Can't wait!
**I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and Troubador publishing in exchange for an honest review.**
13-yo Anne-Wynn Hoppringle (otherwise known as Wynn) is the middle child to the Laird of Smailholm Tower. Adventurous and independent, she discovers a miniature village hidden in the brambles and bracken away from the tower, descendants of a forgotten curse against the clans of Smailholm. When border raiders discover the existence of the tiny folk, a small band of heroes must brave the wider world to revoke the curse and save their people. With the help of the enigmatic Moon Folk, Wynn, herself about to be shipped off to the Queen's court, and her dog Vargo join them on their adventurous quest to the fire mountain Rubers Law. But will the King of the Quogs grant their wish and release them from the curse?
Told through the eyes of Wynn and interspersed with the ramblings of lost soul Deablin, Smailholm is a lavish tale of adventure and magic. Aimed at middle grades, this has everything I would have wanted in a story as a child: Adventure, magic, strong female lead characters, friendship, mystery, moors, and the merest hints of romance. The huntress from the tiny village, Jenny, is Arrietty for the middle ages, bold as brass and strong and capable. Wynn is an every-girl that the young reader can imagine herself as: slightly awkward, a little bit clueless in her tiny form, not always brave but journeying forth regardless.
As an Aussie, it blew my mind that this is set in real places that still exist today, and it puts into perspective just how far the tiny folk have to go to save their kin.
This was a fun adventure with a slightly bittersweet open ending, that tells of tales still to come. Can't wait!
**I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and Troubador publishing in exchange for an honest review.**
January 3, 2020
Set in Scotland in 1565, Smailholm tells the story of Wynn, daughter of Laird and Lady Hoppringle, who has a very big secret. She has discovered a miniature village living under the brambles near her family home, Smailholm tower. With border raiders nearby, the small folk are in danger and need Wynn to help them break the curse that has reduced them to their current size. Wynn also faces dangers of her own - the scheming plans of her uncle who would see her sent to court to be married, which is not at all to free-spirited Wynn's liking. With the help of the moon folk, Wynn and the Smailholm secret residents set off to Rubers Law in hopes of reversing the curse. But will the Quog king or mysterious Deablin aid them on their quest, or add more hurdles to an already perilous predicament?
This book has been marketed as "The Borrowers meets The Hobbit" and I have to say, this is a very accurate tag line. Immediately, 'The Borrowers' came to mind in the minute detail of the small folks' daily life and world that the author depicts. The quest they go on is very reminiscient of 'The Hobbit' and Middle Earth. There are mountains full of gold, unnatural looking creatures (these are the quogs who may or may not be good-natured), and even hooded figures in the night. It has all the ingredients for a good adventure story and it leaves the reader satisfied on this front. I was intrigued and the quick pace helped sustain my enthusiasm.
However, there are some areas which could have been improved. Clearly Williams can write. There is some beautiful imagery interspersed throughout the novel, and the world she creates is fully believable. What I had issue with was the inconsistent syntax. While the novel is set in 1565, the author hasn't quite decided if she's writing in that style or not. In the first half of the novel, the characters seem to speak in a more old-fashioned style. For example, "I do admit in youth these walls seemed a cage to me" and the "fourth day of each week" - please just write Thursday. Deablin's passages are also, somewhat randomly, filled with thee and thy. The issue I have is not that the author has adopted this style, it's that it's inconsistent. In my opinion, words should flow seamlessly off the page. If I have to stop and decipher stuff (yes I had to work out Thursday was day 4!), it breaks the spell and wonder that is fantasy novels.
Overall, I did really enjoy the book and I think this novel has a lot of potential.
Advanced copy received courtesy of NetGalley in return for an honest review.
This book has been marketed as "The Borrowers meets The Hobbit" and I have to say, this is a very accurate tag line. Immediately, 'The Borrowers' came to mind in the minute detail of the small folks' daily life and world that the author depicts. The quest they go on is very reminiscient of 'The Hobbit' and Middle Earth. There are mountains full of gold, unnatural looking creatures (these are the quogs who may or may not be good-natured), and even hooded figures in the night. It has all the ingredients for a good adventure story and it leaves the reader satisfied on this front. I was intrigued and the quick pace helped sustain my enthusiasm.
However, there are some areas which could have been improved. Clearly Williams can write. There is some beautiful imagery interspersed throughout the novel, and the world she creates is fully believable. What I had issue with was the inconsistent syntax. While the novel is set in 1565, the author hasn't quite decided if she's writing in that style or not. In the first half of the novel, the characters seem to speak in a more old-fashioned style. For example, "I do admit in youth these walls seemed a cage to me" and the "fourth day of each week" - please just write Thursday. Deablin's passages are also, somewhat randomly, filled with thee and thy. The issue I have is not that the author has adopted this style, it's that it's inconsistent. In my opinion, words should flow seamlessly off the page. If I have to stop and decipher stuff (yes I had to work out Thursday was day 4!), it breaks the spell and wonder that is fantasy novels.
Overall, I did really enjoy the book and I think this novel has a lot of potential.
Advanced copy received courtesy of NetGalley in return for an honest review.
February 29, 2020
This was so enjoyable. The only thing that bothered me were some very random events. And I missed a hell lot of commas.
January 9, 2020
3.5 stars
This was a creative story inspired by Scottish history and lore about a girl named Anne-Wynn Hopringle, the second of 3 daughters of a Scottish Laird. She discovers a village of tiny people and becomes best friends with Jimmy, one of the lads in the village. There were a lot of things I liked about this story including the description of the little people, her dog, and the adventure they took to try to break the curse put on the little people. I had trouble with the Deablin sections, which were little passages having to do with her grandmother. I eventually figured out the purpose and it was important, but the syntax of passages was confusing to me and I had a hard time determining their meaning. The tense of the whole novel was also not my favorite, although once I got used to it, it was easier to ignore. Despite these issues, I did enjoy the story and I definitely want to read more. But as other reviewers have suggested, I hope future books have a good editor to help streamline the flow of the language. I think without these issues, this could be an excellent book, especially for middle school kids. As it stands now, I'm not sure if a middle school student would take the time to immerse themselves in this story.
Thanks to #CLWilliams, #NetGalley, and #Matador for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a creative story inspired by Scottish history and lore about a girl named Anne-Wynn Hopringle, the second of 3 daughters of a Scottish Laird. She discovers a village of tiny people and becomes best friends with Jimmy, one of the lads in the village. There were a lot of things I liked about this story including the description of the little people, her dog, and the adventure they took to try to break the curse put on the little people. I had trouble with the Deablin sections, which were little passages having to do with her grandmother. I eventually figured out the purpose and it was important, but the syntax of passages was confusing to me and I had a hard time determining their meaning. The tense of the whole novel was also not my favorite, although once I got used to it, it was easier to ignore. Despite these issues, I did enjoy the story and I definitely want to read more. But as other reviewers have suggested, I hope future books have a good editor to help streamline the flow of the language. I think without these issues, this could be an excellent book, especially for middle school kids. As it stands now, I'm not sure if a middle school student would take the time to immerse themselves in this story.
Thanks to #CLWilliams, #NetGalley, and #Matador for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 8, 2020
Oh I so wanted to love this book, the premise and cover spoke to me in the same way classic books from my childhood did (particularly the Hobbit), but I couldn’t fully get into the book.
The good: The story has great potential and is unique compared to other YA books currently available. I adored the description of the tiny village and its pastoral inhabitants. It’s obvious the author has done their research on the culture and customs of 1500s Scotland and can evoke the time beautifully. I could see the characters sitting around the campfire and almost hear the crackle of the wood.
The not so good: The waffling between the syntax completely took me out of the experience. I even checked to see if there were two writers that co-wrote to explain the strange switching between writing styles and syntax. Not to mention refining the grammar and spelling: “I [...] lean forwards” is the third sentence on the first page. It’s not an egregious mistake, but it’s the first page and should have been more thoroughly copy-edited.
Overall, I would recommend this book after some editing but it has the bones of a great story.
*~I received a free advanced reading copy from Netgalley in exchange for a review. My opinions therein are my own.~*
The good: The story has great potential and is unique compared to other YA books currently available. I adored the description of the tiny village and its pastoral inhabitants. It’s obvious the author has done their research on the culture and customs of 1500s Scotland and can evoke the time beautifully. I could see the characters sitting around the campfire and almost hear the crackle of the wood.
The not so good: The waffling between the syntax completely took me out of the experience. I even checked to see if there were two writers that co-wrote to explain the strange switching between writing styles and syntax. Not to mention refining the grammar and spelling: “I [...] lean forwards” is the third sentence on the first page. It’s not an egregious mistake, but it’s the first page and should have been more thoroughly copy-edited.
Overall, I would recommend this book after some editing but it has the bones of a great story.
*~I received a free advanced reading copy from Netgalley in exchange for a review. My opinions therein are my own.~*
January 29, 2020
What a charming little tale this is! As is fitting with a fantasy set in old Britain, Scotland to be exact, we don’t ever entirely understand what’s going on in this land of wee folk but it’s an adventure, an immersion into the wild country that will eventually become polished and almost mundane.
Wynn is a curious, lively girl whose future is preordained by her position and her life changes when she encounters these tiny people who have been living under an old curse. They’re not the faeries we might expect but actually miniaturized people and they, and their village near Smailholm Tower, become an essential part of Wynn as she grows up. Other than her dog, Vargo, no one else knows about them and Wynn fears for their future and so sets out to find a cure for the curse..
One note—this is billed as medieval but the year that Wynn meets Jimmy is 1563, a hundred or so years after the commonly accepted end of the Medieval Era. This takes place during the Renaissance but it has a decidedly Middle Age feel and I chalk that up to the atmosphere of old Scotland. Regardless of this discrepancy and some inconsistencies in the author’s writing style, I recommend this to readers of any age who appreciate both history and whimsy.
Wynn is a curious, lively girl whose future is preordained by her position and her life changes when she encounters these tiny people who have been living under an old curse. They’re not the faeries we might expect but actually miniaturized people and they, and their village near Smailholm Tower, become an essential part of Wynn as she grows up. Other than her dog, Vargo, no one else knows about them and Wynn fears for their future and so sets out to find a cure for the curse..
One note—this is billed as medieval but the year that Wynn meets Jimmy is 1563, a hundred or so years after the commonly accepted end of the Medieval Era. This takes place during the Renaissance but it has a decidedly Middle Age feel and I chalk that up to the atmosphere of old Scotland. Regardless of this discrepancy and some inconsistencies in the author’s writing style, I recommend this to readers of any age who appreciate both history and whimsy.
January 29, 2020
The author C.L. Williams kindly sent me a free arc of Smailholm and I am so happy to have read this wonderful book!
The book is beautiful and I fell in love with the cover as soon as I saw it. I was pleasantly surprised to see a map and illustrations throughout the book and thought they complemented the story well.
Smailholm is described as "The Borrowers meets The Hobbit," and this, in my opinion, is accurate. I greatly enjoyed the journey of our young protagonist, Wynn, to save her friends who are cursed into miniature stature. The story has an innocent, classic fantasy feel to it similar to The Hobbit and I got such nostalgia while reading this book! It's been a while since I read a feel-good fantasy (I usually read dark adult fantasy) and Smailholm felt so refreshing! The ending was bittersweet and surprised me a bit in a good way! Don't want to give away any spoilers so I'll just say I appreciated the bit of realism!
I am looking forward to the sequel and excited to see the next chapter of Wynn's journey!
The book is beautiful and I fell in love with the cover as soon as I saw it. I was pleasantly surprised to see a map and illustrations throughout the book and thought they complemented the story well.
Smailholm is described as "The Borrowers meets The Hobbit," and this, in my opinion, is accurate. I greatly enjoyed the journey of our young protagonist, Wynn, to save her friends who are cursed into miniature stature. The story has an innocent, classic fantasy feel to it similar to The Hobbit and I got such nostalgia while reading this book! It's been a while since I read a feel-good fantasy (I usually read dark adult fantasy) and Smailholm felt so refreshing! The ending was bittersweet and surprised me a bit in a good way! Don't want to give away any spoilers so I'll just say I appreciated the bit of realism!
I am looking forward to the sequel and excited to see the next chapter of Wynn's journey!
January 11, 2020
A delightful middle grade novel. The setting, Scottish Borders, the year 1565. The village of Smailholm resides out on the moors of Smailholm tower, but it is not a normal village. Smailholm is in miniature. The people, animals, homes, everything small. A curse had been placed upon these people, shrinking down their grandparents and creating this diminutive world. Thirteen year old Wynn, is special. A lady of Smailholm tower, she can see see the villagers of Smailholm. She has become friends with them. When tales of border raiders reach the village, the small folk realise that they need to begin searching for a way to break the curse. It has been said that only someone born of Smailholm Tower can bring about this about. And so begins Wynn's quest. She finally gets her adventure. Even though this adventure takes her to frightening places. A book filled with sorrow and hope. Whimsy and magic. I look forward to book two.
February 17, 2020
Such a delightful middle grade fantasy, full of lovely characters and wonderful, often funny or quirky details. Reminiscent of the Borrowers for obvious reasons.
February 2, 2020
Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me an ARC copy for an honest review of my own opinion.
I thought this was such a great book. Once I got started it was hard to put down. I liked how this is a great mixture of historical fiction with a touch of fantasy thrown in. This book reminds me of Gulliver's travels but with a female main character. I like how Wynn is a "giant" and the town she discovers was cursed and turned into small people. I thought this story was full of adventure and I liked how it had duel points of view from Wynn and her grandmother Deablin. I can not wait for the next book to come out!
I thought this was such a great book. Once I got started it was hard to put down. I liked how this is a great mixture of historical fiction with a touch of fantasy thrown in. This book reminds me of Gulliver's travels but with a female main character. I like how Wynn is a "giant" and the town she discovers was cursed and turned into small people. I thought this story was full of adventure and I liked how it had duel points of view from Wynn and her grandmother Deablin. I can not wait for the next book to come out!
December 18, 2019
I have just received this book and opening it with my son was magical. The packaging itself was exciting to open and already starts to set the scene for the story within. My son likes to write short stories and he said, after one chapter, that he is inspired by it. He can’t wait to show it to his teacher tomorrow. We are both looking forward to reading the rest of the story. Thank you C L Williams, we are readers of magic!
December 3, 2019
Excited for this book release
January 8, 2020
My daughter and I both really enjoyed it. Very much in the adventure mould of Tolkien. If you enjoyed The Hobbit you will enjoy Smailholm!
April 30, 2020
This is a beautifully descriptive and atmospheric debut, middle grade fantasy. We follow, noble born, Wynn as she tries to help save the miniature inhabitants of Smailholm; facing dangers and forging friendships along the way. C.L Williams weaves a wonderful story which feels original but with a familiar folkloric tone and introduces us to an imaginitive array of fantastical creatures.
I would say this is perhaps better suited to the upper end of middle grade as there is a small romance element. Although, the characters are teens they can read more like adults at points but given the time that this is set in it's perhaps not surprising. My only small critique is perhaps in the Deablin chapters where the use of thee/you was a bit jarring at times but that's just personal preference rather than inconsistency on the author's part I think.
3.5🌟 rounded up - I would happily continue with this series.
I would say this is perhaps better suited to the upper end of middle grade as there is a small romance element. Although, the characters are teens they can read more like adults at points but given the time that this is set in it's perhaps not surprising. My only small critique is perhaps in the Deablin chapters where the use of thee/you was a bit jarring at times but that's just personal preference rather than inconsistency on the author's part I think.
3.5🌟 rounded up - I would happily continue with this series.
May 20, 2020
The Borrowers and Alice in Wonderland meet LOTR in 16th century Scotland.
I loved this charming middle grade fantasy! Let’s start with the cover! The beautiful clothbound hardback is adorned with lovely illustrations and gold letters. The book contains several gorgeous illustrations, including a fantastic map. The story was adorable and I truly enjoyed the adventure laced with fantasy and magic. I was blown away by the vivid details when it came to character description and the world building. The main character Wynn and her dog Vargo instantly became my friends, and I felt the same way about Jimmy, Jenny, and Fie. I wish I could spend more time in the wee village of Smailholm and on the adventure with the pocket-sized friends.
This book was exactly what I needed, a fun escape from reality. I am very excited about the sequel!
I loved this charming middle grade fantasy! Let’s start with the cover! The beautiful clothbound hardback is adorned with lovely illustrations and gold letters. The book contains several gorgeous illustrations, including a fantastic map. The story was adorable and I truly enjoyed the adventure laced with fantasy and magic. I was blown away by the vivid details when it came to character description and the world building. The main character Wynn and her dog Vargo instantly became my friends, and I felt the same way about Jimmy, Jenny, and Fie. I wish I could spend more time in the wee village of Smailholm and on the adventure with the pocket-sized friends.
This book was exactly what I needed, a fun escape from reality. I am very excited about the sequel!
September 25, 2020
I won this book on an Instagram giveaway and I am so happy I did! I gave up on fantasy books a long time ago because I thought new ideas and forms of keeping me reading non-stop were over but then, I read Smailholm.
First of all, I would have loved to read this story when I was little but now, I find it so sweet and with so many realistic things (when there are no fantastic creatures) that I was sharing all little Wynn emotions while reading them.
Second of all, I love where and when this story takes place, the mystic elements that lies on everything is just so perfectly written!
And, last of all, the characters, the narration and the little historical things were my favorite part and made me connect with the story so much that now, I love this book.
A must read for fans of The Hobbit, Narnia and Anne of Green Gables.
First of all, I would have loved to read this story when I was little but now, I find it so sweet and with so many realistic things (when there are no fantastic creatures) that I was sharing all little Wynn emotions while reading them.
Second of all, I love where and when this story takes place, the mystic elements that lies on everything is just so perfectly written!
And, last of all, the characters, the narration and the little historical things were my favorite part and made me connect with the story so much that now, I love this book.
A must read for fans of The Hobbit, Narnia and Anne of Green Gables.
December 28, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an e-arc of this book.
This story was absolutely fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Smailholm, and all the wonderous inhabitants there! Wynn is a wonderful protagonist, and the secondary characters are delightful. There is a definite Hobbit vibe to the story (but what fantastical quest doesn’t have that), while still being its own unique story.
Perhaps because of it being an e-arc, the chapters labeled “Deablin†were difficult to understand at first. Luckily as I kept reading they began to piece together to add a fun dramatic element to the story. A few grammatical and spelling errors throughout that will hopefully have been fixed by publication.
I did not expect to enjoy this story so thoroughly! I was completely entranced. I will anxiously await the sequel!
This story was absolutely fantastic. I thoroughly enjoyed my trip to Smailholm, and all the wonderous inhabitants there! Wynn is a wonderful protagonist, and the secondary characters are delightful. There is a definite Hobbit vibe to the story (but what fantastical quest doesn’t have that), while still being its own unique story.
Perhaps because of it being an e-arc, the chapters labeled “Deablin†were difficult to understand at first. Luckily as I kept reading they began to piece together to add a fun dramatic element to the story. A few grammatical and spelling errors throughout that will hopefully have been fixed by publication.
I did not expect to enjoy this story so thoroughly! I was completely entranced. I will anxiously await the sequel!
July 11, 2020
Smailholm is a story about a wee village with wee people who have been cursed. It’s also about a troubled woman who has been banished, a woman who turns out to be the MC’s, Wynn’s, grandmother. In one sense, it is an adventure story, with the MC attempting to save the small village, but the tone changes with the ramblings of the mad grandmother interspersed throughout the book. For this reason, the story was a bit confusing to me, as it wavered between a mostly light-hearted adventure fit for children and the jarring POV of Deablin, Wynn’s grandmother. I wanted to enjoy the story more than I did, since the author is a lovely lady, but I truly think the book suffered from having an uneven tone and indistinct theme. As this is a first book, though, there is much promise and room for growth.
May 11, 2020
I had high hopes for this book and enjoyed the premise and setting but the story itself drags at times and would have benefited from further editing. This is a good start to a series but not one that I’m dying to continue, so I’m likely to pursue other books first. The pictures are gorgeous, the characters are like able (mostly, there’s some sexist remarks that make some of the plot awkward). The lore created with the small folk, moon folk, and quags is the most interesting aspect of this story, but some of the things that happen between this lore being examined slow the story down.
July 29, 2020
I absolutely loved reading this story! It felt to me like Tolkien for children. It has a sort of fellowship, it has a journey and a quest. But most of all there is friendship and bravery, and the fact that you can always find courage even when you are so very small... It also tackles the concept of greed, just like Thorin and his ancestors succumbed to. It is a wonderful adventure... where snails are the size of your horse!
March 16, 2020
This felt different than most stories, though I cannot pinpoint why that is. I don't think many of my 5th graders would read it. The old language in Deablin's chapters will hinder young readers, possibly. I would have liked clearer details of several events.
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