5 stars for The Hollow Rigors of Gnome: a dark fantasy #fantasy #darkfantasy #gnomes #bookreview
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  • N. N. Light
    • Mar 1, 2022
    • 3 min read

5 stars for The Hollow Rigors of Gnome: a dark fantasy #fantasy #darkfantasy #gnomes #bookreview



Title: The Hollow Rigors of Gnome: a dark fantasy (Gnome Stories)

Author: Ashley Parker Owens

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Fairy Tales & Mythology, Fantasy


Book Blurb:


One can run from destiny, but only in a circle—

Grass Hollow Grove is a garden in a parallel universe far removed—a land where gnomes and ogres work together to feed the masses. There lives Og, a gnome who lacks a green thumb. Instead, he has a mind for mechanics—a blessing and a curse.

When the Day Council offers to place him in the workhouse on the hill, he’s elated, even though it means he will need to leave his family. Soon he is working in a lab run by the Admiral of Misery, who rules the ogres. Og hopes to help his clan with agricultural advances like genetic modification and robotic workers.

Disturbing the fragile relationship between gnomes and ogres has a consequence. If he inadvertently renders the labor of gnomes obsolete, his clan will be eaten by the ogres.

Should he be successful in navigating a century-old pact and liberate the realm, he’ll need to draw upon his wit and forge unlikely allies.


My Review:


A gnome without a green thumb has the power to innovate food production but at what cost? Gnomes are supposed to have an innate gardening ability. Og does not. Instead, he has a gift for technology. It makes for awkwardness at times. When Og is offered a job in the workhouse, instead of the fields, he readily agrees. All Og wants to do is help his clan through farming technology but, unbeknownst to him, he just might be throwing a wrench in the carefully balanced society he’s in where gnomes and ogres work together. Has Og rendered gnomes obsolete? Can he figure out a way to free gnomes from servitude?


The Hollow Rigors of Gnome is an intriguing dark fantasy I couldn’t put down. The main character, Og, is such a fascinating yet relatable creature. I connected with him right away, especially the part about his ability being a gift and a curse. The descriptive narration is both emotional and intricate, allowing the reader to become a part of the story. The world-building is vast and impressive. Ashley Parker Owens has built a world unlike anything I’ve read before. Her attention to detail makes for a stimulating read. The plot moves at a great pace with a full cast of characters, conflicts galore, adventure, and more. If you’re a fantasy reader, you’ll want to read The Hollow Rigors of Gnome. You do not have to read this series in any type of order. Each Gnome Story can be read as a standalone. I look forward to reading more from Ashley Parker Owens. Highly recommend!


My Rating: 5 stars


Buy it Now:







Author Biography:


Ashley Parker Owens is an Appalachian writer, poet, and artist living in Richmond, Kentucky. While attending Eastern Kentucky University, she earned an MFA in Creative Writing. She also has an MFA in Visual Arts from Rutgers University. She is currently employed as a quality assurance software engineer.


My online resume with a comprehensive list of published images, poems, and prose can be viewed at my website https://www.ashleyparkerowens.com


Ashley is the owner of the indie press KY Story, proud publisher of twenty-six anthologies and chapbooks celebrating the Kentucky, Appalachian, and Southern voice. Several online art exhibitions are also available on this website. https://kystory.net


Gnome Stories Series

Gnome Harvest, 2021

Rosetta Gnome, 2021

Hollow Rigors of Gnome, 2022

Doll’s Eyes of Gnome, 2022


Chapbooks

Euphoric Drift, 2018

Retrospecter, 2019

Unruly Spirits, Dancing Girl Press, 2018

Puppet, Rinky Dink Press, 2018

Territorial Misfortune, 2017


Groups

Member of Bluegrass Writers

Participated in MadCap workshops

Bluegrass Writers Studio alumni

Relationships with KY Arts Council, Lexington Arts Council


Ello is the only social media I use regularly https://ello.co/ashleyparkerowens


Linkedin.com artwork and publishing account https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-parker-owens-39525480/ 313 connections


Note: I no longer use Facebook but it is still active




Reviewed by: Mrs. N

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