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Lianna and the Hombit
Not yet published
Expected 29 Jan 26A grieving girl in need of a friend. A magical creature with a secret task. Can they end the ancient curse threatening their new home?
13-year-old Lianna has lost her home, her friends, and most devastatingly, her beloved Papa. Sent to live with her uncle, Lianna is certain he will be cruel and unkind, for why else would Papa have run away when he was young? Robbed on arrival of her precious keepsakes, Lianna receives a worse-than-expected welcome from her uncle. His servants are hostile and even her grandparents seem to glare at her from their portraits over the fire.
When a magical creature resembling a small glass bird bursts into her life in a mix of sparks and fire, Lianna is eager to assist the hombit with its secret mission if it helps her return home. Which leads to Lianna undertaking a risky dive near perilous sea stacks known as ‘living rocks’.
When her dive goes wrong, she awakens a creature that seeks to rob her of her humanity.
To survive, Lianna must uncover the dark secrets of her father’s past. Now she faces a stark does she save herself or the town that rejects both her and her father?
A heart-warming story of the healing power of friendship when all seems lost.
13-year-old Lianna has lost her home, her friends, and most devastatingly, her beloved Papa. Sent to live with her uncle, Lianna is certain he will be cruel and unkind, for why else would Papa have run away when he was young? Robbed on arrival of her precious keepsakes, Lianna receives a worse-than-expected welcome from her uncle. His servants are hostile and even her grandparents seem to glare at her from their portraits over the fire.
When a magical creature resembling a small glass bird bursts into her life in a mix of sparks and fire, Lianna is eager to assist the hombit with its secret mission if it helps her return home. Which leads to Lianna undertaking a risky dive near perilous sea stacks known as ‘living rocks’.
When her dive goes wrong, she awakens a creature that seeks to rob her of her humanity.
To survive, Lianna must uncover the dark secrets of her father’s past. Now she faces a stark does she save herself or the town that rejects both her and her father?
A heart-warming story of the healing power of friendship when all seems lost.
231 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication January 29, 2026
2 people are currently reading
4 people want to read
About the author
Valinora Troy
11 books29 followersValinora Troy is a Children’s Fantasy writer, living in Ireland.
She recently completed an MA in Creative Writing specialising in Children’s & Young Adult fiction. She has published short horror stories for adults.
She has recently served as a round 1 judge in the CYBILS award, elementary/middlegrade speculative fiction.
She recently completed an MA in Creative Writing specialising in Children’s & Young Adult fiction. She has published short horror stories for adults.
She has recently served as a round 1 judge in the CYBILS award, elementary/middlegrade speculative fiction.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
November 30, 2025
Lianna is an orphan, and after her father’s death she is sent to live with her uncle, a judge. A Hombit—a mysterious little creature—appears, seemingly on an important mission he can’t quite remember. Lianna hopes his mission is to bring her some comfort during this difficult time. Soon, she learns that her family’s jewels have gone missing. Can Lianna uncover the truth behind the mystery?
I really enjoyed this story. It had a nice balance of suspense and mystery, and I think it was written well for a young audience. I loved the cute little illustrations!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
I really enjoyed this story. It had a nice balance of suspense and mystery, and I think it was written well for a young audience. I loved the cute little illustrations!
Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
November 25, 2025
I loved this book. It is mysterious, heartwarming, and the heart of it, a story of healing and friendship. And now I desperately want a Hombit. Readers will devour this wonderful book!
November 19, 2025
When her father dies, thirteen-year-old Lianna’s home is sold off to pay his debts, and she has to leave behind everything she knows in Robunda and travel six weeks across the sea to Lowdar in Nivram to live with an uncle she’s never met. At her rich uncle’s home, she meets a hombit, a glass bird that comes from the flames of a fireplace. Finding herself an unwanted nuisance in Judge Sambru’s house, and hating the cold, rainy and overcrowded city, Lianna strikes a bargain with the hombit: she will help the creature complete its secret mission, if it in turn will help her return to Robunda once it is complete.
However, she thinks she may have a chance to return sooner. Overhearing a group at the harbour discussing an illegal dive to retrieve special stones near the living rocks, Lianna volunteers: she’s a talented diver, and just one successful dive will earn her the money she needs to pay for passage home on a ship. But the dive goes wrong, waking the living rocks and leaving Lianna with two mysteries to solve: how are the special stones connected to her father’s jewel business before he fled Lowdar for Robunda twenty-five years ago, and why is she now hearing the living rocks speaking directly into her mind?
When Lianna discovers the connection, she realises she may be too late – the living rocks are turning her slowly to stone. Her only chance to save herself might be to flee immediately to Robunda, but in abandoning the city, she would be leaving its defenceless people to face the terrible wrath of the living rocks. With the hombit’s help, can Lianna find a way to save both herself and the city?
I was lucky enough to be be able to read an advance copy of this book before publication, and what an intriguing and imaginative adventure this was! I’ve read some of Valinora Troy’s other wonderful books for the same age group, so I knew I was in for a treat with this one, but I didn’t know when I started the first page that this was going to be my runaway favourite of them all! One of the standout features of this story is the way that it immerses readers in atmospheric settings that seem so real you almost feel you’re being drawn right into the page. Lianna’s arrival in grim-looking Lowdar and her meeting with the young thieves starts the story off with a sense of tension and creates an undercurrent of menace that runs all the way through to the end. There are lovely light touches – Lianna’s friendship with the hombit, her memories of her friends in Robunda, and her bittersweet memories of her father – but it’s the hints of hidden secrets and air of mystery that will have readers holding their breath at certain key scenes! I’m a big fan of books that have just the right level of creepiness for middle-grade readers, and the spooky image of the living rocks coming closer and closer to the island until they are on the beach and heading to people’s houses gave me the shivers in the best possible way.
The beating heart of this mystery story is Lianna’s love for her father and her fond memories of her faraway friends. Her sadness at losing her father and leaving her friends behind is palpable, and makes her friendship with the hombit – the only living creature who seems to care about her in Lowdar – all the more touching. The hombit is a fantastic character – full of unintentionally witty phrases and inventive language, and loyal and self-sacrificing in its desire to help Lianna at any cost to itself. The ending really did tug on my heartstrings – I wasn’t sure what Lianna would choose to do, but (no spoilers!) I applauded her decision and bravery despite feeling sad for her at the same time. For fans of Valinora’s Troy’s Lucky Diamond trilogy, there were also exciting hints at the end of the story about the origins of the magical objects that the young protagonists in that trilogy inherit. Although this story is wrapped up perfectly with a really satisfying ending, those little hints will definitely leave children who haven’t yet read those books wanting to find out more!
In summary, this is a highly recommended read for fans of middle-grade stories with a main course of mystery and imagination, and a side order of friendship and bravery, and a sprinkle of magic on top. One for readers to savour regardless of their age, and a must-have for school libraries to help entice children off their screens and to immerse them in an exciting literary world of fantasy and adventure.
However, she thinks she may have a chance to return sooner. Overhearing a group at the harbour discussing an illegal dive to retrieve special stones near the living rocks, Lianna volunteers: she’s a talented diver, and just one successful dive will earn her the money she needs to pay for passage home on a ship. But the dive goes wrong, waking the living rocks and leaving Lianna with two mysteries to solve: how are the special stones connected to her father’s jewel business before he fled Lowdar for Robunda twenty-five years ago, and why is she now hearing the living rocks speaking directly into her mind?
When Lianna discovers the connection, she realises she may be too late – the living rocks are turning her slowly to stone. Her only chance to save herself might be to flee immediately to Robunda, but in abandoning the city, she would be leaving its defenceless people to face the terrible wrath of the living rocks. With the hombit’s help, can Lianna find a way to save both herself and the city?
I was lucky enough to be be able to read an advance copy of this book before publication, and what an intriguing and imaginative adventure this was! I’ve read some of Valinora Troy’s other wonderful books for the same age group, so I knew I was in for a treat with this one, but I didn’t know when I started the first page that this was going to be my runaway favourite of them all! One of the standout features of this story is the way that it immerses readers in atmospheric settings that seem so real you almost feel you’re being drawn right into the page. Lianna’s arrival in grim-looking Lowdar and her meeting with the young thieves starts the story off with a sense of tension and creates an undercurrent of menace that runs all the way through to the end. There are lovely light touches – Lianna’s friendship with the hombit, her memories of her friends in Robunda, and her bittersweet memories of her father – but it’s the hints of hidden secrets and air of mystery that will have readers holding their breath at certain key scenes! I’m a big fan of books that have just the right level of creepiness for middle-grade readers, and the spooky image of the living rocks coming closer and closer to the island until they are on the beach and heading to people’s houses gave me the shivers in the best possible way.
The beating heart of this mystery story is Lianna’s love for her father and her fond memories of her faraway friends. Her sadness at losing her father and leaving her friends behind is palpable, and makes her friendship with the hombit – the only living creature who seems to care about her in Lowdar – all the more touching. The hombit is a fantastic character – full of unintentionally witty phrases and inventive language, and loyal and self-sacrificing in its desire to help Lianna at any cost to itself. The ending really did tug on my heartstrings – I wasn’t sure what Lianna would choose to do, but (no spoilers!) I applauded her decision and bravery despite feeling sad for her at the same time. For fans of Valinora’s Troy’s Lucky Diamond trilogy, there were also exciting hints at the end of the story about the origins of the magical objects that the young protagonists in that trilogy inherit. Although this story is wrapped up perfectly with a really satisfying ending, those little hints will definitely leave children who haven’t yet read those books wanting to find out more!
In summary, this is a highly recommended read for fans of middle-grade stories with a main course of mystery and imagination, and a side order of friendship and bravery, and a sprinkle of magic on top. One for readers to savour regardless of their age, and a must-have for school libraries to help entice children off their screens and to immerse them in an exciting literary world of fantasy and adventure.
November 10, 2025
When a 13 year old girl loses her father, she's sent to a far away city away from her home to live with her uncle. But the city is nothing like she's expected. After she's robbed just getting off the train, she loses her only worldly possessions, and the things that her father gave her. This is just the start of her problems however, because after this she meets her uncle, her fathers brother, who seemingly wants nothing to do with her. Cold and cruel, she's by herself in this new world she finds herself in, and she must find her own way and figure out why her father left in the first place.
Check out my full review here! Posted January 29th 2026.
https://mutatedlibrary.wordpress.com/...
Check out my full review here! Posted January 29th 2026.
https://mutatedlibrary.wordpress.com/...
Review of advance copy received from Author
Such a sweet and heartwarming and wholesome and magical book!! ^^ The book follows 13-year-old Lianna after the death of her father who is sent to live with her uncle in the unfamiliar (and unwelcoming) town of Lowdar. When she meets the hombit, a magical bird made of glass, who she agrees to assist it with its secret mission if it helps her to return home. But when she takes a risky dive near the perilous living rocks (a dive that goes terribly wrong), she awakens them and now must untangle the dark secrets of her father's past and, with the help of the hombit, save herself and the town of Lowdar.
I absolutely loved this book! (I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from the author, so many thanks to Valinora Troy for doing so!) Lianna's character, the amount of detail put into the world, the gorgeous illustrations throughout, the odd but delightful animals sprinkled throughout... (The bantimouse!! It sounds like such a sweet creature!) It just makes for such a delightful book!!
I really do think the hombit may be my favorite character throughout the story. It is such a fascinating creature -- a glass bird that has magic and fire that's sent on a mission -- and I loved how kind and caring it was and how it was there for Lianna all throughout the story. I do believe it's one of the creatures I would very much like to meet in real life!!
Overall, the characters in the story are amazing! They all have such depth and personality, and I loved Lianna's character so much. Seeing all of her struggles as she dealt with the loss of her father and all the struggles of having to leave her homeland, Robunda, to live in the new, unfamiliar town of Lowdar was more relatable than I can really say. While I don't have a dark family past (at least, I should hope not!) or a magical hombit following me around, I was dealing with a very difficult move and friendship breakup in late summer, and so I greatly appreciated seeing a heroine with the same struggles.
The writing style of this book was wonderful!! The writing and the plot flowed smoothly, and I loved how well-written the descriptions of Lowdar were!! I really felt like I was right there with Lianna through it all. And the plot twists towards the end....
Wow.
I wasn't expecting any of them!!! And the Living Rocks were so eerie, yet they're one of my favorite parts of the book. I must admit, the climax and the ending of Chapter 29 brought me to near tears. I so felt for Lianna and what had happened to her!! And though I can't say more for fear of spoilers, it was just such a wonderful story!
I also loved the illustrations scattered throughout the story!! There are smaller illustrations of the animals mentioned, as well as gorgeous full page ones that really bring the story to life!!!
Lianna and the Hombit is also a prequel to the The Lucky Diamond trilogy (they can each be read separately though!), and I absolutely loved seeing the town of Lowdar as it was back then, as well as getting to see some of the characters from The Lucky Diamond!!!! (I love it whenever we get to see characters during prequels!) We also get to find out a bit more about the magic flute from The Lucky Diamond, which I loved!!
Overall, this book is so magical and heartwarming, and I absolutely love the world, the characters, and all the adventures Lianna went on!! I highly recommend this book for anyone who's looking for a unique MG fantasy with magical rocks, twists and family secrets! Five out of five stars from me!
I absolutely loved this book! (I was lucky enough to receive an ARC from the author, so many thanks to Valinora Troy for doing so!) Lianna's character, the amount of detail put into the world, the gorgeous illustrations throughout, the odd but delightful animals sprinkled throughout... (The bantimouse!! It sounds like such a sweet creature!) It just makes for such a delightful book!!
I really do think the hombit may be my favorite character throughout the story. It is such a fascinating creature -- a glass bird that has magic and fire that's sent on a mission -- and I loved how kind and caring it was and how it was there for Lianna all throughout the story. I do believe it's one of the creatures I would very much like to meet in real life!!
Overall, the characters in the story are amazing! They all have such depth and personality, and I loved Lianna's character so much. Seeing all of her struggles as she dealt with the loss of her father and all the struggles of having to leave her homeland, Robunda, to live in the new, unfamiliar town of Lowdar was more relatable than I can really say. While I don't have a dark family past (at least, I should hope not!) or a magical hombit following me around, I was dealing with a very difficult move and friendship breakup in late summer, and so I greatly appreciated seeing a heroine with the same struggles.
The writing style of this book was wonderful!! The writing and the plot flowed smoothly, and I loved how well-written the descriptions of Lowdar were!! I really felt like I was right there with Lianna through it all. And the plot twists towards the end....
Wow.
I wasn't expecting any of them!!! And the Living Rocks were so eerie, yet they're one of my favorite parts of the book. I must admit, the climax and the ending of Chapter 29 brought me to near tears. I so felt for Lianna and what had happened to her!! And though I can't say more for fear of spoilers, it was just such a wonderful story!
I also loved the illustrations scattered throughout the story!! There are smaller illustrations of the animals mentioned, as well as gorgeous full page ones that really bring the story to life!!!
Lianna and the Hombit is also a prequel to the The Lucky Diamond trilogy (they can each be read separately though!), and I absolutely loved seeing the town of Lowdar as it was back then, as well as getting to see some of the characters from The Lucky Diamond!!!! (I love it whenever we get to see characters during prequels!) We also get to find out a bit more about the magic flute from The Lucky Diamond, which I loved!!
Overall, this book is so magical and heartwarming, and I absolutely love the world, the characters, and all the adventures Lianna went on!! I highly recommend this book for anyone who's looking for a unique MG fantasy with magical rocks, twists and family secrets! Five out of five stars from me!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
A rich, fantasy world meets mystery and an edge of tension to create a grabbing read.
When Lianna's father dies, she's forced to move far away to live with an uncle she never met. The wealthy uncle and his staff aren't kind, but she finds a friend in a magical bird called a hombit. In hopes of returning home, she decides to use her talents in diving to secretly gather special stones, but this takes her near the dangerous Living Stones. Not only can she strangely hear these stones speaking in her head, but she discovers that they are on the move to destroy the town. Somehow, these stones are connected to her father's past as well. But worst of all, they are slowly turning her to stone, too. Now, she needs to make the choice between saving herself or staying to rescue the town. And all of this while solving the mysteries behind her father's past.
This is quite the adventure, and the author has managed to weave together a very layered and rich world. While Lianna already has her hands full with simply coming to terms with her unkind uncle and the hombit, who has its own agenda, the plot only begins there. New twists and turns continually arise as the situation grows more complex and dire. And each time, it takes on a fresh and unique direction. This keeps the tale grabbing and makes it hard to see what is coming next.
Plenty of emotions come into play as the plot thickens. There's a bitter-sweet sense of family as Lianna misses her father and digs into the secrets of his past. Then, there's the odd friendship which forms between her and the hombit. Lianna is forced, time and again, to push the borders of her own capabilities and let sheer determination drive her forward. There's also plenty of fear as she faces the Living Stones and her own pending doom.
It's an exciting read with tons to offer and is sure to delight more than just fantasy fans.
When Lianna's father dies, she's forced to move far away to live with an uncle she never met. The wealthy uncle and his staff aren't kind, but she finds a friend in a magical bird called a hombit. In hopes of returning home, she decides to use her talents in diving to secretly gather special stones, but this takes her near the dangerous Living Stones. Not only can she strangely hear these stones speaking in her head, but she discovers that they are on the move to destroy the town. Somehow, these stones are connected to her father's past as well. But worst of all, they are slowly turning her to stone, too. Now, she needs to make the choice between saving herself or staying to rescue the town. And all of this while solving the mysteries behind her father's past.
This is quite the adventure, and the author has managed to weave together a very layered and rich world. While Lianna already has her hands full with simply coming to terms with her unkind uncle and the hombit, who has its own agenda, the plot only begins there. New twists and turns continually arise as the situation grows more complex and dire. And each time, it takes on a fresh and unique direction. This keeps the tale grabbing and makes it hard to see what is coming next.
Plenty of emotions come into play as the plot thickens. There's a bitter-sweet sense of family as Lianna misses her father and digs into the secrets of his past. Then, there's the odd friendship which forms between her and the hombit. Lianna is forced, time and again, to push the borders of her own capabilities and let sheer determination drive her forward. There's also plenty of fear as she faces the Living Stones and her own pending doom.
It's an exciting read with tons to offer and is sure to delight more than just fantasy fans.
October 28, 2025
I am in the honored position of having read this wonderful book in advance of its publication. I love Valinora Troy's writing, and I was thrilled that she asked me to work with her on this book. Much as I love her previous "Lucky Diamond" trilogy, I am afraid the little hombit has captured my heart!
Lianna is a wonderful main character. It is so easy to feel for her as she goes to a strange new country after the death of her father. Her grief is depicted so well. As is the conflict within her for independence and to be nurtured.
The hombit, a magical glass bird on a mission, is so delightful. It brings a lot of humor, but it is provides so much emotion in its scenes with Lianna. This is a very moving book, which is appropriate when grief is a main theme.
Readers familiar with the "Lucky Diamond" trilogy will get a nice surprise with some of the people Lianna meets, but there is no need to have read the other books to enjoy this one (although you really should read the other books, as they are great).
I would have loved this book as a child (I still do as an adult!). I am extremely grateful to the author for trusting me with bringing the characters to life through the illustrations.
Lianna is a wonderful main character. It is so easy to feel for her as she goes to a strange new country after the death of her father. Her grief is depicted so well. As is the conflict within her for independence and to be nurtured.
The hombit, a magical glass bird on a mission, is so delightful. It brings a lot of humor, but it is provides so much emotion in its scenes with Lianna. This is a very moving book, which is appropriate when grief is a main theme.
Readers familiar with the "Lucky Diamond" trilogy will get a nice surprise with some of the people Lianna meets, but there is no need to have read the other books to enjoy this one (although you really should read the other books, as they are great).
I would have loved this book as a child (I still do as an adult!). I am extremely grateful to the author for trusting me with bringing the characters to life through the illustrations.
January 5, 2026
This was a super fun and well written MG adventure story! I really loved the Hombit, it was such a quirky and fun creature. Lianna was mature and clever, but still felt like a thirteen year old girl, very curious and filled with wonder. All the side characters were varied and interesting as well. I enjoyed the fun illustrations too. It was a good mix of mystery, friendship, and adventure, with intriguing magic and a compelling plot, and the ending was very satisfying. A very fun read!
Full review on my website here: https://journeybloomfield.wordpress.c...
(Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy for review.)
Full review on my website here: https://journeybloomfield.wordpress.c...
(Thank you NetGalley for providing a copy for review.)
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews