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Goyle, Guardian #1
The Last Gargoyle
Fans of Jonathan Auxier's
The Night Gardener
and Neil Gaiman's
The Graveyard Book
will tremble with delight for this haunting tale about a lonely gargoyle who isn't alone at all.
Penhallow is the last of his kind. The stone gargoyle--he'd prefer you call him a grotesque--fearlessly protects his Boston building from the spirits who haunt the night. But even he is outmatched when Hetty, his newest ward, nearly falls victim to the Boneless King, the ruler of the underworld.
Then there's Viola, the mysterious girl who keeps turning up at the most unlikely times. In a world where nightmares come to life, Viola could be just the ally Penhallow needs. But can he trust her when every shadow hides another secret? Can he afford not to?
Penhallow is the last of his kind. The stone gargoyle--he'd prefer you call him a grotesque--fearlessly protects his Boston building from the spirits who haunt the night. But even he is outmatched when Hetty, his newest ward, nearly falls victim to the Boneless King, the ruler of the underworld.
Then there's Viola, the mysterious girl who keeps turning up at the most unlikely times. In a world where nightmares come to life, Viola could be just the ally Penhallow needs. But can he trust her when every shadow hides another secret? Can he afford not to?
280 pages, Hardcover
First published January 9, 2018
About the author
Paul Durham
12 books164 followersPaul Durham was raised in Massachusetts and attended college and law school in Boston. He now lives in New Hampshire with his wife, two daughters, and an enormous, bushy creature the local animal shelter identified as a cat. He writes in an abandoned chicken coop at the edge of a swamp and keeps a tiny porcelain frog in his pocket for good luck.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
February 12, 2018
Here's my biased 5-star review, which you should ignore--just like the mysterious 1 and 2-star reviews that get posted before books are actually written.
December 1, 2019
There aren't many like them. Gargoyles (properly called grotesques) were created to serve as guardians of the people in their buildings. But something wants them gone, and "Goyle" is suddenly the last of his kind in the city.
I can see why reviewers compare this story to Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book. Having recently finished Durham's Luck Uglies trilogy, this felt like a short story by comparison. Unique and enjoyable.
I can see why reviewers compare this story to Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book. Having recently finished Durham's Luck Uglies trilogy, this felt like a short story by comparison. Unique and enjoyable.
August 5, 2018
Wow. That was rly good. I think i cried at the end.
December 27, 2017
The Last Gargoyle is an entertaining middle grade book with an interesting mythology and a creature that doesn't get much fictional attention, gargoyles. Penhallow is a gargoyle (he prefers to call himself a grotesque) living in Boston. He's one of three remaining gargoyles in the city, and the other two are killed off at the beginning of the book (it's not much of a spoiler when you consider the title). Penhallow soon realizes that the city is facing a terrible threat, and he may the only hope of defeating this foe.
With his friends gone, Penhallow is the last of the city's gargoyles, and it's a lonely existence until he meets a mysterious girl named Viola. She's cagey about who she is and why she can come and go as she pleases, but Penhallow finds himself warming to her and she's his only companion in a lonely life.
The mythology is an interesting one. Gargoyles were carved by a Maker and they adorn various older structures in Boston. They were responsible for all inhabitants of the buildings they're attached to, but all of the other gargoyles are just empty stones now. Penhallow can leave his gargoyle perch and take other forms to move around the city and to keep any eye on all the people who live in his building. He protects his wards from minor nuisances like imps, and the more serious threat of the netherkin, spirits of the dead who haven't passed on to the next place (what exactly that next place is isn't answered in the book because Penhallow himself doesn't know).
This is a slightly dark middle grade book, since it deals with death and loneliness. Penhallow hasn't been able to save everyone in his care over the years, and he bears the weight of that guilt. The nethekin are very creepy, and they want to steal children's life force (what they're stealing is never named, but the children who lose it are sad and troubled for the rest of their lives). Because of this, I would recommend this book for the older end of the age range.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
With his friends gone, Penhallow is the last of the city's gargoyles, and it's a lonely existence until he meets a mysterious girl named Viola. She's cagey about who she is and why she can come and go as she pleases, but Penhallow finds himself warming to her and she's his only companion in a lonely life.
The mythology is an interesting one. Gargoyles were carved by a Maker and they adorn various older structures in Boston. They were responsible for all inhabitants of the buildings they're attached to, but all of the other gargoyles are just empty stones now. Penhallow can leave his gargoyle perch and take other forms to move around the city and to keep any eye on all the people who live in his building. He protects his wards from minor nuisances like imps, and the more serious threat of the netherkin, spirits of the dead who haven't passed on to the next place (what exactly that next place is isn't answered in the book because Penhallow himself doesn't know).
This is a slightly dark middle grade book, since it deals with death and loneliness. Penhallow hasn't been able to save everyone in his care over the years, and he bears the weight of that guilt. The nethekin are very creepy, and they want to steal children's life force (what they're stealing is never named, but the children who lose it are sad and troubled for the rest of their lives). Because of this, I would recommend this book for the older end of the age range.
I received an ARC from Amazon Vine.
August 2, 2019
For some reason, I really, really struggled to get through this book.
It’s a short little novel, so I will try to keep my review equally succinct.
There’s a lot to love about this book. I’m a big fan of Halloween, especially kid’s Halloween: ghouls and goblins and witches and ghosts, but also a lot of fun and magic. These are the sorts of things that I expect to encounter in a solid kids’ Halloween tale.
In some areas, I feel that this novel succeeds. It definitely relies on a traditionally gothic environment, setting the novel in Massachusetts and focusing on graveyards and ivy-choked buildings. The villain, an odd, boneless, vapidly smiling, stick-thin man, is also satisfyingly creepy. The inherent concept of the novel — a gargoyle who protects the inhabitants of an old building from souls of the dead — is somehow both gothic and childlike. I read this novel around the end of July, and it might seem strange, but I do start ‘preparing’ myself for Halloween come August, so I was happy to find this read.
Unfortunately, beyond the premise and the setting, I found myself struggling with this novel. For some reason, I felt that the characters had a flatness to them, especially the lead. I couldn’t really put my finger on his personality — I understand that he really wants to protect his ‘wards’ (the inhabitants of the building that he swore to guard), but this is essentially all I get from him. Apparently, he’s a late sleeper and often late for things, but these aspects of him do not seem to cue with his supposedly fastidious, protective nature. He also likes music. Beyond these vague, sometimes conflicting descriptions, I cannot say much more about him. The novel’s cover shows a young, slightly mischievous-looking child — very misleading. While the gargoyle lead does have a ‘human’ form that looks like a child, he does not act or feel things like a child, which I felt would have made him more vulnerable and therefore more interesting.
I also felt that the plot was a little clunky, particularly in the way that it was executed. We have a lot of fascinating ideas: how these protective gargoyles are made, a whole mythology of undead monsters, an apparent centuries-long war ... but so many of these details are ‘told’ rather than shown to us. We receive the origin of our lead and the background of our villain in a single, lengthy conversation rather than via a sleuthing expedition where the protagonist discovers things on his own or in a vision/flashback or ... anything else that would have been more active. The lead also suddenly ‘remembers’ things that he has ‘forgotten’ when these forgotten moments are supposedly very traumatic, so you would think that he probably ... wouldn’t have forgotten them in the first place?
A few aspects of the novel’s plot are also not clarified quite as much as I would like. For example, there’s a moment where wind chimes on one of the protagonist’s ‘ward’s’ windows keeps away a monster. This act implies that these wind chimes have magic abilities, but it’s never touched upon again. Sure, we do discover that the character in question has latent paranormal abilities, but the lore of the novel never says that these abilities connect into wind chimes. There’s also the fact that many of the souls of the dead appear as distorted or monstrous animals rather than people — Why is that? Do ghosts move away from their humanity the longer that they try to stay on the living plane ... ? It’s not explained, and I wish it was. In some ways, I think the novel would have made more sense if the netherkin (the novel’s term for the undead) were simply ‘demons’ or ‘monsters’ rather than ghosts.
Overall, really cute Halloween premise, but character and plot development could have been stronger.
It’s a short little novel, so I will try to keep my review equally succinct.
There’s a lot to love about this book. I’m a big fan of Halloween, especially kid’s Halloween: ghouls and goblins and witches and ghosts, but also a lot of fun and magic. These are the sorts of things that I expect to encounter in a solid kids’ Halloween tale.
In some areas, I feel that this novel succeeds. It definitely relies on a traditionally gothic environment, setting the novel in Massachusetts and focusing on graveyards and ivy-choked buildings. The villain, an odd, boneless, vapidly smiling, stick-thin man, is also satisfyingly creepy. The inherent concept of the novel — a gargoyle who protects the inhabitants of an old building from souls of the dead — is somehow both gothic and childlike. I read this novel around the end of July, and it might seem strange, but I do start ‘preparing’ myself for Halloween come August, so I was happy to find this read.
Unfortunately, beyond the premise and the setting, I found myself struggling with this novel. For some reason, I felt that the characters had a flatness to them, especially the lead. I couldn’t really put my finger on his personality — I understand that he really wants to protect his ‘wards’ (the inhabitants of the building that he swore to guard), but this is essentially all I get from him. Apparently, he’s a late sleeper and often late for things, but these aspects of him do not seem to cue with his supposedly fastidious, protective nature. He also likes music. Beyond these vague, sometimes conflicting descriptions, I cannot say much more about him. The novel’s cover shows a young, slightly mischievous-looking child — very misleading. While the gargoyle lead does have a ‘human’ form that looks like a child, he does not act or feel things like a child, which I felt would have made him more vulnerable and therefore more interesting.
I also felt that the plot was a little clunky, particularly in the way that it was executed. We have a lot of fascinating ideas: how these protective gargoyles are made, a whole mythology of undead monsters, an apparent centuries-long war ... but so many of these details are ‘told’ rather than shown to us. We receive the origin of our lead and the background of our villain in a single, lengthy conversation rather than via a sleuthing expedition where the protagonist discovers things on his own or in a vision/flashback or ... anything else that would have been more active. The lead also suddenly ‘remembers’ things that he has ‘forgotten’ when these forgotten moments are supposedly very traumatic, so you would think that he probably ... wouldn’t have forgotten them in the first place?
A few aspects of the novel’s plot are also not clarified quite as much as I would like. For example, there’s a moment where wind chimes on one of the protagonist’s ‘ward’s’ windows keeps away a monster. This act implies that these wind chimes have magic abilities, but it’s never touched upon again. Sure, we do discover that the character in question has latent paranormal abilities, but the lore of the novel never says that these abilities connect into wind chimes. There’s also the fact that many of the souls of the dead appear as distorted or monstrous animals rather than people — Why is that? Do ghosts move away from their humanity the longer that they try to stay on the living plane ... ? It’s not explained, and I wish it was. In some ways, I think the novel would have made more sense if the netherkin (the novel’s term for the undead) were simply ‘demons’ or ‘monsters’ rather than ghosts.
Overall, really cute Halloween premise, but character and plot development could have been stronger.
Read
September 17, 2018A book with an interesting premise however I found Viola and Penhallow's relationship to be weird. Maybe cause the idea of a gargoyle that's over a hundred years old being all okay with a human girl and listening to her for no reason to be odd.
May 16, 2021
This was a very lovely story. It had a lot of surprises, and had a perfect gothic tone. This would be a great story for gargoyle (or grotesque) lovers who want see them live up to their nature of protection. I believe that the highlight of this story was the relationship of Penhallow and Viola because it dealt with trust and friendship. I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves gargoyles, underworld creatures, ghosts and gothic culture.
April 9, 2019
I think that a possible theme is to trust people. I think this because in the book pehallow (the main character) meets a girl and at first he is not sure if he can trust her, but by the end of the book they are best friends.
August 13, 2021
This would be a perfect October read! It's a quick little thrilling tale with some new lore that's really creative and interesting.
March 7, 2022
hard to put down!
November 14, 2021
This book had a fresh, interesting plot and I enjoyed it. However, I had more questions than answers at the end, so hopefully the author will write a sequel.
April 14, 2018
Cute in it's own way, and also darker than most MG I've read. (Not saying much since I've read a small percentage of juvenile fiction.) Personally drawn to this because of the subject matter: gargoyles coming to life? Heck yes! Childhood 90's nostalgia for that amazing animated show with the very same thing happened has fueled a need to fill this niche corner of my reader heart.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing, as it was witty and fast paced, as well as mature. It didn't talk down to its readers at all. Obviously you could tell that it was written by a younger audience, but even as an adult I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style. The author's familiarity with the setting (Boston) shown through and made it all feel the more real. From Boston area myself, it was fun to picture this going on there.
The characters were mostly well rounded and exciting. Creatures of countless decades (centuries even) old, makes it interesting. Durham does a great job at writing a creature who isn't human and who is also older than the 12 year old physical description that he holds onto. The villain is definitely creepy. The description of the Boneless King gave me quite the heebie-jeebies.
All in all I really enjoyed this and flew through it quite quickly. I had only one tiny hiccup about the beginning of the book's plot, which is why it has a 4 star rating and not a 5! I'd highly recommend this to anyone who wants a good fright, no matter what age they are.
I thoroughly enjoyed the writing, as it was witty and fast paced, as well as mature. It didn't talk down to its readers at all. Obviously you could tell that it was written by a younger audience, but even as an adult I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style. The author's familiarity with the setting (Boston) shown through and made it all feel the more real. From Boston area myself, it was fun to picture this going on there.
The characters were mostly well rounded and exciting. Creatures of countless decades (centuries even) old, makes it interesting. Durham does a great job at writing a creature who isn't human and who is also older than the 12 year old physical description that he holds onto. The villain is definitely creepy. The description of the Boneless King gave me quite the heebie-jeebies.
All in all I really enjoyed this and flew through it quite quickly. I had only one tiny hiccup about the beginning of the book's plot, which is why it has a 4 star rating and not a 5! I'd highly recommend this to anyone who wants a good fright, no matter what age they are.
February 24, 2018
This was an original story, which can be hard to find in middle grade fantasy. A good mix of humor and horror, I would recommend this to kids who like Riordan, and to fans of the Blackthorn key series by Kevin Sands. The tone is playful, tongue-in-cheek, and a witty sarcasm softens the creepy characters. The villain is spooky for sure, and the hero will win your heart. Meanwhile, you will be transported to Boston where you will learn fascinating things about the city without being pulled from the story - my favorite way to learn! This book should have wide appeal to anyone who likes a little shiver in their story.
November 17, 2017
The Last Gargoyle by Paul Durham
This is an upper elementary school book. The plot does have some scary stuff that might not be good for the primary years. However if you consider the Grimm fairy tales, this is pretty tame. Goyle is not a gargoyle, he is a grotesque. His task is to protect his wards.
Goyle takes his job very seriously.
The Boneless King comes into play and threatens Goyle’s wards. Goyle is befriended by Viola who can see and hear him even though most mortals can not do either. Goyle’s wisp, his disembodied form, is of a young boy in a hoodie who looks moderately disreputable. Goyle’s stone form is a typical gargoyle looking form, wings, claws and fangs.
Viola and Goyle work together to defeat the Boneless King and protect Goyle’s wards.
I liked the book and will be sharing it with my grandchildren.
Web: http://pauldurhambooks.com/thelastgar...
This is an upper elementary school book. The plot does have some scary stuff that might not be good for the primary years. However if you consider the Grimm fairy tales, this is pretty tame. Goyle is not a gargoyle, he is a grotesque. His task is to protect his wards.
Goyle takes his job very seriously.
The Boneless King comes into play and threatens Goyle’s wards. Goyle is befriended by Viola who can see and hear him even though most mortals can not do either. Goyle’s wisp, his disembodied form, is of a young boy in a hoodie who looks moderately disreputable. Goyle’s stone form is a typical gargoyle looking form, wings, claws and fangs.
Viola and Goyle work together to defeat the Boneless King and protect Goyle’s wards.
I liked the book and will be sharing it with my grandchildren.
Web: http://pauldurhambooks.com/thelastgar...
August 8, 2020
As he will remind the reader multiple times - he's not a gargoyle - those glorified water fountains - he's a grotesque. A guardian of his domain and the wards within that domain.
He - we later learn his name is Penhallow - resides in Boston and protects his domain which is the structure that he resides. He's a New World grotesque and will travel about in a wisp form in order to take out the Netherkin, the malignant spirits that roam and refuse to move on to Next. Only there is a new evil rising and the Netherkin are flocking to him? it?
And somehow this evil, this Boneless King, is targeting a young girl named Hatty that lives in the building that Penhallow guards. That's a good enough excuse to go after it - besides, the Netherkin provide a good meal. . . most times.
Penhallow is a sassy, sarcastic character - can't say young since he's a hundred and so years old but predominately appears to those who can see him as a young boy. But he is also quite dedicated to his duty as guardian. His friendship with the other two grotesques - Wallace and Winnie - fades quickly as they are killed a couple dozen pages into the book, leaving Penhallow as the last grotesque in Boston. His developing friendship with Viola who knows far more than he realizes. His appearance as a Boston Terrier (what else?) to get inside Hatty's home in order to protect her from invading Netherkin as well as the connection that he is developing with the child.
An enjoyable read into what (may) go bump in the night....
2020-152
He - we later learn his name is Penhallow - resides in Boston and protects his domain which is the structure that he resides. He's a New World grotesque and will travel about in a wisp form in order to take out the Netherkin, the malignant spirits that roam and refuse to move on to Next. Only there is a new evil rising and the Netherkin are flocking to him? it?
And somehow this evil, this Boneless King, is targeting a young girl named Hatty that lives in the building that Penhallow guards. That's a good enough excuse to go after it - besides, the Netherkin provide a good meal. . . most times.
Penhallow is a sassy, sarcastic character - can't say young since he's a hundred and so years old but predominately appears to those who can see him as a young boy. But he is also quite dedicated to his duty as guardian. His friendship with the other two grotesques - Wallace and Winnie - fades quickly as they are killed a couple dozen pages into the book, leaving Penhallow as the last grotesque in Boston. His developing friendship with Viola who knows far more than he realizes. His appearance as a Boston Terrier (what else?) to get inside Hatty's home in order to protect her from invading Netherkin as well as the connection that he is developing with the child.
An enjoyable read into what (may) go bump in the night....
2020-152
February 4, 2018
This was a great story! I have seen it compared to Neil Gaiman’s the graveyard book, and it definitely has a similar feel I think. That said, this is an original tale with lots of heart, a memorable hero, and I loved the unique take on gargoyles/grotesques. Boston seems liken perfect setting for this adventure👌
March 9, 2019
The Last Gargoyle Audience: Middle Grade
Format: Hardcover/Library Copy
My earliest memory is of a crib, a darkened room, and three shadows slipping through the doorway with bad intentions.
- first sentence
This is such a charming book with fun characters and an exciting story. The story includes Grotesques, Bone Masons, Netherkin, Shadow Men, and the Boneless King. It has danger, mystery, good & evil, and suspense. I really liked it.
Penhallow is a gargoyle but he wants you to call him a grotesque. He protects his building and his wards from evil. When he loses his two best friends and faces a new enemy, he feels completely alone, until Viola turns up on his roof.
I loved Penhallow and Viola's relationship. They are cute together and she is stronger than she seems. I also enjoyed Penhallow's way of looking at the world and talking. He calls college students, "practice adults". Here is the definition from Penhallow's glossary:
Practice Adults:
Nocturnal creatures who seem to serve no useful purpose other than to keep taverns and pizza delivery people in business.
I highly recommend this book to middle-grade readers who enjoy dark fantasy with a touch of humor.
I read this for Snakes and Ladders space #16. Genre: fantasy.
I'm also using it for the Goodreads HA a to z challenge. :)
Format: Hardcover/Library Copy
My earliest memory is of a crib, a darkened room, and three shadows slipping through the doorway with bad intentions.
- first sentence
This is such a charming book with fun characters and an exciting story. The story includes Grotesques, Bone Masons, Netherkin, Shadow Men, and the Boneless King. It has danger, mystery, good & evil, and suspense. I really liked it.
Penhallow is a gargoyle but he wants you to call him a grotesque. He protects his building and his wards from evil. When he loses his two best friends and faces a new enemy, he feels completely alone, until Viola turns up on his roof.
I loved Penhallow and Viola's relationship. They are cute together and she is stronger than she seems. I also enjoyed Penhallow's way of looking at the world and talking. He calls college students, "practice adults". Here is the definition from Penhallow's glossary:
Practice Adults:
Nocturnal creatures who seem to serve no useful purpose other than to keep taverns and pizza delivery people in business.
I highly recommend this book to middle-grade readers who enjoy dark fantasy with a touch of humor.
I read this for Snakes and Ladders space #16. Genre: fantasy.
I'm also using it for the Goodreads HA a to z challenge. :)
March 15, 2018
Penhallow, the last Grotesque in Boston, is facing attack from the minions of the Boneless King. He gets help from the mysterious Viola who seems to know a lot about the actions of the Bone Masons - things that Penhallow does not know. All Penhallow knows is that he must defend his wards as he has done for so long. The final battle explodes on Halloween and Penhallow must sacrifice everything to keep his people safe. I really liked this book from Penhallow’s name to his cheeky humor and devotion. I really liked the ending when Viola revealed her Netherkin identity and told Penhallow that she would be waiting for him whenever he decided to find out what comes Next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 14, 2018
Good fantasy
This book is about the adventures of a boyish gargoyle named Penhallow. Pen lives in Boston and does his best to protect his section or domain. It is also a story about friendship. Great characters and a good story
This book is about the adventures of a boyish gargoyle named Penhallow. Pen lives in Boston and does his best to protect his section or domain. It is also a story about friendship. Great characters and a good story
November 10, 2022
This is a fantastic book! A perfect Halloween read, for a those of us that like a little mystery and suspense. I highly recommend it! It'll probably be my yearly read, just around Halloween.
Put it between The Night Gardener and Sweep:The Story of a Girl and her Monster (Jonathan Auxier).
Put it between The Night Gardener and Sweep:The Story of a Girl and her Monster (Jonathan Auxier).
June 18, 2018
Paul Durham quickly moved to the top of my list of favorite children's writers with his debut novel Luck Uglies. Immediately after reading the first book, I couldn't stop talking about it and recommending it to pretty much anyone who would listen to me. When I found out that 2018 promised a new series from him, I was super excited but a little apprehensive as my expectations were pretty high.
Part of my apprehension was because this series strayed from his original series which was traditional fantasy. The Last Gargoyle has a more historical, dark vibe with some mythology thrown in. Luckily, Paul Durham pulled this off nicely. There is a spooky vibe that carries throughout the novel, but Durham knows how to throw in witty one-liners and some warm 'feel good moments' every now and then to give readers a break from all the doom and gloom.
What really shines in The Last Gargoyle is the setting. It takes place in Boston, but not the Boston everyone is used to. There is this gothic, creepy vibe to this Boston. Readers familiar with the Boston area will definitely be able to picture and imagine the places in the novel, but they will probably see them in a whole new light.
Another element that jumps out is Durham's ability to really flesh out and develop the characters. Durham does an amazing job of creating some characters that have been around for centuries and giving them the ability to appeal to readers. They don't come across as know-it-all or stiff. In fact, there are a number of times where they are still learning and growing which readers don't always encounter in characters who have lived for so long.
The other main character, a young mortal child, in the novel is, at first, a bit harsh and not really likeable. However, as the story goes on and you learn more about what is going on with her, what happened to her, and what she is currently battling, she starts to grow on you. By the end of the story, I really wanted to learn more about her and what happens. I was pleasantly surprised that she grew on me.
I will say the 'big bad' villain is pretty creepy; probably one of the more creepier children's bad guys that I have read recently. Not only are the villain's actions creepy, but his entire description and look is downright frightening. It is this aspect of the novel that moves this story from younger middle grade to a little bit older middle grade. The spooky, creepy bad guy that pretty much preys on children while they sleep and sends things out into the night to capture them is something that the younger age range might not be ready for.
I will warn you though that while the book does wrap up a lot of things, there is still a lot to be explored in future books. It will be fun to see where the series goes from here and what other unique twists and turns Durham can bring to the children's fiction world.
Overall, I loved The Last Gargoyle. I felt it was fresh, unique and wasn't bloated like a lot of books try to be as they are competing to see who can make the biggest/fattest book. If you are looking for something that is an original story but not super long, then this is the book for you. I can't recommend this book enough and it is certain to be one of my top reads for 2018.
Part of my apprehension was because this series strayed from his original series which was traditional fantasy. The Last Gargoyle has a more historical, dark vibe with some mythology thrown in. Luckily, Paul Durham pulled this off nicely. There is a spooky vibe that carries throughout the novel, but Durham knows how to throw in witty one-liners and some warm 'feel good moments' every now and then to give readers a break from all the doom and gloom.
What really shines in The Last Gargoyle is the setting. It takes place in Boston, but not the Boston everyone is used to. There is this gothic, creepy vibe to this Boston. Readers familiar with the Boston area will definitely be able to picture and imagine the places in the novel, but they will probably see them in a whole new light.
Another element that jumps out is Durham's ability to really flesh out and develop the characters. Durham does an amazing job of creating some characters that have been around for centuries and giving them the ability to appeal to readers. They don't come across as know-it-all or stiff. In fact, there are a number of times where they are still learning and growing which readers don't always encounter in characters who have lived for so long.
The other main character, a young mortal child, in the novel is, at first, a bit harsh and not really likeable. However, as the story goes on and you learn more about what is going on with her, what happened to her, and what she is currently battling, she starts to grow on you. By the end of the story, I really wanted to learn more about her and what happens. I was pleasantly surprised that she grew on me.
I will say the 'big bad' villain is pretty creepy; probably one of the more creepier children's bad guys that I have read recently. Not only are the villain's actions creepy, but his entire description and look is downright frightening. It is this aspect of the novel that moves this story from younger middle grade to a little bit older middle grade. The spooky, creepy bad guy that pretty much preys on children while they sleep and sends things out into the night to capture them is something that the younger age range might not be ready for.
I will warn you though that while the book does wrap up a lot of things, there is still a lot to be explored in future books. It will be fun to see where the series goes from here and what other unique twists and turns Durham can bring to the children's fiction world.
Overall, I loved The Last Gargoyle. I felt it was fresh, unique and wasn't bloated like a lot of books try to be as they are competing to see who can make the biggest/fattest book. If you are looking for something that is an original story but not super long, then this is the book for you. I can't recommend this book enough and it is certain to be one of my top reads for 2018.
February 3, 2023
The Goodreads description of this book compares it to Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book. While I don't think it quite measures up to that book, the comparison is apt -- both books feature a creepy yet delightful world that would make Tim Burton proud, and feature plucky protagonists facing off against sinister undead monsters. And Penhallow gives the book a voice that's both playful and serious, which fits the story well.
Despite the book's title, Penhallow wants to remind you that he's NOT a gargoyle -- technically he's a grotesque, one of the stone statues that guards the city of Boston from the Netherkin, dead spirits who refuse to cross over to what's Next. Once part of an army of grotesques, he's now the last grotesque remaining in Boston, and fiercely dedicated to protecting his domain from the forces of darkness. But when he meets a strange girl named Viola -- and hears whispers of a terrible entity called the Boneless King -- he realizes he's up against a force that will require an army of grotesques to beat. But how can one grotesque save an entire city?
The writing of this book isn't masterful, but it's quite good. Durham does an excellent job of describing Boston and its nooks and crannies, and the sorts of secrets an old city like that is capable of hiding. His gargoyles are fascinating creatures, and the secret world of grotesques and Netherkin feels creepy and well thought-out. I admit to calling the twist regarding rather early in the text, but that doesn't mean it wasn't still well-done. I just tend to nitpick details, I guess...
Penhallow is a great character as well -- snarky, a little flawed, but dedicated to protecting those he sees as his responsibility. He does have his prejudices -- he calls college-aged humans "practice adults" and has little patience for them, and
Despite the book's title, Penhallow wants to remind you that he's NOT a gargoyle -- technically he's a grotesque, one of the stone statues that guards the city of Boston from the Netherkin, dead spirits who refuse to cross over to what's Next. Once part of an army of grotesques, he's now the last grotesque remaining in Boston, and fiercely dedicated to protecting his domain from the forces of darkness. But when he meets a strange girl named Viola -- and hears whispers of a terrible entity called the Boneless King -- he realizes he's up against a force that will require an army of grotesques to beat. But how can one grotesque save an entire city?
The writing of this book isn't masterful, but it's quite good. Durham does an excellent job of describing Boston and its nooks and crannies, and the sorts of secrets an old city like that is capable of hiding. His gargoyles are fascinating creatures, and the secret world of grotesques and Netherkin feels creepy and well thought-out. I admit to calling the twist regarding rather early in the text, but that doesn't mean it wasn't still well-done. I just tend to nitpick details, I guess...
Penhallow is a great character as well -- snarky, a little flawed, but dedicated to protecting those he sees as his responsibility. He does have his prejudices -- he calls college-aged humans "practice adults" and has little patience for them, and
January 26, 2018
Penhallow is the last Gargolye in Boston--which is to say he is the last spirit that resides within a Gargoyle. Although his main body is the stone gargoyle you usually see perched on the top of wings, stone wings stretched out, grimace on face, he is able to move around the city in his "wisp" form, which can be a boy or a dog. His main job is to guard the "Wards" in his building, to keep them safe from the sinister Netherkin, ghostly evil spirits who seek to kidnap the souls of children. After two of his fellow gargoyle spirits are destroyed, Penhallow starts to worry about a bigger baddie on the loose in Boston. And when he catches sight of a sinister black bunny spirit that has been showing up in his building, interested in one particular family, his worst fears are confirmed. Penhallow must call up everything he's learned in his many years on Earth in order to keep his wards safe.
The whole magical world building felt a little too convenient for the story. Why would Gargoyle's have the souls of children, anyway? And why would the soul be able to change into a wisp form that's a boy invisible to humans, and a dog visible to humans. Doesn't make sense. Despite these quirks, I still enjoyed this story. It has genuinely scary moments and will please young fans who won't notice the world building issues.
The whole magical world building felt a little too convenient for the story. Why would Gargoyle's have the souls of children, anyway? And why would the soul be able to change into a wisp form that's a boy invisible to humans, and a dog visible to humans. Doesn't make sense. Despite these quirks, I still enjoyed this story. It has genuinely scary moments and will please young fans who won't notice the world building issues.
May 4, 2024
A unique junior-fiction urban fantasy following a "gargoyle," otherwise known as a "grotesque," as he protects his domain.
Three things I liked: 1. The plot is unique and well-paced, always keeping you interested and moving forward. 2. The characters are all believable with flaws, strengths, and weaknesses. The main character can be a little annoying, but that is a part of who he is, and it makes sense. 3. The world is fascinating and fully fleshed out. I feel I can buy this world within a world.
Three things I did not like: 1. Penhollow is a believable adolescent boy, but I could never quite buy him as a 130-year-old guardian. They don't all have to be Batman - all gloomy and brooding or whatever - but he did feel rather immature for his supposed age and experience level. 2. Minor thing, but Penhollow could also get a little annoying with his one-track mind. It is a realistic representation, but it did kind of annoy me. 3. I don't actually have a 3. This is a pretty solid book.
I really enjoyed this as an urban fantasy, and I think this is a good junior fiction book. It does get into some gross stuff (not too detailed) and discussions of death and similar, so it might not be good for really sensitive readers, but I'd say excellent for your average 12-13-year-old, or older if you want to enjoy a fun, light-weight adventure.
Three things I liked: 1. The plot is unique and well-paced, always keeping you interested and moving forward. 2. The characters are all believable with flaws, strengths, and weaknesses. The main character can be a little annoying, but that is a part of who he is, and it makes sense. 3. The world is fascinating and fully fleshed out. I feel I can buy this world within a world.
Three things I did not like: 1. Penhollow is a believable adolescent boy, but I could never quite buy him as a 130-year-old guardian. They don't all have to be Batman - all gloomy and brooding or whatever - but he did feel rather immature for his supposed age and experience level. 2. Minor thing, but Penhollow could also get a little annoying with his one-track mind. It is a realistic representation, but it did kind of annoy me. 3. I don't actually have a 3. This is a pretty solid book.
I really enjoyed this as an urban fantasy, and I think this is a good junior fiction book. It does get into some gross stuff (not too detailed) and discussions of death and similar, so it might not be good for really sensitive readers, but I'd say excellent for your average 12-13-year-old, or older if you want to enjoy a fun, light-weight adventure.
March 27, 2026
QUICK STORY:
I discovered this book at our school's library, just there... sitting ona table untouched. The cover piqued my interest, so I pickec ut up, and read this book. At the same time, I am struggling with having social interactions with my classmates. (I am just a graduating junior high school that time) Which kinda resonates with Penhallow's character in the book. So I binged the book for 2 or 3 weeks, [I KNOW! IT'S A LONG TIME FOR SUCH A SHORT STORY, BUT THIS IS MY FIRST BOOK!] then got amazed with it. It helped me cope with the fact, that I really had no idea with socializing at that time, by showing how cold and static Penhallow is to Viola.
Because that is how I actually reacted like, during those times. And I figured, that there is nothing wrong with it. If people want to be friends with you, they would make an effort to know you. Especially, when they know that you are not the type of person to make a first move on friendships and stuff.
To sum it up, this book is a fun read. Especially when you like a "childish" type of horror. Some scenes on the book feel too creepy, considering the target audience, but who cares? it is a gothic horror. Of course, it has to be scary hahahahababa.
HIGHLY RECOMENDED: 5 STARS!!
I discovered this book at our school's library, just there... sitting ona table untouched. The cover piqued my interest, so I pickec ut up, and read this book. At the same time, I am struggling with having social interactions with my classmates. (I am just a graduating junior high school that time) Which kinda resonates with Penhallow's character in the book. So I binged the book for 2 or 3 weeks, [I KNOW! IT'S A LONG TIME FOR SUCH A SHORT STORY, BUT THIS IS MY FIRST BOOK!] then got amazed with it. It helped me cope with the fact, that I really had no idea with socializing at that time, by showing how cold and static Penhallow is to Viola.
Because that is how I actually reacted like, during those times. And I figured, that there is nothing wrong with it. If people want to be friends with you, they would make an effort to know you. Especially, when they know that you are not the type of person to make a first move on friendships and stuff.
To sum it up, this book is a fun read. Especially when you like a "childish" type of horror. Some scenes on the book feel too creepy, considering the target audience, but who cares? it is a gothic horror. Of course, it has to be scary hahahahababa.
HIGHLY RECOMENDED: 5 STARS!!
February 19, 2018
Penhallow is a Grotesque - NOT a gargoyle, which are just glorified water spouts. As a Grotesque, he must protect his building from the Netherkin, evil spirits that can harm the living. When his two friends are destroyed, he begins to worry that there is something bigger out there with the power to destroy him. With the help of Viola, a strange girl who can see his wisp form, he investigates one of the families in his building and a mysterious creature called the Boneless King.
I picked this up from the library because I really loved the cover and gargoyles are pretty cool. I loved that these particular gargoyles live in Boston. Some of the scenes were actually super creepy - the Netherkin come in all different forms, including a giant evil black rabbit, and the Boneless King has more than a few similarities to Slender Man. There were a few moments where I had a hard time suspending disbelief, like can wisps - which are the form the gargoyles can take outside of their stone forms - digest and all that? But overall the world-building was solid. I'll definitely be looking at gargoyles a little differently from now on...
I picked this up from the library because I really loved the cover and gargoyles are pretty cool. I loved that these particular gargoyles live in Boston. Some of the scenes were actually super creepy - the Netherkin come in all different forms, including a giant evil black rabbit, and the Boneless King has more than a few similarities to Slender Man. There were a few moments where I had a hard time suspending disbelief, like can wisps - which are the form the gargoyles can take outside of their stone forms - digest and all that? But overall the world-building was solid. I'll definitely be looking at gargoyles a little differently from now on...
March 30, 2019
Join Penhallow, the last gargoyle, who oversees a small apartment in modern-day Boston, has his world turned upside down, when one of his new wards, Hetty, becomes the target of dark supernatural forces.
Using his ageless strength and nearly parental wisdom, he must do everything he can to protect her, her little brother and mother from the uninvited Bone King and his evil shadowy henchmen and demons! Throw in a mysterious viola-toting urchin girl and an army of spectral like monsters and its one heck of a ride!
The book is very fast-paced, yet it does take time to address the underlying currents/emotions of Penhallow, Hetty, Viola and the rest of the principal characters. The book addresses themes of loss/coping, self-identity, self-doubt, budding relationships and lost friendships, and addresses issues of what happens after death.
While the book is dark in tone and plot, it has a big heart. It is a great read for fans of Neil Gaiman's books. Great read for middle school tweens.
Using his ageless strength and nearly parental wisdom, he must do everything he can to protect her, her little brother and mother from the uninvited Bone King and his evil shadowy henchmen and demons! Throw in a mysterious viola-toting urchin girl and an army of spectral like monsters and its one heck of a ride!
The book is very fast-paced, yet it does take time to address the underlying currents/emotions of Penhallow, Hetty, Viola and the rest of the principal characters. The book addresses themes of loss/coping, self-identity, self-doubt, budding relationships and lost friendships, and addresses issues of what happens after death.
While the book is dark in tone and plot, it has a big heart. It is a great read for fans of Neil Gaiman's books. Great read for middle school tweens.
February 20, 2018
This book was awesome. I totally fell for the characters, and ended up really caring for the adventure and being invested in the relationships. That ending was fantastic. I wanted so much more, but it ended beautifully.
I can't blame it all on the book, but it does start slow. It took me maybe five days to read the first half, and two days to read the second half. It picked up right in the middle and I couldn't put it down.
Not a thinker. His world doesn't always make sense, and the twists were telegraphed a mile away. However, this is perfect for middle school kids, or adults just wanting a light read.
I can't blame it all on the book, but it does start slow. It took me maybe five days to read the first half, and two days to read the second half. It picked up right in the middle and I couldn't put it down.
Not a thinker. His world doesn't always make sense, and the twists were telegraphed a mile away. However, this is perfect for middle school kids, or adults just wanting a light read.
September 10, 2021
This is one of my favorite books for fall. The setting-- immaculate. The characters--immaculate. The force of evil--immaculate. This book made such a big impact on me when I was younger that last year I searched for it online for an hour cause I couldn't remember the title.
This book is definitely geared toward a 12-14 year old age group in its level of scariness, but I read even now and I'm creeped out. The way the author writes the boneless king is extremely unsettling, which for me makes it an excellent halloween book. I don't think that the author has plans to write a sequel but if he does I will be first in line to read it.
This book is definitely geared toward a 12-14 year old age group in its level of scariness, but I read even now and I'm creeped out. The way the author writes the boneless king is extremely unsettling, which for me makes it an excellent halloween book. I don't think that the author has plans to write a sequel but if he does I will be first in line to read it.
June 30, 2018
Just finished reading this on vacation. All I can say is that I so enjoyed being drawn in further and further into Goyle's story that by the end, I just felt a heavy emotion in my innards that happens when you finish a rewarding book. Truth be told, it surprised me. It is a book that is so much more than Jr Fiction yet not quite on the same level as YA... but highly intense, dark, and complex enough for anyone over 10 to enjoy and feel deeply satisfied. READ THIS. You won't be disappointed. And you might just become a believer....
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