Lianna and the Hombit by Valinora Troy

 

Lianna and the Hombit by Valinora Troy
Publisher:  The Silver Key
Published:  January 29th, 2026 
Format Read:  E-book
Number of pages:  238 pages
Source:  Author in exchange for an honest review
Opening Lines: "It was late afternoon when the mail coach clattered through the town gate, rattled over cobbles and rumbled to a halt."

I've gotten to know Valinora through our shared work as judges for the Cybils awards in the category of fantasy books and as contributors to Marvelous Middle Grade Mondays.  When she reached out recently about a possible review of her latest book, Lianna and the Hombit, I was eager to dive in. 

Lianna has recently been sent across the sea to Nivram to live with an uncle she never knew existed. Upon her arrival, her purse is stolen, along with all her most precious belongings.  The watch Papa gave her, the letter he wrote, and her favorite book.  The only thing she still carries from her life in Lowdar, besides her memories, is the ruby ring she discovered just before her home and her father’s possessions were sold at auction to pay off his debts.

Lianna is deeply unhappy about the move and is convinced the people of  Nivram dislike her.  Especially her uncle, Judge Samru, whom she's certain will be cruel and cold to her.  Despondent under everyone's accusatory glances, she waits in the Judge's library, where she discovers a small glass bird perched on a charred log.  The bird introduces itself as a Hombit and explains that it's on a secret mission, one it has unfortunately forgotten.   Hoping for help in returning to Lowdar, Lianna agrees to assist the Hombit with uncovering its lost purpose.

As her first step toward returning home, Lianna searches for any way to earn the money she needs for passage back across the sea.  Desperate, she agrees to undertake a dangerous dive for jewels, only to awaken the living rocks beneath the water and a creature begins to slowly claim her body and is turning her to stone.

Lianna makes a wonderful protagonist.  She's still grieving the loss of her papa and struggling with the sudden changes forced upon her.  Leaving her beloved home where she had friends, could roam outdoors with the animals or swim in a nearby pond was incredibly difficult.  I emphasized with her pain and feelings of loss.  Navrim stood in stark contrast to all the previous warmth and happiness she had and only offered her a dreary an unwelcome feeling.  I too wanted her to leave this dreary place and to be happy again.    

I admired Lianna's grit and courage, even though she takes more risks than I ever would've at thirteen.  I loved watching her and the other characters gradually warm to one another and how uncovering her family's history and the truth behind the curse drew her closer to them.  I also loved the Hombit, it brought her the friendship she desperately needed, and the bond they form through their shared missions was genuinely touching.  The story is further enriched by the small, lovely illustrations by Iseult Murphy.  Overall, I really enjoyed the adventure, the mystery of why Lianna's father left Navrim for Lowdar, why people distrusted him, and how she ultimately found a way to overcome the curse slowly turning her to stone.     

**A huge thank you to Valinora Troy for the ebook in exchange for an honest review**

I hope you'll check out all the other Marvelous Middle-Grade Monday posts at Greg Pattridge's blog HERE