Glassheart by Katharine Orton

 Glassheart by Katharine Orton

Paperback 337 pages - First Published 2020

With thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

After being orphaned during the war, Nona is adopted by Uncle Antoni, a Polish window maker. Uncle is given a job in Dartmoor and takes Nona with his to a partly destroyed church which was hit by bombs during the same war that she lost her Mother and brother. Quickly things become clear that something magical is going on; Uncle Antoni is under a spell to finish the windows in the church and Nona finds a strange creature in the attic. Soon Nona meets two spirits who help her realise her destiny, to defeat a giant horned figure who plans to resurrect his dead son.

When I started this book I wasn't too sure, to be honest. It very quickly got into the action of the story without much of a backstory. Within a few chapters Uncle Antoni was under a spell and taking them both to Dartmoor.

Whilst I enjoyed the story there a couple of things that niggled at me. One thing was that the book felt a little too scary for the age that's meant to be aimed at (9+), especially the Soldier. His description was particularly terrifying even for an adult.

Another thing was that the author seemed to want to cram so much into the story but didn't quite know how to fit it all in so almost every chapter had something happen to Nona. Whilst I normally love a book that is action packed, I felt this one needed a little break or some down time.

It was an enjoyable book despite all this and I would love to read more of Orton's work.

3.5/4 stars today ⭐⭐⭐⭐