A brave and endearing main character
Nona’s character was wonderfully written and I really enjoyed her growth throughout the story. Although she’s struggling to cope with the trauma of the war and the loss of her family, she remains strong and brave and shows a lot of compassion to the people she meets on her journey. She’s definitely a main character that a lot of young readers will identify with.

An enchanting setting
The story takes place in Dartmoor, whose enchanting landscape is portrayed vividly and beautifully in the book. Dartmoor is an area rich in lore and legends and the author did a wonderful job at translating its magical atmosphere into her story.

Prose and plot
The author wonderfully weaves in magic with the harsh realities of post war life. The story is well-balanced, with the right mix of magic, fun and adventure, and a thoughtful exploration of deeper themes such as grief and trauma. The story is also quite action packed and full of rich and atmospheric descriptions that will definitely draw readers into the story.

Themes explored in the book
The story deals with themes such as the loss of loved ones, grief and trauma, and does so with a lot of gentleness and compassion. Through the relationship between Nona and Antoni, her adoptive uncle, the book also looks at found families. The message that family is more than just blood, and that family can mean different things to different people, is one that will surely resonate with a lot of readers. I personally really liked how these themes were handled in the book.

My final thoughts
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It’s full of magic and adventure and Nona is a main character that a lot of younger readers will definitely connect with.

I will admit I was initially drawn to this book as my nickname when I was younger was Nona, so to find an Main character with that name is kind of fun. I really enjoyed this book. It is a historical fantasy with a wonderfully magic, yet dark fairy-tale vibe to it.
It is a beautiful and sad story dealing with grief, of how to show kindness even in the darkest of times. I really loved how it weaved the main characters thoughts and feelings in with the realm of the fae. The fact that this realm was dark, dangerous and scary really set the tone for the battles she faced.
Nona was a fantastic MC she is kind, loyal, loving and determined but she also questions her decisions when she needs to, weighs up all her knowledge to inform her actions and it makes her really interesting to follow and learn about.
The magic system also has a great balance, half beautiful and delightful the other dark and devious. Overall I thought this was a great middle grade read.

This is a difficult book for me to review. Because it is a good book. Yet it didn’t work for me. And I don’t really know why. It kinda made me feel like the Northern Lights did (which is also a good book that didn’t do it for me).

We follow Nona, who is orphaned during the war and now apprentice of Uncle Antoni, a Polish glass artist. Uncle falls under an enchantment, and together with a curious creature Castor she has to break this spell whilst also staying safe from ‘the Soldier’ who wants to exchange her life for that of his dead son.

There were some things that were just too convenient, too far-fetched, too all over the place. But it was also spooky, had a decent villain, a nice message, character growth, magic… But in general, it just wasn’t for me.

Glassheart by Katharine Orton is a YA fantasy book, with our heroine, Nona, being 11 years old, and it is set after the World War II, with descriptions of the Blitz.

She lives with her uncle, who creates stained glass windows, but she wakes one night to find her uncle talking to someone she can only see as a reflection in a mirror.  The next day they go to the middle of nowhere on the moors of Dartmoor.  Who has enchanted her uncle and why is what Nona has to find out.

This is a very emotive book, with lots of memories of those who have been lost.  It's a good story of a young girl taking on forces stronger than her for those she cares about.

 Glassheart  was published on 5th November 2020, and is available on  Amazon ,  Waterstones  and  Bookshop .

You can follow Katharine Orton on her  website  and on  Twitter .

I was given this book in exchange for an unbiased review, so my thanks to NetGalley and to  Walker Books.

The beautiful cover sets the scene for a dark, thrilling mystery in which spirits, animals and humans find a way to work together to save mankind. Challenging vocabulary and themes of magic, death and witchcraft might steer this book towards a more mature audience, perhaps 12+. One for fans for His Dark Materials, The Changeling and Twilight.

The summary of Glassheart was what initially drew me to the book - mixing the very real fallout of the World War II with magic, ong with the stunning cover artwork. 'They' say don't judge a book by its cover but I definitely did when Katharine Orton's novel caught my attention.

The main character has lost everything to a bomb destroying her home and she found comfort and a new home with Antoni, her adoptive Uncle. The two have created a family in the wake of great loss to both of them and I found the author's gentle way of showing that a 'found' family is one that is an important and supportive as those bonded by bloody. Over and over, the imagery of broken things being brought back to being whole is shown through Glassheart to further show that things as well as people, can heal given time.

The book flows well and it may sound silly but I welcomed the fact nothing was too drawn out nor was it too short. The mix of magic with the reality of post war England is wonderfully woven together and the imagery is rich and atmospheric which aids the reader in being truly immersed in the world our heroine finds herself.

I cannot recommend Glassheart by Katharine Orton enough. It is a phenomenal novel for anyone who is a middle grade reader or those who need a touch of magic in their lives- both the good and bad. You will be left breathless by the tale and their will be the fluttering of excitement, fear, and the desire for good to triumph once you pick up your copy to read.

Nona's family was killed in the Blitz and now she lives with Uncle Antoni, who makes stained-glass windows. But when Antoni takes up a commission in a mysterious church in the middle of Dartmoor, Nona is swept into a strange, magical world and forced to confront a terrible evil to protect the people she loves. Glassheart is an evocative dreamlike story. I loved the idea of glass as magical conduit and protective barrier.

Thoroughly imagined and eerily atmospheric, 'Glassheart' was both suspenseful and compelling. An exciting blend of folklore, fantasy and history. I especially loved the descriptions of the Stained Glass Window making techniques and processes that were threaded throughout the storyline. The details of this ancient craft added a magical and original quality all of their own.

Perfect reading for winter nights when rain lashes at the window and you are snuggled up safely inside :)

I'm disappointed with NetGalley that this book is not available to send to Kindle. As its only available on the Shelf, I can only read it on my phone. Its also got a limited time on the NetGalley Shelf, so has just expired and I can't re-download.
I have read about 50% of the book and really enjoyed what I read. The book was creepy and engrossing and I loved the setting of Dartmoor.
I'm sorry I can't give a full review as I have not finished, however, I think it would be a 3.5-4* read.

This story was jam-packed with adventure.
Our main character, is an extremely brave and selfless young girl.
This story is set just after the First World War with the characters still feeling the aftershocks of the trauma of life during wartime.
Nonna lost her mother and brother and now is an apprentice to her new father-figure, Uncle Antoni. Who is a master worker of stained glass.
We jump into the action pretty early with Uncle Antoni under the influence of a spell that starts a chain-reaction of events.

Nonna is new to the world of magic so she acts as the readers "way in" to discovering the rules for this new mystical world. For a middle grade, this book had a fairly well established magic system with many different types including seeing visions in glass or water, monsters being created with dark magic from roots and stones and enchanted waters that defeated said creatures. We also had an interesting element with the shapeshifting or "second skin" magic.

However, I wish we had gotten a little more description of the setting. Being set in a forest there could have been a lot of room for descriptive writing. This may not necessarily be an issue for everyone, this is just the type of descriptive writing that I enjoy.

One of my favourite aspects of this book was the friendship between Nonna and Castor. I love the trope of having an animal pet/familiar for a friend and Castor in his crow form was so adorable.

There is so much visible character growth throughout this story, from multiple different people. Nonna matures so much, right before your eyes. She goes from strength to strength. Even the spirit sisters come to their own realisations in the second half of the story.
The most moving character growth I found, though, was Uncle Antoni. As an older man who's lived through the horror of war he starts off very set in his ways never opening up or speaking about what he's been through. And in turn he doesn't speak to Nonna about her loss and what she's experienced. However the last few chapters there's a beautiful scene where he attempts to bridge the gap between them. Which is also such an important message for younger kids reading this. To know that it's always ok to speak out about things that have affected you.

Thank you Walker Books for the e-ARC.

GLASSHEART is an absolute mystique!

Having read Nervertell it's no wonder to me that Katharine Orton can execute such a marvel!

Looking at stained glass window always brought me hope, and also a bit of wonder, almost magical wonder. This book creates a great connection between trying to deal with the traumas and terror of WWII and the repair of stained glass windows. It is a book full of magic, actions and great characters such as Castor and the lead character Nona. Nona is a strong and brave orphan girl who lives with her uncle Antoni and together they have a mission! We are taken to the enchanted scenery of Dartmoor through a very beautiful writing style. Additionally, the craft of making stained glass windows could be compared to the craft of writing which takes us to a world full of wonder, magical wonder. Recommended to those looking for hope and magic!

This is a beautifully written fantasy novel that explores the themes of grief and loss.
Set in atmospheric Dartmoth, it tells the tale of Nona, who has been orphaned during the war and now lives with her Uncle Antoni.
She meets a number of very memorable characters, my favourite being Castor.
At times the plot seems to be contrived, and I feel the pace could be quicker in places.
The descriptions and imagery are vivid and well written. I thoroughly enjoyed this book

I couldn't wait to read Glassheart, knowing how much I enjoyed Nevertell - Katherine Orton's debut novel. I was not disappointed in the slightest. The story follows Nona, a young girl orphaned during WWII, as she enters a magical world where her inner powers evolve. She is looked after by 'Uncle Antoni' - a Polish glass maker. He has his own traumas of WWII, but looks after Nona as if she were his own blood. Both travel to an old church on Dartmoor. Here Uncle Antoni is to make and fix the stained glass windows, unknowing he is under an enchanted spell. The church windows need to be completed to protect Nona. The evil soldier - (with a stag's head) wants Nona's glass heart - all that she has left of the night her home was bombed - to bring his dead son back. Katherine Orton, once again uses her excellent descriptive language to transform the reader straight into the book. There are many wonderful characters but my favourite has to be Castor. Glassheart is a wonderful read full of magic and spirits. I will be recommending it to everyone.

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 blah blah. 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

I really loved the way the opening chapter sets the scene, its just that little bit eerie and spooky, it was such a great pull into the rest of the story. Magical and quite tense, I really enjoyed this one.

I liked that the setting was post war. I feel like there are so many books set during, that the period afterwards is often overlooked. It's also a time where there is so much to unpick, as everyone is healing from the traumatic experiences they have all lived through.

Nona was such a wonderful main character, fiercely loyal and strong, even after everything she had been through. I just loved her. She is supported by plenty of great supporting characters.

Definitely one I would recommend to younger and older readers alike!

I enjoyed this book it was warm and you invested in the characters - you really wanted to know more about Nona and why she could suddenly do magic.

Nona lives with her 'Uncle' who took her in after her mother and brother died in WW2, he is suddenly acting very strange and is visited by a strangle lady at night - but he does not remember anything.

The are taken to Dartmoor and Nona discovers that it is up to her to save the world from a dark magic, will she be able to do this?

The friendship and family ties throughout the book draw you in they are real and believable.

The book has the most intriguing and glorious cover that I couldn't help but request it and was delighted to be approved. I was not disappointed in my expectations!

In this book we follow the adventures of Nona, an orphan who has ended up living with Uncle Antoni who designs and makes stained glass windows. The book start full of tension and suspense as Nona is awoken to strange noises in the house 'when shadows swathed the wildwoods and most people were in bed.' I was holding my breath with Nona as she creeps around trying to make sense of the unfamiliar sounds! the following morning her uncle is behaving oddly and they have to leave their home suddenly to go and work on an important job. There are many hints that Nona's history is complicated and shrouded in trauma though you have to get quite far into the book to discover her history. She has a small glass fragment from her past which offers both comfort and brings odd dreams which disturb her sleep.

Uncle Antoni's urgent mission is to replace windows in what appears to be an abandoned church. Yet, all is not what is seems from the outside and Nona soon learns about the existence of an 'umbrafell' - a place that 'exists in two worlds at once' from Castor, a shape shifting presence who lives in the church. From here the book starts to move into a magical spirit world which is being torn apart by conflict as the power-hungry 'Soldier' and his army of 'rattlesticks' search for a missing element which will given them supreme domination. Can Nona help the spirits protect their world and build a better future?

Nothing is what it seems and Nona constantly has to re-evaluate her relationships with those around her: Alesea and Serafin appear to be good spirits who are trying to help overcome the 'Soldier' but there are fractures and misunderstandings in their own relationships which threaten their future success.

I have never read anything like this book. On the one hand it is magical and other-worldly, but the writing is also so grounded and gritty. The rattlesticks are innovative 'just detritus'. Nona learns that her fears must be faced and addressed in order to overcome them.

This book is masterfully written. Orton creates a world which is believable and captivating and she is totally in control of the narrative. I was gripped from start to end!

It’s the end of the Second World War and the entire world is healing. Memories of the Blitz, loss and hardship continue to haunt those who have survived. Nona and her Uncle Antoni work together to replace the beautiful stained-glass windows in war torn buildings. As they attempt to heal these historic landmarks, they also try to find healing for themselves.

Nona must regularly remind herself that the war is over. After four years together, she has found a home with Antoni and he will do what he can to keep her safe. Then, one mysterious night, they are led to a shattered church in the wilds of Dartmoor. The colourful windows must be repaired before it’s too late. Nona finds herself caught between the human and the spirit world. She must summon all of her courage and power to defeat the evil that surrounds them and heal the brokenness that remains.

This is a story of shadows and sorcery, of transformation and becoming. As she explores the frosty landscape, Nona meets the most incredible cast of characters who show her the power within herself and how to use it to bring peace. At times, the story is very dark – full of evil spirits and the stuff of nightmares – but through this darkness, Nona learns to face her fears and find answers about what has come before. The effects of war are so far reaching. no one has been left untouched. Through echoes of the past Nona must defy her destiny or, perhaps, find it.

Images of the intricacies and delicacies of stained-glass enrich this story. The glass, and life itself, are so easily shattered yet can be shaped into great beauty. As a window to the past and to the future, this glass provides strength and safety. It must be broken in order to be put together again as something stronger. The detail in this description and symbolism is incredible. Rich in folklore and historical significance, Glassheart is a unique and powerful book that will pull readers inside its pages.

Thank you to NetGalley & Walker Books for this magical adventure!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Walker Books in exchange for an honest review.

This is a very atmospheric historical fantasy set in the Dartmoor countryside shortly after the end of the Second World War. The protagonist in this story is Nona who lives with her Uncle Antoni (a stained glass restorer, who repairs windows that were damaged during the war). Both Nona and Antoni suffered during the war and the emotional scars from these losses still weigh heavily upon them. One night, Nona's uncle received a comission from a mysterious figure to travel to the wilds of Dartmoor and restore the glass in an old church. Following this, more and more strange events occur leading Nona to discover a hidden and magical world. Nona has a very important role to play, but is she brave enough to confront the terrors that surround her in Dartmoor and the fears from her past?

As soon as I began this story, I was pulled into its dark and spooky atmosphere. The author's language choices and writing style did a great job of conveying how helpless and alone Nona and the way Uncle Antoni behaved just made every situation even more scary. The exploration of Nona's feelings felt very genuine. By the end of the story, you could see the journey that she had been on and it was a very satisfying conclusion. This book would be great to read and then discuss how people who survived the war (either as soldiers or civilians) coped with the trauma that they experienced.

Things that I didn't like so much in this book were the pacing and some of the plot conveniences. As I stated earlier, the beginning really sucked me in with its spooky atmosphere. Soon after this, the plot quickly got started and the characters travelled to Dartmoor. However, once in Dartmoor, I felt that there was a bit too much repetition of similar events. As the remainder of the book from Chapter 4 onwards was just set in the church and the woods around it, there weren't many places for the characters to go. This gave the story quite a claustrophobic feel (which might have been what the author intended). However, it also led to a lot of the characters getting chased, taking refuge and learning something to advance the plot, and then getting chased again. There were also several plot conveniences where characters learned how to do something just at the moment when the needed to be able to do it, or the weight of a threat was lessened by characters having a seemingly impossible escape.

There is definitely a lot to like in this book and it would make an excellent spooky read to enjoy while tucked up safe and warm indoors. This book is suitable for readers aged 8+ who are interested in books set in the past and enjoy a scary read.