I really enjoyed this book! Spent the story thinking this must be based on an existing Ancient Greek myth I hadn’t come across, waited until I’d finished to confirm and was surprised to find this is an original. It really tied well with the style of Greek myths in my opinion.

I found this a really soothing book to read as it flowed really nicely. A great example of literary fiction that paints a really clear picture without using inaccessible language. I think this could be a great first step into historical/literary fiction for many people.

I found it really interesting to learn that the author worked in video games. The style of conflict storytelling makes sense to me with this context.

Only a couple of points I wasn’t sure on. The first was the protagonist being seemingly faultless, I can find it a little tricky to feel close if they do not feel human. The second is that Sandro’s character seemed to be at different developmental ages throughout the book. The age he was said to be never quite lined up. I would have liked further hints about his history too.

That’s it! Really enjoyed the book. The length of time it took me to read is a testament to the fact it was still enjoyable, even when spaced throughout tiny reading sessions throughout a very busy month. Not many books have that power!

I really enjoyed getting to read this book, it had that historical fantasy element that I was wanting and enjoyed the mythology of this. It had a great concept and enjoyed the overall feel of this and how well the characters were used in this. The characters felt like they were supposed to and enjoyed getting to know Enzo and how this story was used with them. Hector Mateo-Pino has a strong writing style and was invested in what was going on with the characters.

Novalyne by Hector Mateo-Pino is a compelling novel that emphasises atmosphere and emotional depth over conventional story pacing. Mateo-Pino crafts a world that is both intimate and surreal.

The novel centres on a young sculptor, Enzo Pietrana, who is confronting a fractured sense of identity, shaped by unreliable memories and lingering grief for his lost love, Nova. When given the opportunity to carve her likeness from marble, the task becomes more than artistic, it transforms into an act of healing. As he strives to recall her face with clarity, he confronts the painful gaps in his memory, where love and loss intertwine. The plot unfolds in a dreamlike, introspective style, where meaning emerges through emotional shifts rather than overt drama. Enzo’s encounters with other characters feel fleeting yet impactful, underscoring themes of connection, distance, and the fragility of memory.

Guided by whispers of an ancient myth, he embarks on a deeply personal, almost mystical journey: to create a statue so authentic that it might restore what has been lost. Set in a Greek-like city ruled by a powerful sculptors’ guild, his pursuit unfolds under increasing pressure, testing both his craftsmanship and resilience. The novel asks whether art can transcend reality and resurrect the past.

Its greatest strength lies in its layered examination of Enzo Pietrana who remains both elusive and profoundly human. While the pacing may seem deliberate to those seeking a plot-driven story, those who embrace its rhythm will find a thoughtful meditation on identity, grief, and the enduring desire to hold onto what’s lost. Ultimately, it is a story that resonates more through emotion than action, leaving a lasting impression.

My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Tornoma studio for a free e-arc and an honest opinion.

Novalyne is a renaissance-inspired debut with a genuinely fascinating concept at its core: a young sculptor chasing an ancient myth, hoping to carve his lost love back into existence. The world Hector Mateo-Pino has built is one of the book’s strongest assets ~ immersive, layered, and rooted in a class structure that feels remarkably real and grounded. The Ars Marmoris guild and the weight of artistry within this society add a texture that sets it apart from a lot of fantasy releases right now.
Where the book falls short is in execution. Despite such a rich premise, the stakes never quite reach the primal, urgent intensity the story demands. The pacing lags in places, and the characters lean into familiar archetypes without quite breaking free of them. For a story built around grief, obsession, and defying the laws of reality, it needed more raw emotional power to fully land. A promising debut with a lot of potential, but one that left me wanting more fire beneath the surface.