Greta and the Goblin King

By Chloe Jacobs

While trying to save her brother from the witch three years ago, Greta was thrown into the fire herself, falling through a portal to a dangerous world where humans are the enemy, and every ogre, goblin, and ghoul has a dark side that comes out with the full moon. To survive, 17-year-old Greta has hidden her humanity and taken the job of bounty hunter—and she’s good at what she does. So good, she’s caught the attention of Mylena’s young Goblin King, the darkly enticing Isaac, who invades her dreams and undermines her determination to escape. But Greta’s not the only one looking to get out of Mylena. The full moon is mere days away, and an ancient evil being knows she’s the key to opening the portal. If Greta fails, she and the boys she finds stranded in the woods will die. If she succeeds, no world will be safe from what follows her back.

 

So, I read this thinking it would be a fun fantasy with a slight beauty and the beast feel (anyone who reads this blog knows how much I love beauty and the beast). Well…you can kinda see it. I’m not a fan of this book, it had too many things that felt rushed or just a ‘not enough’ feeling when I finished. For one thing, this book is pretty much a love story, the background stuff was interesting, but there wasn’t nearly enough explanation of the world of Mylena and how it related to Earth and even what all the creatures meant to each other and how they inter-related. They’re just there as a buffer to Greta’s humanness. As for Greta herself, she’s contradictory as a character and feisty. There was a lot of telling how she felt instead of letting the reader figure it out though. I also thought that her ‘disguise’ was pathetic. There needed to be more differences between the goblins and sprites and faerie creatures for me to even consider her as needing a disguise. Her relationship with Isaac is purely to have a romance for the main character. It’s typical of young adult literature nowadays to have a stalker-esque guy that is extra pushy and possessive, but apparently that is ‘sweet’. It irritates me. There is some address of how quickly their relationship grows; basically putting it to animal attraction and ‘destiny’. Greta herself asks Isaac why he loves her and he says it’s because she challenges him and makes him think differently. Sure, okay, but then there is no evidence in his character or their exchanges whatsoever. It’s very frustrating for a girl who likes a down-to-earth believable romance. This book is basically “I’ll throw myself into mortal peril, then we’ll meet in dreams, make-out some, then I’ll refuse to let you find me in real life for some flimsy reason or another”. It’s all enough to make me find a perpetual frown on my face as I read. Gah.

 

I give it a 2.25 out of 5

Tyger Tyger

By Kersten Hamilton

Teagan Wylltson’s best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures—goblins, shapeshifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty—are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn’t worried. Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives, with his killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. Either he’s crazy or he’s been haunting Abby’s dreams, because he’s talking about goblins, too . . . and about being born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby’s right. The goblins are coming.


Sooo...goblins. I've only read one other series that even explored goblins in a light I enjoyed, and that was The Hollow Kingdom series by Clare Dunkle. This was really interesting and had a fun romance story and mystery in it. It's harder to review this book without giving way too many spoilers that would ruin it. Suffice it to say, this was an enjoyable read and I've already got my hands on book 2 and look forward to how Teagan deals with her newfound knowledge. Also it's a cool tribute to William Blake. :)

I give it a solid 3 1/2 out of 5  (Just because I was sincerely entertained)

The Hollow Kingdom

By Clare Dunkle

Kate and Emily have just moved to Hallow Hill, after the death of their father, to be with their only relatives. Kate is a reputable beauty, though she doesn’t seem to believe it, and also very intelligent. Young Emily is the bolder of the two, with a curiosity and tactlessness that often makes Kate blush. The two sisters are settling in as well as can be expected, but one day during a jaunt into the woods they become lost and wander into a camp of gypsies. But Kate finds out there is something foul afoot. After one, Marak, guides them home, Kate discovers to her horror that he is not even human. And Marak is not done with her yet. Because he is determined to take Kate as his stolen bride. Will Kate be able to escape this horrible fate, to be trapped in marriage with a monster? Things are not what they seem, as trouble looms from more than the hideous goblin Marak…

Clare Dunkle has a way with making old lore and legend into a fantastic story. This is one of my favorite stories that I just happened upon in the library. I have read my fair share of fantasy and fairy tale, but I have never read a story about goblins. This is such a fun read, and reminds me a little of Beauty and the Beast…though don’t expect the same kind of happily ever after ending. Dunkle has a unique writing style that subtly wraps you into her world of Elves, Goblins, and magic. With some darker undertones, I would suggest a little caution if you, like me, are prone to take on the emotion of a book as you read. It can be a little depressing. But otherwise, a great read and very entertaining.

Interesting Info: The Hollow Kingdom is the first in a set of three, but can stand alone by itself, as can the other two books in the series. I liked this because it gave me the freedom to decide if I wanted more or just wanted to stop. The other two books are: Close Kin, and In the Coils of the Snake.