The Hollow Kingdom (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy, #1)

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The Hollow Kingdom (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy #1)

4.16 of 5 stars 4.16 · rating details · 3,999 ratings · 427 reviews

Clare Dunkle's acclaimed fantasy trilogy-- now available in paperback

For thousands of years, young women have been vanishing from Hallow Hill, never to be seen again. Now Kate and Emily have moved there with no idea of the land's dreadful heritage--until Marak decides to tell them himself. Marak is a powerful magician who claims to be the goblin king, and he has very speci...more

Paperback, 240 pages

Published September 19th 2006 by Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks (first published October 1st 2003)

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Jun 13, 2011 Catie rated it 5 of 5 stars

Recommended to Catie by: Crowinator

Shelves: read-in-2011, series, ya, romance, fantasy, historical

This book is exactly the type of fairy tale that I love the most. Now, I know that I have been outspoken in the past about my dislike of fantasies featuring caveman, bad-boy type hero characters. However, I think that I know and respect dozens of women who melt in the presence of these guys. Do I look down on my friends for their fantasy preferences? Absolutely not, because guess what? We all have a fantasy weakness. We all have that certain fairy tale that bypasses every logical part of our bra...more

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Apr 27, 2013 Kathleen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed, series-opener, fantasy, ya, beauty-beast, display

Bumping it up to 5 stars, because I've read it again and again. Each time I like it more.

"She couldn't move or speak, though she was vaguely aware the ugly creature was watching her with concern."

From page one, I was captivated by this award-winning romantic fantasy, written for adolescents. With only a few hugs and kisses, it is unexceptional, but beware the creepy dark magic in the last chapters, where (view spoiler). T...more Bumping it up to 5 stars, because I've read it again and again. Each time I like it more.

"She couldn't move or speak, though she was vaguely aware the ugly creature was watching her with concern."

From page one, I was captivated by this award-winning romantic fantasy, written for adolescents. With only a few hugs and kisses, it is unexceptional, but beware the creepy dark magic in the last chapters, where (view spoiler). That section, along with the kidnapping theme, could upset some very young adolescents. (The dark magic is highly reminiscent of the urban fantasies written for adults by Patricia Briggs, particularly Cry Wolf.)

Story summary, with comments and vague spoilers: (view spoiler)

This is NOT like Beauty and the Beast, for the ugly goblin does not transform into a handsome prince. (So this is better). Because of his kindness, Kate learns to ♥ Marak's gray skin, mismatched eyes, horsetail hair, sharp teeth and pointy ears. (Sweet! And a lesson for us all.)

The first time Kate sees his face: "Oh, I know what's bothering you," Marak teased before Kate could turn away in disgust. "The cloak and hood. It's been on your nerves all evening. You've been imagining all sorts of horrors, I'd guess."

Marak tugged back his hood and examined her stunned expression. He watched her cheeks grow pale, her lips bloodless. He grinned in delighted amusement.

It appears to be a case of Stockholm Syndrome, with Kate eventually loving her ruthless captor, but how can we blame her? I did too! He's ruthless but compassionate, strong and protective, kind to young Emily, intelligent, humorous, and he owns a smashing library! Plus, he just happens to be one of the greatest magicians ever (much like Criminy Stain in Wicked as They Come -- but that's not for YOUNG adults). His main flaw? He's a sore loser! But Kate falls for her would-be abductor anyway. She mentally compares the goblin practice of bride-napping to how the Romans carried off women in ancient days, but -- in the spirit of fair play -- stoically refuses to engage in self-pity, reminding herself that her story is different from the plight of the Sabine women.

(The author makes light of hundreds -- maybe thousands -- of bridal abductions and incarcerations, sidestepping her own trope, never attempting to justify it. In fact, almost glorifying it. I loved it anyway!)

Best parts: I loved it when Kate outsmarted her guardian. Well done, indeed! Loved how the Goblin King got to the truth of a certain matter. ツ Cool marriage ceremony, with all sorts of interesting spells and revelations. Loved how Kate saved the day, with the help of her special guardian -- and what a dark day it was! The scene where all the goblins clustered around poor Bulk is a tear-jerker.

Really enjoyed some of the secondary characters, including Emily, the wolf, the big black cat Seylin (who is not just a cat), and lively Old Agatha. But my favorite secondary character is Charm, the snake-sword creature sworn to protect Kate. He (it) constantly compared Kate to previous King's Wives he'd protected:

"I have guarded one hundred and sixty-eight King's Wives," it hissed. "Sixty-four of them were unintelligent. Two of them were so stupid they didn't know their own names." (haha!)

Table of Contents: The book has three parts: 1) STARLIGHT 2) LAMPLIGHT 3) DARKNESS. There are no titles for the chapters, but these might roughly suffice:

Old Magic and Druid Circles
A Dark and Stormy Night
Nightmares for Anxious Orphans
And...The Old Oak Wins!
One Point for the Sash
A Doctor in the House
For Emily, with Love 
Up with Hyou!
The King’s Wife Ceremony
Getting to Know You
Go to Sleep 
A Watery Exit
Charm Speaks Up
Dark Arts in Liverpool
Wolves, Mice, Monkeys, and Matilda
Catspaw (and starlight)

Minor Quibbles:

Setting: Just like Kate, I learned to ♥ the various hideous goblins that inhabit the hollowed hills of ___ Where?? The author is not clear, but Kate and Emily traveled to Hallow Hill from Coventry, in England, “bouncing around in a carriage” for two days. Later in the book, the setting shifts to Liverpool, still in England. It takes Kate three days to get there, traveling day and night by carriage. So...who knows where the Hollow Kingdom lies, but I imagine some mystical spot not far from the Scottish border. The year is never stated, either, but the plight of children working in textile mills is mentioned, so I'd guess about 1885. (I wanted a clear setting.)

Kate's age: Dunkle never states Kate's exact age, but her guardian said that he "had three years before she would come of age" and Great Aunt Prim declares that Kate is "old enough to have a family of her own by now." (I wanted to know her age. I'd guess 18?)

Plot holes: Why didn't Dr. Thatcher show more concern abut the wreckage and rubble in the ...? He should have asked more probing questions and been more suspicious. Also, what will become of Matilda? Surely she needs sunshine? Will she be able to live in two worlds?

There's a typo in the first line.

Minor flaws aside, a jolly good fantasy!

Other books by this author: Kate's little sister Emily gets her own story in the sequel, Close Kin. Happily, it contains several scenes with Marak, Kate, and Catspaw. Book 3 is fairly weak. I also enjoyed Dunkle's stand-alone novel By These Ten Bones, a YA romantic horror about werewolves (my review).

PS. Every goblin king is named Marak which brings to mind the king of the werewolves, called The Marrok in the UF world created by Patrica Briggs (see her Alpha and Omega series, beginning with Alpha & Omega: A Companion Novella to Cry Wolf). Briggs said she got the title Marrok from Sir Marrok, a knight in King Arthur's court, cursed to be a werewolf. I wonder where Dunkle got her notion of Marak?(less)

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Apr 21, 2013 Keertana rated it 4 of 5 stars

Recommended to Keertana by: Heidi

Shelves: kick-ass-heroines, 2013-favorites

If you had asked me just last year, I would have told you I didn't have a favorite fairy tale. I grew up hating "Snow White" and while I adored nearly every "Cinderella" movie re-telling I'd seen, the original story was not among my favorites at all. As a child, I never actually saw "Beauty and the Beast" or read the book, until one fated French class when we saw an old black-and-white version of it in French. Granted, I didn't understand everything that was said as it was only my second year of...more

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Apr 11, 2009 Abigail rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Readers Who Enjoyed "The Perilous Gard"

Shelves: childrens-fantasy, childrens-fiction, p-l

Review Temporarily Removed.

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Nov 24, 2008 Angie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: good-uns, ya

I have had the entire Hollow Kingdom trilogy sitting in my TBR stack for awhile now and finally settled in with the first one and read it through. The first thing to catch my eye was the dedication. This is often the case with me. I was wandering the bookstore with my cousin just other night, talking about what a sucker I am for a good dedication. I should probably be keeping some sort of top ten list or something. I've fallen in love with many a Lloyd Alexander dedication and that's why this o...more I have had the entire Hollow Kingdom trilogy sitting in my TBR stack for awhile now and finally settled in with the first one and read it through. The first thing to catch my eye was the dedication. This is often the case with me. I was wandering the bookstore with my cousin just other night, talking about what a sucker I am for a good dedication. I should probably be keeping some sort of top ten list or something. I've fallen in love with many a Lloyd Alexander dedication and that's why this one in The Hollow Kingdom stood out to me. Because it was dedicated to him.

Kate and her younger sister Emily arrive at Hallow Hill in search of a new home. Recently orphaned, the two sisters have inherited the estate and come to live with their two muzzle-headed great aunts and their one creeperiffic guardian. The girls take to the new surroundings immediately, but soon after moving in Kate starts to feel like she's being watched. One night while out walking she is actually followed home by a mysterious hooded stranger on horseback. The stranger turns out to be the goblin king Marak. Every goblin king must steal a human bride and bring her home to the kingdom under the hill to live forever, never to see the sun or stars again. Once he sets his sights on Kate, Marak assures her it is only a matter of time til she is his. Kate manages to keep an admirably stiff upper lip, under the circumstances, and resolves to outwit the goblin king and remain above ground. Unfortunately, she is forced to reconsider when her sister is kidnapped and she is sure the Marak is behind it. In a wonderful reversal of expectations, Kate (of her own free will and choice) gains entrance to the goblin court and agrees to marry the king if he will release her sister.

The Hollow Kingdom is completely enchanting. It was the characters that won me over. Kate is a strong, thoughtful heroine and her sister Emily provides a good bit of comic relief as she is interested in absolutely everything. The prospect of spending the rest of her life among goblins strikes terror in Kate's heart, but sends Emily into raptures. What an adventure! But then it's not Emily who has to marry one of the ugly creatures. Which brings us to Marak. And Marak is an enigma. Crafty and cunning, he delights in attempting to capture his chosen bride and force her to do his will. Yet he is not without sympathy. He rushes to his wife's defense at any slight and, even as he laughs at her discomfort, he tries to make her more at home in his underground world. It's a surprising and lovely story and I recommend it for an evening autumn read. (less)

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Jul 22, 2008 Kirsten rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: from-library, re-reads, fiction

This is a re-read of a YA novel I read a few years back. It combines a Beauty-and-the-Beast-esque tale with fairy ballads like "Tam Lin" and "Thomas the Rhymer." The female protagonist, Kate, is wonderfully capable and determined throughout, without being unrealistically so, which I really appreciated.

My take on it when I first read it was that the pacing was uneven and that there were large sections of the story (and characters' development) that seemed glossed over. I still feel that this is t...more

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May 29, 2008 Emily rated it 5 of 5 stars

This is the best fantasy-romance I believe I have ever read. The fact the the romantic interest is a goblin shakes things up and the characters are written so well. Kate is not afraid of everything like some of the female characters of such books, she faces the whole thing bravely. This is hard considering a goblin is trying to capture her for his bride. At first it seems like it can only turn out badly but with a few surprising twists it ends up being just fine.

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Feb 02, 2009 Stephanie rated it 2 of 5 stars

For me this book was strange, odd, and a tad creepy for me. I didn't like how it ended and hope the next one in the series will be better. However, I did like how Kate was so feisty! You would have to be... in a dark place underground with weird creatures...

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Sep 29, 2011 June rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fantasy readers

Recommended to June by: Polly

Shelves: alternative-world, fantasy, magic, sisters, goblins

A new favorite! I should have listened to Polly and read this earlier, but she has so many books on her list! I don't want to say anything and possibly ruin it for future readers. However, I am so pissed that I already have too many holds to place the next book in the trilogy on hold from home. I also think I have found my sister's Christmas present.

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Feb 15, 2013 Heidi rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: 2013-favorites, favorites

This book. THIS BOOK. You know those books that come along every once in a while that you utterly fall in love with to the point of hugging them? THIS BOOK. The last occasion I can pinpoint such a reaction was my reading of Howl’s Moving Castle, so yes, this is BIG NEWS. There’s just something about Clare B. Dunkle’s writing that is simultaneously starkly real and utterly charming–it hits the heart in ways that so few books have the power to do, no matter how wonderful their stories may be. In f...more This book. THIS BOOK. You know those books that come along every once in a while that you utterly fall in love with to the point of hugging them? THIS BOOK. The last occasion I can pinpoint such a reaction was my reading of Howl’s Moving Castle, so yes, this is BIG NEWS. There’s just something about Clare B. Dunkle’s writing that is simultaneously starkly real and utterly charming–it hits the heart in ways that so few books have the power to do, no matter how wonderful their stories may be. In fact, I knew after one paragraph this was going to be among my favorite books:

She had never screamed before, not when she overturned the rowboat and almost drowned, not when the ivy broke and she crashed into the shrubbery below, not even when Lightfoot bucked her off and she felt her leg break underneath her with an agonizing crunch. She hadn’t even known that she could. Screaming was Lizzy’s job, and Lizzy was terribly good at it. But now she screamed, long and loud, with all her breath.

And that’s just the prologue. In fact, the particular characters involved in that paragraph aren’t even living by the time The Hollow Kingdom truly gets started, and yet I knew this book would speak to my heart.

At its core, The Hollow Kingdom is a retelling of one of my favorite tales–Beauty and the Beast. It has all of the bare bone elements of that story that we are familiar with, and yet somehow becomes its own fully fledged tale of perseverance, love, and feminism. Yes, it is a small book at 240 pages aimed toward Middle Grade readers, but like my beloved Frances Hardinge, Clare B. Dunkle writes for an ageless audience, bringing a maturity and depth to the pages that will be appreciated by countless readers.

What struck me about this Beauty and the Beast retelling is that it’s not about our Beauty (Kate) being locked away with the Beast (Marak, the goblin King) and slowly falling for him as he inevitably returns to a handsome state of being. It is about Kate’s persistent resistance to Marak’s propositions, and slow realization that monsters can wear human faces as well as kind souls can be hidden behind terrible features. Kate is a character who refuses to be robbed of her free will, even as those around her attempt to make her decisions for her, while Marak is a creature who remains as inhumanly ugly as he is inhumanly rude, but whose honesty and care for his people earns our love regardless.

Kate is innocent, but she is not stupid–an important distinction that is too often blurred in young people. In her world, it is easy to assume that those meant to protect you will, and that those ugly things that come to steal you at night are foul and loathsome–but she doesn’t let herself be taken in by either. As the guardians of Kate and her little sister Emily slowly back her into a corner she begins to utilize the hard lessons of humanity, knowing that lies can save her where truth cannot.

Marak, however, never lies. The goblin King is honest and frank to a point of frightening Kate with the situation he intends to force her to, but he also withholds information from her when she chooses to assume the worst of his kingdom. Marak’s frank conversations with the inquisitive and fearless Emily mark our ability to fall for him, knowing that he would never hurt Kate. I find myself disturbed that this was a book where I actively wanted the girl to end up with the stalkery guy who wanted to steal her away from everything, but I am so happy that nothing ever turns out quite as you might expect it to.

Marak sees Kate for who she is, not merely for the beauty she displays on the surface, and in time she does the same for him. While the human world is decrying Kate for her weak nerves she is bashing about proving quite the opposite. Both Kate and Marak are outrageously stubborn, the qualities they share being those that initially drive the biggest wedge between them, and later bind them oh so tight. Marak’s protectiveness for Kate comes with a disturbing price, but a weaker character on either of their parts would spell defeat for all.

I love the fact that in a story where a King’s wife can never be called a Queen, it is still the King’s wife who proves most important to the kingdom. The Hollow Kingdom is a book that reflects acute grief and homesickness, joy and wonder, and also the inevitable mixing of the two. In the end Marak has never lied to Kate, and never been wrong in all of the cruel things he has predicted for her fate, and yet those days of tears and darkness pale to nothing in the light of love.

Original review posted at Bunbury in the Stacks.(less)

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Mar 14, 2010 Amelia, the pragmatic idealist rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: favorite-books, all-kinds-of-fantasy, ya-kids-teen, 2009, macmillan, own, lovestory-done-right, best-characters-ever, mc-girl

EDIT: I just read this book again last night, and I have to say, I love it *MORE* than the first time!! The Hollow Kingdom is absolutely one of my all-time favorite books!! WAY TO GO, CLARE DUNKLE!!!! Thanks for writing such an amazing story :)

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Wow I started this at 7 at night and finished at 2something in the morning! It was that engrossing! The fact that Clare Dunkle's writing was praised by Lloyd Alexander (one of my favorite authors of all time) really impressed me, and I see...more EDIT: I just read this book again last night, and I have to say, I love it *MORE* than the first time!! The Hollow Kingdom is absolutely one of my all-time favorite books!! WAY TO GO, CLARE DUNKLE!!!! Thanks for writing such an amazing story :)

ORIGINAL REVIEW:
Wow I started this at 7 at night and finished at 2something in the morning! It was that engrossing! The fact that Clare Dunkle's writing was praised by Lloyd Alexander (one of my favorite authors of all time) really impressed me, and I see why. Though published within the last 5 years, she writes with a lyrical narrative not seen among today's more "urban fantasy/modern" authors. I can't really describe it, but it sounded reminiscent of Alexander's own work: simple yet elegant. And I have to say, I was and still am almost entirely in love with the story! Luckily for me, I'm not near feminist enough to be bothered by the story's unconventional order of events. This is a simple enough love story, but it is definitely not common, and I found myself recollecting aspects of Phantom of the Opera a bit. This truly is a "Beauty and the Beast"-esque story, and I was completely captivated. Yes, there are things I would have done differently (not really loving the goblins - or the animallike descriptions of the goblins), and the remaining 1/3 of the story almost completely switched gears and focus, but still, besides a bit of a pacing situation I liked the direction the story took. It doesn't take an English professor to crack the major themes and the overall message of the story. Typical YA: sometimes those "messages" tend to be a little "after-school-special" for my taste, but still... GREAT story, very WELL-DEVELOPED characters, and an extremely TALENTED author.

PS... he's totally not described this way, but I couldnt help but picture the Goblin King as the one played by David Bowie in Labyrinth and after reading this book, guess what movie I'm watching now?!??! I *LOVE* Labyrinth and you all need to watch this movie after you read the book! (less)

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Oct 05, 2008 Joy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 21c, american, fantasy, teen

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Jan 27, 2009 Donna rated it 5 of 5 stars

Why do I love this book?? More than anything, it's a great love story! At first I was terrified that the Goblin King would succeed in capturing Kate...but then I knew it was inevitable. I love that Marak loved Kate's fiery personality and he tells her "My God Kate, what a king you'll bear!" I love that Kate eventually recognizes his kindness and his strength when she is defending her husband to the Sorcerer, telling him that goblins "aren't pretty, they're strong." And of course when Kate tells...more

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Mar 02, 2009 Tammy rated it 3 of 5 stars

I read this book a long time ago before it was a trilogy and found it to be quickly paced and hard to put down. The last fourth or so did seem strange to me, though, as one plot ended (Kate's marriage), and a new one began with the sudden appearance of an evil sorcerer close to the book's end. Nevertheless, I enjoyed it on a surface level.
I was uncomfortable with the idea of interbreeding among the goblins with humans, elves, even animals. Yuck. I know, they're goblins. They're not real, but.....more

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Feb 17, 2013 Rachel Neumeier rated it 4 of 5 stars

I read this one a while ago and thought it was good enough, but not great. Then after reading Heidi's review at Bunbury in the Stacks I thought I'd better read it again.

And for me . . . no, really, it's good, but not great.

I did like Kate. And her effervescent little sister, Emily. And Marak, though with reservations. I loved the snake that guards the king's wives. No, really, that's a great snake!

The writing is very good, but this is a MG story and it shows in the less-detailed worldbuilding a...more

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Dec 24, 2012 Jaclynn Joslin rated it 5 of 5 stars

I had adored this book since I was in middle school and was captured by the title. Now, over ten years later I still find myself craving Dunkle's flowing writing and plucking my own copy off my bookshelf for the bi-yearly re-read. I don't think I will ever shake this one. I'm so drawn simple, mysterious beauty of this story.

I must say,though now I can see its faults every now and then, I still love this book. I think Kate is an ideal heroine, feisty and intelligent but also open to the changes t...more

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Nov 24, 2012 Tessa Ricquebourg rated it 5 of 5 stars

I adored this book. It is very rare that I find a book that I can read without skipping anything but this was one of those books. In fact I loved it so much I read till 3 in the morning (good thing I'm on holiday!). I would describe it as a wonderful cross between 'The Princess and the Goblin' and 'Beauty and the Beast' and would recommend it for lovers of either of those stories.

I really liked Kate and Marak as protagonists and found that I very quickly forgot Marak's hideous appearance as his...more

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Aug 29, 2012 Rory Williams rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I first read this book when I was younger, and I absolutely loved it. It was one of those books that I enjoyed reading over and over. There are a lot of things I hate about this book now, which really breaks my heart, because I used to love it so much. When I was young, naïve, and blind to—or at the very least ignoring—all of the disturbing elements.

But first to the positives. I absolutely adore the world Dunkle creates. The goblins are really cool, and it’s kind of fun to watch Kate go from re...more I first read this book when I was younger, and I absolutely loved it. It was one of those books that I enjoyed reading over and over. There are a lot of things I hate about this book now, which really breaks my heart, because I used to love it so much. When I was young, naïve, and blind to—or at the very least ignoring—all of the disturbing elements.

But first to the positives. I absolutely adore the world Dunkle creates. The goblins are really cool, and it’s kind of fun to watch Kate go from regarding them as monsters to accepting them for who they really are. The goblin city sounds absolutely beautiful, and totally a place I would love to live. The King’s Wife ceremony had me fascinated. The King’s Wife Charm is hilarious, and his monologues on all the Wives he’s guarded are truly entertaining.

Of course, I still love all of these things, but now that I'm older I notice a lot more. I now find the whole "stolen bride" premise to be more disturbing. Kate is being stalked by the goblin King Marek (no doubt modeled after Jareth from Labyrinth), who intends to make her his wife…no matter how she feels about it. It’s kind of like Twilight, in that we’re supposed to go, ‘aw, he’s ~~stalking~~ really wants to be with her, how romantic’. However, unlike Bella, Kate doesn’t like being stalked in the least. Don’t worry, though, she ends up falling in love with him. In fact, every one of these King's Wives kidnapped over the centuries ended up falling in love with their captors…so it’s all okay in the end. I just don’t buy that! I cannot see the likelihood that ALL of these women WOULDN’T end up harboring lifelong resentment towards the men who ruined their lives.

My feelings towards Marak are divided. Sometimes, he can be really funny, and his snark makes me laugh. Other times, he’s just a dick. For one, his apathy towards Kate’s pain at being forced underground makes me furious! He has no choice but to kidnap her—the King has to steal a wife to give him a strong heir in order for the goblin way of life to continue—and yet he still shows NO remorse, whatsoever! “It’s not my problem,” He declares with a shrug. Yes, it is! The very least he could say is, ‘I’m sorry for taking you away from everything you’ve ever loved. I had no choice, but I’m sorry.’ Nope, Marak doesn’t say he’s sorry, or do anything besides waving off, and even laughing at, Kate’s misery. He doesn’t say sorry because he knows that he won’t have to; she’ll fall in love with him, like they all do…so it’s all okay in the end.

I suppose one thing can be said in Marak’s favor (all of the Kings in this series, actually): they don’t start the…uh, King-bearing until the abductee gives her consent. Definitely keeps this story from getting as disturbing as it potentially could.

On a side note, it’s mentioned that goblins “marry” animals…funny how now that I’m older, I totally recognize that for what it is: WEIRD. I love how she says "marry", though. Gotta keep this PG, folks! Of course, we all know what she REALLY means; the goblins are pulling a Loki (obscure joke, sorry; if you don’t get it, just look up “Sleipnir”).

Anyway, there’s a small plot line near the end of the story. It was rather random, but it connected to the rest of the book in an interesting, albeit small, way, and served to highlight how much Kate has changed in the year and a half since her capture. By then Kate is already in love with Marak, and comes to realize that she fell in love with him at their first meeting…when he was being Mister Stalker, might I add. So I guess the first part of the book—him chasing her down, trying to wrestle her into submission, laughing at her grief at being taken prisoner—only served to deepen her irrevocable love for him *dramatic sigh*. Hey, turns out she was in love with him all along…so it’s all ok in the end. (less)

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Aug 18, 2012 A.J rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oh.My.Gosh.

This book was absolutely brilliant. Every page had me hooked with it's witty humor, characterisation and the wording of the context; Dunkle achieves what is impossible for many authors-she is able to make you feel empathy for the characters in the book. You feel for Kate's plight and you feel her indignation, Dunkle makes the characters truly come alive. She has written the characters so amusing and they make such an impact on you that I found myself rooting for Marak, the bad guy!

Thi...more Oh.My.Gosh.

This book was absolutely brilliant. Every page had me hooked with it's witty humor, characterisation and the wording of the context; Dunkle achieves what is impossible for many authors-she is able to make you feel empathy for the characters in the book. You feel for Kate's plight and you feel her indignation, Dunkle makes the characters truly come alive. She has written the characters so amusing and they make such an impact on you that I found myself rooting for Marak, the bad guy!

This book had reminded me what started me off on fantasy novels. The amount of detail Dunkle extends in this book towards the characters, settings, Lore and emotion is memorising,she put in all things magical that it hit a spot right in me. The bit all fantasy readers crave.

I won't give away any spoilers but here's the gist of the book: Kate and her younger sister are orphans who at the beginning of the book have been placed under the guardianship of a cousin of their mothers, it is clear from the moment he is introduced that he disdains them. So it is a good thing they live with their great-aunts in a separate house. And in comes the Goblin King [I loved the way Dunkle describes him! If your looking for one of those cheesy novels where every guy looks like he just stepped of a cat walk, look elsewhere!] Something in Kate warns her off him but nevertheless he pursues her. You see, in the King's tradition every bride of the Goblin King is forcibly taken, and with magic and an army of goblins and other magical creatures at his command, Kate has all the odds against her. However, in the end, it is Kate who holds the upper hand, but what will she do?

I can say now each character is special in their unique way, Dunkle makes Kate a woman who can think for herself, but not enough to make her headstrong and impertinent. Emily, with her love for all things peculiar which in flairs the innocent and inquisitive child she is. And lastly the Goblin King, who I have to say is one of my fave characters in the entire book. The things that stood out in him for me is his casualness and humor throughout the book, though he does get a little heated up near the end of the book.Bring all the characters together and BANG. You got one good book. Notto mention the clear excitement I felt whenever the Goblin King and Kate were alone. Gotta love those two.

It's defo a re-reader.(less)

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Jan 14, 2012 Natacia rated it 5 of 5 stars

One thing before reading this, one must know, this book is meant for young adult reader, so one cannot expect this book to be lengthy and in depth book like Lord of the Rings of Harry Potter. The book is short read and meant to make one think.

The Goblin King is technically a villain in the beginning, because he is persisting to trick Kate in a marriage, however later he does make a bargain to save her sister in exchange she marry him. So in a way that makes him a somewhat of a hero. Certainly no...more

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Nov 10, 2011 Alex rated it 1 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, ya, 2011

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I really wanted to like this book and everything I read for the first 100 pages convinced me that I would. Unfortunately the story never developed into anything more than a case study on Stockholm syndrome.

Kate was a strong protagonist, bright and courageous and Marak was terrifying as the villainous Goblin King. I was honestly scared during his scenes with Kate. Marak was a true monster, unpredictable and inhuman. He laughed at Kate’s fear and toyed with her until finally winning her surrender...more

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Jul 26, 2011 Rachel M. rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorite-books

This is my second time reading this book, and I loved reading it just as much this time as I did the first time through. This is just one of those books that is so good that it can be read many times without becoming dull or boring. One of the reasons why this is one of my all-time favorite books is because it has an engrossing plot. What could be more exciting than a story about a young maiden trying to escape the clutches of an “evil” goblin king? The first half of the book is my favorite part...more

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Jun 16, 2011 Karin rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, fantasy, goblins, young-adult-fiction, marriage, gutsy-girls, magic, quirky, funny, borrowed-from-the-library

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Kate and her sister Emily, recently orphaned, have come to live with their relatives at Hallow Hill. Once there, they hear stories about the abductions of young women from around their estate. They visit a circle of trees one day, and after that Kate begins to feel like she's being watched, followed, even. She meets the follower late one night when she and Emily become lost. He is Marak, king of the goblins, and he intends to abduct Kate and make her his wife. Desperate to avoid this fate, Kate...more Kate and her sister Emily, recently orphaned, have come to live with their relatives at Hallow Hill. Once there, they hear stories about the abductions of young women from around their estate. They visit a circle of trees one day, and after that Kate begins to feel like she's being watched, followed, even. She meets the follower late one night when she and Emily become lost. He is Marak, king of the goblins, and he intends to abduct Kate and make her his wife. Desperate to avoid this fate, Kate compromises her health (hiding away inside the manor), before finally confiding in her relatives. They don't believe her, and her smarmy cousin (the one who wants to keep Hallow Hill for himself) calls in a psychiatrist to evaluate her mental health. When Kate manages to prove her sanity to the doctor's satisfaction, her cousin abducts Emily and allows Kate to believe that the goblins have taken her. Kate immediately goes to the goblins and demands that her sister be released, offering herself as the goblin king's bride. Marak agrees. An outraged Kate discovers that her sister is not among the goblins and she and Marak arrange to find and rescue her. Emily, oddly enough, loves the goblins and actually wants to live with them underground. Kate finds the prospect somewhat less alluring.

Just as Kate is beginning to come to terms with her marriage and imprisonment, the goblins are threatened by a sorcerer whom they cannot identify. He uses the blood of a captured goblin to call all of the others to him to do his bidding. The goblins appear to fall asleep one after another – even Marak. It is up to Kate to hunt down the sorcerer and foil his plans. She is able to do so with the help of the Snake Charm – a magical spell that was placed on her when she became the king’s wife. The snake, which remains quiescent most of the time, rises up to protect and defend the king’s wife if ever she is endangered.

Even though Marak is a goblin (and a trickster), he's pretty dashing and charming - and he has a great sense of humor. The goblins are a rather merry people, despite the bad reputation they've gotten over the years. Kate is an intelligent and clever girl, too, eluding the traps laid for her both by the goblins and her cousin until her sister's life is at stake. This story gives goblins a chance to redeem themselves in our eyes. They may be a bit strange and occasionally alarmingly so, but they also have their good points. Kate, we discover, is a human-elf cross, which is why she is so naturally suspicious of Marak and his intentions, and also explains why she is so reluctant to live underground (as elves are more comfortable in nature and under the wide sky). She does come to love and respect Marak, however, and save him from a particularly nasty sorcerer. And he, in turn, gives her back some of the freedom that she desires. Excellent fantasy series.(less)

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Apr 01, 2011 Natalie rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: 12 and up

Shelves: favorites, wishlist

Strange things happen at Hallow Hill. There is a local legend that once every generation, a young woman of marriageable age is stolen away and taken under the hill to be a goblin bride. Kate and her sister Emily know nothing of the stories when they arrive, but it is not long before they learn. They become lost in the woods one evening and a gypsy volunteers to escort them home. Kate knows immediately that something is wrong about him, and her suspicions are proved when she first sees his face....more

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Jun 11, 2010 Jenna rated it 1 of 5 stars

Although I may have liked this book in my youth, as an adult I found it rather repellent.

A young woman is coerced into marrying the Goblin King, Lord of the Hollow Kingdom.

This book is unfortunately one of those cases where the two main characters start off hating one another (or rather, the young woman starts off hating the male protagonist), but eventually fall in love. What probably incensed me more than anything is that the male character virtually slings the female character over his shoul...more

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May 22, 2010 Emily rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed-books

Someone had recommended The Hollow Kingdom to me awhile ago, and I wish I could remember who it was because I would totally thank them for cluing me in to an excellent trilogy.

The Hollow Kingdom begins in Victorian England, with Kate and Emily, two recently orphaned sisters, showing up on the doorstep of a cousin who has (reluctantly) agreed to be their guardian. They're supposed to live with two nice but terminally disconnected great-aunts and basically wait around until someone decides to marr...more Someone had recommended The Hollow Kingdom to me awhile ago, and I wish I could remember who it was because I would totally thank them for cluing me in to an excellent trilogy.

The Hollow Kingdom begins in Victorian England, with Kate and Emily, two recently orphaned sisters, showing up on the doorstep of a cousin who has (reluctantly) agreed to be their guardian. They're supposed to live with two nice but terminally disconnected great-aunts and basically wait around until someone decides to marry them. While they're out exploring the woods and the nature around the house, they discover many beautiful places, all of which are described richly and elegantly in the narrative. They also discover a mysterious band of riders and a bunch of legends about goblins and about the perilous fate that awaits the virginal girls the goblins carry off to their dark, dank and dreary homeland.

That's all well and good, except the legends are anything but, and the truth is actually way more wacky than the story. The goblins are very real indeed, and led by their king, Marak, who must marry someone who's not a goblin and have a sun, so that the magic of the goblin race can continue. Marak doesn't much care how he comes by his bride, and indeed tradition has always dictated that he just cart her off, but some seriously well done plot twists ensure that Kate actually not only goes to the goblin kingdom willingly, but totally reforms everyone's opinions of what she's like once she gets there.

While Kate is more quiet and serious, Emily is bombastic and energetic- the whole situation is just a grand adventure to her, and she helps Kate to see other sides of what appear at the beginning to be pretty hopeless situations. According to Amazon, Emily is the heroine of the second book of this trilogy, called Close Kin, so hopefully we'll see more of her there.

The Hollow Kingdom reminded me very much of a sort of Bizarro-World love story. Kate and Marak are an extremely unlikely couple and at first, it doesn't seem like things are going to work out all that well, but as time passes, it becomes clear that something like love is starting to blossom. Certainly not a traditional romance, but still sweet. Things definitely blossom between Kate and Marek and, of course, there's a barrier to the happily ever after that helps everyone realize what their true feelings are.

The Hollow Kingdom reminded me of fairy tales mixed with Harry Potter and a slight dash of creepy gothic and horror novels. It was a great combination and I'm definitely excited to read the rest of the trilogy.

Overall Grade: A

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Jan 15, 2010 Camie rated it 3 of 5 stars

I wrapped up the Reliquiae Challenge with this book. I think this is the first book that I’ve read that I could call a true fantasy. (Well, besides the Star Wars book I read.) And I have to say that I quite liked it--although I’ve come to realize that this sort of fantasy may just not be my thing. In other words, I’m not moving on with the rest of the trilogy; however, I think it’s completely conceivable for those whose boats were floated with this tale would be itching for the next installment...more I wrapped up the Reliquiae Challenge with this book. I think this is the first book that I’ve read that I could call a true fantasy. (Well, besides the Star Wars book I read.) And I have to say that I quite liked it--although I’ve come to realize that this sort of fantasy may just not be my thing. In other words, I’m not moving on with the rest of the trilogy; however, I think it’s completely conceivable for those whose boats were floated with this tale would be itching for the next installment.

Kate and her little sister Emily, both their parents having passed away, move to the estate that was left in their mother’s name. Their cousin lives there and two of their great aunts nearby. Unfortunately, the cousin is not all too taken with the girls, so they live happily in a small house with their elderly, but feisty, aunts. Kate loves the fresh air, the rolling hills, and the open sky of her new home, and she and her sister spend many hours outdoors, even until nightfall.

One evening, they get lost walking home, and end up running into an unlikely band of people, a gypsy woman and some hooded figures, to ask for help. One of the hooded men, Marak, kindly offers to take the girls home, and although Emily is taken with him right away even without seeing his face, Kate is mistrusting. As they arrive, Kate is finally allowed to see the stranger’s hidden visage, which will set in motion a series of events that she cannot escape.

I really enjoyed the setting Dunkle created of underworld creatures, magical powers, and the mixing of reality and superstition. Although I found a few of the themes unsettling for young women, complete with kidnappings. I guess I would hope for a stronger female heroine, although I think Dunkle did try to alleviate these problems with something different in Kate. She is definitely a live wire, but I suppose I was hoping for a little bit more. I enjoyed the first two sections (Starlight and Lamplight, particularly the latter) much more than the last (Darkness). That last section I felt deviated from the main focus and rhythm of the story, to sort of make it more adventurous and introduce more problems to be solved. I think I would have been satisfied with the first two sections on their own.

Overall, I have to say, even though I’m not terribly interested to move on to the next book in the series, that it definitely had a "can't put down" quality, and it seemed that I couldn't read the book fast enough. I'd say if your tastes run toward fantasy, this one will be a slam dunk for you.(less)

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Dec 28, 2009 Kim (magicsandwiches) Lawyer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-ll-borrow-from-library-again

After they are orphaned, Kate and her sister, Emily, must go to live with relatives in the English countryside. One evening, they find a faerie ring in the forest near their home. Kate feels a strong sensation that someone or something is watching her. The feeling doesn't leave even after she's home, safe in her own room. Days later, the girls get lost on the road and come across a very odd band of people. One man in particular unsettles Kate very much, teasing and joking with her in far too fam...more

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Aug 26, 2009 Sarah rated it 5 of 5 stars

I didn't like this at first because I found the overwhelming sense of menace and danger upsetting - I am such a wimp when it comes to scary books. The scene where Marak sneaks into her room at night and all she can hear are heavy footsteps by the window in the pitch dark...!! I persevered, however, and am glad I did because the mood soon changed and after that I found it charming and original. And funny! I loved the scenes with the snake, it was always so smug about putting people that endangere...more

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Jul 19, 2009 Liked00dness rated it 5 of 5 stars

Oh wow, did I LOVE this book!

Young Kate becomes the target of the ugly goblin king, Marak, who wants her for his bride. For generations, goblin kings have been kidnapping brides to live in their underground kingdom. There are plenty of rumors about what happens to those women and Kate does her best to prevent her fate, but eventually she is forced to give in. She braces herself for the worst, but things aren't always as they seem...

As Kate settles in to her new life she learns the goblin kingdom...more

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About Clare B. Dunkle

I was born Clare Buckalew in Fort Worth, Texas, and grew up in Denton, Texas, a city north of Dallas. I earned my B.A. in Russian with a minor in Latin from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from Indiana University with a master's degree in library science, I came back to San Antonio to work when my husband, Joe, joined the engineering staff at Kelly Air Force Base. I earn...more

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Close Kin (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy, #2)

In the Coils of the Snake (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy, #3)

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“Kate felt very offended. 'I am not an elf,' she insisted. 'I'm an Englishwoman!” — 11 people liked it

“Forks are absurd, he scoffed. They insult your food. They make it think you're killing it twice.” — 9 people liked it

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The Hollow Kingdom (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy #1)

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