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72nd out of 802 books
—
2,126 voters
The Goblin Wood (Goblin Wood #1)
by
Hilari Bell (Goodreads Author)
It began with the chiming of the tiny copper bell on the mantel, warning them someone was passing the ward stone her mother had placed on the path to their house ...
One terrible day, Makenna, a young hedgewitch, witnesses her mother's murder at the hands of their own neighbors. Striken with grief and rage, Makenna flees the village that has been her home. In the wilds of t...more
One terrible day, Makenna, a young hedgewitch, witnesses her mother's murder at the hands of their own neighbors. Striken with grief and rage, Makenna flees the village that has been her home. In the wilds of t...more
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Published
June 15th 2004
by Harpercollins
(first published April 15th 2003)
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Makenna is a young hedgewitch who watched her mother die at the hands of the villagers she had helped with her small magical ability. Unable to cope with the laws abolishing magic practiced outside of the church, Makenna strikes off into the wilderness of the north. On her travels, she saves the life of a goblin, who teaches her of the goblins sense of debt and loyalty.
Tobin is a knight who has lost everything. In order to save his brother he has been stripped of his title, his responsability, a...more
Tobin is a knight who has lost everything. In order to save his brother he has been stripped of his title, his responsability, a...more
This is book one of a fantasy trilogy which my son and I discovered last Fall. There is a lot of second-rate fantasy out there, so finding these books was a pleasant surprise. They are really quite good. The setting is a land where the ruling theocracy has outlawed magic use by anyone except the priests. Thus the government is trying to exterminate or at least drive out all minor magic users and all magical creatures. The main character is a young hedgewitch named Makenna, whose mother was murde...more
Surprisingly good book for all ages. I've read A LOT of fantasy books over the past three decades, and I've become a bit cynical about them. But this one was refreshing, easy to read, and engaging. It avoided cliches, it had a strong, intelligent but not overdone heroine (this is NOT Xena Warrior Princess), and the hero was not your usual Brad Pitt in shining armor. And the fact that it portrayed teenagers as deeply loyal, capable, family-loving, and intelligent -- not just shallow, sex-driven d...more
3 likes · like · see review
This is easily one of my favourite fantasy novels. It is one that has a plot that keeps you interested, but also possesses enough depth to reward close-reading.
Makenna's struggle with the goblins is a fairly obvious metaphor for environmentalism, but what is most interesting about her side of the story is the way she continues to distance herself from humanity until she entirely no longer sees herself as a part of society. It is the realization that this is impossible which provides a good part...more
Makenna's struggle with the goblins is a fairly obvious metaphor for environmentalism, but what is most interesting about her side of the story is the way she continues to distance herself from humanity until she entirely no longer sees herself as a part of society. It is the realization that this is impossible which provides a good part...more
This story is about the hedgewitch Makenna, who's life is turned upside down when her mother is killed for practicing witchcraft. Makenna is then left to fend for herself in a world where she no longer belongs. She makes an unlikely friend in a goblin, by entrapping him with no real magical intent, and becomes a good ally with him and his people. It's a story about what happens to the inhabitants of the Goblin wood when humans are forced from their own homes by barbarians intent on settling thei...more
The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell
My Summary:
When Makenna is eleven, her mother is killed before her hiding eyes for being a sorceress. Though her mother is really just a hedgewitch, the Priests of the church are looking for absolute power. Makenna seeks her revenge on the village of human who had been healed and cared for by her mother only to turn against her at the Priests request. But the Goblins in the woods won’t leave her alone as she retreats. They steal everything she has and she must find...more
My Summary:
When Makenna is eleven, her mother is killed before her hiding eyes for being a sorceress. Though her mother is really just a hedgewitch, the Priests of the church are looking for absolute power. Makenna seeks her revenge on the village of human who had been healed and cared for by her mother only to turn against her at the Priests request. But the Goblins in the woods won’t leave her alone as she retreats. They steal everything she has and she must find...more
I picked this book up at the school bookfair- not really knowing why. Maybe because there was nothing else there but... Well, after reading it- I definitely don't regret buying it. This book didn't seem all that long while I was reading it, but when I thought about it- the author really took you for a long ride. But this was a page turner, and it just flew by! I thought Bell's description of the goblins was PERFECT with all the different varieties and heights. I especially loved the goblin chil...more
Review is a little spoilery, but not much more so than a jacket cover might be.
I am predictably a sucker for books about rebellious, kick-ass, resourceful, and stubborn female protagonists. And this book doesn't disappoint! Makenna starts off the book with a bang, striking off on her own after circumstances have forced her into dire action, and almost immediately she finds herself at odds with some goblins. Her despair is brief, and they eventually reach an understanding which ultimately leads...more
I am predictably a sucker for books about rebellious, kick-ass, resourceful, and stubborn female protagonists. And this book doesn't disappoint! Makenna starts off the book with a bang, striking off on her own after circumstances have forced her into dire action, and almost immediately she finds herself at odds with some goblins. Her despair is brief, and they eventually reach an understanding which ultimately leads...more
Very enjoyable read with a strong plot not always found in young adult fantasies and an insightful message. Strong parallels to World History with mankind pushing aside and persecuting those who are different from them in order to take over their lands. The characters develop well in the story. Makenna, leader for the goblins against mankinds cruelty, comes to realize the world is not so simple/black and white. She sees that her enemies are just leaders like her doing what they have to to help t...more
This was the first novel I pulled off the YA bookshelves at age twelve. I checked it out of the library, inhaled the book, and bought my own copy two days later.
The writing is concise and measured in a way that few books are. It is strong in that it carries the story; you don't pay the writing any special notice because with its precise word choice, the story just flows.
The characters are well-developed. No one is completely good or evil; everyone has a motive of personal gain. Their flaws and...more
The writing is concise and measured in a way that few books are. It is strong in that it carries the story; you don't pay the writing any special notice because with its precise word choice, the story just flows.
The characters are well-developed. No one is completely good or evil; everyone has a motive of personal gain. Their flaws and...more
I bought this book in middle school, and I vaguely remember being enchanted with the heroine, Makenna. Years later, I found it amongst stacks of books recently brought out of storage, and was too curious not to read it again.
This book is fabulous. It has a strong, scrappy main character who really has to keep her wits about her. The male lead, Tobin, seemed like a decent guy to start off with, but by the end I found myself getting more and more invested in his fate as well.
But what impressed me...more
This book is fabulous. It has a strong, scrappy main character who really has to keep her wits about her. The male lead, Tobin, seemed like a decent guy to start off with, but by the end I found myself getting more and more invested in his fate as well.
But what impressed me...more
Review taken from my blog, The Haunting of Orchid Forsythia.
First Sentence:
Makenna had to stretch onto her toes to reach the small stone lamp, for the shelf that held it was higher than a grown woman's head, and she was only eleven.
The Goblin Wood had been sitting on my TBR pile for maybe two months when I picked it up out of the blue a few days ago. I could not put it down at all because I was just so caught up in the world, characters, and writing of Ms. Bell.
I'm wishing that I had not put of...more
First Sentence:
Makenna had to stretch onto her toes to reach the small stone lamp, for the shelf that held it was higher than a grown woman's head, and she was only eleven.
The Goblin Wood had been sitting on my TBR pile for maybe two months when I picked it up out of the blue a few days ago. I could not put it down at all because I was just so caught up in the world, characters, and writing of Ms. Bell.
I'm wishing that I had not put of...more
This was the first book I ever read by Hilari Bell back when I was in elementary school and since then, I've become an avid fan. This book stuck with me for a very long time, especially the first scene. I don't know if I understood them fully the first time, but the questions it presented regarding intentions and ends justifying means definitely left an impression on me. It really stands out from a lot of other YA fiction. The characters are well-rounded and believable and the plot is so engagin...more
For our first book review assignment, I decided to read and review The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell. The first thing I have to say about the book is that it was definitely a good read. In the first few chapters I, to say the least, was bored. However, after Makenna formed the alliance with the goblins, I could not put this book down. I felt that through the book, Makenna became less and less of a main character as it progressed. For example, when the book skipped 5 years I felt like Hilari Bell c...more
This was a really good book because it was interesting and it was a "page turner". I read it when I was in about 5th grade and I'm sure if I read it again I would still love it. It was a very original story from my point of view and I would recommend it to any who like fiction set in this time period.
This was a book that I just happened to pick up one day on a pile of free books and I am so glad I did..........! I found this book to be so amazing! I laughed, I cried, I feel in love with the goblins, Tobin and Makenna. It left me wanting to know more about them and what else happens, so I was very happy to find out there are more books to the series, I can not wait to read them and more by the author Hilari Bell.
In this captivating fantasy adventure, the difference between Bright and Dark ma...more
In this captivating fantasy adventure, the difference between Bright and Dark ma...more
Makenna is twelve when she watches the villagers drown her mother because she is a hedgewitch. The religion of the land decrees that anyone who has magical abilities and is not a priest is getting their power from evil sources.
As she escapes her village she is followed and harassed by goblins. She captures one, and quickly learns the ways and persecution of the goblins. She then becomes a defender for their cause.
Tobin is a knight who is falsely accused of treason. He takes the punishment to pro...more
As she escapes her village she is followed and harassed by goblins. She captures one, and quickly learns the ways and persecution of the goblins. She then becomes a defender for their cause.
Tobin is a knight who is falsely accused of treason. He takes the punishment to pro...more
So, I really enjoyed this book. I just had so much fun reading it, and I didn't want to put it down. I wanted to find out what happened to Makenna. I needed to know if the goblins survived. There was something about this that just captured my interest.
The writing style is fairly standard. There wasn't really anything about it that captured my interest, and where I thought "Wow that is beautiful." However, I did enjoy myself. I think the plot really drew me in, and the author crafted her story so...more
The writing style is fairly standard. There wasn't really anything about it that captured my interest, and where I thought "Wow that is beautiful." However, I did enjoy myself. I think the plot really drew me in, and the author crafted her story so...more
I picked this up thinking it would be a (to put it politely) a throwaway read. Some light, fantasy-type literary junk food to pass the time with. I was very wrong.
The characters really drew me in, as did the pacing of the story, which was refreshingly brisk without rushing. And I loved that it was wrapped up with the option of continuing, instead of being another "SURPRISE! PART ONE OF A TRILOGY".
I also really enjoyed the fact that although there were some unscrupulous characters, there were no...more
The characters really drew me in, as did the pacing of the story, which was refreshingly brisk without rushing. And I loved that it was wrapped up with the option of continuing, instead of being another "SURPRISE! PART ONE OF A TRILOGY".
I also really enjoyed the fact that although there were some unscrupulous characters, there were no...more
I have to hand it to this author, when she chooses to express an opinion on something, she really follows through.
I actually enjoy her writing style, and I was able to make connections to the characters fairly easily, but something about the story was too cut-and-dry. It focused on one or two objectives, the over-all metaphor or points that I felt she was using the story to illustrate to the reader to a degree that sacrificed character development.
This struck me as lamentable because I felt th...more
I actually enjoy her writing style, and I was able to make connections to the characters fairly easily, but something about the story was too cut-and-dry. It focused on one or two objectives, the over-all metaphor or points that I felt she was using the story to illustrate to the reader to a degree that sacrificed character development.
This struck me as lamentable because I felt th...more
Twelve-year-old Mckenna is a hedge witch (albeit not a very good one). She witnesses her mother, also a hedge witch murdered by the villagers she has always helped. Thus begins an adventure that takes MxKenna and the reader into the Goblin Wood to learn the secrets of the goblins.
The Goblin Wood, is a fast-paced, stand-alone fantasy YA novel by Hilari Bell. It has a strong message about prejudice and intolerance but it doesn't pound the reader over the head with it. Instead, it keeps the reader...more
The Goblin Wood, is a fast-paced, stand-alone fantasy YA novel by Hilari Bell. It has a strong message about prejudice and intolerance but it doesn't pound the reader over the head with it. Instead, it keeps the reader...more
I enjoyed this as a fun read, but... This book starts out with a horrible scene, which is attention-grabbing, but never quite resolved in my mind. The ending is a bit unsatisfactory to me as well. Perhaps this is resolved in the sequels, but it just doesn't feel quite complete. Timothy enjoyed this series. It has a lot of evil and death and such, which would be way beyond the comfort level of my 9-year-old (probably forever), which is probably why it is disturbing to me too. I like happy endings...more
This is a book I remember reading in middle school. I'm glad I decided to re-read it, in preparation for reading the sequel. What I really like about it is that it has interesting characters and character development (both Makenna and Tobin struggle to come to terms with the world in shades of grey). The goblins are my favourite, and I would have liked to see more of them. I wish that the book covered more of the five years that Makenna spent with the goblins, and how she started out as their ge...more
In what turned out to be an addicting fantasy novel, Hilari Bell shows love and compassion for goblins, a race often seen in a negative light in fantasy novels.
Betrayed by her own human race, Makenna, a young hedgewitch, flees her village after her mother's execution and finds herself in the company of goblins. With a decree demanding all independent magic wielders are in league with dark forces, a crime demanding execution, she finds refuge among these magical creatures and becomes their leader...more
Betrayed by her own human race, Makenna, a young hedgewitch, flees her village after her mother's execution and finds herself in the company of goblins. With a decree demanding all independent magic wielders are in league with dark forces, a crime demanding execution, she finds refuge among these magical creatures and becomes their leader...more
Makenna is only a hedgewitch, less powerful than her mother and a threat to no one. But when the Decree of Bright Magic causes the village to murder her mother, Makenna has no choice but to flee into the woods. It is there she forms an unlikely alliance with the goblins, who are just as unwanted as she. Together, with them and her desire for vengeance, she defends their home in the north against any humans who come their way.
Tobin is a knight fallen from grace, and as Makenna’s threat grows, he...more
Tobin is a knight fallen from grace, and as Makenna’s threat grows, he...more
Makenna and her mother and both hedgewitches, which is really unfortunate, because the Hierarch (the religious/political leader of the land) has just declared them abominations. Makenna, being only eleven, isn’t so easy for the villagers to “exterminate” (I mean, she’s a kid), but they go right on ahead and wrap her mom in a bunch of chains and then throw her in the lake.
Not surprisingly, the poor woman drowns.
Makenna manages to escape, and here’s where things started to get interesting and enjo...more
Not surprisingly, the poor woman drowns.
Makenna manages to escape, and here’s where things started to get interesting and enjo...more
The Scholastic Book Warehouse Sale comes to our neck of the woods once or twice a year. I normally leave with a few easy readers for my kids and a couple of YA fantasy titles for myself. More often than not, the YA fantasy books are mediocre, but I'm only paying a dollar or two for each of them. It's a gamble.
Once in a while, though, I grab a book that makes me feel like I got a true bargain--a great book that I enjoy from cover to cover. That's happened on my last trip, when I picked up The Gob...more
Once in a while, though, I grab a book that makes me feel like I got a true bargain--a great book that I enjoy from cover to cover. That's happened on my last trip, when I picked up The Gob...more
The Goblin Wood by Hilari Bell is the perfect summer read for your Young Adult reader. Actually a cute read for anyone.
Makenna is a hedgewitch and a young inexperienced one at that. Having lost her mum to hatred of witches sets young Makenna off on her own with only her wits and anger to keep her alive.
Tobin is a young knight who has done no wrong but try and save his brother's life. He is stripped of his title, flogged and then sent off on a mission to find the great sorceress in the North who...more
Makenna is a hedgewitch and a young inexperienced one at that. Having lost her mum to hatred of witches sets young Makenna off on her own with only her wits and anger to keep her alive.
Tobin is a young knight who has done no wrong but try and save his brother's life. He is stripped of his title, flogged and then sent off on a mission to find the great sorceress in the North who...more
Jun 28, 2007
Sarah
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Anyone who loves stories with open endings
Absolutely fab! 12-year-old Makenna has just witnessed the murder of her mother, the local hedgewitch, by decree of a priest of the Hierarch, aided by the villagers whom Makenna's mother had always helped. Angry and bitter, the grieving girl seeks revenge on the village and runs away into the woods, where she encounters and befriends the goblins-a small, magical race of people who are being systematically exterminated by the Hierarch. Advance five years to another part of the Hierarch's territor...more
A fun, fast-paced read.
THE GOBLIN WOOD was a bit more tame than I'd anticipated, but the I liked the tone and mood that Bell created with this novel. It was at once exciting and endearing. I felt like the scope of the novel could've been broader, especially for what I'd consider epic fantasy, but Bell set up a great ensemble of characters that were both intriguing, compelling, and flawed.
Overall, a great book. I particularly think it would appeal to younger YA readers, but it's good fun for eve...more
THE GOBLIN WOOD was a bit more tame than I'd anticipated, but the I liked the tone and mood that Bell created with this novel. It was at once exciting and endearing. I felt like the scope of the novel could've been broader, especially for what I'd consider epic fantasy, but Bell set up a great ensemble of characters that were both intriguing, compelling, and flawed.
Overall, a great book. I particularly think it would appeal to younger YA readers, but it's good fun for eve...more
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As far as writing is concerned, I call myself the poster child for persistence. Songs of Power, the first novel I sold, was the 5th novel I'd written. When it sold I was working on novel #13. The next to sell, Navohar, was #12, and the next, A Matter of Profit, was #9. The Goblin Wood was #6, and the first Sorahb book, Flame (later renamed Farsala: Fall of a Kingdom), will be #15. You get the pict...more
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“As if she had summoned them, a flurry of stones flew out of the darkness, striking his mail, pinging off his helm. One hit his unprotected leg and he yelped and clutched it. That was a mistake. The second barrage was entirely directed at his legs.”
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8 people liked it
“Cogswhallop glanced skeptically at the complex runes. "Are you sure this'll work, gen'ral?"
"Of course I'm sure-"
Ping. The silvery note echoed in the cramped room. Makenna felt her face turn scarlet.”
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7 people liked it
More quotes…
"Of course I'm sure-"
Ping. The silvery note echoed in the cramped room. Makenna felt her face turn scarlet.”
Feb 23, 2012 02:49pm