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Billy Smith and the Goblins #1
The Goblin Crown
Billy Smith is having a rough first day of high school. The new kid at exclusive Francis Drake Prep, Billy embarrasses himself in front of fiery, beautiful Lexi Aquino. He makes an instant enemy in Kurt Novac, the school s surly star quarterback. Then suddenly Billy, Lexi, and Kurt are mysteriously transported to an underworld teeming with goblins, strange animal hybrids, and powerful magic the fact that they re stuck there is probably Billy s fault, too. With help from an unlikely goblin leader named Hop, the teens soon discover that goblins can be both fierce and friendly, with their own rich language, culture, and history a history that foretells of a human arriving to claim the Goblin Crown and lead them to victory against the deadly, invading Hanorians. Could Billy anxious, awkward Billy be the mythical Goblin King? Could saving the goblin race be his destiny and the key to getting him, Lexi, and Kurt back home?
336 pages, Paperback
Published November 15, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 27, 2016
I got an early review copy of this book -- and I was dying to read it, because Robert Hewitt Wolfe is one of my favorite TV writers. He worked on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and tons of other shows, and he has an amazing grasp of storytelling. The Goblin Crown is no exception. It's sort of a "chosen one" story with a portal fantasy setting -- a special Earth child is supposed to travel to a magical realm and become King of the Goblins. And the Goblins are facing their most perilous hour, so there's some urgency here. What makes this book stand out is first of all Wolfe's amazing sense of pacing, and secondly, his fresh take on the material. This is a chosen one story where the hero really has to grow and change in order to step up, and meanwhile, the story also has a really nuanced, smart take on war and on the costs of violence. Also, this book has a super diverse human cast. Great stuff.
October 6, 2016
What a fun and action packed story!
Billy Smith has never felt like he belonged. He has always been uncomfortable everywhere he goes. He just doesn't quite fit in. On his first day of high school, with his nerves already on edge, and spying the beautiful Lexi who is a bit of a chatterbox he accidentally runs afoul of Kurt. When Lexi tries to speak up for him she unintentionally makes things a bit worse. Lexi suffers an injury as they are fleeing, and it is then we find out that Kurt is more bark than bite. In trying to get help for Lexi, Billy transports them to a magical land where Goblins and Humans have been at war, Rabbits are the size of cows and ships fly through the sky powered by giant bats. Some goblins are friendlier than others and not all will welcome these unlikely human heroes.
The target age group for this book is middle school and up, but if you are a kid at heart you too will be enchanted by this captivating tale.
I received an advance copy for review
Billy Smith has never felt like he belonged. He has always been uncomfortable everywhere he goes. He just doesn't quite fit in. On his first day of high school, with his nerves already on edge, and spying the beautiful Lexi who is a bit of a chatterbox he accidentally runs afoul of Kurt. When Lexi tries to speak up for him she unintentionally makes things a bit worse. Lexi suffers an injury as they are fleeing, and it is then we find out that Kurt is more bark than bite. In trying to get help for Lexi, Billy transports them to a magical land where Goblins and Humans have been at war, Rabbits are the size of cows and ships fly through the sky powered by giant bats. Some goblins are friendlier than others and not all will welcome these unlikely human heroes.
The target age group for this book is middle school and up, but if you are a kid at heart you too will be enchanted by this captivating tale.
I received an advance copy for review
April 22, 2016
(Reviewed from a galley, courtesy of Turner Publishing)
The Goblin Crown falls somewhere between Hogwarts and The Shire. Action, adventure, magic, a bit of romance...this book has it all. As the first volume in a planned series, teens Billy, Kurt, and Lexi do all they can to keep the story moving from the time they are mysteriously transported from the human world to the underground goblin city of Kiranok. Along the way, they each discover hidden powers--although not all are magic or otherworldly in nature--that may help uncover the true identity of the heir to the goblin throne and get them back home.
Overall, this was an easy, entertaining read but given the price point, I'm not sure if it is going to be marketed toward teens or middle grades (it should!). Nevertheless, older kids and kids at heart will enjoy the adventure and will look forward to the sequel.
The Goblin Crown falls somewhere between Hogwarts and The Shire. Action, adventure, magic, a bit of romance...this book has it all. As the first volume in a planned series, teens Billy, Kurt, and Lexi do all they can to keep the story moving from the time they are mysteriously transported from the human world to the underground goblin city of Kiranok. Along the way, they each discover hidden powers--although not all are magic or otherworldly in nature--that may help uncover the true identity of the heir to the goblin throne and get them back home.
Overall, this was an easy, entertaining read but given the price point, I'm not sure if it is going to be marketed toward teens or middle grades (it should!). Nevertheless, older kids and kids at heart will enjoy the adventure and will look forward to the sequel.
October 27, 2016
"The greatest beast crushes the bravest man. The bravest man slaughters the wiliest fox. The wiliest fox preys on the most elusive bird. The most elusive bird pecks up the smallest insect. And with a single diseased bite, the smallest insect brings down the greatest beast. We are all carrion and eaters of carrion, fertilizer for the wheat that makes our bread. Place a crown over it. And call it paradise."
Received a galley edition of this book from Turner Publishing for an honest review!
They don't pull punches here and get right to the good stuff. It goes from a page of introducing the teenagers and then bam, goblins galore. (Please note that I'm sick, so if this makes you feel uncomfortable at any time... please step out of the train car.)
Billy is your typical nerdy student, except for these spells that cause him to get dizzy. Once he gets dizzy, he sees things and feels them. Like he's in another world.
Lexi tries to comfort him, but to no use. He brushes her off and things go from bad to worse. While during lunch, he stumbles again getting dizzy and drops his lunch all over the quarterback Kurt.
Kurt has special plans on getting them back at the end of the day. And after school, Kurt waits and waits for them to show face. Knowing what's to come, Lexi and Billy go another way to avoid this escapade. Kurt being who he is, know all and starts giving chase. Lexi and Billy escaping into a tunnel that they didn't know existed. And poof! They find themselves in a mysterious land. One that they have never seen before.
Welcome to the land of Kiranok!! The underground world of Goblins and magical creatures a like.
The Goblins have been at war with the Hanorians and the crown has been unclaimed. It is time for an unlikely creature to come and place the crown on their head. Once it is touched by the chosen one, the ruby jewel with shine bright and the world is to know that the king has returned home.
With some unfortunate events that occur while trying to not only save themselves but also save the Goblin race. One of those three teenagers is heir to the throne. But which one has it in them to save what is rightfully theirs?
This was one heck of an adventurous thrill ride. I felt that I was placed at the Shire waiting for someone to come and steal the ring. But instead of a ring we have a crown that needs to be placed with his rightful owner.
The pace seemed way out of whack, which took away from the story. It started off at the highest point and towards the middle dropped down, but seemed to pick up more speed before the crown found its owner and then it dropped again. A crazy ride of speeds and bumps in the road. I still look forward to seeing what Billy and his friends have in store.
Let the games begin!!!
Received a galley edition of this book from Turner Publishing for an honest review!
They don't pull punches here and get right to the good stuff. It goes from a page of introducing the teenagers and then bam, goblins galore. (Please note that I'm sick, so if this makes you feel uncomfortable at any time... please step out of the train car.)
Billy is your typical nerdy student, except for these spells that cause him to get dizzy. Once he gets dizzy, he sees things and feels them. Like he's in another world.
Lexi tries to comfort him, but to no use. He brushes her off and things go from bad to worse. While during lunch, he stumbles again getting dizzy and drops his lunch all over the quarterback Kurt.
Kurt has special plans on getting them back at the end of the day. And after school, Kurt waits and waits for them to show face. Knowing what's to come, Lexi and Billy go another way to avoid this escapade. Kurt being who he is, know all and starts giving chase. Lexi and Billy escaping into a tunnel that they didn't know existed. And poof! They find themselves in a mysterious land. One that they have never seen before.
Welcome to the land of Kiranok!! The underground world of Goblins and magical creatures a like.
The Goblins have been at war with the Hanorians and the crown has been unclaimed. It is time for an unlikely creature to come and place the crown on their head. Once it is touched by the chosen one, the ruby jewel with shine bright and the world is to know that the king has returned home.
With some unfortunate events that occur while trying to not only save themselves but also save the Goblin race. One of those three teenagers is heir to the throne. But which one has it in them to save what is rightfully theirs?
This was one heck of an adventurous thrill ride. I felt that I was placed at the Shire waiting for someone to come and steal the ring. But instead of a ring we have a crown that needs to be placed with his rightful owner.
The pace seemed way out of whack, which took away from the story. It started off at the highest point and towards the middle dropped down, but seemed to pick up more speed before the crown found its owner and then it dropped again. A crazy ride of speeds and bumps in the road. I still look forward to seeing what Billy and his friends have in store.
Let the games begin!!!
March 6, 2021
I heard Wolfe say at one point that this was his response to C.S. Lewis' "The Chronicles of Narnia" and I can definitely see it. Three kids magically fall into an adjacent world at war and befriend some representatives of one side where, it turns out, there is a prophecy of a savior/leader who just so happens to be one of the kids. Familiar fantasy trope, well-loved, and Wolfe's version is a bit clunky at the beginning but finds its feet eventually.
One of the things the book market is very excited about with this book is that two of the three kids are POC and yes, that's awesome. I found myself far more interested in the fantasy creatures. Rather than the noble centaurs and fair elves of the Inklings' era, Wolfe's heroes are goblins--black-skinned, mountain-dwelling goblins. They're fascinating, and it is a great upending of fantasy tropes that in this world, the humans are the bad guys, the sun/light is their religion, and the goblins are the ones trying to live honorably.
I only give this three stars because, while Wolfe does some marvelous things with inclusivity and reversal of expectation, he falls right into other expected traps. The human trio is two boys and a girl which, of course, becomes a love triangle. Sigh. The girl, Lexi, has ADHD, which is another form of great representation, but the mentions of her navigating that are about as plentiful as the mentions of how Billy (the erstwhile leader) finds her stunning/beautiful/intimidating/marvelous. And the majority of the goblins they meet are male, so Lexi's main female counterpart is the memory of the evil elf who weakened the goblins in the first place. Also, bless him, Wolfe fell into Tolkien's trap of how to worldbuild: Tolkien littered his works with poems and songs and snippets of literature because he was a linguist and that was his gift. It...is not Wolfe's. Wolfe hints at a goblin language, Gobayabber, by dropping pieces of it into the narrative (especially "nai" replacing every "not," which is a word you begin to realize is VERY common after a chapter or two). Neat concept, but the execution lays bare the author rather than weaving into the reality of "yes this fits the theme and voice of the tale." Also, the poetry is all over the place in terms of meter and rhythm and is a bit jarring to read.
It's engaging enough that I do want to keep reading the series and see where it goes, but Wolfe did himself a disservice by trying to answer Lewis; creating his own thing would have saved him a couple of the awkwardnesses here.
One of the things the book market is very excited about with this book is that two of the three kids are POC and yes, that's awesome. I found myself far more interested in the fantasy creatures. Rather than the noble centaurs and fair elves of the Inklings' era, Wolfe's heroes are goblins--black-skinned, mountain-dwelling goblins. They're fascinating, and it is a great upending of fantasy tropes that in this world, the humans are the bad guys, the sun/light is their religion, and the goblins are the ones trying to live honorably.
I only give this three stars because, while Wolfe does some marvelous things with inclusivity and reversal of expectation, he falls right into other expected traps. The human trio is two boys and a girl which, of course, becomes a love triangle. Sigh. The girl, Lexi, has ADHD, which is another form of great representation, but the mentions of her navigating that are about as plentiful as the mentions of how Billy (the erstwhile leader) finds her stunning/beautiful/intimidating/marvelous. And the majority of the goblins they meet are male, so Lexi's main female counterpart is the memory of the evil elf who weakened the goblins in the first place. Also, bless him, Wolfe fell into Tolkien's trap of how to worldbuild: Tolkien littered his works with poems and songs and snippets of literature because he was a linguist and that was his gift. It...is not Wolfe's. Wolfe hints at a goblin language, Gobayabber, by dropping pieces of it into the narrative (especially "nai" replacing every "not," which is a word you begin to realize is VERY common after a chapter or two). Neat concept, but the execution lays bare the author rather than weaving into the reality of "yes this fits the theme and voice of the tale." Also, the poetry is all over the place in terms of meter and rhythm and is a bit jarring to read.
It's engaging enough that I do want to keep reading the series and see where it goes, but Wolfe did himself a disservice by trying to answer Lewis; creating his own thing would have saved him a couple of the awkwardnesses here.
November 18, 2019
It is a sign of the times that it took me three years to discover The Goblin Crown by Robert Hewitt Wolfe. I'd like to put most of the blame on the fact that we live in an era where there is more genre content being produced in a year than can be easily consumed in a lifetime and a good deal of that content is self-published, Kickstarted, or patron supported. I'd like that to be where I place the blame, but it was more likely due to the fact that I am in the process of earning my Ph.D. and don't have as much time to delve into the Science Fiction and Fantasy mid-list and new author stacks as I used to have.
While Robert Hewitt Wolfe's is an accomplished television writer whose credits range from Star Trek: The Next Generation to Elementary and include The Dresden Files (which gives him significant geek cred) and the underappreciated superhero show Alphas. The vast majority of Wolfe's television writing has been genre work, so it is not surprising that his first novel The Goblin Crown would be a Fantasy novel that is heavily steeped in genre tropes.
The Goblin Crown is the first volume of a series of (at least) three books in which Wolfe tells the tales of three high school students as they are transported into a fantasy realm. These teenagers are the socially awkward Billy Smith, the angsty Lexi Aquino, and the prototypical quarterback Kurt Novac. These students must find a way to work together and combine their unique talents to help save the day for a desperate and outnumbered people, who are on the verge of extinction as war ravages the realms. These people are currently being rallied by a charismatic leader in a last desperate push for survival.
The twist? It is the Goblins who need saving from a massive human army. Goblin prophecy states that when Goblins most need them, a king from another world will arrive to save them and one of these young adventurers is destined to be that king.
What Works?
Wolfe's talents as a writer are quickly apparent as he doesn't hesitate to make the main antagonist of this volume as psychologically complex and compelling as any of the protagonists. Wolfe's use of point of view characters is spot on for maximum emotional effect. We allowed to see into the mind of a hopeful Goblin named Hop who has quested into the depths of Mother Mountain to see if a new Goblin King has been sent. We become acutely aware of the worries and stresses of young Billy and Lexi as they adapt to this new world. Most importantly we get to experience the torment of General Sawtooth who wants to preserve his people, even as he knows he may have been misled by The Dark Lady and that his people may be doomed. The characters are compelling and have clear motivations that set up the conflict to come.
As mentioned earlier, Wolfe's basic conceit is that our young protagonists have been transported into another world. This is a common trope in fantasy and science fiction that is some variation of the "Trapped in Another World" trope and the "Down the Rabbit Hole" trope. While this is a common trope, it is one that has been used to great success by to many authors to list here, but that list includes like Edgar Rice Burroughs, L. Sprague de Camp, Michael Moorcock, and Andre Norton. For the trope to be successful, the conceit must be delivered quick and painlessly. The author must not make the reader wait too long before being transported into the magic realm and God forbid the author spend too much time describing the how and why the transportation works. Best to pull the veil away in a rapid and compelling fashion.
Let's examine a couple of archetypical examples of the genre.
In "Solomon's Stone," author Sprague de Camp transports his protagonist from our world into the Astral Plane. The protagonist, Prosper Nash, is transported by the will of a demon he and his friends summoned at an evening's dinner party.
Prosper Nash felt a tremendous shock, as if a destroyer had dropped a depth bomb on him. While his mind strove to keep a grip on his body, he could feel that body being pulled out of his mental clutches--going--going--gone!
He was moving with great speed--or falling; it was like an express-elevator plunge, only more so...
Keep your head, J. Prosper. Let's take a look at this astral body of ours first. -- L. Sprague de Camp "Solomon's Stone" Unknown Worlds vol. 6 no. 1 (1942).
It's quick and too the point. Sprague de Camp gives us a little more of the "whys and wherefores" of travel beyond the veil of the mundane in his more famous Harold Shea "Enchanter" stories, but he still gets us there quickly.
There, on sheets of paper spread before him, were the logical equations, with their little horseshoes, upside-down T's, and identity signs.
His scalp prickled a trifle as he gazed at them. But what the hell! Stand by for adventure and romance! He bent over, giving his whole attention to the formulas, trying not to focus on one spot, but to apprehend the whole:
'If P equals not-Q, Q implies not-P, which is equivalent to saying either P or Q or neither, but not both. But if not-P is not implied by not-Q, the counter-implicative form of the proposition--'
There was nothing bu six sheets of paper. Just that, lying in two neat rows of three sheets, with perhaps half an inch between them. There should be strips of table showing between them. But there was nothing--nothing...>
It is through this focus on a logical equation that Harold Shea is transported to Midgard's border and where is adventure begins. L. Sprague de Camp's tales were inspirational to Gary Gygax as he worked on the Dungeons & Dragons role playing game, and that work in turn inspired Andre Norton's Quag Keep, which uses magical lead miniatures as the conceit (and does so much quicker than de Camp). One of the most iconic versions of the Trapped in Another World trope is Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars, which sees Civil War Captain John Carter transported to the fantastic world of Barsoom through sheer force of will.
As I stood thus meditating, I turned my gaze from the landscape to the heavens where the myriad stars formed a gorgeous and fitting canopy for the wonders of the earthly scene. My situation was quickly riveted by a large red star close to the distant horizon. As I gazed upon it I felt a spell of overpowering fascination--it was Mars, the god of war, and for me, the fighting man, it had always held the power of irresistible enchantment. As I gazed at it an on that far gone night it seemed to call across the unthinkable void, to lure me to it, to draw me as a lodestone attracts a particle of iron.
My longing was beyond the power of opposition; I closed my eyes, stretched out my arms toward the god of my vocation and felt myself drawn with the suddenness of thought through the trackless immensity of space. There was an instant of extreme cold and darkness...
And...BOOM! He's on Mars. It's powerful imagery that makes no logical sense. We are given no plausible reason for the transportation to work, but it does and it is magical. This is the kind of conceit Wolfe uses in his book as Billy wills himself into another world:
What do I do? Please, please, Billy prayed silently, I have to get her out of here.
At that moment, Billy saw real light, a shining cell phone, illuminating the culvert.
Unfortunately, it was carried by the last person Billy wanted to see.
"What are you idiots doing?" It was Kurt. And he sounded furious.
Billy tried to catch his breath, push past the pain, and lift Lexi, anything to get her away from Kurt. To get Lexi to safety.
I need to get out. I need to be anyplace but here.
Then, suddenly, as if in answer to Billy's unspoken wish, the world around him shifted, warped, and bent. His stomach lurched. His ears popped. And just like that--
Billy was somewhere else.
Wolfe's description of transportation here is a combination of Burroughs and de Camp and it works nicely. You have the desperation of the scene, the compulsion to get away, and that's enough. Wolfe doesn't spend pages describing how and why the kids are transported, just that Billy wants to go and so they do. This is a fantasy novel and that comes with suspension of disbelief. When the trope used is a common one, such suspension is easy and granted eagerly. Don't spend time describing how and why, that only opens up the critical eye and limits the visceral experience. Wolfe understands this and takes us away quickly.
The reader is exposed to the world of the Hanorian Empire and Mother Mountain, which isn't given a world name in The Goblin Crown, at a nice pace. It's clear by his inclusion of Burroughs-esque use of language (and language acquisition) that Wolfe has a mapped out a compelling fantasy world. It may lack the Mythopoetic realism of Tolkien's Middle Earth, but it is logically consistent and has a history that mirrors the migrations, expansions, and invasions of real Earth history. If you don't find echoes of actual historical engagements between cultures in the backdrop of this story, you aren't paying attention. Wolfe has set up a clash of civilizations that views both societies as "human," with all the virtues and flaws that entails, which allows him to explore moral complexities.
While the majority of The Goblin Crown takes place within Goblin society, readers are given enough of human history to see a broader world. This first volume spends its time building Goblin society, and it's a rich one. We are given glimpses of the Goblin worship of the Night Goddess and the justness of the religion's matriarch. These are not Warhammer's mindless Goblins. While they are still the untrustworthy, sneaky, and vicious Goblins we are used to, they are also a gentle, family minded, and caring people. Wolfe humanizes the Goblins without demonizing the humans and it makes the impending conflict more powerful.
One of the most developed aspects of the world, is the underlying magic system of the races. Humans, who worship the sun, have fire based magic and Goblins, who worship the Night Goddess, have cold based magic. Each system has strengths and weaknesses and both systems of magic come with the risk of madness and death if they are overused. We as readers are able to learn the intricacies of the magic system through the interactions between Lexi and a Goblin Wizard named Frost. After being transported to the new world, Lexi discovers that she is a Fire Mage and that her fiery temper may well lead her down the road to destruction.
Critique
As entertaining as The Goblin Crown is, I read it in an afternoon and ordered the sequel immediately thereafter, it isn't a perfect novel.
Even as one of the novel's major is how well developed the majority of Wolfe's characters are, there are holes. While General Sawtooth, the major antagonist of the novel, is offered as a point of view character, Kurt Novac isn't. Given that Kurt is one of the core four characters (maybe five if you count Frost), having to rely on his conversations with other characters to reveal his inner thoughts is a bit of a letdown. We get Lexi, Billy, Hop, and Sawtooth as point of view characters. Leaving Kurt out of this list maked it seem like the author was attempting to prolong a mystery that wasn't really a mystery. Was the only reason Kurt wasn't used for point of view to leave us wondering who the Goblin King really was? Given the title of the novel, and the copy on the back cover of the book, one hopes not. Kurt needed to be explored a little more, especially since the character does evolve and shift from antagonist to one of the heroes as the book progresses.
The second area for critique is very much related to the first. The initial narrative misdirection regarding who and what the Goblin King is and how it is chosen was unecessary. While this misdirection leads to some very important narrative outcomes, and allows the point of view character to learn more about the world and their new abilities, it felt like a bit of a cheat. This is exacerbated by the fact that it's pretty obvious. It's a mystery without a mystery. It's like guessing who the murderer in a typical episode of Matlock is. We all know it's the Guest Star. What makes Matlock interesting isn't the who, but the why. Had the misdirection explored the why of the Goblin King, it would have worked. Instead, it was primarily a vehicle to move the characters from one location to another.
Final Thoughts
Setting aside these two relatively minor critiques, The Goblin Crown was a fun ride. It has a narrative and cast of characters that appeals to our inner child with a complex moral backdrop that engages our more cynical adult minds. If you love fantasy for all ages, or have a tween who is looking for a series to start, you couldn't do better than The Goblin Crown. Wolfe draws inspiration for Edgar Rice Burroughs, de Camp, Tolkien, and classic children's tales and creates a world worth exploring.
While Robert Hewitt Wolfe's is an accomplished television writer whose credits range from Star Trek: The Next Generation to Elementary and include The Dresden Files (which gives him significant geek cred) and the underappreciated superhero show Alphas. The vast majority of Wolfe's television writing has been genre work, so it is not surprising that his first novel The Goblin Crown would be a Fantasy novel that is heavily steeped in genre tropes.
The Goblin Crown is the first volume of a series of (at least) three books in which Wolfe tells the tales of three high school students as they are transported into a fantasy realm. These teenagers are the socially awkward Billy Smith, the angsty Lexi Aquino, and the prototypical quarterback Kurt Novac. These students must find a way to work together and combine their unique talents to help save the day for a desperate and outnumbered people, who are on the verge of extinction as war ravages the realms. These people are currently being rallied by a charismatic leader in a last desperate push for survival.
The twist? It is the Goblins who need saving from a massive human army. Goblin prophecy states that when Goblins most need them, a king from another world will arrive to save them and one of these young adventurers is destined to be that king.
What Works?
Wolfe's talents as a writer are quickly apparent as he doesn't hesitate to make the main antagonist of this volume as psychologically complex and compelling as any of the protagonists. Wolfe's use of point of view characters is spot on for maximum emotional effect. We allowed to see into the mind of a hopeful Goblin named Hop who has quested into the depths of Mother Mountain to see if a new Goblin King has been sent. We become acutely aware of the worries and stresses of young Billy and Lexi as they adapt to this new world. Most importantly we get to experience the torment of General Sawtooth who wants to preserve his people, even as he knows he may have been misled by The Dark Lady and that his people may be doomed. The characters are compelling and have clear motivations that set up the conflict to come.
As mentioned earlier, Wolfe's basic conceit is that our young protagonists have been transported into another world. This is a common trope in fantasy and science fiction that is some variation of the "Trapped in Another World" trope and the "Down the Rabbit Hole" trope. While this is a common trope, it is one that has been used to great success by to many authors to list here, but that list includes like Edgar Rice Burroughs, L. Sprague de Camp, Michael Moorcock, and Andre Norton. For the trope to be successful, the conceit must be delivered quick and painlessly. The author must not make the reader wait too long before being transported into the magic realm and God forbid the author spend too much time describing the how and why the transportation works. Best to pull the veil away in a rapid and compelling fashion.
Let's examine a couple of archetypical examples of the genre.
In "Solomon's Stone," author Sprague de Camp transports his protagonist from our world into the Astral Plane. The protagonist, Prosper Nash, is transported by the will of a demon he and his friends summoned at an evening's dinner party.
Prosper Nash felt a tremendous shock, as if a destroyer had dropped a depth bomb on him. While his mind strove to keep a grip on his body, he could feel that body being pulled out of his mental clutches--going--going--gone!
He was moving with great speed--or falling; it was like an express-elevator plunge, only more so...
Keep your head, J. Prosper. Let's take a look at this astral body of ours first. -- L. Sprague de Camp "Solomon's Stone" Unknown Worlds vol. 6 no. 1 (1942).
It's quick and too the point. Sprague de Camp gives us a little more of the "whys and wherefores" of travel beyond the veil of the mundane in his more famous Harold Shea "Enchanter" stories, but he still gets us there quickly.
There, on sheets of paper spread before him, were the logical equations, with their little horseshoes, upside-down T's, and identity signs.
His scalp prickled a trifle as he gazed at them. But what the hell! Stand by for adventure and romance! He bent over, giving his whole attention to the formulas, trying not to focus on one spot, but to apprehend the whole:
'If P equals not-Q, Q implies not-P, which is equivalent to saying either P or Q or neither, but not both. But if not-P is not implied by not-Q, the counter-implicative form of the proposition--'
There was nothing bu six sheets of paper. Just that, lying in two neat rows of three sheets, with perhaps half an inch between them. There should be strips of table showing between them. But there was nothing--nothing...>
It is through this focus on a logical equation that Harold Shea is transported to Midgard's border and where is adventure begins. L. Sprague de Camp's tales were inspirational to Gary Gygax as he worked on the Dungeons & Dragons role playing game, and that work in turn inspired Andre Norton's Quag Keep, which uses magical lead miniatures as the conceit (and does so much quicker than de Camp). One of the most iconic versions of the Trapped in Another World trope is Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars, which sees Civil War Captain John Carter transported to the fantastic world of Barsoom through sheer force of will.
As I stood thus meditating, I turned my gaze from the landscape to the heavens where the myriad stars formed a gorgeous and fitting canopy for the wonders of the earthly scene. My situation was quickly riveted by a large red star close to the distant horizon. As I gazed upon it I felt a spell of overpowering fascination--it was Mars, the god of war, and for me, the fighting man, it had always held the power of irresistible enchantment. As I gazed at it an on that far gone night it seemed to call across the unthinkable void, to lure me to it, to draw me as a lodestone attracts a particle of iron.
My longing was beyond the power of opposition; I closed my eyes, stretched out my arms toward the god of my vocation and felt myself drawn with the suddenness of thought through the trackless immensity of space. There was an instant of extreme cold and darkness...
And...BOOM! He's on Mars. It's powerful imagery that makes no logical sense. We are given no plausible reason for the transportation to work, but it does and it is magical. This is the kind of conceit Wolfe uses in his book as Billy wills himself into another world:
What do I do? Please, please, Billy prayed silently, I have to get her out of here.
At that moment, Billy saw real light, a shining cell phone, illuminating the culvert.
Unfortunately, it was carried by the last person Billy wanted to see.
"What are you idiots doing?" It was Kurt. And he sounded furious.
Billy tried to catch his breath, push past the pain, and lift Lexi, anything to get her away from Kurt. To get Lexi to safety.
I need to get out. I need to be anyplace but here.
Then, suddenly, as if in answer to Billy's unspoken wish, the world around him shifted, warped, and bent. His stomach lurched. His ears popped. And just like that--
Billy was somewhere else.
Wolfe's description of transportation here is a combination of Burroughs and de Camp and it works nicely. You have the desperation of the scene, the compulsion to get away, and that's enough. Wolfe doesn't spend pages describing how and why the kids are transported, just that Billy wants to go and so they do. This is a fantasy novel and that comes with suspension of disbelief. When the trope used is a common one, such suspension is easy and granted eagerly. Don't spend time describing how and why, that only opens up the critical eye and limits the visceral experience. Wolfe understands this and takes us away quickly.
The reader is exposed to the world of the Hanorian Empire and Mother Mountain, which isn't given a world name in The Goblin Crown, at a nice pace. It's clear by his inclusion of Burroughs-esque use of language (and language acquisition) that Wolfe has a mapped out a compelling fantasy world. It may lack the Mythopoetic realism of Tolkien's Middle Earth, but it is logically consistent and has a history that mirrors the migrations, expansions, and invasions of real Earth history. If you don't find echoes of actual historical engagements between cultures in the backdrop of this story, you aren't paying attention. Wolfe has set up a clash of civilizations that views both societies as "human," with all the virtues and flaws that entails, which allows him to explore moral complexities.
While the majority of The Goblin Crown takes place within Goblin society, readers are given enough of human history to see a broader world. This first volume spends its time building Goblin society, and it's a rich one. We are given glimpses of the Goblin worship of the Night Goddess and the justness of the religion's matriarch. These are not Warhammer's mindless Goblins. While they are still the untrustworthy, sneaky, and vicious Goblins we are used to, they are also a gentle, family minded, and caring people. Wolfe humanizes the Goblins without demonizing the humans and it makes the impending conflict more powerful.
One of the most developed aspects of the world, is the underlying magic system of the races. Humans, who worship the sun, have fire based magic and Goblins, who worship the Night Goddess, have cold based magic. Each system has strengths and weaknesses and both systems of magic come with the risk of madness and death if they are overused. We as readers are able to learn the intricacies of the magic system through the interactions between Lexi and a Goblin Wizard named Frost. After being transported to the new world, Lexi discovers that she is a Fire Mage and that her fiery temper may well lead her down the road to destruction.
Critique
As entertaining as The Goblin Crown is, I read it in an afternoon and ordered the sequel immediately thereafter, it isn't a perfect novel.
Even as one of the novel's major is how well developed the majority of Wolfe's characters are, there are holes. While General Sawtooth, the major antagonist of the novel, is offered as a point of view character, Kurt Novac isn't. Given that Kurt is one of the core four characters (maybe five if you count Frost), having to rely on his conversations with other characters to reveal his inner thoughts is a bit of a letdown. We get Lexi, Billy, Hop, and Sawtooth as point of view characters. Leaving Kurt out of this list maked it seem like the author was attempting to prolong a mystery that wasn't really a mystery. Was the only reason Kurt wasn't used for point of view to leave us wondering who the Goblin King really was? Given the title of the novel, and the copy on the back cover of the book, one hopes not. Kurt needed to be explored a little more, especially since the character does evolve and shift from antagonist to one of the heroes as the book progresses.
The second area for critique is very much related to the first. The initial narrative misdirection regarding who and what the Goblin King is and how it is chosen was unecessary. While this misdirection leads to some very important narrative outcomes, and allows the point of view character to learn more about the world and their new abilities, it felt like a bit of a cheat. This is exacerbated by the fact that it's pretty obvious. It's a mystery without a mystery. It's like guessing who the murderer in a typical episode of Matlock is. We all know it's the Guest Star. What makes Matlock interesting isn't the who, but the why. Had the misdirection explored the why of the Goblin King, it would have worked. Instead, it was primarily a vehicle to move the characters from one location to another.
Final Thoughts
Setting aside these two relatively minor critiques, The Goblin Crown was a fun ride. It has a narrative and cast of characters that appeals to our inner child with a complex moral backdrop that engages our more cynical adult minds. If you love fantasy for all ages, or have a tween who is looking for a series to start, you couldn't do better than The Goblin Crown. Wolfe draws inspiration for Edgar Rice Burroughs, de Camp, Tolkien, and classic children's tales and creates a world worth exploring.
November 15, 2016
When I managed to get this book- I was shocked outta my gourd! I didn't think I'd get it- but violà - The Goblin Crown by Robert Hewitt Wolfe! Here it is and I couldn't be happier. I have to say that for starters: the cover!
I am always loving on book covers and this one gives me great pleasure for a couple of reasons. Number one, it reminds me of The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien- the movie. Did you see the original, animated movie? The goblin on this cover reminds me so much of the style and features, thus reminding me of my dad. He's the one who got me in to books, especially fantasy! I'm also in love with the detailing. There was a war going on in this book, with a few children caught up in the crossfire and this cover shows just how hazardous that journey was! It's neither bright nor gory, it just shows what's to be expected and I appreciated that.
I'd never heard of Wolfe before The Goblin Crown: Billy Smith and the Goblins but I think I'll be looking for more. Then again, I had- I just hadn't realized it! The dude's hand are all over my favorite shows: The Dresden Files, The 4400 and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine! But this isn't about shows; my review is based on both my thoughts and those of my son on this tale.
The story is about three kids who are supernaturally taken from this world and transported into an underground domain of goblins, magic and mystifying creatures that remind you of the R.O.U.S.'s of The Princess Bride. Lexi, Kurt and Billy are on a mission to discover the identity of the heir to the goblin throne and a king who's desperately needed. There's non-stop action, lessons to be learned and some very admirable qualities that shine...
For the full review: http://bit.ly/TheGoblinCrownNovel
**Book is from Turner Publishing and available everywhere.
I am always loving on book covers and this one gives me great pleasure for a couple of reasons. Number one, it reminds me of The Hobbit, by J. R. R. Tolkien- the movie. Did you see the original, animated movie? The goblin on this cover reminds me so much of the style and features, thus reminding me of my dad. He's the one who got me in to books, especially fantasy! I'm also in love with the detailing. There was a war going on in this book, with a few children caught up in the crossfire and this cover shows just how hazardous that journey was! It's neither bright nor gory, it just shows what's to be expected and I appreciated that.
I'd never heard of Wolfe before The Goblin Crown: Billy Smith and the Goblins but I think I'll be looking for more. Then again, I had- I just hadn't realized it! The dude's hand are all over my favorite shows: The Dresden Files, The 4400 and Star Trek: Deep Space Nine! But this isn't about shows; my review is based on both my thoughts and those of my son on this tale.
The story is about three kids who are supernaturally taken from this world and transported into an underground domain of goblins, magic and mystifying creatures that remind you of the R.O.U.S.'s of The Princess Bride. Lexi, Kurt and Billy are on a mission to discover the identity of the heir to the goblin throne and a king who's desperately needed. There's non-stop action, lessons to be learned and some very admirable qualities that shine...
For the full review: http://bit.ly/TheGoblinCrownNovel
**Book is from Turner Publishing and available everywhere.
December 2, 2024
Billy Smith is introduced to us as "a weird-looking kid," with the dark skin and curly red hair of a child of mixed-race parents. He's a misfit in other ways as well, so his first day of high school isn't a social high point. He spills spaghetti on the letter jacket of a popular jock named Kurt. He brushes off the friendly overtures of a breathtakingly cute girl named Lexi. He's worried about his dad, who has cancer. And he's been having funny spells all day. It's almost as if he keeps being pulled into another dimension. And then it happens again, at the worst possible moment, when Kurt is chasing him and Lexi into a culvert and disaster strikes. Suddenly, two confused boys and a seriously injured girl find themselves deep inside a mountain, surrounded by goblins.
The good news is, goblins aren't the mindless, uncultured brutes humans rumor them to be. They can be dangerous, but there's more to them than that. And a certain cowardly but intelligent goblin named Hop is luckily the first to spot the three human kids in the passages deep beneath the goblin city of Kiranok. He recognizes that one of the boys – his first guess is Kurt – must be the promised heir to the line of goblin kings, who have all (funnily enough) been humans, brought from another world just in time to save goblinkind from disaster. And disaster is definitely at hand, with the goblins at war (once again) with the neighboring human kingdom of Hanor, who this time look like they're going to stamp out the goblin race for good.
Between the goblin crown and the head destined to wear it, there's an even more immediate threat: General Sawtooth, a fanatical goblin general who wants to rule his race with absolute power, even if it means destroying it. His incompetent leadership is well on track to do just that. And he has no qualms about murdering a few human children to maintain his grip on power.
The attempt to crown Kurt is a bust. The kids, along with their goblin allies, get caught, tried, and sentenced to death – after an indefinite term of exile to a remote outpost called the Fastness. Billy privately knows that despite his hesistancy, he's really the kid who should have tried for the crown. But the chance of doing so is even more remote, and the path to taking that chance is fraught with peril. The Hanorians are pressing closer to Kiranok. The goblin defenders are in a desperate fix. Billy's shot at getting his friends out from under a death sentence, and proving himself worthy to wear the goblin crown, hinges on a terrifying test of nerve and skill – and then even more dangerous stuff. And he'll have to go through General Sawtooth before it's over.
This is a thrilling, captivating, world-building fantasy. It has mad elves, giant wolves, aviators who fly into combat on enormous bats, and a richly realized goblin culture complete with its own distinct accent and vocabulary. It has subtle political agendas, complex personalities, and two opposing forms of magic (more or less light and dark) that can both accomplish terrible and wonderful things, and that can also exact an awful cost on their practitioners. It has multiple main characters who find courage at the bottom of their own cowardice, and (one way or another) reach out and grasp it. It has exciting contests, grisly battles, ominous portents and few delicate touches of romance. And it has a great dramatic structure, building up to a big finish that is, at the same time, both completely satisfying and master-crafted to hook you for the sequel.
This is the first book of the "Billy Smith and the Goblins" trilogy, followed up by The Fallen Star and The Final Drop. Robert Hewitt Wolfe is a name I've known since I was a pimply, teenaged fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation. He wrote the episode "A Fistful of Datas" and went on to contribute some 30 episodes to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also developed an unproduced concept by the late Gene Roddenberry into the five-year series Andromeda, adapted Jim Butcher's Dresden Files as a single-season TV show that I watched with pleasure, and contributed scripts to several other TV series and TV movies, including Elementary, The Dead Zone, The 4400, etc. This trilogy seems to be his only three published books.
The good news is, goblins aren't the mindless, uncultured brutes humans rumor them to be. They can be dangerous, but there's more to them than that. And a certain cowardly but intelligent goblin named Hop is luckily the first to spot the three human kids in the passages deep beneath the goblin city of Kiranok. He recognizes that one of the boys – his first guess is Kurt – must be the promised heir to the line of goblin kings, who have all (funnily enough) been humans, brought from another world just in time to save goblinkind from disaster. And disaster is definitely at hand, with the goblins at war (once again) with the neighboring human kingdom of Hanor, who this time look like they're going to stamp out the goblin race for good.
Between the goblin crown and the head destined to wear it, there's an even more immediate threat: General Sawtooth, a fanatical goblin general who wants to rule his race with absolute power, even if it means destroying it. His incompetent leadership is well on track to do just that. And he has no qualms about murdering a few human children to maintain his grip on power.
The attempt to crown Kurt is a bust. The kids, along with their goblin allies, get caught, tried, and sentenced to death – after an indefinite term of exile to a remote outpost called the Fastness. Billy privately knows that despite his hesistancy, he's really the kid who should have tried for the crown. But the chance of doing so is even more remote, and the path to taking that chance is fraught with peril. The Hanorians are pressing closer to Kiranok. The goblin defenders are in a desperate fix. Billy's shot at getting his friends out from under a death sentence, and proving himself worthy to wear the goblin crown, hinges on a terrifying test of nerve and skill – and then even more dangerous stuff. And he'll have to go through General Sawtooth before it's over.
This is a thrilling, captivating, world-building fantasy. It has mad elves, giant wolves, aviators who fly into combat on enormous bats, and a richly realized goblin culture complete with its own distinct accent and vocabulary. It has subtle political agendas, complex personalities, and two opposing forms of magic (more or less light and dark) that can both accomplish terrible and wonderful things, and that can also exact an awful cost on their practitioners. It has multiple main characters who find courage at the bottom of their own cowardice, and (one way or another) reach out and grasp it. It has exciting contests, grisly battles, ominous portents and few delicate touches of romance. And it has a great dramatic structure, building up to a big finish that is, at the same time, both completely satisfying and master-crafted to hook you for the sequel.
This is the first book of the "Billy Smith and the Goblins" trilogy, followed up by The Fallen Star and The Final Drop. Robert Hewitt Wolfe is a name I've known since I was a pimply, teenaged fan of Star Trek: The Next Generation. He wrote the episode "A Fistful of Datas" and went on to contribute some 30 episodes to Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. He also developed an unproduced concept by the late Gene Roddenberry into the five-year series Andromeda, adapted Jim Butcher's Dresden Files as a single-season TV show that I watched with pleasure, and contributed scripts to several other TV series and TV movies, including Elementary, The Dead Zone, The 4400, etc. This trilogy seems to be his only three published books.
November 20, 2025
Plot 3 / 5
There are some interesting parts to this story and some good action scenes, don't get me wrong. I think the pacing was adequate, but what bothers me most is the perspective choices. I absolutely hate the way this book is structured. The perspective is constantly switching between five or so characters from beginning to end. And it often happens in the middle of a chapter without any rhyme or reason to it. Almost feels like the author was just drawing names from a hat when deciding which page would be written in the perspective of such and such character. On top of that, there was a lot of random "goblin words" sprinkled in with the dialogue. The only one of which I understand is 'nai' and that's only because it shows up about a million times. It was so annoying to read, difficult to follow at times, and nearly impossible for me to immerse myself in because of these two blatantly obnoxious quirks. There were honestly a few moments in the beginning where I debated whether or not I could force myself to continue reading. I'm glad that I decided to stick it out. I think the storytelling improved as it progressed. About halfway through, it started focusing more on the action and less on exposition. More about what the characters were dealing with in the present and less on what had happened to them in the past.
Characters 4 / 5
Honestly, in the beginning I did not care for the human children characters at all. They were annoying stereotypes that made a bunch of dumb decisions for the sake of plot. However I did find myself warming up to them by the end. I like that it took them a while to adapt to the strange new world they found themselves in, as that made it feel more believable. Even so, a part of me still wishes the kids hadn't been in the story at all. Instead of another typical "chosen one" isekai type of story, it'd focused more on the conflict between the fantasy world humans and their goblin neighbors. Which it did more towards the end, but it took me a couple hundred pages to get to that point. That I found to be way more interesting than Billy fawning over Lexi while she's throwing a tantrum. Or Kurt being the misunderstood jock with daddy issues. On a more positive note, my favorite goblins were Frost and Leadpipe. I found their brotherly relationship sweet and touching. I also appreciate a good sympathetic antagonist, and that I found in Sawtooth. The goblins, to me, are the true stars of this story. They're the ones who make it stand out and make me want to keep reading.
Setting 5 / 5
I love the 'grayness' of this book. There is no 'goblins bad, humans good', no heroes vs. villains. Instead it's two different societies struggling alongside one another. And I love that some of the characters realize this before the end of the story. It has a very loud message that rings loud and clear: there are no victors when it comes to war. And I did enjoy that the main characters aren't looking to turn into vicious killers or avengers, but are looking to find a way to make peace and a better future. I think these are good messages, especially to a younger audience. There's plenty of detail both in terms of physical description as well as history, lore, magic, and culture that makes this world come alive. All the great fantasy stories share this quality of depth when it comes to setting and this book did not fail me in that regard. It was by far my favorite aspect. Even more than the characters or their personal struggles, I'm curious to see more of this world and what will become of it.
Overall 4 / 5
This book was definitely an acquired taste for me. I did not care for it at all in the beginning, but the more I got to know the characters and the world surrounding them, the more invested I became in seeing how the ending played out. Even though it was one of those stories where you have a good idea of how it's going to end, it's the journey of getting to that point which makes it interesting. Witnessing the characters struggle and grow from the hardships they endure. So while I'm still not a fan of the whole "chosen one" isekai trope, in the end it was the fantasy world itself that won me over and I'd be willing to pick up the next book were I to happen upon it, as it did manage to pique my interest before the end. I'd recommend this one to any fellow goblin fan.
There are some interesting parts to this story and some good action scenes, don't get me wrong. I think the pacing was adequate, but what bothers me most is the perspective choices. I absolutely hate the way this book is structured. The perspective is constantly switching between five or so characters from beginning to end. And it often happens in the middle of a chapter without any rhyme or reason to it. Almost feels like the author was just drawing names from a hat when deciding which page would be written in the perspective of such and such character. On top of that, there was a lot of random "goblin words" sprinkled in with the dialogue. The only one of which I understand is 'nai' and that's only because it shows up about a million times. It was so annoying to read, difficult to follow at times, and nearly impossible for me to immerse myself in because of these two blatantly obnoxious quirks. There were honestly a few moments in the beginning where I debated whether or not I could force myself to continue reading. I'm glad that I decided to stick it out. I think the storytelling improved as it progressed. About halfway through, it started focusing more on the action and less on exposition. More about what the characters were dealing with in the present and less on what had happened to them in the past.
Characters 4 / 5
Honestly, in the beginning I did not care for the human children characters at all. They were annoying stereotypes that made a bunch of dumb decisions for the sake of plot. However I did find myself warming up to them by the end. I like that it took them a while to adapt to the strange new world they found themselves in, as that made it feel more believable. Even so, a part of me still wishes the kids hadn't been in the story at all. Instead of another typical "chosen one" isekai type of story, it'd focused more on the conflict between the fantasy world humans and their goblin neighbors. Which it did more towards the end, but it took me a couple hundred pages to get to that point. That I found to be way more interesting than Billy fawning over Lexi while she's throwing a tantrum. Or Kurt being the misunderstood jock with daddy issues. On a more positive note, my favorite goblins were Frost and Leadpipe. I found their brotherly relationship sweet and touching. I also appreciate a good sympathetic antagonist, and that I found in Sawtooth. The goblins, to me, are the true stars of this story. They're the ones who make it stand out and make me want to keep reading.
Setting 5 / 5
I love the 'grayness' of this book. There is no 'goblins bad, humans good', no heroes vs. villains. Instead it's two different societies struggling alongside one another. And I love that some of the characters realize this before the end of the story. It has a very loud message that rings loud and clear: there are no victors when it comes to war. And I did enjoy that the main characters aren't looking to turn into vicious killers or avengers, but are looking to find a way to make peace and a better future. I think these are good messages, especially to a younger audience. There's plenty of detail both in terms of physical description as well as history, lore, magic, and culture that makes this world come alive. All the great fantasy stories share this quality of depth when it comes to setting and this book did not fail me in that regard. It was by far my favorite aspect. Even more than the characters or their personal struggles, I'm curious to see more of this world and what will become of it.
Overall 4 / 5
This book was definitely an acquired taste for me. I did not care for it at all in the beginning, but the more I got to know the characters and the world surrounding them, the more invested I became in seeing how the ending played out. Even though it was one of those stories where you have a good idea of how it's going to end, it's the journey of getting to that point which makes it interesting. Witnessing the characters struggle and grow from the hardships they endure. So while I'm still not a fan of the whole "chosen one" isekai trope, in the end it was the fantasy world itself that won me over and I'd be willing to pick up the next book were I to happen upon it, as it did manage to pique my interest before the end. I'd recommend this one to any fellow goblin fan.
December 11, 2016
Like Guy Gavriel Kay’s FIONAVAR TAPESTRY and Suzanne Collins’ wonderful UNDERLAND CHRONICLES or C.S. Lewis’ CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, Robert Hewitt Wolfe’s THE GOBLIN CROWN, is a story of ordinary people suddenly thrust into an extraordinary, magical world. We know up front that this world is a dangerous place and that the stakes—whatever they are—will be real and that actions will have consequences for Billy, Lexi, and Kurt, as well as all they meet.
Billy, our hero, is an outsider, a kid who has NEVER felt he fit in anywhere and who certainly doesn’t expect that his high school experience is going to be any different. Billy is, a familiar enough character, but Wolfe nails him, bringing him to vivid life on the page. But pretty Filipina Lexi—who really isn’t very good at minding her own business—and bullying jock Kurt are also three-dimensional and believable people. These characters are grounded—no, rooted—in reality and we believe they act in a way that has context. (There’s a lovely, magical moment when Billy meets all the freckle-faced, redheaded men who came before him and takes courage from the encounter.
The magical creatures in this world, from Hob on down, also act out of recognizable motives and desires and dreams. This is not a book where a character is just evil “because” or “the chosen one” because that’s what’s needed to tell the story.
From the opening pages of this book, when a goblin is musing on the inevitable fate of those who are known by titles such as, “The Dark Lady,” or “The Emperor of Night,” readers will know they’re in for a rare treat—a book that honors the tropes of fantasy but with an edge of intelligent humor that never lapses into the sometimes unfortunate hijinks found in works by Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett.
It’s clear the author has a deep love for the genre and has put time and effort into creating the world of his story. His thoughtful epilogue about goblin naming traditions shows just how “deep” this world goes. (This is, huzzah, the first in a trilogy, so there are two more books we can look forward to with anticipation.)
This is a wonderful read and destined, I think, to become a classic.
Billy, our hero, is an outsider, a kid who has NEVER felt he fit in anywhere and who certainly doesn’t expect that his high school experience is going to be any different. Billy is, a familiar enough character, but Wolfe nails him, bringing him to vivid life on the page. But pretty Filipina Lexi—who really isn’t very good at minding her own business—and bullying jock Kurt are also three-dimensional and believable people. These characters are grounded—no, rooted—in reality and we believe they act in a way that has context. (There’s a lovely, magical moment when Billy meets all the freckle-faced, redheaded men who came before him and takes courage from the encounter.
The magical creatures in this world, from Hob on down, also act out of recognizable motives and desires and dreams. This is not a book where a character is just evil “because” or “the chosen one” because that’s what’s needed to tell the story.
From the opening pages of this book, when a goblin is musing on the inevitable fate of those who are known by titles such as, “The Dark Lady,” or “The Emperor of Night,” readers will know they’re in for a rare treat—a book that honors the tropes of fantasy but with an edge of intelligent humor that never lapses into the sometimes unfortunate hijinks found in works by Douglas Adams and Terry Pratchett.
It’s clear the author has a deep love for the genre and has put time and effort into creating the world of his story. His thoughtful epilogue about goblin naming traditions shows just how “deep” this world goes. (This is, huzzah, the first in a trilogy, so there are two more books we can look forward to with anticipation.)
This is a wonderful read and destined, I think, to become a classic.
October 18, 2016
What caught my eye about reading this book was the author Robert Hewitt Wolfe. When I learned that he wrote a couple of episodes for Star Trek I was already sold. I mean a if he could write those episodes imagine how great the book is going to be. The Goblin Crown: Billy Smith And The Goblins was whirlwind like a world within another world.
We meet Billy Smith in his first day in a new school in California. Can you imagine he was a bundle of nerves and not wanting to be stepping on anybodies toes. He meets Lexi in a embracing way that end up in him being humiliated by accident. To top that off he now is a target for the most popular guy in school who happens to be the star football quarterback. Somehow Billy transports himself Kurt and Lexi to the City of Stone.
The City of Stone has been war for sometime now between humans and goblins and Billy just landed smack dab in the middle of it. Thats when the adventure truly begins. It’s so action packed that you don’t find it overwhelming because of how well the book’s storyline is paced. We see goblins and how well the author emerges the reader in the goblin culture. The magic where we find out some surprises this is one magical book where anything can happen even the unthinkable.
Anybody who loves Young Adult, Fantasy this is the book for you. Essentially this is a book about a teenager coming into their own skin and being confident with themselves. Accepting who they are and loving themselves and not being able to conform into a typical mold but, being happy with your weirdness if that makes any sense. This book I felt was related to me from my high school experience. Any reader that reads this I feel like they might resonate with this a bit. Be warned their is a cliffhanger in the end of this book. The story will continue with The Fallen Star Billy Smith and The Goblins keep your eyes on the look out.
I was give a Galley by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
We meet Billy Smith in his first day in a new school in California. Can you imagine he was a bundle of nerves and not wanting to be stepping on anybodies toes. He meets Lexi in a embracing way that end up in him being humiliated by accident. To top that off he now is a target for the most popular guy in school who happens to be the star football quarterback. Somehow Billy transports himself Kurt and Lexi to the City of Stone.
The City of Stone has been war for sometime now between humans and goblins and Billy just landed smack dab in the middle of it. Thats when the adventure truly begins. It’s so action packed that you don’t find it overwhelming because of how well the book’s storyline is paced. We see goblins and how well the author emerges the reader in the goblin culture. The magic where we find out some surprises this is one magical book where anything can happen even the unthinkable.
Anybody who loves Young Adult, Fantasy this is the book for you. Essentially this is a book about a teenager coming into their own skin and being confident with themselves. Accepting who they are and loving themselves and not being able to conform into a typical mold but, being happy with your weirdness if that makes any sense. This book I felt was related to me from my high school experience. Any reader that reads this I feel like they might resonate with this a bit. Be warned their is a cliffhanger in the end of this book. The story will continue with The Fallen Star Billy Smith and The Goblins keep your eyes on the look out.
I was give a Galley by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.
February 14, 2017
Cute young adult goblin story featuring three young humans magically transported to another world in dire need of a new goblin king. There's a tradition of a line of human kings arriving in times of trouble, and Billy Smith is next in line - even though he doesn't know it. He accidentally brings along a cutie named Lexi, who turns out to be a witch in this world, and the quarterback Kurt for good measure. They find a world at war; a human empire has slowly driven goblins off their lowlands and into the mountains. A goblin General, inspired by a crazy elven oracle, has just lost a huge battle and the human Hanorians are on their way into the mountains to finish off the goblins once and for all. There's more to it, of course, and very good world building especially for a YA fantasy novel. The characters are introspective and grow to meet the challenges of the plot, or don't as the case may be. There's plenty of action and a bit of humor. Very much in the groove for this genre of Tolkien-lite novel.
July 9, 2018
I admit I had trouble at first, since I normally do not like YA. But the more I read the better it got. RHW is a genius when it comes to world building, there were many breathtaking scenes. Some of it might be a bit gory. I loved how it teaches people that bullying is not the answer, it is better to be friends or allies. It has a nice little twist at the end too, which I loved. Definitely a classic good verses evil story for all ages.
February 5, 2017
An entirely enjoyable read.
It wasn't a challenging read, but it was an enjoyable read.
I know it's aimed at a YA audience, so the philosophical site of things was a little lite on, but I liked the stoic philosophy of the goblins and think there's plenty of good role models here.
I look forward to seeing how the characters develop in future books.
It wasn't a challenging read, but it was an enjoyable read.
I know it's aimed at a YA audience, so the philosophical site of things was a little lite on, but I liked the stoic philosophy of the goblins and think there's plenty of good role models here.
I look forward to seeing how the characters develop in future books.
May 27, 2017
I really enjoyed this book. It's a fun take on a typical fantasy story. The point of view jumps around quite a lot so it may be difficult for some kids to follow, but it also helps to build tension. The characters are interesting and decently developed. There are a lot of lessons about resilience and leadership. I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
May 9, 2020
2.5 because it took me forever to finish and I read three or four others while I read this one. Not a great sign when there's always something more interesting to read. That being said, I did finish and it was well written. My husband loved it. I kept coming back to it, but I just couldn't ever "get into" it. Probably won't read the sequels.
June 17, 2025
The worldbuilding in this was to die for.
March 23, 2017
I bought this because RHW was one of the writers of one of the greatest TV shows of all time, Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. I really enjoyed it. It was a fun, YA fantasy world. My oldest son (9) loved it even more than I did.
October 14, 2016
[Note: This book was provided by Turner Publishing Company in exchange for an honest review.]
In a book review like this it is best to begin with some honesty. I could honestly relate far too well to the clumsy bi-racial perennial outsider of this novel who happens to be the main hero, Billy Smith. I too have loved my fair share, and perhaps more than my fair share, of fiery and beautiful young women with a fondness for the color red while ending up embarrassing myself as Billy does with the beautiful Filipina Lexi Aquino, and created more than my fair share of trouble as happens here when the two of them anger a jock who ends up joining them in a strange journey to a fantasy planet inhabited by a brutal human empire, a beleaguered goblin society, and some crazy elves. Although I am not the ideal audience for this book, as someone who reads a great deal of teen and YA fiction [1], this has the look of a book that is destined for a film adaptation of some kind.
What is it about this book that has such strong adaptation credentials? For one, the author comes from a background of television scriptwriting, and that craft shows here. For another, this is a story that works on several levels. It serves as a hidden prince story where the hero is viewed as a screw-up and a nobody by nearly everyone until he proves himself in immensely difficult circumstances. It serves as story about outsiders banding together against impossible odds, of the mourning over past loss, the living in fear and terror over impending loss, and the experience of a great deal of loss. The book is not only heavy on compelling action, including multiple plot lines that end up converging in a horrible way, but it is also full of emotional depth, and lessons that are easily applicable for the readers in the real world who have to deal with social embarrassments and feeling as if they are misfits and outsiders who don’t belong. Best yet, the story ends on a strong cliffhanger note that is natural and well-earned, leaving the reader looking forward to the next installment in this compelling and exciting tale.
Aside from the story, there is a great deal to appreciate about the story. The cast of characters is rich and diverse. Billy and his friends form a strong multi-ethnic group, and they end up finding allies and friends among a diverse and complicated group of goblins as well as human exiles among the Goblins whose dualistic faith leads them to be viewed as archheretics among the evil human empire that Billy and his friends fight. Also, and not least, it should be noted, the book is full of great lessons about courage as well as self-control, lessons provided through the story itself and its complicated characters, and lessons that ought to be rewarding to the readers of this story. This is the sort of story that will not only excite, but also encourage a strong set of values about learning how to communicate and respect and get along with others as well as stand up for what is right without being swallowed up in the use and exercise of power. This is a book that seems destined to be a well-beloved fantasy series for teen and YA readers and also seems likely to be headed to a multiplex near you once it finds its large and enthusiastic audience.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
In a book review like this it is best to begin with some honesty. I could honestly relate far too well to the clumsy bi-racial perennial outsider of this novel who happens to be the main hero, Billy Smith. I too have loved my fair share, and perhaps more than my fair share, of fiery and beautiful young women with a fondness for the color red while ending up embarrassing myself as Billy does with the beautiful Filipina Lexi Aquino, and created more than my fair share of trouble as happens here when the two of them anger a jock who ends up joining them in a strange journey to a fantasy planet inhabited by a brutal human empire, a beleaguered goblin society, and some crazy elves. Although I am not the ideal audience for this book, as someone who reads a great deal of teen and YA fiction [1], this has the look of a book that is destined for a film adaptation of some kind.
What is it about this book that has such strong adaptation credentials? For one, the author comes from a background of television scriptwriting, and that craft shows here. For another, this is a story that works on several levels. It serves as a hidden prince story where the hero is viewed as a screw-up and a nobody by nearly everyone until he proves himself in immensely difficult circumstances. It serves as story about outsiders banding together against impossible odds, of the mourning over past loss, the living in fear and terror over impending loss, and the experience of a great deal of loss. The book is not only heavy on compelling action, including multiple plot lines that end up converging in a horrible way, but it is also full of emotional depth, and lessons that are easily applicable for the readers in the real world who have to deal with social embarrassments and feeling as if they are misfits and outsiders who don’t belong. Best yet, the story ends on a strong cliffhanger note that is natural and well-earned, leaving the reader looking forward to the next installment in this compelling and exciting tale.
Aside from the story, there is a great deal to appreciate about the story. The cast of characters is rich and diverse. Billy and his friends form a strong multi-ethnic group, and they end up finding allies and friends among a diverse and complicated group of goblins as well as human exiles among the Goblins whose dualistic faith leads them to be viewed as archheretics among the evil human empire that Billy and his friends fight. Also, and not least, it should be noted, the book is full of great lessons about courage as well as self-control, lessons provided through the story itself and its complicated characters, and lessons that ought to be rewarding to the readers of this story. This is the sort of story that will not only excite, but also encourage a strong set of values about learning how to communicate and respect and get along with others as well as stand up for what is right without being swallowed up in the use and exercise of power. This is a book that seems destined to be a well-beloved fantasy series for teen and YA readers and also seems likely to be headed to a multiplex near you once it finds its large and enthusiastic audience.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.wordpress...
November 8, 2016
This book was provided to me as an uncorrected digital proof by the publisher, via Edelweiss.
Billy Smith is having a rough first day of high school. The new kid at exclusive Francis Drake Prep, Billy embarrasses himself in front of fiery, beautiful Lexi Aquino. He makes an instant enemy in Kurt Novac, the school s surly star quarterback. Then suddenly Billy, Lexi, and Kurt are mysteriously transported to an underworld teeming with goblins, strange animal hybrids, and powerful magic the fact that they are stuck there is probably Billy s fault, too. With help from an unlikely goblin leader named Hop, the teens soon discover that goblins can be both fierce and friendly, with their own rich language, culture, and history a history that foretells of a human arriving to claim the Goblin Crown and lead them to victory against the deadly, invading Hanorians. Could Billy anxious, awkward Billy be the mythical Goblin King? Could saving the goblin race be his destiny and the key to getting him, Lexi, and Kurt back home?
As I’ve stated in previous reviews, I appreciate a middle grade book that isn’t afraid to be serious. This book fits that bill. The main character, Billy, is an awkward outsider who is uncomfortable in his own skin. He doesn’t feel that he can fit in; much less make an impact, anywhere. Many kids will relate to this character. We are also allowed some time in Lexi’s head. She struggles with impulse control, and now that she has special abilities, it’s especially important that she learn to be mindful of her thoughts, words, and actions. We don’t get much insight into Kurt (perhaps that will change in future books), but it’s clear that he’s a young man accustomed to being held to unreasonable standards, and when he can’t meet those standards, he is very hard on himself. These characters are easy to relate to, but surprisingly, to me at least, the most relatable character was Hop, the goblin. He’s a strange mixture of cowardliness and bravery, and he’s not afraid to admit it. These attributes work together to make him a true hero in this book. While the book was a little slow going at first, within a few chapters I was immersed, and now feel invested in continuing the series. There are still numerous characters to be developed, and I’m looking forward to learning more about them. I would recommend this book to readers 12 and older, because there is some violence and death. This should be a satisfying read for anyone who enjoys fantasy involving battles.
Billy Smith is having a rough first day of high school. The new kid at exclusive Francis Drake Prep, Billy embarrasses himself in front of fiery, beautiful Lexi Aquino. He makes an instant enemy in Kurt Novac, the school s surly star quarterback. Then suddenly Billy, Lexi, and Kurt are mysteriously transported to an underworld teeming with goblins, strange animal hybrids, and powerful magic the fact that they are stuck there is probably Billy s fault, too. With help from an unlikely goblin leader named Hop, the teens soon discover that goblins can be both fierce and friendly, with their own rich language, culture, and history a history that foretells of a human arriving to claim the Goblin Crown and lead them to victory against the deadly, invading Hanorians. Could Billy anxious, awkward Billy be the mythical Goblin King? Could saving the goblin race be his destiny and the key to getting him, Lexi, and Kurt back home?
As I’ve stated in previous reviews, I appreciate a middle grade book that isn’t afraid to be serious. This book fits that bill. The main character, Billy, is an awkward outsider who is uncomfortable in his own skin. He doesn’t feel that he can fit in; much less make an impact, anywhere. Many kids will relate to this character. We are also allowed some time in Lexi’s head. She struggles with impulse control, and now that she has special abilities, it’s especially important that she learn to be mindful of her thoughts, words, and actions. We don’t get much insight into Kurt (perhaps that will change in future books), but it’s clear that he’s a young man accustomed to being held to unreasonable standards, and when he can’t meet those standards, he is very hard on himself. These characters are easy to relate to, but surprisingly, to me at least, the most relatable character was Hop, the goblin. He’s a strange mixture of cowardliness and bravery, and he’s not afraid to admit it. These attributes work together to make him a true hero in this book. While the book was a little slow going at first, within a few chapters I was immersed, and now feel invested in continuing the series. There are still numerous characters to be developed, and I’m looking forward to learning more about them. I would recommend this book to readers 12 and older, because there is some violence and death. This should be a satisfying read for anyone who enjoys fantasy involving battles.
December 5, 2016
A Fantasy Adventure with Goblins and Human Teens
Hop, the goblin, is having a rough day. The battlefield is strewn with bodies. He’s been hiding under one of them but now the battle is over and he has to get away. The goblin army is on the run, and he doesn’t want to be caught by the victorious Hanorians.
Billy Smith is also having a rough day. It’s his first day in a new school. Billy has been in lots of new schools, and he hates it. He feels insecure and unlikable. True to form he embarrasses himself in front of Lexie, the only cute girl who is ever paid attention to him. When he tries to get to know her, he makes another mistake and becomes the enemy of Kurt Novac, the school’s star quarterback. Lexie and Billy end up running from Kurt and the three of them fall into a cavern, a goblin cavern.
The book is reminiscent of Tolkein, but written for middle grade students. The characters, Lexie, Kurt, and particularly Billy are people young readers can identify with. Many middle grade students long to be heroes but see themselves as clumsy and insecure as Billy. The goblins are delightful characters. Hob tries to remain in the background, but finds he can’t when the issue of the Goblin Crown becomes important.
I recommend this book for middle grade students. It’s filled with magical creatures, wizards, giants, bats, and, of course, goblins. The story is fast paced, and the characters are well drawn.
I received this book from Turner Publishing for this review.
Hop, the goblin, is having a rough day. The battlefield is strewn with bodies. He’s been hiding under one of them but now the battle is over and he has to get away. The goblin army is on the run, and he doesn’t want to be caught by the victorious Hanorians.
Billy Smith is also having a rough day. It’s his first day in a new school. Billy has been in lots of new schools, and he hates it. He feels insecure and unlikable. True to form he embarrasses himself in front of Lexie, the only cute girl who is ever paid attention to him. When he tries to get to know her, he makes another mistake and becomes the enemy of Kurt Novac, the school’s star quarterback. Lexie and Billy end up running from Kurt and the three of them fall into a cavern, a goblin cavern.
The book is reminiscent of Tolkein, but written for middle grade students. The characters, Lexie, Kurt, and particularly Billy are people young readers can identify with. Many middle grade students long to be heroes but see themselves as clumsy and insecure as Billy. The goblins are delightful characters. Hob tries to remain in the background, but finds he can’t when the issue of the Goblin Crown becomes important.
I recommend this book for middle grade students. It’s filled with magical creatures, wizards, giants, bats, and, of course, goblins. The story is fast paced, and the characters are well drawn.
I received this book from Turner Publishing for this review.
October 14, 2016
Billy Smith is just a tad bit nervous about his first day of high school. It is not everyday that you get to be the new kid at an extremely exclusive prep high school. Besides starting a new school, Billy manages to become an enemy of the school's highly respected quarterback and embarrass himself in front of one of the beautiful girls at his school. Billy is your average kid except that he doesn't fit in any where. He isn't hoping to fit in, Billy just wants to be able to hide enough so that he doesn't have any problems.
Getting chased, falling into a different world and landing in the middle of war is the last thing that Billy wanted or expected from his first day of school.
This is a wonderful entertaining story. The author does a great job of introducing the reader to the goblin world, including their language. I was hooked almost right away when I started to read. I am anxiously awaiting the release of the second book in the series. I want to know more about Billy, Kurt, Lexi, and all of the Goblin friends.
I was given an advanced reader copy of this book to review and all I can say is I can't wait to introduce my reluctant readers to this book. I am sure that this is a story that will draw in even the most reluctant reader
Getting chased, falling into a different world and landing in the middle of war is the last thing that Billy wanted or expected from his first day of school.
This is a wonderful entertaining story. The author does a great job of introducing the reader to the goblin world, including their language. I was hooked almost right away when I started to read. I am anxiously awaiting the release of the second book in the series. I want to know more about Billy, Kurt, Lexi, and all of the Goblin friends.
I was given an advanced reader copy of this book to review and all I can say is I can't wait to introduce my reluctant readers to this book. I am sure that this is a story that will draw in even the most reluctant reader
October 17, 2016
What a great book one for this new younger teen series. Billy has always been a misfit and on day one at his new school in California he drops his tray on Lexi, the most popular girl in the school and incurs the wrath of Kurt, a school jock. The three are transported to the magical kingdom of the goblins and are befriended by Hop, a local. Their adventures are exciting and magical with wars and intrigue. Great for a reluctant reader with lots of action.
November 9, 2016
Overall, I liked this intriguing tale. But, due to the language and content, I was rather disappointed. Because of that, I would most likely not recommend for younger readers under 16 years of age--at least.
Still, it was a thrilling story with goblin language and culture, wizards and magic, and much action. . .
REVIEW: http://sarah-plainandaverage.blogspot...
Still, it was a thrilling story with goblin language and culture, wizards and magic, and much action. . .
REVIEW: http://sarah-plainandaverage.blogspot...
February 6, 2017
This book is a good teen book to read. My favorite part of the story was the race and the ending was great.
October 25, 2016
This book was so awesome.
November 1, 2016
Wonderful!
May 13, 2017
Not a perfect book, but I liked and enjoyed many of the characters
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