What do you think?
Rate this book
The Goblin's Puzzle: Being the Adventures of a Boy with No Name and Two Girls Called Alice
Not yet published
Expected 31 Dec 35Brimming with dragons, goblins, and logic puzzles, this middle-grade fantasy adventure is perfect for readers who enjoyed The Princess Bride or Rump.
THE BOY is a nameless slave on a mission to uncover his true destiny.
THE GOBLIN holds all the answers, but he’s too tricky to be trusted.
PLAIN ALICE is a bookish peasant girl carried off by a confused dragon.
And PRINCESS ALICE is the lucky girl who wasn’t kidnapped.
All four are tangled up in a sinister plot to take over the kingdom, and together they must face kind monsters, a cruel magician, and dozens of deathly boring palace bureaucrats. They’re a ragtag bunch, but with strength, courage, and plenty of deductive reasoning, they just might outwit the villains and crack the goblin’s puzzle.
“ An adventure bursting with wit and charm . The characters are fresh, the story is thrilling, and the puzzles are downright diabolical. A wonderful book.” —Jonathan Auxier, author of The Night Gardener and Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
“Brimming with sarcastic, cheeky, laugh-out-loud humor, this is a smart, original, and completely engaging adventure.” —School Library Journal, starred review
THE BOY is a nameless slave on a mission to uncover his true destiny.
THE GOBLIN holds all the answers, but he’s too tricky to be trusted.
PLAIN ALICE is a bookish peasant girl carried off by a confused dragon.
And PRINCESS ALICE is the lucky girl who wasn’t kidnapped.
All four are tangled up in a sinister plot to take over the kingdom, and together they must face kind monsters, a cruel magician, and dozens of deathly boring palace bureaucrats. They’re a ragtag bunch, but with strength, courage, and plenty of deductive reasoning, they just might outwit the villains and crack the goblin’s puzzle.
“ An adventure bursting with wit and charm . The characters are fresh, the story is thrilling, and the puzzles are downright diabolical. A wonderful book.” —Jonathan Auxier, author of The Night Gardener and Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes
“Brimming with sarcastic, cheeky, laugh-out-loud humor, this is a smart, original, and completely engaging adventure.” —School Library Journal, starred review
288 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2016
19 people are currently reading
1319 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
Read
March 26, 2017Yay! Finally a good children's book. Nay, a great children's book! I know there are a bunch of great kids books out there but I have been having a hell of a time finding them. Being a new mother and a bookworm, I have recently become interested in what the current offering of children's books are out there (since I want to get my daughter interested in books from a very young age, as I was). After slogging through a bunch of crap, I finally found a gem.
I loved this book! I'm 25 years old and I loved this book and I am certain that a child would too. It was fun and clever (but clever in a way that a child could actually understand). I chuckled constantly throughout the book, and I found all of the characters to be lovable and most importantly, memorable. The little drawings at the head of each chapter was also an adorable touch.
I would definitely recommend this for kids looking for an engaging read that's filled with humour, intrigue and mystery.
Buy, Borrow or Bin Verdict: Buy
Note: I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.
January 30, 2016
This was a fun read - and pretty funny at times.
The first line actually set the tone for the whole book rather well:
“Bread, left untended, will steal itself, or so people liked to say. But the boy found that sometimes it needed help.”
And after that the story of the boy with no name, and Alice, and Alice, and the goblin was rather engrossing.
It was full of wit:
“Long ago, the King had set himself the goal of winning an argument with his wife. Once again, that day had failed to arrive.”
Huh. Been there; done that.
“Plain Alice jumped back a bit. She was not used to hearing soft words from boys. She had an air about her that discouraged them from coming closer than stone-throwing distance.”
I have to say, I really enjoyed this book.
It was obviously written for a younger crowd, and I finished it pretty quickly. But I liked it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for a copy in return for an honest review.
The first line actually set the tone for the whole book rather well:
“Bread, left untended, will steal itself, or so people liked to say. But the boy found that sometimes it needed help.”
And after that the story of the boy with no name, and Alice, and Alice, and the goblin was rather engrossing.
It was full of wit:
“Long ago, the King had set himself the goal of winning an argument with his wife. Once again, that day had failed to arrive.”
Huh. Been there; done that.
“Plain Alice jumped back a bit. She was not used to hearing soft words from boys. She had an air about her that discouraged them from coming closer than stone-throwing distance.”
I have to say, I really enjoyed this book.
It was obviously written for a younger crowd, and I finished it pretty quickly. But I liked it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for a copy in return for an honest review.
August 19, 2025
I loved this book! This book was witty, funny, sweet, and interesting. If you love books by Lemony Snicket, or if you love Howl's Moving Castle, then you need to read this book.
The Goblin's Puzzle by Andrew S. Chilton is a middle grade book about a runaway slave, a girl mistakenly captured by a dragon and a clever by often misleading goblin. This book is full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Even at the end when I had a basic idea of how the story would end, I was still surprised with what ends up happening.
This story is fun, from outwitting dragons, to fighting ogres and even a duel on the palace rooftop. There is never a dull moment. The characters are all wonderfully unique. Our main character, who has no name, is an innocent and honorable young man. I loved it that he wasn't just the hero by himself, he accepted the help of his friends and together they all save the day. Plain Alice is our other main character, her use of logic and words get the group out a couple of sticky situations. Honestly she was my favorite character because she was smart and kind. The two other character, the Goblin and the Princess Alice are also wonderful. The author does a good job with developing each character.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it everyone. If you have children in middle school who love to read, get them this book! They will be sure to enjoy it. But they aren't the only ones who will enjoy this book, if you want a bit of fun adventurous reading for a day, I would also suggest this book.
The Goblin's Puzzle by Andrew S. Chilton is a middle grade book about a runaway slave, a girl mistakenly captured by a dragon and a clever by often misleading goblin. This book is full of twists and turns that I didn't see coming. Even at the end when I had a basic idea of how the story would end, I was still surprised with what ends up happening.
This story is fun, from outwitting dragons, to fighting ogres and even a duel on the palace rooftop. There is never a dull moment. The characters are all wonderfully unique. Our main character, who has no name, is an innocent and honorable young man. I loved it that he wasn't just the hero by himself, he accepted the help of his friends and together they all save the day. Plain Alice is our other main character, her use of logic and words get the group out a couple of sticky situations. Honestly she was my favorite character because she was smart and kind. The two other character, the Goblin and the Princess Alice are also wonderful. The author does a good job with developing each character.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and recommend it everyone. If you have children in middle school who love to read, get them this book! They will be sure to enjoy it. But they aren't the only ones who will enjoy this book, if you want a bit of fun adventurous reading for a day, I would also suggest this book.
January 5, 2016
I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Goblin's Puzzle is the kind of book I loved as a kid, and cherish even more now. Clever, whimsical fantasy settings, puzzles and plays on words, confused dragons, two girls named Alice and an intrepid, nameless slave boy...what else do you need? It's a grand, playful adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed. This is the kind of book both parents and children can read and enjoy. Highly, highly recommended.
The Goblin's Puzzle is the kind of book I loved as a kid, and cherish even more now. Clever, whimsical fantasy settings, puzzles and plays on words, confused dragons, two girls named Alice and an intrepid, nameless slave boy...what else do you need? It's a grand, playful adventure that I thoroughly enjoyed. This is the kind of book both parents and children can read and enjoy. Highly, highly recommended.
September 16, 2015
“The past is written in stone, but the future is written in water.”
Plot Summary: A nameless slave sets out to discover the truth of his heritage with the help of a trickster goblin who refuses to give straight answers. Along the way, he rescues a know-it-all peasant and a kind-hearted princess from various fantastical beasts. But the real villain is a nefarious duke who is plotting to overthrow the king.
MicroReview: The Goblin’s Puzzle is flippant and fun, but also possesses an unexpected depth. The quirky humor and writing style will make it a delight for all audiences.
The Highs
Whimsical yet Realistic: The tone is light-hearted but there are moments of gritty realism that I appreciated, such as in the first chapter when However, this is ultimately a feel-good story that is appropriate for any age level, especially for those who enjoy Lemony Snicket (Adventure Time and Monty Python also come to mind). Here’s a taste of the humor:
“If Middlebury was overrun, he would be a laughingstock. There was a good chance he would also be dead. But people would still laugh at him.”
Positive Ideals: Despite the damsel-in-distress scenarios, the story advocates girls’ education through female characters that have Hermione-level smarts. It also emphasizes the weaknesses in pro-slavery arguments of the past. In addition, the book’s main message is that each individual has control over his or her own future, despite the conditions one might be born into. Words of wisdom from the good king:
“There was no point in saving the people from an oppressive tyrant if he had to tyrannize them oppressively to do it.”
A Twist on the Fantastic: There are many familiar elements in this story, but they are slightly different from what’s come before: dragons view the world in words rather than shapes and colors, and although goblins have clairvoyant powers, there are limitations. In addition, one of the major plot points pays homage to The Odyssey, but uses the unique aspects of the world to create a new spin.
Illustrations: The cover and the chapter illustrations perfectly match the overall tone of the book.
The Lows
Rushed Pacing: This is understandable considering that this is a middle-grade novel, but the short scenes may make it more difficult to develop an emotional attachment to the characters and the romance. At the same time, a lot happens in this book despite its length, and the author provides vivid character snapshots using only a few sentences.
Standard Fantasy Setting: The “dragons and princesses” theme might feel overdone for older readers, but a familiar world makes it easier for younger readers to jump into the story.
Two-Dimensional Villain: I thought that the slave master was a more interesting antagonist than the duke; I wanted him to be a nuanced character rather than vanilla-flavored evil. Nonetheless, I did like how the villains and heroes attempted to outwit each other at every turn.
The Bottom Line: An excellent debut for an author I’ll be sure to look out for in the future. Thank you NetGalley and Random House Children’s for providing a free eBook copy in exchange for this honest review.
February 2, 2016
This was one of those rare books you come across and know right away will be an instant classic. Yes, I know the author--and interviewed him on my blog, here--but that doesn't change how squee-worthy this book is. Seriously, it's the kind you don't get over quickly.
So, why did I love it? Well, it's obviously very clever, and in ways you don't expect until you dig in. It's also imaginative, and playful, with lots of witty asides. But at the end of the day, none of that would matter if it didn't have heart, and that it does. Boy, Plain Alice, Princess Alice, even the dragon and the other background folk--they become real, and live on long after the pages of the book are closed. I hope you pick it up, and am willing to bet you'll love it!
EDITED to add: another review reminded me that the book has an early murder, not by a main character, but in front of him. It's handled in such a way as to lessen the impact, but it's true that some readers would still find it too much. However, for the readers who'd most enjoy this book, I don't think it would be a problem.
So, why did I love it? Well, it's obviously very clever, and in ways you don't expect until you dig in. It's also imaginative, and playful, with lots of witty asides. But at the end of the day, none of that would matter if it didn't have heart, and that it does. Boy, Plain Alice, Princess Alice, even the dragon and the other background folk--they become real, and live on long after the pages of the book are closed. I hope you pick it up, and am willing to bet you'll love it!
EDITED to add: another review reminded me that the book has an early murder, not by a main character, but in front of him. It's handled in such a way as to lessen the impact, but it's true that some readers would still find it too much. However, for the readers who'd most enjoy this book, I don't think it would be a problem.
December 22, 2015
This was such a fun read! I know I have said this before, but I am really digging the whole Middle Grade genre these days! The ones I have read lately have such unique story lines and I have to say could really give some YA books a run for their money!
In the Goblins Puzzle we get to set out on several adventures that eventually merge together in one amazing story line. I truly enjoyed seeing each story play out and I think each character stood front and center of their own story. Sometimes characters can get lost in the shuffle or I won't feel as connected to certain ones, but I was fully engaged with each character in this story. I did feel a little more towards the boy with no name because his story started with the goblin, but this still didn't take anything away from the other amazing characters.
The story was also one of my favorites! There were so many amazing twists and turns and my goodness I did not see that ending happening! This is also very action packed! We have dragons, ogres, an evil sorcerer, and a very tricky goblin! Throw all that in and you know you have a fun adventure! The author did a great job pacing everything and I thoroughly enjoyed watching each character use their wits to outsmart their opponents!
The only thing that threw me in this was the way slaves were presented. It was quite heavy handed and while I do understand the thought behind it all I still felt a bit uncomfortable at times and I think it was a bit much for younger readers. I wish the author would have pulled back a bit because I don't think it was all needed.
That being said though I still felt like this book was definitely fun and I loved seeing the puzzle unfold. If you are looking for a fun adventure this book is for you!
In the Goblins Puzzle we get to set out on several adventures that eventually merge together in one amazing story line. I truly enjoyed seeing each story play out and I think each character stood front and center of their own story. Sometimes characters can get lost in the shuffle or I won't feel as connected to certain ones, but I was fully engaged with each character in this story. I did feel a little more towards the boy with no name because his story started with the goblin, but this still didn't take anything away from the other amazing characters.
The story was also one of my favorites! There were so many amazing twists and turns and my goodness I did not see that ending happening! This is also very action packed! We have dragons, ogres, an evil sorcerer, and a very tricky goblin! Throw all that in and you know you have a fun adventure! The author did a great job pacing everything and I thoroughly enjoyed watching each character use their wits to outsmart their opponents!
The only thing that threw me in this was the way slaves were presented. It was quite heavy handed and while I do understand the thought behind it all I still felt a bit uncomfortable at times and I think it was a bit much for younger readers. I wish the author would have pulled back a bit because I don't think it was all needed.
That being said though I still felt like this book was definitely fun and I loved seeing the puzzle unfold. If you are looking for a fun adventure this book is for you!
December 30, 2015
You know how sometimes you can tell what books an author loves because reading his or her words feels like the perfect tribute to those other works of fiction?
This is precisely what happened to me while reading The Goblin's Puzzle: Being the Adventures of a Boy with No Name and Two Girls Called Alice. This book had the perfect amount of funny-meets-history in its world building. There was so much William Goldman/Douglas Adams-ocity in every chapter that if there were a club that belonged to writers who somehow perfectly balanced tongue-in-cheekiness with heart-pounding action then Andrew S. Chilton would be elected the Treasurer or possibly even the Very Nearly Vice President.
In fact, balance is really what makes this book so outstanding. Andrew gives us time to breathe while we read. There are moments when we're allowed to enjoy the scenery or soak in the subtle nuances that make each character's voice so enjoyable. And then we're thrown right back into the thrills with dragons and riddles and evil plots galore. He never lingers too long on a joke and the scene changes right when it should. There are just as many laugh-out-loud moments as there are gasp-worthy ones. The balance is simply outstanding, making this an ideal book for any reader--young or old, reluctant or word-hungry, boy or girl, human or goblin.
This is precisely what happened to me while reading The Goblin's Puzzle: Being the Adventures of a Boy with No Name and Two Girls Called Alice. This book had the perfect amount of funny-meets-history in its world building. There was so much William Goldman/Douglas Adams-ocity in every chapter that if there were a club that belonged to writers who somehow perfectly balanced tongue-in-cheekiness with heart-pounding action then Andrew S. Chilton would be elected the Treasurer or possibly even the Very Nearly Vice President.
In fact, balance is really what makes this book so outstanding. Andrew gives us time to breathe while we read. There are moments when we're allowed to enjoy the scenery or soak in the subtle nuances that make each character's voice so enjoyable. And then we're thrown right back into the thrills with dragons and riddles and evil plots galore. He never lingers too long on a joke and the scene changes right when it should. There are just as many laugh-out-loud moments as there are gasp-worthy ones. The balance is simply outstanding, making this an ideal book for any reader--young or old, reluctant or word-hungry, boy or girl, human or goblin.
February 9, 2016
This is a classic humorous MG adventure, in the style of Harry Potter, but it's also emotional and thought-provoking. The book is about a nameless and powerless slave who, with the help of an extremely logical goblin, needs to use his wits to save two girls named Alice (one of whom is a Princess). Riddles and puzzles are a running theme throughout the book, which makes it a feast for the mind, but what I admired most was the wit. Even throwaway lines are extremely wry and funny. I blew through the book, and I'm sorry that it's Chilton's debut: I wish there were a hundred more books of his for me to read. I cannot overstate how much I loved this. I feel like there are so few books that are actually fun and light-hearted AND complex. Usually if you want fun, you need to turn your brain off. Not here. This book has it all.
January 22, 2016
Next book! Next book! Next book!
February 28, 2018
I really enjoyed this. It was engaging, clever and fun to read. The characters were great - I especially liked Mennofar the Goblin.
November 15, 2015
Fans of classic adventure and quest stories will find all the expected elements in The Goblin's Puzzle: an orphan who hopes to discover his fate, a beautiful princess, a clever commoner, a goblin, an ogre, a dragon, an evil sorcerer, duels, dungeons, etc. And they are all necessary for the plot, not just extra trimmings thrown in to impress us as readers. After all, a hero traditionally needs to defeat three monsters, each one more powerful and dangerous than the one before it. The beautiful princess can't be endangered by horrible monsters unless the evil sorcerer is involved. (Okay, she could. But what would be the fun in that?) And there must be a resourceful and quick-thinking peasant to make all the royalty and nobility look foolish with their powdered wigs that it takes two butlers to hold in place (not that I'm judging anyone).
So the boy with no name quite accidentally begins a quest to find his fate and his place in the world and encounters all these people and creatures, along with a few others such as the major domo who works for the sorcerer, the rule-quoting chamberlain who is part of the king's cabinet, and a sage who is a terrible farmer. Of course he has a talisman (a ring from his father), and along the way he acquires some weapons, but he also manages to make some friends and gain some confidence along the way.
I appreciate how the boy's knowledge of the way the world works is based on the traditional tales he has memorized. Although he has never been taught to read or write, he has listened carefully to every tale he has ever heard and carefully filed them away. I also like that the clever commoner is a girl, and that she is not content to just marry someone in the village and settle down. Instead, she is determined to become an apprentice sage and use the knowledge and reasoning skills that she has been developing under her father's tutelage.
This is a fun read because of the balance between action, danger, and humor. By the time we reach the end of the book, we feel as if the boy and both Alices have become our friends and we are cheering loudly for them to win and the villain(s) to lose. Perfect for middle grade readers who like fantasy adventures and cheering for the underdog.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
So the boy with no name quite accidentally begins a quest to find his fate and his place in the world and encounters all these people and creatures, along with a few others such as the major domo who works for the sorcerer, the rule-quoting chamberlain who is part of the king's cabinet, and a sage who is a terrible farmer. Of course he has a talisman (a ring from his father), and along the way he acquires some weapons, but he also manages to make some friends and gain some confidence along the way.
I appreciate how the boy's knowledge of the way the world works is based on the traditional tales he has memorized. Although he has never been taught to read or write, he has listened carefully to every tale he has ever heard and carefully filed them away. I also like that the clever commoner is a girl, and that she is not content to just marry someone in the village and settle down. Instead, she is determined to become an apprentice sage and use the knowledge and reasoning skills that she has been developing under her father's tutelage.
This is a fun read because of the balance between action, danger, and humor. By the time we reach the end of the book, we feel as if the boy and both Alices have become our friends and we are cheering loudly for them to win and the villain(s) to lose. Perfect for middle grade readers who like fantasy adventures and cheering for the underdog.
I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.
January 18, 2016
The boy had never had a name, since he had been a slave as long as he could remember. He tried to be the best slave possible, but all of the rules of slavery ran together and often contradicted one another too. When he is sent on a journey with the prince, the boy witnesses a murder and is suddenly free. Soon he finds himself in the company of a goblin who knows all of the answers about the boys’ past but is unwilling to part easily with them. The goblin agrees to answer one question a day truthfully, but goblins are tricky and can’t really be trusted. Meanwhile, Plain Alice has been mistakenly kidnapped by a dragon who meant to kidnap Princess Alice. These characters all find themselves facing issues of logic, dragons, ogres and other horrible deeds on their way to unraveling who they really are.
This novel is a cunning and complicated novel for children. It takes logic and loops it, confuses it and then shows how it actually all works out. It’s a puzzle and a delightful one. Young readers will enjoy the twists and turns, groan at the folly of some of the characters, cheer as others exceed their expectations, and those who love puzzles and logic will find a book to adore here.
The characters are well drawn and interesting. I particularly enjoyed the goblin, who twists and turns but also has a hand in making sure that things turn out right. The boy is a great protagonist, often confused and always seeing the world as new, he explores and learns as he goes. Plain Alice is a strong female protagonist, using her brains to solve problems and even charming a dragon as she does so. The entire book is woven with mystical creatures but magic does not save the day here. Instead, deep thinking and logic are the winners.
A puzzle of a book that twists and turns in the best possible way, this adventure is one for smart children who can use their wits to save themselves. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
This novel is a cunning and complicated novel for children. It takes logic and loops it, confuses it and then shows how it actually all works out. It’s a puzzle and a delightful one. Young readers will enjoy the twists and turns, groan at the folly of some of the characters, cheer as others exceed their expectations, and those who love puzzles and logic will find a book to adore here.
The characters are well drawn and interesting. I particularly enjoyed the goblin, who twists and turns but also has a hand in making sure that things turn out right. The boy is a great protagonist, often confused and always seeing the world as new, he explores and learns as he goes. Plain Alice is a strong female protagonist, using her brains to solve problems and even charming a dragon as she does so. The entire book is woven with mystical creatures but magic does not save the day here. Instead, deep thinking and logic are the winners.
A puzzle of a book that twists and turns in the best possible way, this adventure is one for smart children who can use their wits to save themselves. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
January 5, 2023
I miss this style of MG fantasy! where the humor is more in the narration and writing than it is just characters saying jokes.
monty python vibes slay and the logic puzzles were an interesting surprise. When I read "puzzles" I was thinking something totally different but I'm not complaining bc these were done really well.
2023 popsugar reading challenge: A book with a map
monty python vibes slay and the logic puzzles were an interesting surprise. When I read "puzzles" I was thinking something totally different but I'm not complaining bc these were done really well.
2023 popsugar reading challenge: A book with a map
January 2, 2017
The boy had never had a name, since he had been a slave as long as he could remember. He tried to be the best slave possible, but all of the rules of slavery ran together and often contradicted one another too. When he is sent on a journey with the prince, the boy witnesses a murder and is suddenly free. Soon he finds himself in the company of a goblin who knows all of the answers about the boys’ past but is unwilling to part easily with them. The goblin agrees to answer one question a day truthfully, but goblins are tricky and can’t really be trusted. Meanwhile, Plain Alice has been mistakenly kidnapped by a dragon who meant to kidnap Princess Alice. These characters all find themselves facing issues of logic, dragons, ogres and other horrible deeds on their way to unraveling who they really are.
This novel is a cunning and complicated novel for children. It takes logic and loops it, confuses it and then shows how it actually all works out. It’s a puzzle and a delightful one. Young readers will enjoy the twists and turns, groan at the folly of some of the characters, cheer as others exceed their expectations, and those who love puzzles and logic will find a book to adore here.
The characters are well drawn and interesting. I particularly enjoyed the goblin, who twists and turns but also has a hand in making sure that things turn out right. The boy is a great protagonist, often confused and always seeing the world as new, he explores and learns as he goes. Plain Alice is a strong female protagonist, using her brains to solve problems and even charming a dragon as she does so. The entire book is woven with mystical creatures but magic does not save the day here. Instead, deep thinking and logic are the winners.
A puzzle of a book that twists and turns in the best possible way, this adventure is one for smart children who can use their wits to save themselves. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
This novel is a cunning and complicated novel for children. It takes logic and loops it, confuses it and then shows how it actually all works out. It’s a puzzle and a delightful one. Young readers will enjoy the twists and turns, groan at the folly of some of the characters, cheer as others exceed their expectations, and those who love puzzles and logic will find a book to adore here.
The characters are well drawn and interesting. I particularly enjoyed the goblin, who twists and turns but also has a hand in making sure that things turn out right. The boy is a great protagonist, often confused and always seeing the world as new, he explores and learns as he goes. Plain Alice is a strong female protagonist, using her brains to solve problems and even charming a dragon as she does so. The entire book is woven with mystical creatures but magic does not save the day here. Instead, deep thinking and logic are the winners.
A puzzle of a book that twists and turns in the best possible way, this adventure is one for smart children who can use their wits to save themselves. Appropriate for ages 9-12.
February 21, 2016
**An ARC of this book was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
So technically I started this book last December, but my reading device was always iffy at best, and lately, it's been out of town with a family member, so I re-started the book again this past week and got through it rather quickly.
I really enjoyed this light fantasy novel of adventure and refined dragons and scheming dukes and friendship and small tricksy goblins who change color according to their emotions and the importance of just the correct wording. It was lovely - and the writing was an added bonus. You know when there is a simple pleasure in simply reading the prose, not even accounting for the story, just the words and how they're tied together into sentences and paragraphs? Yes, this was one of those for me.
Small complaint would be that there were some slightly inappropriate comments scattered about that felt out of place in an MG book.
So technically I started this book last December, but my reading device was always iffy at best, and lately, it's been out of town with a family member, so I re-started the book again this past week and got through it rather quickly.
I really enjoyed this light fantasy novel of adventure and refined dragons and scheming dukes and friendship and small tricksy goblins who change color according to their emotions and the importance of just the correct wording. It was lovely - and the writing was an added bonus. You know when there is a simple pleasure in simply reading the prose, not even accounting for the story, just the words and how they're tied together into sentences and paragraphs? Yes, this was one of those for me.
Small complaint would be that there were some slightly inappropriate comments scattered about that felt out of place in an MG book.
February 6, 2017
Review coming after Cybils winners announced.
February 10, 2016
The author has succeeded in creating a book written on two levels: on the first is a fun children's book with all the whimsy of a classic fairy tale. On the second is a book with enough depth for adults to enjoy and a subtle, wicked humor. All in all, I highly recommend the book for all audiences.
February 10, 2017
I enjoyed this book quite a bit. I know I am not the target audience but I found it hard to put down. I liked the plot and the characters and it was quite funny at times. Definitely worth the read and I wish I owned it instead of just borrowing from the library. I will need to purchase this at some point.
August 18, 2016
So unexpectedly wonderful!
Full review posted on my blog!
http://mariethebooklover.blogspot.com...
Full review posted on my blog!
http://mariethebooklover.blogspot.com...
March 25, 2016
What a super entertaining read!
February 1, 2016
I'll start off by saying that I genuinely liked the book.
All my gripes aside, I thought that the main characters are well written and all interesting enough to have their own stories based on them, though obviously the book focused mostly on the boy, whose difficult circumstances as a nameless slave who is fated to be such are reflected well in his personality and his interactions. The way that the book is written so that the boy acts like he is being in an abusive relationship (which all slavery is, of course) and heavily alternating between relief and guilt was very heartfelt and written realistically enough. And both Alices are interesting and rounded in their own way, though some of that slips a bit into my grumpiness about the book, so I'll hold off.
I also liked the way that the book used namelessness, and the affect that such a thing might have on someone, as opposed to the way it is typically used in fantasy, which tends to be along the lines of Le Guin, etc. Which is not a bad thing, necessarily, but it felt like it had more of a legitimate impact on the character in its benefits and its difficulties. And as the boy deals increasingly with those who are named but are introduced as his equals, his realization of the importance of a name, or at least the significance of it and the identity he is missing without it was solidly done.
The whole last third of the book was very strong, and the revelations were cleverly anticlimactic. I was tempted to feel cheated about the whole thing, but it fit so perfectly with the buildup, the core feeling of knowing that the boy couldn't be anyone special even with his fantasies, which allow his finale to feel all his own, free of suffocating destiny or his terror and belief in fate. And speaking of fate, the book's introspection and debates about it through the boy and Plain/Just Alice are thoughtful and believable. I wish the book skirted more of a middle ground than it did, but the boy's inability to let go of fate completely was just about good enough for me, because he reaches an equilibrium about it, which I thought was a better way to represent it.
I liked and thought that it was unique to have a book introduce the idea of a kingdom separated by two kings and not have them at war with each other. It was unique for a king to fight for the legitimacy of his daughter ascending to the throne, which was a side step that I wasn't expecting as it's typically the daughter who petitions the father who then comes around. It was definitely refreshing to read a book that had the father take it as assumed and was fighting for her right to do so, though the issue skims on the edges of the book.
Overall the book was quirky, adventurous, and fun with fast wordplay brought by Mennofar, and philosophical quandaries for thought debated by both Plain/Just Alice and Mennofar. Really those two characters are what held me through the book, though certain executions of the characters (namely Alice) was a bit underwhelming. Some of the initial stuff introduced I thought could have been brought back, such as Ludwig and Rodrigo (I definitely thought that when Mennofar told the boy to go to the roof that Ludwig would be involved), but in fairness it would have felt spectacularly coincidental, though the happenstance of Casimir being at the end of the book could also be accused of such.
HERE ARE MY GRIPES
I get that the author may have wanted certain things from this book, though perhaps not intentionally. The commentary on slavery was clearly intentional, the commentary on gender perhaps not. The idea of the king fighting for Princess Alice's legitimacy lay in the right place, the idea of Just Alice facing difficulties in becoming a sage due to her gender lay in a similar place, of defying certain gender roles and pushing that girls can do whatever the goddamned hell they goddamned please, which, of all things, I am not only on the bandwagon for, but pulling and pushing the bandwagon for. It's just that these things are sort of given superficial lip-service and not really impacted on the actual usage of these female characters as a WHOLE in the book.
Look, I see that narratively there is criticism at backwards thinking, such as the Chamberlain believing that ladies should not hear of difficult things - the book rightly is not approving of that. But what does the book approve? Girls still have to get saved by boys, even if it's just the one. Girls are still rendered helpless in situations tied to their gender specifically. Enforced marriage, girls taken by dragons - not exactly unheard of plotlines, but where does the book fuddle with this state of affairs? Though Plain/Just Alice is clever and can just about keep up with Mennofar, she isn't the one to outwit Ludwig. Though Princess Alice is beginning to show exhibitions of her authority, she is still stripped of control and it turns to the boy to manipulate political situations he only sort of understands.
And the Princess Alice is hinted enough at being an interesting character, but unlike Plain/Just Alice we're not really allowed to savor her character and get to know her outside of her areas of crisis. The brief moment is the interaction they get to have with each other - an impressive ONE SCENE of an entire novel. Her pressure to lead a country but balance what she's told to act as as a GIRL is character intrigue enough FOR AN ENTIRELY SEPARATE BOOK but is reduced to a handful of sentences that keep hinting at depth but don't explore depth.
And finally, wading into the dark quagmire here, this whole book is rather hetero - which I know is calling the cavalry of "it's just a kid's book!" defenses to my door, but I pose to you that the book has plenty of mentions of the boy's crush on Plain/Just Alice, in a not particularly subtle way. If that's okay, then where is the rule stopping any sort of hints of crushes between two girls or two boys other than the societal impression that such relationships make them inappropriate for kids - something that causes this thing to be a perpetual motion machine of non-representation. I'm just saying if a boy and girl can fuss about holding hands because it makes them feel feels, so can two girls.
As far as picking apart certain social issues, the book is unremittingly safe. It buckles things it already knows there are no objections of, but tries to make it feel like they're big stances. Any clear breaks it shies away from, any actual stances... it just can't. It still has to mention that boring, boring, boring trope of the husband who can't win the argument against his wife which is boring and boring and when I read that passage while walking to work I was tempted to fall into a puddle on the sidewalk and let out a groan of UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
I liked the book, it was a fun read in the end! But there are certain parts of it that I felt that the book could have skipped because either it won't stand to its convictions or it touches on it so lightly that it might as not have been mentioned at all, and almost draws attentions to its hesitations by doing so.
All my gripes aside, I thought that the main characters are well written and all interesting enough to have their own stories based on them, though obviously the book focused mostly on the boy, whose difficult circumstances as a nameless slave who is fated to be such are reflected well in his personality and his interactions. The way that the book is written so that the boy acts like he is being in an abusive relationship (which all slavery is, of course) and heavily alternating between relief and guilt was very heartfelt and written realistically enough. And both Alices are interesting and rounded in their own way, though some of that slips a bit into my grumpiness about the book, so I'll hold off.
I also liked the way that the book used namelessness, and the affect that such a thing might have on someone, as opposed to the way it is typically used in fantasy, which tends to be along the lines of Le Guin, etc. Which is not a bad thing, necessarily, but it felt like it had more of a legitimate impact on the character in its benefits and its difficulties. And as the boy deals increasingly with those who are named but are introduced as his equals, his realization of the importance of a name, or at least the significance of it and the identity he is missing without it was solidly done.
The whole last third of the book was very strong, and the revelations were cleverly anticlimactic. I was tempted to feel cheated about the whole thing, but it fit so perfectly with the buildup, the core feeling of knowing that the boy couldn't be anyone special even with his fantasies, which allow his finale to feel all his own, free of suffocating destiny or his terror and belief in fate. And speaking of fate, the book's introspection and debates about it through the boy and Plain/Just Alice are thoughtful and believable. I wish the book skirted more of a middle ground than it did, but the boy's inability to let go of fate completely was just about good enough for me, because he reaches an equilibrium about it, which I thought was a better way to represent it.
I liked and thought that it was unique to have a book introduce the idea of a kingdom separated by two kings and not have them at war with each other. It was unique for a king to fight for the legitimacy of his daughter ascending to the throne, which was a side step that I wasn't expecting as it's typically the daughter who petitions the father who then comes around. It was definitely refreshing to read a book that had the father take it as assumed and was fighting for her right to do so, though the issue skims on the edges of the book.
Overall the book was quirky, adventurous, and fun with fast wordplay brought by Mennofar, and philosophical quandaries for thought debated by both Plain/Just Alice and Mennofar. Really those two characters are what held me through the book, though certain executions of the characters (namely Alice) was a bit underwhelming. Some of the initial stuff introduced I thought could have been brought back, such as Ludwig and Rodrigo (I definitely thought that when Mennofar told the boy to go to the roof that Ludwig would be involved), but in fairness it would have felt spectacularly coincidental, though the happenstance of Casimir being at the end of the book could also be accused of such.
HERE ARE MY GRIPES
I get that the author may have wanted certain things from this book, though perhaps not intentionally. The commentary on slavery was clearly intentional, the commentary on gender perhaps not. The idea of the king fighting for Princess Alice's legitimacy lay in the right place, the idea of Just Alice facing difficulties in becoming a sage due to her gender lay in a similar place, of defying certain gender roles and pushing that girls can do whatever the goddamned hell they goddamned please, which, of all things, I am not only on the bandwagon for, but pulling and pushing the bandwagon for. It's just that these things are sort of given superficial lip-service and not really impacted on the actual usage of these female characters as a WHOLE in the book.
Look, I see that narratively there is criticism at backwards thinking, such as the Chamberlain believing that ladies should not hear of difficult things - the book rightly is not approving of that. But what does the book approve? Girls still have to get saved by boys, even if it's just the one. Girls are still rendered helpless in situations tied to their gender specifically. Enforced marriage, girls taken by dragons - not exactly unheard of plotlines, but where does the book fuddle with this state of affairs? Though Plain/Just Alice is clever and can just about keep up with Mennofar, she isn't the one to outwit Ludwig. Though Princess Alice is beginning to show exhibitions of her authority, she is still stripped of control and it turns to the boy to manipulate political situations he only sort of understands.
And the Princess Alice is hinted enough at being an interesting character, but unlike Plain/Just Alice we're not really allowed to savor her character and get to know her outside of her areas of crisis. The brief moment is the interaction they get to have with each other - an impressive ONE SCENE of an entire novel. Her pressure to lead a country but balance what she's told to act as as a GIRL is character intrigue enough FOR AN ENTIRELY SEPARATE BOOK but is reduced to a handful of sentences that keep hinting at depth but don't explore depth.
And finally, wading into the dark quagmire here, this whole book is rather hetero - which I know is calling the cavalry of "it's just a kid's book!" defenses to my door, but I pose to you that the book has plenty of mentions of the boy's crush on Plain/Just Alice, in a not particularly subtle way. If that's okay, then where is the rule stopping any sort of hints of crushes between two girls or two boys other than the societal impression that such relationships make them inappropriate for kids - something that causes this thing to be a perpetual motion machine of non-representation. I'm just saying if a boy and girl can fuss about holding hands because it makes them feel feels, so can two girls.
As far as picking apart certain social issues, the book is unremittingly safe. It buckles things it already knows there are no objections of, but tries to make it feel like they're big stances. Any clear breaks it shies away from, any actual stances... it just can't. It still has to mention that boring, boring, boring trope of the husband who can't win the argument against his wife which is boring and boring and when I read that passage while walking to work I was tempted to fall into a puddle on the sidewalk and let out a groan of UGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.
I liked the book, it was a fun read in the end! But there are certain parts of it that I felt that the book could have skipped because either it won't stand to its convictions or it touches on it so lightly that it might as not have been mentioned at all, and almost draws attentions to its hesitations by doing so.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 6, 2017
Well-constructed middle grade novel of the medieval fantasy genre. Some demonstrations of logic mixed into the dialogue, with a deeper explanation of logic principles in the Afterword. Strong examples of all-is-lost moments. Good use of wit throughout the story, with characters often depicting the opposite of what they just said.
December 25, 2017
I liked this book a lot but the beginning is kind of confusing. Not the plot, but the general beliefs mentioned. It may get clearer as you read on, but maybe the author could have made the beliefs a bit more clearer at the time.
February 7, 2017
The Goblin's Puzzle is a delightfully clever read that breaks away from traditional fairy tales to encourage young readers to consider logical questions, fate, slavery, and gender roles. Appropriately, the Afterward teaches young readers about some basic logical concepts that are used in the story (and explains them in light of the story). Yet, it is far from a heavy read. It's funny, light-hearted, and memorable. While it made me think (especially trying to figure out the goblin's puzzle), it was in a way that is appropriate for younger readers as well. I can easily see older readers engaging in this book alongside younger readers through read-a-louds and discussions about the story.
The characters are all engaging and memorable in their own rights. The story alternates between various points of view as appropriate, and there's always a gem waiting to be found and chuckled over in each character's story. There are too many funny lines for me to share, but I hope the first line gives you a taste of what this book has in store for you:
“Bread, left untended, will steal itself, or so people liked to say. But the boy found that sometimes it needed help.”
What I love best about this story, is the wittiness of it all. While there is adventure, dragons, ogres, goblins, a king, a princess, sorcery, to name a few, this isn't your traditional medieval fantasy. In order to survive, a protagonist must outwit the villain before them. Sheer brawn will not slay the dragon. Many of the characters are two-dimensional, but I'm willing to let this because we do have more fleshed out characters in The Goblin's Puzzle.
The boy and Plain Alice rise to the stage as the main protagonists. Many readers will find themselves drawn to Plain Alice and her cleverness, which saves herself and others on multiple occasions. While she wants to be a sage, the council is prejudiced against female sages, and she relentlessly fights this discrimination with impressive determination. (She's also really pretty, going against the stereotype of nerdy, glasses-wearing smart girls). My personal favorite is the boy. Having been raised as a slave, he's hopelessly naive, but he has big hopes and dreams that he hasn't let himself contemplate in the past. His search for answers will make young readers really think about fate and free will, slavery, and justice.
In the end, the goblin's puzzle teaches us that, while our stories may bear similarities to old tales, we must take the initiative in our stories and forge our own paths. As the goblin says, "The past is written in stone, but the future is written in water." The future will come to pass, but our lives still influence its flow.
I very much enjoyed this read and will be saving my copy to share with younger readers.
Kris @Imaginary Reads
The characters are all engaging and memorable in their own rights. The story alternates between various points of view as appropriate, and there's always a gem waiting to be found and chuckled over in each character's story. There are too many funny lines for me to share, but I hope the first line gives you a taste of what this book has in store for you:
“Bread, left untended, will steal itself, or so people liked to say. But the boy found that sometimes it needed help.”
What I love best about this story, is the wittiness of it all. While there is adventure, dragons, ogres, goblins, a king, a princess, sorcery, to name a few, this isn't your traditional medieval fantasy. In order to survive, a protagonist must outwit the villain before them. Sheer brawn will not slay the dragon. Many of the characters are two-dimensional, but I'm willing to let this because we do have more fleshed out characters in The Goblin's Puzzle.
The boy and Plain Alice rise to the stage as the main protagonists. Many readers will find themselves drawn to Plain Alice and her cleverness, which saves herself and others on multiple occasions. While she wants to be a sage, the council is prejudiced against female sages, and she relentlessly fights this discrimination with impressive determination. (She's also really pretty, going against the stereotype of nerdy, glasses-wearing smart girls). My personal favorite is the boy. Having been raised as a slave, he's hopelessly naive, but he has big hopes and dreams that he hasn't let himself contemplate in the past. His search for answers will make young readers really think about fate and free will, slavery, and justice.
In the end, the goblin's puzzle teaches us that, while our stories may bear similarities to old tales, we must take the initiative in our stories and forge our own paths. As the goblin says, "The past is written in stone, but the future is written in water." The future will come to pass, but our lives still influence its flow.
I very much enjoyed this read and will be saving my copy to share with younger readers.
Kris @Imaginary Reads
December 8, 2015
The Goblin's Puzzle is a fantasy adventure with a Lemony Snicket-type feel. Equal parts philosophical, flippant and heartwarming, this book was not what I expected at all. With great sensitivity, the author tackles huge concepts, such as fate, destiny, slavery and societal roles. Important truths are skillfully explained in a way that is accessible to a child. However, the author's skill in elucidation makes even the adult heart sing. For example:
“There was no point in saving the people from an oppressive tyrant if he had to tyrannize them oppressively to do it.”
I found the initial characterization of the Nameless protagonist exceptionally stifling. In hindsight, it was, undoubtely, to facilitate the enormous character growth that was to follow. If you read this one and find that it's a bit of a slow start, please persevere. The story is like a seed planted: For a time the seed is germinating under the earth and there's not a lot to look at. But I promise you, when it pushes its way up through the soil, the resulting bloom is well worth the wait.
Nameless is a slave, traveling with the master's son to town. When the son is killed by another slave along the roadway, our protagonist finds himself alone without a master to follow. He is picked up by a wagon train, and in the dead of the night discovers a great secret: A bound goblin is held captive and requests that he be freed, which Nameless does. The goblin then grants our protagonist three requests in exchange for spiriting him away to safety.
In an attempt to learn more about his past and the circumstances which landed him in slavery, Nameless travels with the goblin, Mennofar, getting sucked into one adventure after another along the way. Nameless is roped into defeating a dragon, outsmarting an ogre, rescuing two Alices (one Princess, one Plain) and along the way discovers a sinister plot to overthrow the kingdom by an evil sorcerer-Duke. With a great deal of luck, courage and help from the two Alices, Nameless is able to rise above his humble origins. And maybe even get a name.
The Goblin's Puzzle tickled my brain and touched my heart equally. As a standalone, it was a satisfying read. Look for this engaging tale in January, 2016.
I received this e-Arc from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
“There was no point in saving the people from an oppressive tyrant if he had to tyrannize them oppressively to do it.”
I found the initial characterization of the Nameless protagonist exceptionally stifling. In hindsight, it was, undoubtely, to facilitate the enormous character growth that was to follow. If you read this one and find that it's a bit of a slow start, please persevere. The story is like a seed planted: For a time the seed is germinating under the earth and there's not a lot to look at. But I promise you, when it pushes its way up through the soil, the resulting bloom is well worth the wait.
Nameless is a slave, traveling with the master's son to town. When the son is killed by another slave along the roadway, our protagonist finds himself alone without a master to follow. He is picked up by a wagon train, and in the dead of the night discovers a great secret: A bound goblin is held captive and requests that he be freed, which Nameless does. The goblin then grants our protagonist three requests in exchange for spiriting him away to safety.
In an attempt to learn more about his past and the circumstances which landed him in slavery, Nameless travels with the goblin, Mennofar, getting sucked into one adventure after another along the way. Nameless is roped into defeating a dragon, outsmarting an ogre, rescuing two Alices (one Princess, one Plain) and along the way discovers a sinister plot to overthrow the kingdom by an evil sorcerer-Duke. With a great deal of luck, courage and help from the two Alices, Nameless is able to rise above his humble origins. And maybe even get a name.
The Goblin's Puzzle tickled my brain and touched my heart equally. As a standalone, it was a satisfying read. Look for this engaging tale in January, 2016.
I received this e-Arc from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 14, 2016
The Goblin's Puzzle: Being the Adventures of a Boy with No Name and Two Girls Called Alice by Andrew S. Chilton is a middle grade novel that is currently scheduled for release on January 19 2016.
The boy is a slave with no name that is now on a quest to discover his purpose and place in the world. The goblin holds answers and more tricks than anyone might guess. he is not to be underestimated or trusted. Plain Alice is a smart peasant girl carried off by a confused dragon and mixed up on a plot bigger than even she could fully guess. Princess Alice luckily missed being kidnapped, at least the first time around. The unlikely group comes together by chance and face a sinister plot to take over the kingdom, kind monsters, a cruel magician, and dozens of deathly boring palace bureaucrats. Together they just might outwit the villains and crack the goblin’s puzzle.
The Goblin's Puzzle is a fun and unique fantasy adventure. I really enjoyed that it felt a little like reading a classic fantasy quest novel, but still was fresh and new. each of the main characters were well fleshed out, even our nameless slave boy. They all had their own back stories, fears, and hopes while still coming together to work towards a common goal. I like that intelligence, cleverness, and kindness were better tools in the long run for all of the main characters than strength or battle experience. The slow discovery about each of the characters and their developing friendships were very well done, and made me feel like I was meeting them myself and taking part in the adventure. I thought that the pacing and plot was pretty close to perfect. However, even better were the characters that defied convention or stepped beyond my expectations.
The Goblin's Puzzle is a wonderful middle grade adventure. I enjoyed it so much that I hope there are more books set in the same world in the near future.
The boy is a slave with no name that is now on a quest to discover his purpose and place in the world. The goblin holds answers and more tricks than anyone might guess. he is not to be underestimated or trusted. Plain Alice is a smart peasant girl carried off by a confused dragon and mixed up on a plot bigger than even she could fully guess. Princess Alice luckily missed being kidnapped, at least the first time around. The unlikely group comes together by chance and face a sinister plot to take over the kingdom, kind monsters, a cruel magician, and dozens of deathly boring palace bureaucrats. Together they just might outwit the villains and crack the goblin’s puzzle.
The Goblin's Puzzle is a fun and unique fantasy adventure. I really enjoyed that it felt a little like reading a classic fantasy quest novel, but still was fresh and new. each of the main characters were well fleshed out, even our nameless slave boy. They all had their own back stories, fears, and hopes while still coming together to work towards a common goal. I like that intelligence, cleverness, and kindness were better tools in the long run for all of the main characters than strength or battle experience. The slow discovery about each of the characters and their developing friendships were very well done, and made me feel like I was meeting them myself and taking part in the adventure. I thought that the pacing and plot was pretty close to perfect. However, even better were the characters that defied convention or stepped beyond my expectations.
The Goblin's Puzzle is a wonderful middle grade adventure. I enjoyed it so much that I hope there are more books set in the same world in the near future.
January 20, 2016
See this review and more on my blog, Lilybloombooks
Middle grade books are always fun to immerse yourself in when you want something light-hearted, fun and super cute. The Goblin's Puzzle hit all three of those - and one I will be pushing on many to read!
As with most middle grade that I've read, it takes a few chapters for the story to really get going. All the players in the game (i.e. characters) are introduced, giving us a little bit into their life at present and their back story. Once that happens, things kick off and move along beautifully!
What I love about The Goblin's Puzzle, aside from the witty characters and hilarious banter, is the team work that goes into everything. The slave boy with no name, Plain Alice, Princess Alice, the goblin - all work together to solve not only who was behind the kidnapping of both Alice's, but working together to solve the goblin's puzzle. Granted, he wasn't much help with THAT!
The Goblin's Puzzle not only brings out family, friendships and working together, it's an action/adventure story. It's a journey for all parties involved, and I adored how it all blends together. the twist was well done - and I do think all readers, kids and adults a like will adore this one!
I also really adored the drawings inside. They are THE CUTEST drawings for the chapter headers. I loved flipping back through them, now understanding their significance for each chapter.
All in all - if you are looking for a adventurous middle grade, with smart, witty and hilarious characters, I highly recommend The Goblin's Puzzle: Being the Adventures of a Boy with No Name and Two Girls Called Alice.
I received this book for free from The Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Middle grade books are always fun to immerse yourself in when you want something light-hearted, fun and super cute. The Goblin's Puzzle hit all three of those - and one I will be pushing on many to read!
As with most middle grade that I've read, it takes a few chapters for the story to really get going. All the players in the game (i.e. characters) are introduced, giving us a little bit into their life at present and their back story. Once that happens, things kick off and move along beautifully!
What I love about The Goblin's Puzzle, aside from the witty characters and hilarious banter, is the team work that goes into everything. The slave boy with no name, Plain Alice, Princess Alice, the goblin - all work together to solve not only who was behind the kidnapping of both Alice's, but working together to solve the goblin's puzzle. Granted, he wasn't much help with THAT!
The Goblin's Puzzle not only brings out family, friendships and working together, it's an action/adventure story. It's a journey for all parties involved, and I adored how it all blends together. the twist was well done - and I do think all readers, kids and adults a like will adore this one!
I also really adored the drawings inside. They are THE CUTEST drawings for the chapter headers. I loved flipping back through them, now understanding their significance for each chapter.
All in all - if you are looking for a adventurous middle grade, with smart, witty and hilarious characters, I highly recommend The Goblin's Puzzle: Being the Adventures of a Boy with No Name and Two Girls Called Alice.
I received this book for free from The Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
January 5, 2017
My name is... actually, I don't have a name. I've run away from my master, but I keep thinking that I'm still a slave. I rescued a goblin, and he's reluctantly granted me three vows (He insisted I keep two for myself, but I still wanted to grant to my master). One vow forces him to always tell me the truth, but it's all very confusing. He says I'm not a slave, but I'm still a slave. What? I know I must defeat three monsters and save a princess, because that's how it's told in all the Tales. My first quest was to free Princess Alice from an ogre, but she turned out to be Plain Alice. The real princess was captured by a dragon, but the dragon is being controlled by an evil sorcerer. I must save her from the beast, but Plain Alice has made me promise to not hurt the dragon. How is a simple boy like me supposed to do that? I didn't find out until later, but the princess's uncle has put a spell on the dragon and is trying to take over the kingdom. I must free the princess, because I've promised on my honor to do it. However, I must figure out some way to prove I'm not a slave, or I'll be hanged when this all over.
This book is a finalist for the 2016 Cybils Award in Elementary and Middle Grade Speculative Fiction. The main character is very endearing, even though he doesn't have a name! He feels like he has no control over his life, but he has a great sense of honor and doing what's right. Actually, a major theme in this book addresses the issue of fate versus control of one's life. Many of the boy's decisions are influenced by the belief that his fate is to remain a slave, but Plain Alice continuously points out the illogical thinking. Another big theme deals with the concept of slavery. The boy supports it because that's all he's ever known, but the other main characters believe it's wrong for any human to own another human.
This book is a finalist for the 2016 Cybils Award in Elementary and Middle Grade Speculative Fiction. The main character is very endearing, even though he doesn't have a name! He feels like he has no control over his life, but he has a great sense of honor and doing what's right. Actually, a major theme in this book addresses the issue of fate versus control of one's life. Many of the boy's decisions are influenced by the belief that his fate is to remain a slave, but Plain Alice continuously points out the illogical thinking. Another big theme deals with the concept of slavery. The boy supports it because that's all he's ever known, but the other main characters believe it's wrong for any human to own another human.
December 29, 2018
In my opinion "the goblins puzzle" was an amazing book, it had action and comedy. sure it was a little hard to get into with it not hooking me in at the beginning but it gets better the longer you read it. It had character development, twist and turns, and mind-bending concepts. If you like books that are fantasy with action this is for you.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews