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White Stag
(Permafrost #1)
by
The first book in a brutally stunning series where a young girl finds herself becoming more monster than human and must uncover dangerous truths about who she is and the place that has become her home.
As the last child in a family of daughters, seventeen-year-old Janneke was raised to be the male heir. While her sisters were becoming wives and mothers, she was taught to hu ...more
As the last child in a family of daughters, seventeen-year-old Janneke was raised to be the male heir. While her sisters were becoming wives and mothers, she was taught to hu ...more
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Showing 1-30
**3.5-STARS**
As the sole survivor of a goblin raid on her village, Janneke is wracked with survivor's guilt. This would have been bad enough, however, to make matters worse she is taken hostage by the raiding army and forced into a life of servitude at the hands of the sadistic goblin, Lydian.
Her life while with him is absolute hell. This is putting it mildly. We learn about this time through flashbacks but let's just get the trigger warnings out of the way: sexual assault/rape, torture, body mu ...more
As the sole survivor of a goblin raid on her village, Janneke is wracked with survivor's guilt. This would have been bad enough, however, to make matters worse she is taken hostage by the raiding army and forced into a life of servitude at the hands of the sadistic goblin, Lydian.
Her life while with him is absolute hell. This is putting it mildly. We learn about this time through flashbacks but let's just get the trigger warnings out of the way: sexual assault/rape, torture, body mu ...more
Nov 03, 2018
Chelsea Humphrey
marked it as dnf-paused
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
from-publisher,
netgalley
I think I'm going to have to mark this one DNF @ 25%.
I initially requested White Stag because gorgeous cover + Goblin King = a happy Chelsea. The first chapter was incredibly suspenseful, dropping us right in the middle of an action packed, tense scene. It was a fantastic start and I was anxious to see how the author would fill in the backstory, along with bringing us forward in a tense race to hunt the stag. I quickly realized that perhaps this book needed a bit more work before being released ...more
I initially requested White Stag because gorgeous cover + Goblin King = a happy Chelsea. The first chapter was incredibly suspenseful, dropping us right in the middle of an action packed, tense scene. It was a fantastic start and I was anxious to see how the author would fill in the backstory, along with bringing us forward in a tense race to hunt the stag. I quickly realized that perhaps this book needed a bit more work before being released ...more
tw: mentions of rape, torture, violence
Ladies and gentlemen, there's a new Rhys in town and he goes by the name of Soren.
I honestly, didn't doubt for a second that I was going to end up loving this one. I mean, I freaking LOVED Wintersong, and it changed my life basically forever because I am now just one giant pile of goblin trash. So, its not really a surprise that the minute I heard about this book I knew I was going to spend the rest of my days eagerly anticipating the release of this book. ...more
Ladies and gentlemen, there's a new Rhys in town and he goes by the name of Soren.
I honestly, didn't doubt for a second that I was going to end up loving this one. I mean, I freaking LOVED Wintersong, and it changed my life basically forever because I am now just one giant pile of goblin trash. So, its not really a surprise that the minute I heard about this book I knew I was going to spend the rest of my days eagerly anticipating the release of this book. ...more
This is about goblins and erlkings and monstrous girls... so basically a checklist of things I quite enjoy reading. I am PLEASED. It had a lot of fae culture woven through a Norse setting, but focusing on goblins instead, and I've been reading SO many fae books recently that this just fit right into what I was in the mood for. Plus it's bitterly cold and cruelly wicked with knives and claws and fights around every few pages. But it also takes the time to really discuss and delve into PTSD and me
...more
TW
Mention of rape.
At first, I couldn't figure out what bothered me about this story. I read it, and then read it again, trying to figure out why I just didn't feel comfortable with it. Then, after thinking on it, I realized what was wrong.
The main character's rape is used for shock value. It's brought up again and again, to either reinforce how 'bad' the bad guy is, or to force sympathy for the character. It's a go to whenever the character is upset. It's a constant reminder bashed over our h ...more
Mention of rape.
At first, I couldn't figure out what bothered me about this story. I read it, and then read it again, trying to figure out why I just didn't feel comfortable with it. Then, after thinking on it, I realized what was wrong.
The main character's rape is used for shock value. It's brought up again and again, to either reinforce how 'bad' the bad guy is, or to force sympathy for the character. It's a go to whenever the character is upset. It's a constant reminder bashed over our h ...more
Oct 11, 2018
Sh3lly (grumpybookgrrrl.com)
added it
DNF 35%. This one is not for me after all, and I'll tell you why. First. anyone who writes a book at age 22 is pretty amazing. That is quite an accomplishment. Respect. But, I didn't like the main character. Janneke is so angsty. So much self-loathing. It's basically a deal breaker for me.
I get that horrible things have happened to her and she was forcefully brought to the Permafrost (home to goblins and other creatures). But, the angst over it irritated me.
I think others will like this and it' ...more
I get that horrible things have happened to her and she was forcefully brought to the Permafrost (home to goblins and other creatures). But, the angst over it irritated me.
I think others will like this and it' ...more
What a fantastic story! ⭐ Brilliant writing and such originality! This is definitely not what I expected when I read “goblins”. There’s a hint of Beauty & the Beast... but only if Beauty was a terrifying hunter and warrior.
Other reviews mention some trigger warnings and I try to be very sensitive to that as well. The scenes aren’t overly graphic but I suggest reading with caution... would not recommend for young or pre-teens.
Overall just an awesome fantasy that moves at a good pace, well de ...more
Other reviews mention some trigger warnings and I try to be very sensitive to that as well. The scenes aren’t overly graphic but I suggest reading with caution... would not recommend for young or pre-teens.
Overall just an awesome fantasy that moves at a good pace, well de ...more
This isn’t going to be a warm and fuzzy review.
I love dark fantasy stories that involve the folk and jumped on the opportunity to read and review White Stag. I discovered the origins of this story after I had started it (so cool!) and highly commend the author for getting her work published after originally publishing online.
That said, this story needs A LOT of work still. The premise is very interesting and I enjoyed the main characters, Janneke and Soren, but the plot only gets more confusing ...more
I love dark fantasy stories that involve the folk and jumped on the opportunity to read and review White Stag. I discovered the origins of this story after I had started it (so cool!) and highly commend the author for getting her work published after originally publishing online.
That said, this story needs A LOT of work still. The premise is very interesting and I enjoyed the main characters, Janneke and Soren, but the plot only gets more confusing ...more
Rating ~3.5
We are all monsters in some way.
Whitestag tells the story of Janneke/Janneka a young girl stolen away from the mortal world 100 years ago, into the Permafrost, after the death of her family. For 100 years, she has lived among goblins. She has suffered a lifetime of hurt and continues to struggle, but she also to fight. All with the hope of one day returning to the human world, until she learns that she is changing and it may be too late to go back.
White Stag chronicles the journey of ...more
We are all monsters in some way.
Whitestag tells the story of Janneke/Janneka a young girl stolen away from the mortal world 100 years ago, into the Permafrost, after the death of her family. For 100 years, she has lived among goblins. She has suffered a lifetime of hurt and continues to struggle, but she also to fight. All with the hope of one day returning to the human world, until she learns that she is changing and it may be too late to go back.
White Stag chronicles the journey of ...more
![destiny ♡⚔♡ [howling libraries]](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1514747508p2/15335689.jpg)
Sep 27, 2018
destiny ♡⚔♡ [howling libraries]
marked it as to-read
Not gonna lie, if I'm on netgalley and see the word "goblin" I just start clicking buttons
Thank you so much to Wednesday Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Thank you so much to Wednesday Books for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Here we have a story that's part fantasy, part recovery-from-trauma, and all around SAVAGE. But also loved up. So ... yay?
I'll admit, it threw me a little. The story kinda starts in the middle which I normally enjoy (usually means more action) but it bothered me that it never went back to properly explain things. This feels like one of those times where the author held this story in her mind for so long that some of it got trapped there and never made it to the actual book. There's plenty happen ...more
I'll admit, it threw me a little. The story kinda starts in the middle which I normally enjoy (usually means more action) but it bothered me that it never went back to properly explain things. This feels like one of those times where the author held this story in her mind for so long that some of it got trapped there and never made it to the actual book. There's plenty happen ...more
Sep 29, 2018
mo
is currently reading it
Goblins, a wintry setting, and a main character possibly becoming a monster?
Sounds like some GOOD SHIT 👌👀👌👀👌👀👌👀👌👀
Sounds like some GOOD SHIT 👌👀👌👀👌👀👌👀👌👀
Twilight meets Game of Thrones?
Sign me the fuck up!
Sign me the fuck up!
I was a bit worried about reading this book after seeing friends of mine DNF the book on Goodreads. However, I'm glad to say that the book did work for me. Up to a point. Yes, I have some issues with the book, but that has nothing to do with the rape or any abuse Janneke had to deal with. I know that it's a trigger for some readers. But, in this case (unlike some other books I've read that really got to me), did it not bother me. And, that's because the characters were not developed enough for m
...more
New release Tuesday!
I’m so excited to ring in the new year by participating in the blog tour for White Stag!
Janneke has spent 100 years as a thrall (basically a human slave) to the young goblin lord Soren. Previously, she “belonged” to Lydian, Soren’s cruel and sadistic uncle, and before that, lived in her family’s village before Lydian burned it down. When the goblin king dies, the hunt begins to have a new power on the throne, and Janneke is determined not to let Lydian become the new Erlking. ...more
I’m so excited to ring in the new year by participating in the blog tour for White Stag!
Janneke has spent 100 years as a thrall (basically a human slave) to the young goblin lord Soren. Previously, she “belonged” to Lydian, Soren’s cruel and sadistic uncle, and before that, lived in her family’s village before Lydian burned it down. When the goblin king dies, the hunt begins to have a new power on the throne, and Janneke is determined not to let Lydian become the new Erlking. ...more
Oct 01, 2018
Dianne
rated it
it was amazing
Shelves:
1-in-series,
arc-read,
coming-of-age,
edgy,
fantasy-romance,
goblins,
interesting-dialogue,
netgalley,
new-beginnings,
own
Raw, gritty and brutally bold, WHITE STAG by Kara Barbieri is a fabulous foundation for a dark fantasy about a young woman whose life was stolen away as she became the prisoner of a sadistic goblin, bent on dehumanizing her in every way possible before sending her on to his nephew.
Janneke was always different, raised as the son her father never had, the sole survivor when her village was burned to the ground, she still has no place to call home, no place to feel safe. Wracked by survivor’s guilt ...more
Janneke was always different, raised as the son her father never had, the sole survivor when her village was burned to the ground, she still has no place to call home, no place to feel safe. Wracked by survivor’s guilt ...more
As I approach the final chapters of White Stag, I must admit; at times I felt disgusted, frustrated, and wanted to give up. Indeed, despite the five star review that I have finally decided upon, I have had to restart this book twice over the past year. Why? it is becoming clearer to me that my feelings about this story and it's imagery, messages, and it's recurring allegory in relation to grief, self-atonement and rebirth in the face of deep regret and burnt bridges are devices that, for me, mir
...more
This review and others like it can be found on my blog, Vicariously & Voraciously
ARC received via Netgalley for a fair review.
The death of the Goblin king has spurred The Hunt for the white stag and Janneke finds herself in the middle of it. After being a thrall for the goblins for 100 years now she seems to be losing more of her humanity and becoming more like the monsters they are. During this hunt, the goblin who controls her uses it as an opportunity to encourage her to accept what she h ...more
+e-Arc gently provided by Netgalley and publishers for an honest review+
2.6 iced stars
Trigger warning: rape and PTSD. Tons of angst.
Janneke was abducted by a goblin, Lydian, at age 17, and was brutalized, raped and tortured, by him. Then, and no one explain the reason, she was delivered as a slave to his nephew, Soren. One hundred years later, the Erlking dies and the ritual hunt of the White Stag begins.
I have a question: how can they say that this is Y.A. when the protagonist is the youngest w ...more
2.6 iced stars
Trigger warning: rape and PTSD. Tons of angst.
Janneke was abducted by a goblin, Lydian, at age 17, and was brutalized, raped and tortured, by him. Then, and no one explain the reason, she was delivered as a slave to his nephew, Soren. One hundred years later, the Erlking dies and the ritual hunt of the White Stag begins.
I have a question: how can they say that this is Y.A. when the protagonist is the youngest w ...more
2.5 stars
TW: Slavery and rape.
You know when you didn't like a book but then you sit to write a review and you don't really know the reason why? That's me right now.
To begin this with I have to say I found our main character, Jenneke, really entertaining to read about. She was so well fleshed out, I could feel her pain and fear but also her need to survive and to not give up on her life. She was so strong and she never backed up from a fight, of course she did it because otherwise the goblins wou ...more
TW: Slavery and rape.
You know when you didn't like a book but then you sit to write a review and you don't really know the reason why? That's me right now.
To begin this with I have to say I found our main character, Jenneke, really entertaining to read about. She was so well fleshed out, I could feel her pain and fear but also her need to survive and to not give up on her life. She was so strong and she never backed up from a fight, of course she did it because otherwise the goblins wou ...more
"White Stag" is a really fantastic YA fantasy that I was absolutely pulled into and found it hard to put down. We mainly follow Janneke/Janneka (male/female declension as she was raised to be a male heir), a human who was captured and brought into the Permafrost by a goblin. Since then, she has been a thrall (slave) to goblins. The first goblin (Lydian) who enslaved her tortured her (see warnings below) before giving her as a gift to his nephew (Soren). Soren has treated her quite differently, a
...more
Y'all, I am so torn about this book! There was so much I LOVED but there were also quite a few things that I thought needed some work.
First of all, this is a book about sexy goblins. Yes, that's right. But this shouldn't be a stretch for anyone who's seen Labyrinth:
White Stag opens in a palace in the Permafrost, where the Erlking is seated on his throne next to a white stag, surrounded by Goblins paying respects to their king. A fight between two powerful Goblins erupts and during the battle the ...more
First of all, this is a book about sexy goblins. Yes, that's right. But this shouldn't be a stretch for anyone who's seen Labyrinth:
White Stag opens in a palace in the Permafrost, where the Erlking is seated on his throne next to a white stag, surrounded by Goblins paying respects to their king. A fight between two powerful Goblins erupts and during the battle the ...more
White Stag, the first novel in the Permafrost fantasy series by self-publishing success story Kara Barbieri, is a dark, brooding and superb read; in fact, it's difficult to believe that this is a debut, let alone a book written in the authors teen years. If this is the first, I am already ridiculously excited for the upcoming series instalments but also what comes after the too. Brutal and beautiful in equal measure, this is an intricately plotted story with some wonderful worldbuilding.
The atmo ...more
The atmo ...more
Review to come
Trigger warnings for this book: Rape, graphic violence and PTSD.
This is probably the grittiest YA book I’ve read in a while. Can it even be called YA? The main character is 17, but she has also been ‘17’ for 100 years, and all the other characters are hundreds of years old. I’m not sure. The line for what constitutes YA has been growing blurrier and blurrier in recent years, so it’s anybody’s guess really.
So, to confess, I had no idea this book was originally posted on Wattpad. Maybe it’s a good ...more
This is probably the grittiest YA book I’ve read in a while. Can it even be called YA? The main character is 17, but she has also been ‘17’ for 100 years, and all the other characters are hundreds of years old. I’m not sure. The line for what constitutes YA has been growing blurrier and blurrier in recent years, so it’s anybody’s guess really.
So, to confess, I had no idea this book was originally posted on Wattpad. Maybe it’s a good ...more
Thank you NetGalley for sending me this book in return for an unbiased review. Sorry these always take so long. I had real difficulty getting into this book, and then I read that the author used to write on Wattpad, and it all made sense. Quite quickly though the pace picked up and the plot began to come through.
One element I absolutely adored was the Norse mythology and settings, seeing the history of Janneke and her understanding and religious experiences was beautiful. I loved this and I got ...more
One element I absolutely adored was the Norse mythology and settings, seeing the history of Janneke and her understanding and religious experiences was beautiful. I loved this and I got ...more
White Stag is young adult fantasy that made notice even before it was released, and now when I read it, I can see why.
This is the first fantasy about goblins that I have ever read, and I can tell you that I have enjoyed learning about these creatures that I knew so little about before (basically, my whole knowledge before this book came from Lord of the Rings movies).
The world was fascinating, and I wish we got to see more of it. Since this is only first book in the series, I hope we will learn ...more
This is the first fantasy about goblins that I have ever read, and I can tell you that I have enjoyed learning about these creatures that I knew so little about before (basically, my whole knowledge before this book came from Lord of the Rings movies).
The world was fascinating, and I wish we got to see more of it. Since this is only first book in the series, I hope we will learn ...more
*ARC received from NetGalley in return for an honest review*
I hate, hate, hate to say this but I did not finish this book at 50%. Honestly, I probably should have stopped earlier, but I had hope that it would get better. In the end, it just got even worse. Every few pages I had to stop and check to see if this was the second in a series. Information seemed missing from the backstory and the world building. Why are these goblins beautiful? Why do the male and female ones look different? What hap ...more
I hate, hate, hate to say this but I did not finish this book at 50%. Honestly, I probably should have stopped earlier, but I had hope that it would get better. In the end, it just got even worse. Every few pages I had to stop and check to see if this was the second in a series. Information seemed missing from the backstory and the world building. Why are these goblins beautiful? Why do the male and female ones look different? What hap ...more
DNF @ 20%
It really sounded like my perfect recipe for a YA fantasy: Norse mythology-inspired, wintery setting, a goblin king. I had such high hopes for this one but sadly it just was not my cup of tea. It reads precisely like fan fiction for The Cruel Prince with toned-down characters with very little chemistry and some Norse mythology sprinkled in to appeal to the folklore crowd. Just replace ‘goblin’ with ‘fae’ and the story feels redundant.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange ...more
It really sounded like my perfect recipe for a YA fantasy: Norse mythology-inspired, wintery setting, a goblin king. I had such high hopes for this one but sadly it just was not my cup of tea. It reads precisely like fan fiction for The Cruel Prince with toned-down characters with very little chemistry and some Norse mythology sprinkled in to appeal to the folklore crowd. Just replace ‘goblin’ with ‘fae’ and the story feels redundant.
ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange ...more
3.5 Stars. I struggled to keep my attention on the plot. I thought about it for awhile and determined this was because the dialogue between characters never found a natural rhythm. It felt wooden, disjointed, and strange.
I did really like the book’s concept, and I enjoyed the Goblin King character. Also, the cover on this book is lovely to look at. I just wish the dialogue flowed a little more smoothly.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an unbia ...more
I did really like the book’s concept, and I enjoyed the Goblin King character. Also, the cover on this book is lovely to look at. I just wish the dialogue flowed a little more smoothly.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy of this ebook in exchange for an unbia ...more
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| Autistic Authors ...: White Stag Discussion | 1 | 5 | Jan 22, 2019 08:32AM | |
| YA Buddy Readers'...: White Stag (Permafrost #1) by Kara Barbieri - Starting November 10th 2018 | 16 | 23 | Dec 13, 2018 10:41AM |
Kara Barbieri is a twenty-two year old author with a love for the weird and mystic. She enjoys weaving ancient mythology into her stories and writing characters who are strong yet vulnerable at the same time. In her free time she trains with the same weapons her characters use, studies as a linguistic major, and generally tries her hardest not to be normal.
Other books in the series
Permafrost
(2 books)
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“We're all monsters to someone or something by some definition. It's the context of the situation that matters.”
—
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“I won't lie and say my kind are never monstrous. Just that we're only as monstrous as your kind are.”
—
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