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Goblin Market
One sister must save the other from a goblin prince in this rich, spooky, and delightfully dark fantasy!
"TERRIFICALLY TIMELESS. . . SPLENDID." — Shelf Awareness
Lizzie and Minka are sisters, but they’re nothing alike: Minka is outgoing and cheerful, while Lizzie is shy and sensitive. Nothing much ever happens in their sleepy village—there are fields to tend, clothes to mend, and weekly trips to the market, predictable as the turning of the seasons. Lizzie likes it that way. It’s safe. It’s comfortable. She hopes nothing will ever change.
But one day, Minka meets a boy.
A boy who gives her a plum to eat.
He is charming. He is handsome. He tells her that she’s special. He tells her no one understands her like he does—not her parents, not her friends, not even Lizzie. He tells her she should come away with him, into the darkness, into the forest. . . .
Minka has been bewitched and ensnared by a zdusze—a goblin. His plum was poison, his words are poison, and strange things begin to happen. Trees bleed, winds howl, a terrible sickness descends on Minka, and deep in the woods, in a place beyond sunshine, beyond reality, a wedding table has been laid. . . .
To save her sister, Lizzie will have to find courage she never knew she had—courage to confront the impossible—and enter into a world of dreams, danger, and death.
Rich world-building inspired by both Polish folklore and the poetry of Christina Rossetti combines with a tender sister story in this thrilling novel from Diane Zahler.
"Lush. . . Dreamy. . . Breath-quickening." — The Horn Book
"Resonates with emotion." — BCCB
"Believably wrought." — Publishers Weekly
"Will entice readers looking for some chills." — Kirkus Reviews
"TERRIFICALLY TIMELESS. . . SPLENDID." — Shelf Awareness
Lizzie and Minka are sisters, but they’re nothing alike: Minka is outgoing and cheerful, while Lizzie is shy and sensitive. Nothing much ever happens in their sleepy village—there are fields to tend, clothes to mend, and weekly trips to the market, predictable as the turning of the seasons. Lizzie likes it that way. It’s safe. It’s comfortable. She hopes nothing will ever change.
But one day, Minka meets a boy.
A boy who gives her a plum to eat.
He is charming. He is handsome. He tells her that she’s special. He tells her no one understands her like he does—not her parents, not her friends, not even Lizzie. He tells her she should come away with him, into the darkness, into the forest. . . .
Minka has been bewitched and ensnared by a zdusze—a goblin. His plum was poison, his words are poison, and strange things begin to happen. Trees bleed, winds howl, a terrible sickness descends on Minka, and deep in the woods, in a place beyond sunshine, beyond reality, a wedding table has been laid. . . .
To save her sister, Lizzie will have to find courage she never knew she had—courage to confront the impossible—and enter into a world of dreams, danger, and death.
Rich world-building inspired by both Polish folklore and the poetry of Christina Rossetti combines with a tender sister story in this thrilling novel from Diane Zahler.
"Lush. . . Dreamy. . . Breath-quickening." — The Horn Book
"Resonates with emotion." — BCCB
"Believably wrought." — Publishers Weekly
"Will entice readers looking for some chills." — Kirkus Reviews
240 pages, Paperback
First published August 16, 2022
11 people are currently reading
913 people want to read
About the author
Diane Zahler
16 books242 followersI grew up reading children's books and never wanted to do anything but write them. I'm the author of nine middle grade novels, and my newest book is a historical novel called WILD BIRD. I live in the country with my husband and very enthusiastic dog Jinx. Visit my website at www.dianezahler.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
June 13, 2022
But Lizzie was speechless.
She simply held up the hairbrush, clumps of yellow hair dangling from it.
Minka screamed, clapping her hands to her head. But it was too late. Much of her hair had separated from her scalp, and it lay in a mound in Lizzie’s lap, like a fairy-tale pile of straw that had been spun into gold.
Lizzie is shy and nervous, but when her sister Minka falls prey to a mysterious boy at the marketplace and his strange fruit, she must investigate what’s going on and rescue her.
I’ve not read Christina Rossetti’s “Goblin Market,” but I am familiar with its plot and was excited to see how Zahler would interpret it in this middle school book and this Polish setting. Still, I found myself rather surprised with how quickly I got sucked into this book!
Lizzie is a compelling lead, an intrepid child with a lot of love for her family and friends. Her bond with Minka is quite evident throughout the story, which is important as it serves as the keystone of the entire tale. I also liked Lizzie’s synesthesia and how it was used in the story.
I also liked how the writing was dark and atmospheric without getting too frightening – the author manages to strike a balance where a young reader would be creeped out but not terribly frightened, and the good endings all round certainly help with that.
Overall, a really enjoyable read for both young and old readers.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
She simply held up the hairbrush, clumps of yellow hair dangling from it.
Minka screamed, clapping her hands to her head. But it was too late. Much of her hair had separated from her scalp, and it lay in a mound in Lizzie’s lap, like a fairy-tale pile of straw that had been spun into gold.
Lizzie is shy and nervous, but when her sister Minka falls prey to a mysterious boy at the marketplace and his strange fruit, she must investigate what’s going on and rescue her.
I’ve not read Christina Rossetti’s “Goblin Market,” but I am familiar with its plot and was excited to see how Zahler would interpret it in this middle school book and this Polish setting. Still, I found myself rather surprised with how quickly I got sucked into this book!
Lizzie is a compelling lead, an intrepid child with a lot of love for her family and friends. Her bond with Minka is quite evident throughout the story, which is important as it serves as the keystone of the entire tale. I also liked Lizzie’s synesthesia and how it was used in the story.
I also liked how the writing was dark and atmospheric without getting too frightening – the author manages to strike a balance where a young reader would be creeped out but not terribly frightened, and the good endings all round certainly help with that.
Overall, a really enjoyable read for both young and old readers.
Disclaimer: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.
April 17, 2022
I picked this on a whim because I was curious about the description and honestly? It was a fun read.
The strongest parts for me where the setting and the atmosphere the author built. It just pulled me in and it was just... Great, honestly. The plot also managed to keep me intrigued enough, especially because I really wanted to see how the author resolved the issue. And, most importantly of everything probably and connected to the setting: This was pretty creepy and kind of, well, dark, which I wasn't expecting it to be so considering it's middle grade but I really liked it! It was a fun read. It balances out with a sweet message and I just found it a sweet read, overall, while simultaneously being kind of dark, which was a fun balance that the author struck, so I found it fun.
The strongest parts for me where the setting and the atmosphere the author built. It just pulled me in and it was just... Great, honestly. The plot also managed to keep me intrigued enough, especially because I really wanted to see how the author resolved the issue. And, most importantly of everything probably and connected to the setting: This was pretty creepy and kind of, well, dark, which I wasn't expecting it to be so considering it's middle grade but I really liked it! It was a fun read. It balances out with a sweet message and I just found it a sweet read, overall, while simultaneously being kind of dark, which was a fun balance that the author struck, so I found it fun.
July 9, 2022
Morning and evening
Maids heard the goblins cry:
“Come buy our orchard fruits,
Come buy, come buy..."
Written in 1862, Christina Rosetti's poem Goblin Market is a dark literary fairy tale and triumph of allegorical writing, with several possible interpretations including Sapphic romance, the bonds of sisterhood, drug addiction, and sexual assault, with a bonus potential element of Victorian classism if we choose to view the goblin men as foreigners to Lizzie and Laura's whiteness. Given all of these themes, I wasn't sure that the poem could successfully be the basis for a middle grade novel, but Diane Zahler has more than proven that it absolutely can. Taking as its main inspiration the line "For there is no friend like a sister" from the final stanza, Zahler sets the story in 19th century Poland, where elder sister Minka (Laura in Rosetti's poem) is tricked by a handsome-appearing Slavic goblin named Emil. When Emil tempts Minka to buy a fruit from him with a lock of her hair, she unknowingly enters into a bargain with him and begins to wither away. Lizzie, her younger sister, musters up her courage to fight the goblins to win her sister back.
There a numerous references to the poem throughout the book, including Janina (Jeannie) who died of goblin fruit and a particularly well-done (and G-rated) version of the scene where Lizzie risks metaphoric rape to get goblin fruits for her sister - Zahler keeps the letter of the text while taking out Rosetti's double-entendre. Zahler also choose to put Lizzie on the autism spectrum and to give her synesthesia, both of which work remarkably well; the former is just a piece of who Lizzie is that everyone accepts and the latter turns out to be integral to saving her sister. There's no suggestion that Lizzie needs to be someone different or more in line with social norms; in fact, it's Minka's adherence to those norms that gets her in trouble.
All in all, this is both a strong dark fantasy middle grade novel and a very interesting interpretation of Rosetti's poem that will hopefully encourage kids to read it...and to think twice about taking gifts from handsome strangers.
Maids heard the goblins cry:
“Come buy our orchard fruits,
Come buy, come buy..."
Written in 1862, Christina Rosetti's poem Goblin Market is a dark literary fairy tale and triumph of allegorical writing, with several possible interpretations including Sapphic romance, the bonds of sisterhood, drug addiction, and sexual assault, with a bonus potential element of Victorian classism if we choose to view the goblin men as foreigners to Lizzie and Laura's whiteness. Given all of these themes, I wasn't sure that the poem could successfully be the basis for a middle grade novel, but Diane Zahler has more than proven that it absolutely can. Taking as its main inspiration the line "For there is no friend like a sister" from the final stanza, Zahler sets the story in 19th century Poland, where elder sister Minka (Laura in Rosetti's poem) is tricked by a handsome-appearing Slavic goblin named Emil. When Emil tempts Minka to buy a fruit from him with a lock of her hair, she unknowingly enters into a bargain with him and begins to wither away. Lizzie, her younger sister, musters up her courage to fight the goblins to win her sister back.
There a numerous references to the poem throughout the book, including Janina (Jeannie) who died of goblin fruit and a particularly well-done (and G-rated) version of the scene where Lizzie risks metaphoric rape to get goblin fruits for her sister - Zahler keeps the letter of the text while taking out Rosetti's double-entendre. Zahler also choose to put Lizzie on the autism spectrum and to give her synesthesia, both of which work remarkably well; the former is just a piece of who Lizzie is that everyone accepts and the latter turns out to be integral to saving her sister. There's no suggestion that Lizzie needs to be someone different or more in line with social norms; in fact, it's Minka's adherence to those norms that gets her in trouble.
All in all, this is both a strong dark fantasy middle grade novel and a very interesting interpretation of Rosetti's poem that will hopefully encourage kids to read it...and to think twice about taking gifts from handsome strangers.
April 28, 2024
Everything isn’t always as it appears… and in this Grimms-esque polish fairytale this warning is not to be taken lightly. Zahler eloquently creates the world of Lizzie and Minka and their treacherous relationship with a zdusze, but not just any goblin - he’s the prince of the goblins and he has his eyes set on Minka. Filled with themes of family, friendship, loyalty, and kindness, Zahler depicts underrepresented characters with diverse personalities in a poignant and terrifying read that left me reaching for the bed covers like a kid again… watch out for the goblins and be wary of any handsome young men that offer you fruit!
February 2, 2023
4.75 stars. A fairytale style retelling of Christina Rossetti's The Goblin Market in spectacular fashion. The atmosphere in this novel was well-done and the darkness was on point. The Goblin Market is the perfect setting for me, so I was in love from beginning to end. The exploration of the basis of the story was well-done, though I would absolutely have loved more to the story. It is written as a middle grade novel, so there is some hold back on the creepy factor, but it was still quite enjoyable. The characters are well-developed and the exploration of sisterhood is really well done. Intriguing and fun, this is a very quick and enjoyable read.
June 20, 2022
A Polish inspired retelling of the classic horror poem.
I really enjoyed the fast pace and mild horror aspects of this middle grade retelling. The Polish folklore and worldbuilding added a fun twist. This was a very quick read, only about 2 hours, and I enjoyed every minute of it. It is a very middle grade book, so some things weren’t as developed or described, but it was still very well written.
Lizzie is a wonderful character, and her chromestesia (the ability to see sounds in colours) was a really interesting part of the story, and it was used in a way that made the entire story both fun and spooky.
Minka is another wonderful character, and she plays the role of the elder sister well, although it was interesting to see the roles reversed in this retelling, but it added a bit of uniqueness as well. Along with the other characters, Lizzie and Minka are two characters that I can see many people loving.
I will say that the beginning of the book dragged on a little bit, but it was a great build-up and helped the story run smoothly.
Thank you to NetGalley, Holiday House and the author for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the fast pace and mild horror aspects of this middle grade retelling. The Polish folklore and worldbuilding added a fun twist. This was a very quick read, only about 2 hours, and I enjoyed every minute of it. It is a very middle grade book, so some things weren’t as developed or described, but it was still very well written.
Lizzie is a wonderful character, and her chromestesia (the ability to see sounds in colours) was a really interesting part of the story, and it was used in a way that made the entire story both fun and spooky.
Minka is another wonderful character, and she plays the role of the elder sister well, although it was interesting to see the roles reversed in this retelling, but it added a bit of uniqueness as well. Along with the other characters, Lizzie and Minka are two characters that I can see many people loving.
I will say that the beginning of the book dragged on a little bit, but it was a great build-up and helped the story run smoothly.
Thank you to NetGalley, Holiday House and the author for an advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review.
April 13, 2023
Received an arc from NetGalley, thanks!
3,5⭐️
A very nice novel built over Polish folklore and pretty writing. Perfectly balanced, not too long but neither too short story about two sisters and danger from the forest, waiting in the local market, enchanting with fruits and trinkets. Synaesthesia part of it was really nice, too. I've had a good time during the lecture.
3,5⭐️
A very nice novel built over Polish folklore and pretty writing. Perfectly balanced, not too long but neither too short story about two sisters and danger from the forest, waiting in the local market, enchanting with fruits and trinkets. Synaesthesia part of it was really nice, too. I've had a good time during the lecture.
October 21, 2022
This middle grade (ages 9-12) book was such a fun read for me. It is based on the poem by Christina Rossetti, The Goblin Market with some polish folklore thrown in. I love Christina's poetry and I was really looking forward to reading this one.
Two sisters love each other dearly. One goes to the Market and eats the goblin fruit that is forbidden. Once she tastes it, nothing else will satisfy her and she becomes I'll. The other sister goes on a quest to find a cure. The poem ends tragically, but the book has a happily ever ending.
I really enjoyed the author's take on the differences of the sisters and the neuro-divergence of one being the thing that made her resistant to the goblin men and their fruit.
I just might incorporate this into a poetry lesson for the kids sometime.
Thank you to Holiday House Books and Netgalley for sending me an eARC of this book to read for free in exchange for an honest review.
Two sisters love each other dearly. One goes to the Market and eats the goblin fruit that is forbidden. Once she tastes it, nothing else will satisfy her and she becomes I'll. The other sister goes on a quest to find a cure. The poem ends tragically, but the book has a happily ever ending.
I really enjoyed the author's take on the differences of the sisters and the neuro-divergence of one being the thing that made her resistant to the goblin men and their fruit.
I just might incorporate this into a poetry lesson for the kids sometime.
Thank you to Holiday House Books and Netgalley for sending me an eARC of this book to read for free in exchange for an honest review.
August 6, 2023
I loved loved loved this! A disabled main character not demonstrated as disabled by her condition, but by the requirements of society! That's what disability is. People close to her helping when society and her experiences clash. Her confronting them when it's important and growing into her own. It even seemed that the "magical cripple" had been managed well.
And then.....
At the very end....
Ableism. Marginalization.
I am so sad. It was such a very good book.
And then.....
At the very end....
Ableism. Marginalization.
I am so sad. It was such a very good book.
August 7, 2022
A book about polish folklore and goblins? SIGN ME UP.
You gotta know that I am a big sucker for retellings and seeing that this also contained my home countries folklore, I just couldnt resist and it turned out to be a WONDERFUL addition to my retelling pile.
First of all: In this book we follow both Lizzie and Minka, two sisters as close as ever. Things do start to change when Minka heads to the market and comes back head over heels for a boy called Emi, which unknowingly to Minka in her rush of love, has actually bae intentions and is not the person he pretends to be.
You can't fathom how HAPPY I got when I saw that Lizzie has synesthesia!! This is the very first time I have ever seen this condition, that I also have, in media. Plus Lizzie being on the spectrum and being so well written was just amazing. Overall, all characters felt so incredibly round, so full of life and sometimes made me forget that I was reading and not just part of the story, running alongside Jakob and Lizzie to save lovestruck Minka. The sisters relationship on top of that was just so wholesome and full of love that made this read such a beautiful one. One critique that I have though, is that the writting at times was very simplistic for a middle grade book. But then considering the topics, it wouldn't pass as a Childrens Book neither. I definitely enjoyed this read a lot and I'm thankful for Netgallery letting me read this book early!
You gotta know that I am a big sucker for retellings and seeing that this also contained my home countries folklore, I just couldnt resist and it turned out to be a WONDERFUL addition to my retelling pile.
First of all: In this book we follow both Lizzie and Minka, two sisters as close as ever. Things do start to change when Minka heads to the market and comes back head over heels for a boy called Emi, which unknowingly to Minka in her rush of love, has actually bae intentions and is not the person he pretends to be.
You can't fathom how HAPPY I got when I saw that Lizzie has synesthesia!! This is the very first time I have ever seen this condition, that I also have, in media. Plus Lizzie being on the spectrum and being so well written was just amazing. Overall, all characters felt so incredibly round, so full of life and sometimes made me forget that I was reading and not just part of the story, running alongside Jakob and Lizzie to save lovestruck Minka. The sisters relationship on top of that was just so wholesome and full of love that made this read such a beautiful one. One critique that I have though, is that the writting at times was very simplistic for a middle grade book. But then considering the topics, it wouldn't pass as a Childrens Book neither. I definitely enjoyed this read a lot and I'm thankful for Netgallery letting me read this book early!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 12, 2022
firstly, thank you to holiday house and netgalley for the arc!
this was a fun read. unfortunately, it seemed a bit rushed for my liking. lizzie was a good character, but other than her i felt as if the others were rushed and lacked development. however with that being said, there are still things i really enjoyed about this book, such as the retelling of mythology and the way this book was written. it was fast paced which i usually like, but goblin market fell flat for me in some places. if you want a quick read filled with magic and family, then you’ll probably enjoy this book.
triggers ;
• kidnapping
• murder
• death
• coercion
this was a fun read. unfortunately, it seemed a bit rushed for my liking. lizzie was a good character, but other than her i felt as if the others were rushed and lacked development. however with that being said, there are still things i really enjoyed about this book, such as the retelling of mythology and the way this book was written. it was fast paced which i usually like, but goblin market fell flat for me in some places. if you want a quick read filled with magic and family, then you’ll probably enjoy this book.
triggers ;
• kidnapping
• murder
• death
• coercion
April 26, 2022
First of all I love this cover, it depicts the spooky vibes of this story perfectly. I loved the whole dark atmosphere and the small town setting. I thought it was cool how the main character Lizzie has synesthesia and all of the color descriptions. She also has trouble being around people and has to face her fears when her sister gets taken by a goblin. This definitely has some creepy elements but also a nice message about love and family. Thanks to Holiday House and NetGalley for the ARC.
May 11, 2022
I was gifted an ARC e-copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
Rating: 4 stars
Goblin Market follows Lizzie as she tries to free her sister Minka from a goblin she encounters in the town market. This book combines traditional aspects of fairytales and legends alongside new interpretations to provide a fresh, engaging story. One of the things that I loved the most about this book was that it felt like a fairytale retelling without the predictability that comes along with that.
Lizzie is an excellent protagonist to follow and her synesthesia is used in a really wonderful way that felt both true to the character and helpful to the plot itself. Jacob and Minka are both reliable, interesting supporting characters that add naturally to the plot.
Overall, this book is an easy read
Rating: 4 stars
Goblin Market follows Lizzie as she tries to free her sister Minka from a goblin she encounters in the town market. This book combines traditional aspects of fairytales and legends alongside new interpretations to provide a fresh, engaging story. One of the things that I loved the most about this book was that it felt like a fairytale retelling without the predictability that comes along with that.
Lizzie is an excellent protagonist to follow and her synesthesia is used in a really wonderful way that felt both true to the character and helpful to the plot itself. Jacob and Minka are both reliable, interesting supporting characters that add naturally to the plot.
Overall, this book is an easy read
Read
October 12, 2022This did a great job of bringing the creepy faery world vibes that I love. I guess it is a retelling. I did feel like it was a little unfinished and would’ve liked to know more about the goblins, but overall great at capturing those creepy goblin feels I wanted. This is a children’s book (middle school). I would love to read an adult retelling one day.
May 2, 2022
This was a lovely middle grade book which was just the right level of spooky! What I loved most about it was the relationship between the two sisters Minka and Lizzie who stuck together, fought for each other, and learned to express their love for each other in ways that suited them. I was also really impressed by the representation of neuro-divergent Lizzie who sees sounds in colours, has trouble expressing her emotions, and does not enjoy social events or prolonged physical contact. It was heart-warming to see her accepted by herself and by her loved ones.
This is an entertaining story of adventure, bravery, and love with elements of traditional fairy-tales, dark magic, and relatable characters.
This is an entertaining story of adventure, bravery, and love with elements of traditional fairy-tales, dark magic, and relatable characters.
August 9, 2022
I thought this was a well written book with good character and world building. I enjoyed the dark aspects of it. It was a bit creepy and I enjoyed that.
This story is a retelling based on a poem that I also enjoyed.
This story is a retelling based on a poem that I also enjoyed.
May 24, 2023
A beautiful children's book of fantasy. A very meaningful message about love between two sisters. I read this Arc to my nephew who was 4 at bedtime and he seemed to also really enjoy this story as much as I did. This is very imaginative and very well written.
December 30, 2022
What a lovely, sweet children's book! Beautifully written, spooky in an age-appropriate way, and with a wonderful message about love between sisters.
December 31, 2022
The first 3/4 is very well-rendered folk tale. Then it veers a little towards action/horror (which I think almost never works in middle grade) and doesn’t quite recover. The thing is, middle grade can’t ever make good on threats, and so there’s no genuine suspense. Of course Lizzie is going to outrun the snakes and not get eaten by goblin-wolves.
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March 27, 2023Well, THIS came into my life at the perfect time.
May 17, 2025
*** 3.5 ✨ ***
I Liked IT. Now, I want to read Christina Rossetti's poem 👺.
I Liked IT. Now, I want to read Christina Rossetti's poem 👺.
September 12, 2025
3.5, quick, fun little goblin read.
May 21, 2022
This review is based on an ARC of Goblin Market which I received courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher (Holiday House).
Any work of fiction with "goblin" in the title or a reference to Rossetti's timeless poem has my attention in an instant. For me Goblin Market was a no-brainer. I snapped up this ARC as soon as I saw it!
Here Zahler presents a thrumming, vibrant retelling of Rossetti's enchanting classic. Full of mystery, eerieness, deceitful goblins, and--most importantly and truest to the original--boundless sisterly love. I simply cannot elucidate how I love the relationship between Lizzie and Minka. I was near tears thinking of my own sister and what lengths I would go to to save her!
I also need to note the stunning use of chromesthesia (perceiving sounds as colors) as a plot device. I can honestly say I have never seen this done in a book before! Brilliant, fabulous; I am wowed, to say the least. This will not be the last I read from Diane Zahler--I am a fan!
POPSUGAR 2022 Reading Challenge: A book published in 2022
ATY 2022 Reading Challenge: A book published in 2022
Any work of fiction with "goblin" in the title or a reference to Rossetti's timeless poem has my attention in an instant. For me Goblin Market was a no-brainer. I snapped up this ARC as soon as I saw it!
Here Zahler presents a thrumming, vibrant retelling of Rossetti's enchanting classic. Full of mystery, eerieness, deceitful goblins, and--most importantly and truest to the original--boundless sisterly love. I simply cannot elucidate how I love the relationship between Lizzie and Minka. I was near tears thinking of my own sister and what lengths I would go to to save her!
I also need to note the stunning use of chromesthesia (perceiving sounds as colors) as a plot device. I can honestly say I have never seen this done in a book before! Brilliant, fabulous; I am wowed, to say the least. This will not be the last I read from Diane Zahler--I am a fan!
POPSUGAR 2022 Reading Challenge: A book published in 2022
ATY 2022 Reading Challenge: A book published in 2022
May 14, 2022
Love having a neurodivergent character, but all characters and settings could have been better fleshed out. For full ramblings, check my blog: https://readmelread.blogspot.com/2022...
May 16, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
This was a lovely dark morsel, sweet and sinister at the same time. The story focuses on two sisters, extroverted Minka and introverted Elzbieta - Lizzie - and what happens after Minka meets a charming boy at the market and eats the delicious, strangely out of season fruit he offers. Minka falls gravely ill, and her sister must team up with the boy next door to figure out what happened and how the illness can be cured.
I very much enjoyed the fairytale aspects of this book, which were present from the very beginning. I loved fairytales as a child and have read many retellings as an adult, because loving fairytales is not something you ever grow out of.
I understand this story is a retelling of a poem by the same name, but I haven't read the poem so I can't really comment on how successful the retelling is. However, this tale worked just fine on its own, and I think it would appeal to many middle-grade level readers because of its characters, action, and uncomplicated prose. It reads like a Grimm fairytale but is much richer in detail and fleshes out the characters better. I especially liked Lizzie and found her chromesthesia, i.e. seeing sounds as colours, an intriguing aspect of her personality and the way she views the world. The descriptions that came out of this "affliction" of hers were fascinating to read.
Overall, this was a charmingly creepy, quick and enjoyable read.
This was a lovely dark morsel, sweet and sinister at the same time. The story focuses on two sisters, extroverted Minka and introverted Elzbieta - Lizzie - and what happens after Minka meets a charming boy at the market and eats the delicious, strangely out of season fruit he offers. Minka falls gravely ill, and her sister must team up with the boy next door to figure out what happened and how the illness can be cured.
I very much enjoyed the fairytale aspects of this book, which were present from the very beginning. I loved fairytales as a child and have read many retellings as an adult, because loving fairytales is not something you ever grow out of.
I understand this story is a retelling of a poem by the same name, but I haven't read the poem so I can't really comment on how successful the retelling is. However, this tale worked just fine on its own, and I think it would appeal to many middle-grade level readers because of its characters, action, and uncomplicated prose. It reads like a Grimm fairytale but is much richer in detail and fleshes out the characters better. I especially liked Lizzie and found her chromesthesia, i.e. seeing sounds as colours, an intriguing aspect of her personality and the way she views the world. The descriptions that came out of this "affliction" of hers were fascinating to read.
Overall, this was a charmingly creepy, quick and enjoyable read.
March 5, 2023
This middle grade novel is a beautifully written cautionary tale. Minka is deceived by a goblin, in the form of a lovely boy, into running away from her family. Her sister Lizzie, who reads as on the ASD spectrum, won't have it--she can see the deception and pushes past her discomfort to find out what is going on, and to save her sister. Lizzie has synesthesia and can hear colors. Zahler weaves these color threads in, really amplifying the atmosphere. The first 3/4 of the book are a somewhat spooky tale of folkloric seduction, and the book finishes strong with a message of consent and--to adult eyes--a warning of things that can be red flags for intimate partner violence. Recommended gr. 4+
December 28, 2022
I have always loved Christina Rossetti's poem "Goblin Market" since I first encountered it in a Victorian Literature class. The disturbing but beautiful imagery, the story that can be interpreted in so many ways, and the beautiful themes make the poem universal and unforgettable.
Diane Zahler's retelling is as rich and multi-layered as the original poem, and she adds some amazing details that enhance the original text while making the story her own. Inspired by Rossetti's poem and by Polish folklore, this version of "Goblin Market" follows the journey of two sisters, Lizzie and Minka. Lizzie is shy, nervous around crowds and has the unique ability to see colors for individual voices and sounds. For instance, the sound of leaves rustling is the shimmery color of silver. The local doctor's voice has a melon color associated with its sound.
Minka is outgoing and an artist. While she and Lizzie are so different, they have a strong, loving relationship. Minka helps Lizzie when she becomes overwhelmed, and Lizzie helps her sister with her painting and other projects.
One day at market, Minka meets an attractive boy who gives her a plum to eat. Little does she know that she has encountered and been ensnared by a zudsze, (a goblin prince). What does the prince truly want, and can Lizzie overcome her fear in order to help rescue her sister?
This enthralling book is beautiful in its depiction of sisterly love, familial relationships and multi-dimensional characters. I loved the absent-minded but caring Doctor Enamigly, Jakob and his brother Stefan, and Mistress Klara. Lizzie and Minka have an authentic relationship, and Zahler makes them come alive. The author depicts a vibrant and immersive setting as well. Emil, (the goblin prince,) is just the type of villain I like; one who does not seem villainous at first but is charming and even a bit likable until you are nearly ensnared as well. I like that this book is told in the third person point of view.
What I most appreciated about this story, though, was the author's inclusion of disability representation. Lizzie has synesthesia, a unique condition in which the senses correlate differently. In Lizzie's case, she sees colors when she hears sounds. i can never get enough differently abled representation in books, and Zahler does a masterful job of portraying Lizzie's unique gift. I hope that she creates more characters like Lizzie in the future.
While "Goblin Market" can be read on so many levels, I enjoyed this straightforward but beautiful retelling of Rossetti's poem. The sensory detail, engaging characters and beautiful theme will resonate with readers, especially those who enjoy a classic good versus evil tale. I enjoy complex books as much as the next person, but sometimes I just want a simple good versus evil story. There aren't enough of those anymore it seems. This one is thoroughly recommended. Add in a nontraditional heroine, (one with synesthesia, no less), and i am hooked.
Happy reading, and God bless you all.
Diane Zahler's retelling is as rich and multi-layered as the original poem, and she adds some amazing details that enhance the original text while making the story her own. Inspired by Rossetti's poem and by Polish folklore, this version of "Goblin Market" follows the journey of two sisters, Lizzie and Minka. Lizzie is shy, nervous around crowds and has the unique ability to see colors for individual voices and sounds. For instance, the sound of leaves rustling is the shimmery color of silver. The local doctor's voice has a melon color associated with its sound.
Minka is outgoing and an artist. While she and Lizzie are so different, they have a strong, loving relationship. Minka helps Lizzie when she becomes overwhelmed, and Lizzie helps her sister with her painting and other projects.
One day at market, Minka meets an attractive boy who gives her a plum to eat. Little does she know that she has encountered and been ensnared by a zudsze, (a goblin prince). What does the prince truly want, and can Lizzie overcome her fear in order to help rescue her sister?
This enthralling book is beautiful in its depiction of sisterly love, familial relationships and multi-dimensional characters. I loved the absent-minded but caring Doctor Enamigly, Jakob and his brother Stefan, and Mistress Klara. Lizzie and Minka have an authentic relationship, and Zahler makes them come alive. The author depicts a vibrant and immersive setting as well. Emil, (the goblin prince,) is just the type of villain I like; one who does not seem villainous at first but is charming and even a bit likable until you are nearly ensnared as well. I like that this book is told in the third person point of view.
What I most appreciated about this story, though, was the author's inclusion of disability representation. Lizzie has synesthesia, a unique condition in which the senses correlate differently. In Lizzie's case, she sees colors when she hears sounds. i can never get enough differently abled representation in books, and Zahler does a masterful job of portraying Lizzie's unique gift. I hope that she creates more characters like Lizzie in the future.
While "Goblin Market" can be read on so many levels, I enjoyed this straightforward but beautiful retelling of Rossetti's poem. The sensory detail, engaging characters and beautiful theme will resonate with readers, especially those who enjoy a classic good versus evil tale. I enjoy complex books as much as the next person, but sometimes I just want a simple good versus evil story. There aren't enough of those anymore it seems. This one is thoroughly recommended. Add in a nontraditional heroine, (one with synesthesia, no less), and i am hooked.
Happy reading, and God bless you all.
March 1, 2023
It's a really solid middle grade book. From what I understand about the Goblin Market is that its based off an old poem that I'm hearing more and more about but it was never part of my school curriculum and I think its an injustice if it can inspire some really cool fantasy books. This is one of the newer inspirations and was released in the later part of 2022. The author seems to have a few other books out but this is my first experience with her and I'm planning to check out her other books in the future if this story is anything to go by. Usually in fantasy or even in our own world with magic, its seen as a great thing and it makes life better and so on and so forth. This story uses an older format where magic is out of fashion and its the spooky darker myths that are in place. Think old fairy stories where the fairies aren't well intentioned towards humans. Goblins are the creature of choice in this story and the story feels kind of Slavic culturally, although that's a broad umbrella term for a big part of Europe we aren't given a specific region or anything that can be linked to our world. The book is set in a small farming area and from what I could the biggest social events is a weekly market trip. The book focuses on two sisters Lizzie and Minka and the two care about each other a lot, they have loving parents although they can appear a bit stand-offish, and life revolves around their farm. Lizzie could possibly be autistic but she has synesthesia, which is where sounds have color (in this case, different sensations can happen others with it), and to that person and would be overwhelming to someone in louder places. Its not a often talked about sensation phenomenon but has made its way through some books and television characters over the past decade or so. Its not seen as a big deal by Lizzie or her family just a huh moment and then her sister draws what Lizzie see's and life goes on. One day things change as Minka comes home with a crush on a boy that she met at the market and talks about foreign things and slowly a rift starts forming between the sisters as Minka changes and then eventually sickens, leaving Lizzie and the girls parents frantically looking for a cure for a sickness they don't understand and the story really starts taking off from there. For a short book the story gets a lot done and its done well. There's no real padding anything out just for the sake of it and everything has a purpose, even the synesthesia. I started properly reading this about 7pm last night and by around midnight had it done as I couldn't put it down. If you're in a mood for a solid shorter story this is one I'd recommend.
April 20, 2022
First sentence: Market day was Lizzie's favorite day of the week. Not because she loved going to the market--the few times she'd been there, she'd hated it. There were so many people she didn't know, from villages and farms clear on the other side of Elza. So much noise, such constant comings and goings, so many smells and colors! It was overwhelming, terrifying.
First Impressions: I requested Goblin Market by Diane Zahler because I love, love, love, crazy love the original poem Goblin Market. This one is described as "one sister must save the other from the goblin prince in this rich, spooky, and delightfully dark fantasy!" The cover, well, the cover doesn't scream out read me, read me--but everything else about this one said it would be a good choice for me.
Premise/plot: Lizzie and Minka are sisters. Minka, Lizzie's younger sister, is the one who goes weekly to market. But one market day, well, Minka meets someone different--a young man named Emil who sells fruit in the market. And their lives--the whole family--are changed forever. For once Minka has had a taste of that fruit, well, there's no going back to the way things were before...
It may be up to Lizzie to solve the mystery of her sister's grave illness. (The cost couldn't be higher--if Lizzie fails to find a cure in time, her sister will undoubtedly die. She wouldn't be the first to do so.) But she won't have to do it all alone. Lizzie teams up with a neighboring farm boy, Jakob, and together they will brainstorm a solution.
My thoughts: It was definitely a fantasy with horror elements. The goblins--or zduszes--are certainly spooky and scary. The action is intense. It kept me turning pages. I can certainly see elements from the original that were retained in this retelling.
My favorite character was Lizzie. I adored her. I admired her. My favorite quote describes Lizzie, "You're a plucky girl, I've always known. It's far braver to overcome a fear than not to feel fear at all."
It also reminded me of The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier one of my all time favorite, favorite, favorite books.
Quotes:
Her worries marched around in her head, a tiny army of waspy thoughts, stinging her awake every time her eyes began to close.
What he promised--it sounded like...freedom. To do what I wanted to do. To be who I wanted to be. He knew I wanted more than I had. He saw that right away....I would have married him...
First Impressions: I requested Goblin Market by Diane Zahler because I love, love, love, crazy love the original poem Goblin Market. This one is described as "one sister must save the other from the goblin prince in this rich, spooky, and delightfully dark fantasy!" The cover, well, the cover doesn't scream out read me, read me--but everything else about this one said it would be a good choice for me.
Premise/plot: Lizzie and Minka are sisters. Minka, Lizzie's younger sister, is the one who goes weekly to market. But one market day, well, Minka meets someone different--a young man named Emil who sells fruit in the market. And their lives--the whole family--are changed forever. For once Minka has had a taste of that fruit, well, there's no going back to the way things were before...
It may be up to Lizzie to solve the mystery of her sister's grave illness. (The cost couldn't be higher--if Lizzie fails to find a cure in time, her sister will undoubtedly die. She wouldn't be the first to do so.) But she won't have to do it all alone. Lizzie teams up with a neighboring farm boy, Jakob, and together they will brainstorm a solution.
My thoughts: It was definitely a fantasy with horror elements. The goblins--or zduszes--are certainly spooky and scary. The action is intense. It kept me turning pages. I can certainly see elements from the original that were retained in this retelling.
My favorite character was Lizzie. I adored her. I admired her. My favorite quote describes Lizzie, "You're a plucky girl, I've always known. It's far braver to overcome a fear than not to feel fear at all."
It also reminded me of The Night Gardener by Jonathan Auxier one of my all time favorite, favorite, favorite books.
Quotes:
Her worries marched around in her head, a tiny army of waspy thoughts, stinging her awake every time her eyes began to close.
What he promised--it sounded like...freedom. To do what I wanted to do. To be who I wanted to be. He knew I wanted more than I had. He saw that right away....I would have married him...
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