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Zombay #1
Goblin Secrets
In the National Book Award–winning Goblin Secrets, a boy joins a theatrical troupe of goblins to find his missing brother.
In the town of Zombay, there is a witch named Graba who has clockwork chicken legs and moves her house around—much like the fairy tale figure of Baba Yaga. Graba takes in stray children, and Rownie is the youngest boy in her household. Rownie’s only real relative is his older brother Rowan, who is an actor. But acting is outlawed in Zombay, and Rowan has disappeared.
Desperate to find him, Rownie joins up with a troupe of goblins who skirt the law to put on plays. But their plays are not only for entertainment, and the masks they use are for more than make-believe. The goblins also want to find Rowan—because Rowan might be the only person who can save the town from being flooded by a mighty river.
This accessible, atmospheric fantasy takes a gentle look at love, loss, and family while delivering a fast-paced adventure that is sure to satisfy.
In the town of Zombay, there is a witch named Graba who has clockwork chicken legs and moves her house around—much like the fairy tale figure of Baba Yaga. Graba takes in stray children, and Rownie is the youngest boy in her household. Rownie’s only real relative is his older brother Rowan, who is an actor. But acting is outlawed in Zombay, and Rowan has disappeared.
Desperate to find him, Rownie joins up with a troupe of goblins who skirt the law to put on plays. But their plays are not only for entertainment, and the masks they use are for more than make-believe. The goblins also want to find Rowan—because Rowan might be the only person who can save the town from being flooded by a mighty river.
This accessible, atmospheric fantasy takes a gentle look at love, loss, and family while delivering a fast-paced adventure that is sure to satisfy.
257 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2012
69 people are currently reading
2512 people want to read
About the author
William Alexander
14 books122 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
William Alexander won the National Book Award in 2012 for his first book, Goblin Secrets, and the Earphones Award for his narration of the audiobook. He has since written three more novels for Middle Grade audiences: Ghoulish Song, Ambassador, and Nomad.
Will is Cuban-American. He studied theater and folklore at Oberlin College, English at the University of Vermont, and creative writing at the Clarion Workshop. He currently teaches at the Vermont College of Fine Arts program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
Source: William Alexander's website
William Alexander won the National Book Award in 2012 for his first book, Goblin Secrets, and the Earphones Award for his narration of the audiobook. He has since written three more novels for Middle Grade audiences: Ghoulish Song, Ambassador, and Nomad.
Will is Cuban-American. He studied theater and folklore at Oberlin College, English at the University of Vermont, and creative writing at the Clarion Workshop. He currently teaches at the Vermont College of Fine Arts program in Writing for Children and Young Adults.
Source: William Alexander's website
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 491 reviews
May 29, 2017
Goblin Secrets (Zombay #1) by William Alexander is a interesting steampunk fantasy book for kids. I don't find many fantasy that mixes goblins and steampunk and this worked great. A fresh mix. Good plot, great characters, interesting story all around. The best of both worlds mixed and mashed into something really special in this magical world. Loved it. I got this from the library.
October 18, 2012
In the land of Zombay, clockwork and magic walk side by side and real hearts are turned into the coal that fuels automata. There is a witch with clockwork legs called Graba who collects orphaned children to do her bidding and whose youngest charge is a boy named Rownie. Rownie has no name of his own, having inherited the diminutive form of his older brother’s name, Rowan, who disappeared without a trace.
In the land of Zombay, you can’t pretend to be what you aren’t so theatre and acting are outlawed. Everybody looks down at Goblins too but that doesn’t stop Rownie from joining a theatre troupe of Goblins – perhaps they will help him find Rowan. Perhaps, he will become a great actor.
In the land of Zombay, there is a flood coming.
Goblin Secrets is a weird animal. It is not a bad book but it left me wholly underwhelmed. It has several aspects that commend it: competent writing, an endearing (if not completely original) main character and the premise itself.
In fact, at first glance, Goblin Secrets is a book filled with incredible ideas, all taking inspiration from different genres. There is the Steampunk-ish world of automata; the Fantasy world of witches and magic; masks that imbue whomever wears them with a sense of power and sometimes even with a different identity. There are fairytale elements and Graba definitely comes across as a Baba Yaga figure but in a way, reminiscent of Dickens’ Fagin as well. There is a prophecy (the one that predicts that the Flood is Coming) and also a Quest which our hero undertakes as he seeks for his brother. There is even social commentary as the Goblins are not considered citizens and as such officially don’t belong in Zombay even though it is their home.
But all of these ideas and commentary are kind of thrown in there and the end result is disjointed, as these things actually never mesh together to form a cohesive whole. The Steampunk elements are just…there without any real explanation or impact in the storyline beyond the cool imagery. Animal hearts are turned into coal to fuel things (Why? How? Is this…magic? Or science?). And so on and so forth.
The story progresses as a series of almost episodic events; the first half is slow-moving, the second half rushed toward a confusing, unpolished ending. Put simply, there is the skeleton of a good idea here but it needed more: more meat and blood and heart to make it really come alive for me.
At the end of the day, I am puzzled. Whilst there are definitely interesting things about Goblin Secrets, to be completely honest I don’t quite see why it has been nominated for the National Book Award.
In the land of Zombay, you can’t pretend to be what you aren’t so theatre and acting are outlawed. Everybody looks down at Goblins too but that doesn’t stop Rownie from joining a theatre troupe of Goblins – perhaps they will help him find Rowan. Perhaps, he will become a great actor.
In the land of Zombay, there is a flood coming.
Goblin Secrets is a weird animal. It is not a bad book but it left me wholly underwhelmed. It has several aspects that commend it: competent writing, an endearing (if not completely original) main character and the premise itself.
In fact, at first glance, Goblin Secrets is a book filled with incredible ideas, all taking inspiration from different genres. There is the Steampunk-ish world of automata; the Fantasy world of witches and magic; masks that imbue whomever wears them with a sense of power and sometimes even with a different identity. There are fairytale elements and Graba definitely comes across as a Baba Yaga figure but in a way, reminiscent of Dickens’ Fagin as well. There is a prophecy (the one that predicts that the Flood is Coming) and also a Quest which our hero undertakes as he seeks for his brother. There is even social commentary as the Goblins are not considered citizens and as such officially don’t belong in Zombay even though it is their home.
But all of these ideas and commentary are kind of thrown in there and the end result is disjointed, as these things actually never mesh together to form a cohesive whole. The Steampunk elements are just…there without any real explanation or impact in the storyline beyond the cool imagery. Animal hearts are turned into coal to fuel things (Why? How? Is this…magic? Or science?). And so on and so forth.
The story progresses as a series of almost episodic events; the first half is slow-moving, the second half rushed toward a confusing, unpolished ending. Put simply, there is the skeleton of a good idea here but it needed more: more meat and blood and heart to make it really come alive for me.
At the end of the day, I am puzzled. Whilst there are definitely interesting things about Goblin Secrets, to be completely honest I don’t quite see why it has been nominated for the National Book Award.
November 1, 2012
I think it is time to declare the birth of the clockwork children's novel. If you have been watching the literary trends over the last decade or so, you will note that amongst adults there has been a real rise in interest in a form of pop culture labeled "Steampunk". The general understanding is that as the 21st century grows increasingly reliant on electronics, there is a newfound interest in books/movies/video games/costumes (etc.) that incorporate steam, gears, and other accoutrements of the visual mechanical past. This is, I should note, almost exclusively an adult fascination. I have never encountered a single child who walked up to a reference desk and asked, "Do you have any more Steampunk?" That said, there's no reason it shouldn't work as a genre. The trouble comes when an author tries to shoehorn a Steampunk story into a fantasy mold. The best writers know that if you're going to incorporate odd mechanical details, the best thing to do is to set up your own odd mechanical internal logic. I think that's probably what I like best about William Alexander's "Goblin Secrets". It's not the first story I've read about a boy joining a troupe of traveling performers. And it's not the first middle grade Steampunk adventure I've come across. Yet there's something definitely one-of-a-kind going on in this book. An originality that you only find once in a pure blue moon. And that's worth reading, you betcha.
Rownie's life hasn't been worth much since the disappearance of his older brother Rowan. Living with "grandmother", an old witch named Graba who holds a Fagan-like power over the orphans in her sway, Rownie runs various errands until one day he finds that goblins have come to his city of Zombay. They are conducting theatrical performances, an act forbidden to humans, so it's as much a surprise to Rownie as to anyone when he joins their little troupe. Rownie is also still determined to track Rowan down, but that may mean using extraordinary means to escape from Graba's all-knowing, all-seeing ways.
It's little wonder that the book was nominated for a National Book Award when you take into account the writing. In terms of description, the book has a wonderful and well-developed sense of place. At one point this is what you read, "All roads to the docks ran downhill. They wound and switchbacked across a steep ravine wall, with Southside above and the River below. Some of these streets were so steep narrow that they had to be climbed rather than walked on. Stairs had been cut into the stone or built with driftwood logs lashed together over the precarious slope." With a minimal amount of words you get a clear sense of the location, its look, its feel, its dangers, and perhaps its beauties as well.
The details found within this strange Steampunk world are delicious, and that is in the book's favor. You hear about "small and cunning devices that did useless things beautifully." From gears in mechanical glass eyes to the fact that a river is something that can be bargained with, there's an internal logic at work here that is consistent, even if Alexander is going to leave the learning of these rules up to the reader with minimal help. For example, there is the small matter of hearts and their removal. To take out a heart is not a death sentence for a person, but it can leave them somewhat zombiefied (the city's name "Zombay" could just be a coincidence or could not, depending on how you want to look at it). And goblins aren't born but are changed humans. Why are they changed and for what reason? That's a story for another day, but you're willing to wait for an answer (if answer there ever is).
Exposition. It can be a death knoll in a book for kids. Done well it sucks the reader into an alternate world the like of which they may never have seen before. Done poorly they fall asleep three pages in and you've lost them forever. And done not at all? That's a risk but done right it pays off in fine dividends. "Goblin Secrets" takes place in Zombay, a fact you find out five pages in. It's a city that contains magic, a fact you find out on page three. There are goblins in this world (page twelve) but they didn't start out as goblins (page . . . um . . .). Facts are doled out at a deliberate but unexpected pace in this book. There are no long paragraphs of explanation that tell you where you are and what to expect. It's only by reading the story thoroughly that you learn that theater is forbidden, Rownie's brother is missing, Graba is relentless (but not the only villain in the story), and masks are the book's overriding theme. In the interest of brevity Alexander manages to avoid exposition with something resembling long years of practice. Little wonder that he's published in multiple magazines and anthologies on the adult fantasy (not that kind) side of things. Many is the adult writer who switches to writing for children that dumbs down the narrative, giving too little respect to the young audience. I think Mr. Alexander's gift here is that he respects his younger readers enough to grant them enough intelligence to follow along.
Alexander makes his own rules with this book, and not rules I've necessarily seen before. With that in mind, with as weird a setting as you have here, it can be a relief to run across characters you like and identify with. They act as little touchstones in a mad, crazy world. Rownie is particularly sympathetic right from the get-go. He has a missed beloved older brother, an independence that's appealing, but he's not a jerk or anything. Nor is he a walking blank slate that more interesting characters can use to their own ends. Rather, Rownie is the kind of character who keeps trying to talk himself into bravery. He does it when performing and he does it on his own ("Rownie tried to summon up the feeling that he was haunting the Southside Rail Station and that other sorts of haunting things should be afraid of him..."). That's why Alexander's use of masks and theater is so effective. If you have a protagonist who just needs a little push to reach his potential, what better way than through performance? On the flipside, the bad guys are nice, if perhaps a little two-dimensional. Graba is nothing so much as a clockwork Baba Yaga, mechanical chicken legs and all. By extension the Mayor is a good power hungry villain, if stock and staid. There is no big bad in this book quite worthy of the good folks they face down. Graba comes close, but she's just your typical witch when all is said and done. A little gearish. A little creaky. But typically witchy, through and through.
By turns beautiful and original, it's a testament to Alexander's skills that the book clocks in at a mere 200-some odd pages. Usually worlds of this sort end up in books with five hundred or six hundred pages. The end result is that when a kid is looking for a good fantasy in a new world, they are inclined to be scared off by the thick tomes gathering dust on library shelves and instead will find friends in old classics like The Black Cauldron or The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Add to that list William Alexander's latest then. A smart piece of writing that conjures up a new world using a new method.
For ages 9-12.
Rownie's life hasn't been worth much since the disappearance of his older brother Rowan. Living with "grandmother", an old witch named Graba who holds a Fagan-like power over the orphans in her sway, Rownie runs various errands until one day he finds that goblins have come to his city of Zombay. They are conducting theatrical performances, an act forbidden to humans, so it's as much a surprise to Rownie as to anyone when he joins their little troupe. Rownie is also still determined to track Rowan down, but that may mean using extraordinary means to escape from Graba's all-knowing, all-seeing ways.
It's little wonder that the book was nominated for a National Book Award when you take into account the writing. In terms of description, the book has a wonderful and well-developed sense of place. At one point this is what you read, "All roads to the docks ran downhill. They wound and switchbacked across a steep ravine wall, with Southside above and the River below. Some of these streets were so steep narrow that they had to be climbed rather than walked on. Stairs had been cut into the stone or built with driftwood logs lashed together over the precarious slope." With a minimal amount of words you get a clear sense of the location, its look, its feel, its dangers, and perhaps its beauties as well.
The details found within this strange Steampunk world are delicious, and that is in the book's favor. You hear about "small and cunning devices that did useless things beautifully." From gears in mechanical glass eyes to the fact that a river is something that can be bargained with, there's an internal logic at work here that is consistent, even if Alexander is going to leave the learning of these rules up to the reader with minimal help. For example, there is the small matter of hearts and their removal. To take out a heart is not a death sentence for a person, but it can leave them somewhat zombiefied (the city's name "Zombay" could just be a coincidence or could not, depending on how you want to look at it). And goblins aren't born but are changed humans. Why are they changed and for what reason? That's a story for another day, but you're willing to wait for an answer (if answer there ever is).
Exposition. It can be a death knoll in a book for kids. Done well it sucks the reader into an alternate world the like of which they may never have seen before. Done poorly they fall asleep three pages in and you've lost them forever. And done not at all? That's a risk but done right it pays off in fine dividends. "Goblin Secrets" takes place in Zombay, a fact you find out five pages in. It's a city that contains magic, a fact you find out on page three. There are goblins in this world (page twelve) but they didn't start out as goblins (page . . . um . . .). Facts are doled out at a deliberate but unexpected pace in this book. There are no long paragraphs of explanation that tell you where you are and what to expect. It's only by reading the story thoroughly that you learn that theater is forbidden, Rownie's brother is missing, Graba is relentless (but not the only villain in the story), and masks are the book's overriding theme. In the interest of brevity Alexander manages to avoid exposition with something resembling long years of practice. Little wonder that he's published in multiple magazines and anthologies on the adult fantasy (not that kind) side of things. Many is the adult writer who switches to writing for children that dumbs down the narrative, giving too little respect to the young audience. I think Mr. Alexander's gift here is that he respects his younger readers enough to grant them enough intelligence to follow along.
Alexander makes his own rules with this book, and not rules I've necessarily seen before. With that in mind, with as weird a setting as you have here, it can be a relief to run across characters you like and identify with. They act as little touchstones in a mad, crazy world. Rownie is particularly sympathetic right from the get-go. He has a missed beloved older brother, an independence that's appealing, but he's not a jerk or anything. Nor is he a walking blank slate that more interesting characters can use to their own ends. Rather, Rownie is the kind of character who keeps trying to talk himself into bravery. He does it when performing and he does it on his own ("Rownie tried to summon up the feeling that he was haunting the Southside Rail Station and that other sorts of haunting things should be afraid of him..."). That's why Alexander's use of masks and theater is so effective. If you have a protagonist who just needs a little push to reach his potential, what better way than through performance? On the flipside, the bad guys are nice, if perhaps a little two-dimensional. Graba is nothing so much as a clockwork Baba Yaga, mechanical chicken legs and all. By extension the Mayor is a good power hungry villain, if stock and staid. There is no big bad in this book quite worthy of the good folks they face down. Graba comes close, but she's just your typical witch when all is said and done. A little gearish. A little creaky. But typically witchy, through and through.
By turns beautiful and original, it's a testament to Alexander's skills that the book clocks in at a mere 200-some odd pages. Usually worlds of this sort end up in books with five hundred or six hundred pages. The end result is that when a kid is looking for a good fantasy in a new world, they are inclined to be scared off by the thick tomes gathering dust on library shelves and instead will find friends in old classics like The Black Cauldron or The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Add to that list William Alexander's latest then. A smart piece of writing that conjures up a new world using a new method.
For ages 9-12.
March 29, 2023
I thought this was amazing, but my kid got scared and couldn’t quite follow. I think we’ll try again in a year or two.
December 6, 2012
I struggled with this National Book Award winner. Not because it lacks originality. The creepy steampunk setting with gear-transformed people, witches, and goblins was well done. Not because it lacked character development. The weird witch, river spirit, goblins, and orphans with a plucky protagonist were engaging enough. And not because of a plot that plods. The 200 page book is concise and clues are slowly revealed. It was unpredictable and imaginative. So why couldn't I immerse myself in the story?
It wasn't a complete loss - I loved the witch Graba, patterned after the fairy tale witch Baba Yaga in Russian folklore with her unpredictable temperament and dangerous ways. In this tale, it is not the house, but the witch herself who lunges around on giant chicken legs made of gears and metal using monstrous talons to grab wayward children. What a great twist on the original! Speaking of twists... Graba gives Rownie a home with food but he is mistreated like the other orphans she takes into her home that echos characteristics found in Oliver Twist's Fagin. Machinery has replaced human parts in the city of Zombay; the police have glass eyes with gears for irises and the animals have coal hearts. Graba has taken in Rownie and his brother, Rowan, but Rowan has disappeared. Rownie joins the goblin theater troupe because they are searching for Rowan. The goblins need Rowan to speak to the river and prevent the flood that threatens the city of Zombay; however, the goblins are not welcome in the city and it is illegal to put on their show which results in all sorts of trouble for the troupe. Rownie combines forces with them only to get caught up in a bigger struggle for power between the goblins, mayor, and witch Graba.
The story is filled with terrific themes from the magic or imagination that comes from within when assuming the identity of a mask to the magic or power that comes from without as symbolized in the witches, mayor, and river spirit; to the social commentary of the goblins being prejudiced by the townspeople; to the humans who can't wear masks to act in plays because it changes them, and more. While there are so many social commentaries, the storyline never stops long enough to explore them. I wanted more of an explanation about the goblin play where the witch uses her reflection to create a bunch of mini-me's who become her slaves; followed by her cooking the heart of one and causing a rebellion. Was this play a suggestion that the witch Graba and Semele were like the rebellious slaves? What is their background? And what about Rowan. Is he with his mother? Why can he wear a mask? How do humans change into goblins? In the end I felt dissatisfied with the overall book and the lack of answers.
The lack of exposition resulted in me going back and rereading passages often and being confused in spots. You really had to figure out the plot as you read along and be patient as the clues unfolded. I kept thinking I missed something but my question would be answered later. As mentioned earlier, not that all questions are answered; you have to come up with your own analysis. I sort of twitched and sputtered through the narrative which never came alive for me. Some spots were jarring or awkward, such as when the characters put on masks and adopted its qualities or when Rownie would think to himself. While not something I noticed all the time, I ended with a disjointed feeling like my gears were malfunctioning. This is a book that I should really reread. I read that the author has a sequel. Most likely some of my questions will be answered. An interesting read.
Reading level 4.3
It wasn't a complete loss - I loved the witch Graba, patterned after the fairy tale witch Baba Yaga in Russian folklore with her unpredictable temperament and dangerous ways. In this tale, it is not the house, but the witch herself who lunges around on giant chicken legs made of gears and metal using monstrous talons to grab wayward children. What a great twist on the original! Speaking of twists... Graba gives Rownie a home with food but he is mistreated like the other orphans she takes into her home that echos characteristics found in Oliver Twist's Fagin. Machinery has replaced human parts in the city of Zombay; the police have glass eyes with gears for irises and the animals have coal hearts. Graba has taken in Rownie and his brother, Rowan, but Rowan has disappeared. Rownie joins the goblin theater troupe because they are searching for Rowan. The goblins need Rowan to speak to the river and prevent the flood that threatens the city of Zombay; however, the goblins are not welcome in the city and it is illegal to put on their show which results in all sorts of trouble for the troupe. Rownie combines forces with them only to get caught up in a bigger struggle for power between the goblins, mayor, and witch Graba.
The story is filled with terrific themes from the magic or imagination that comes from within when assuming the identity of a mask to the magic or power that comes from without as symbolized in the witches, mayor, and river spirit; to the social commentary of the goblins being prejudiced by the townspeople; to the humans who can't wear masks to act in plays because it changes them, and more. While there are so many social commentaries, the storyline never stops long enough to explore them. I wanted more of an explanation about the goblin play where the witch uses her reflection to create a bunch of mini-me's who become her slaves; followed by her cooking the heart of one and causing a rebellion. Was this play a suggestion that the witch Graba and Semele were like the rebellious slaves? What is their background? And what about Rowan. Is he with his mother? Why can he wear a mask? How do humans change into goblins? In the end I felt dissatisfied with the overall book and the lack of answers.
The lack of exposition resulted in me going back and rereading passages often and being confused in spots. You really had to figure out the plot as you read along and be patient as the clues unfolded. I kept thinking I missed something but my question would be answered later. As mentioned earlier, not that all questions are answered; you have to come up with your own analysis. I sort of twitched and sputtered through the narrative which never came alive for me. Some spots were jarring or awkward, such as when the characters put on masks and adopted its qualities or when Rownie would think to himself. While not something I noticed all the time, I ended with a disjointed feeling like my gears were malfunctioning. This is a book that I should really reread. I read that the author has a sequel. Most likely some of my questions will be answered. An interesting read.
Reading level 4.3
January 7, 2013
Like many other reviewers, I picked up this book after it was given the National Book Award and was eager to get started with it. However, I was met with a very disappointing read. The plot has some interesting promise -- a steampunk world, goblins, theater and beautifully described masks, as well as a Baba Yaga-esque villain -- the story, setting, and characters all fell flat. While some elements of the story were compelling, including the use of interesting machinery and the imminent danger of the flooding river, many of the books story arcs felt rushed and underdeveloped.
Most disappointing of all is the protagonist, Rownie, whose search for his missing brother and efforts to gain self-confidence are brought to an abrupt and unsatisfying conclusion. Although the plot moves with Rownie's attempts and desires to stand up to his adversaries through skills learned on the stage, Rownie never truly comes alive as a character and his role in the goblin's theater troupe seems minimal. Similarly, the goblins, who play a large role, feel one dimensional and never seem to emerge as distinct or memorable characters.
The multiple story lines and lack of exposition also make this a somewhat confusing read. The characters jump from place to place, but never make any lasting interpretations of difficult themes. Likewise, many questions, including the use of human hearts as coal, the social divisions and conflicts between Zombay's Northside and Southside, or the importance of the Changed versus the unChanged, are left frustratingly unanswered. And despite the time spent on different set pieces within the story, many of the events don't seem to have a lasting impression on the characters or tie back into the story later. The tropes and devices used in this book often lack a cohesion that would allow them to benefit the story or characters as a whole.
Overall, this book starts with the potential of a fantasy adventure, but the underdevelopment of key characters and themes, as well as an ill-paced plot lead Goblin Secrets to be an unsatisfying read.
If you are looking for a more effective book in this genre, I would suggest Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.
Most disappointing of all is the protagonist, Rownie, whose search for his missing brother and efforts to gain self-confidence are brought to an abrupt and unsatisfying conclusion. Although the plot moves with Rownie's attempts and desires to stand up to his adversaries through skills learned on the stage, Rownie never truly comes alive as a character and his role in the goblin's theater troupe seems minimal. Similarly, the goblins, who play a large role, feel one dimensional and never seem to emerge as distinct or memorable characters.
The multiple story lines and lack of exposition also make this a somewhat confusing read. The characters jump from place to place, but never make any lasting interpretations of difficult themes. Likewise, many questions, including the use of human hearts as coal, the social divisions and conflicts between Zombay's Northside and Southside, or the importance of the Changed versus the unChanged, are left frustratingly unanswered. And despite the time spent on different set pieces within the story, many of the events don't seem to have a lasting impression on the characters or tie back into the story later. The tropes and devices used in this book often lack a cohesion that would allow them to benefit the story or characters as a whole.
Overall, this book starts with the potential of a fantasy adventure, but the underdevelopment of key characters and themes, as well as an ill-paced plot lead Goblin Secrets to be an unsatisfying read.
If you are looking for a more effective book in this genre, I would suggest Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book.
January 13, 2014
One of the things I liked about this book was that the author didn't spend a lot of time on backstory or hand-holding to explain the worldbuilding. You jump right into Rownie's story, picking up details as you go, from the clockwork guards to the mythology of the River to the layout and struggles of the split town. I've seen a few reviews that complained this was confusing, but I didn't have a problem with it. I really enjoyed the worldbuilding, and the thought Alexander had put into the magic and history. You can skim the book and still appreciate the story, but you'll get a lot more out of it if you read more closely.
The different types of magic felt original and interesting, from the masks to Graba's curses to the coal used to power various automatons. I also appreciated the role and personalities of the goblins, all of whom felt distinctive and real and interesting.
At its heart, the plot is pretty straightforward and self-contained. What's interesting to me is that I think one of the reasons it works so well is everything Alexander doesn't say, in addition to the things he does. He drops hints and suggestions, and the reader fills in the rest. It's an impressive balancing act.
There are a few scenes that are genuinely dark and disturbing in that old-school fairy tale way, but they feel right for the book. And the ending is both satisfying and true to the story.
Not bad for a debut novel!
The different types of magic felt original and interesting, from the masks to Graba's curses to the coal used to power various automatons. I also appreciated the role and personalities of the goblins, all of whom felt distinctive and real and interesting.
At its heart, the plot is pretty straightforward and self-contained. What's interesting to me is that I think one of the reasons it works so well is everything Alexander doesn't say, in addition to the things he does. He drops hints and suggestions, and the reader fills in the rest. It's an impressive balancing act.
There are a few scenes that are genuinely dark and disturbing in that old-school fairy tale way, but they feel right for the book. And the ending is both satisfying and true to the story.
Not bad for a debut novel!
November 22, 2012
Nothing at all wrong with this book, which barely managed to hold a shred of my interest because it isn't my kind of thing, but I didn't see a thing to distinguish it from many, many other good children's and YA books published this year and grant it a National Book Award. Say with The Penderwicks, I didn't think it was the best book of the year but at least I could identify some things it was doing that other books weren't doing, so I saw why it had come to the award's attention. This one, I can't. Unless it's the occasional commentary on the dangers of using coal, which is topical? Fantasy coal, made of human hearts (this was my favorite aspect of the book), but certainly coal--unthinkable to use such a thing merely for heating one's house. There's also some totalitarian government stuff, but that's pretty ubiquitous in books for young people these days.
January 9, 2017
If s book is well written I will give it a try. It doesn't matter to me if its horror fantasy or nonfiction.
I do not care for serial killers cutting of faces. I can watch the news for grim stuff.
I read to be entertained.
Goblin Secrets has everything I look for. A good plot,characters I care about. And a creepy villain. It may be marketed as a young adult fantasy but it is more than just that. A great read highly recommended.
I do not care for serial killers cutting of faces. I can watch the news for grim stuff.
I read to be entertained.
Goblin Secrets has everything I look for. A good plot,characters I care about. And a creepy villain. It may be marketed as a young adult fantasy but it is more than just that. A great read highly recommended.
December 21, 2020
I wanted to love this, but had to settle for liking it. There are so many great elements in this book:
-Rownie, the young hero who has to find his lost brother,
-the clockwork creations,
-the prohibition against theatre and acting,
-the somewhat horrifying witch who keeps a group of young vulnerable kids with her to do things for her, controls all the birds, and who clearly owes a debt to Baba Yaga, and to Dickens' Fagin,
-the horrifying ways coal is created,
-the goblins and flouting of the rules, and their amusing turns of phrase,
-the masks that may be able to convey an identity to the wearer, and
-the prophecy.
And yet. I could not understand the following:
-what’s with all the clockwork creations? What’s the in-world history for their prevalence?
-was there supposed to be something more, plot-wise, from the revelation of where coal comes from?
-what's up with the river and why was there a prophecy about it?
I feel a bit like there were all these great ideas that the author brought together in a fun tale, but also was left with many questions about the world.
-Rownie, the young hero who has to find his lost brother,
-the clockwork creations,
-the prohibition against theatre and acting,
-the somewhat horrifying witch who keeps a group of young vulnerable kids with her to do things for her, controls all the birds, and who clearly owes a debt to Baba Yaga, and to Dickens' Fagin,
-the horrifying ways coal is created,
-the goblins and flouting of the rules, and their amusing turns of phrase,
-the masks that may be able to convey an identity to the wearer, and
-the prophecy.
And yet. I could not understand the following:
-what’s with all the clockwork creations? What’s the in-world history for their prevalence?
-was there supposed to be something more, plot-wise, from the revelation of where coal comes from?
-what's up with the river and why was there a prophecy about it?
I feel a bit like there were all these great ideas that the author brought together in a fun tale, but also was left with many questions about the world.
April 13, 2015
I wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did because goblins, but I was pleasantly surprised. I can't say I am entirely certain it deserved the NBA more than any of the other eligible titles in its year, but it's well-written and enjoyable and had a quirky charm, and I think my sons will enjoy it when they get around to it. I am undecided about whether I care deeply enough to read the rest of the series, especially as the book seems to end on a relatively satisfying note, but I might.
(Rating should be more like three and a half stars, I think, in terms of my personal enjoyment.)
(Rating should be more like three and a half stars, I think, in terms of my personal enjoyment.)
August 16, 2016
I really expected to love this book, and trying so hard to love it.
Goblins actors, Graba witch...but I missing something from it. Maybe feeling, point or something.
Goblins actors, Graba witch...but I missing something from it. Maybe feeling, point or something.
January 7, 2015
Los secretos de los duendes es una novela entre infantil y juvenil que han leído muchísimos adultos por la historia que hay entre sus páginas. Es una novela de la que no había escuchado nada y que cogí con muchas ganas, esperaba de ella que fuera tierna y especial. Y para las pocas veces que acierto con esta novela lo hice de lleno.
Sin duda así tengo que empezar a caracterizar a esta historia, tierna y dulce. Es una historia contada por un niño muy inocente que va desvelando sus sueños e ilusiones página tras página. Me ha encantado el protagonista de la historia porque es soñador y fantasioso.
La novela se desarrolla en un entorno ficticio y fantasioso que veo muy bueno para los niños que disfrutan de novelas de fantasía. El ambiente me gustó mucho, la manera en la que se ve a los duendes en la historia, la forma en la que el protagonista se relaciona con ellos... En sí para mí los duendes fueron el punto fuerte de la historia.
El ritmo de la historia es muy rápido, el protagonista va moviéndose y van ocurriéndole muchas cosas unas tras otras.
Los personajes son entrañables, los duendes son todos distintos y especiales, todos tienen algo diferente y a todos se les coge cariño.
Además la novela tiene una edición preciosa, los inicios de capítulos vienen acompañados de pequeñas ilustraciones y la tapa de la novela es dura y de calidad.
Por otro lado no considero que Los secretos de los duendes sea una novela para un público juvenil adulto, como es mi caso. No lo considero porque es demasiado simple y fácil, está preparada para ser leída por niños y por eso mismo no cuadró del todo conmigo.
Sin embargo, eso no quiere decir que Los secretos de los duendes no sea una buena novela. Al contrario, bajo mi punto de vista Los secretos de los duendes es una novela perfecta para niños, una novela que los hará soñar y que los meterá de lleno en un mundo de duendes en el que podrán perderse. Es una novela que a mí me hubiera encantado leer de niña, que tiene una historia bonita y entrañable a la que cualquier lector le cogerá muchísimo cariño.
Sin duda así tengo que empezar a caracterizar a esta historia, tierna y dulce. Es una historia contada por un niño muy inocente que va desvelando sus sueños e ilusiones página tras página. Me ha encantado el protagonista de la historia porque es soñador y fantasioso.
La novela se desarrolla en un entorno ficticio y fantasioso que veo muy bueno para los niños que disfrutan de novelas de fantasía. El ambiente me gustó mucho, la manera en la que se ve a los duendes en la historia, la forma en la que el protagonista se relaciona con ellos... En sí para mí los duendes fueron el punto fuerte de la historia.
El ritmo de la historia es muy rápido, el protagonista va moviéndose y van ocurriéndole muchas cosas unas tras otras.
Los personajes son entrañables, los duendes son todos distintos y especiales, todos tienen algo diferente y a todos se les coge cariño.
Además la novela tiene una edición preciosa, los inicios de capítulos vienen acompañados de pequeñas ilustraciones y la tapa de la novela es dura y de calidad.
Por otro lado no considero que Los secretos de los duendes sea una novela para un público juvenil adulto, como es mi caso. No lo considero porque es demasiado simple y fácil, está preparada para ser leída por niños y por eso mismo no cuadró del todo conmigo.
Sin embargo, eso no quiere decir que Los secretos de los duendes no sea una buena novela. Al contrario, bajo mi punto de vista Los secretos de los duendes es una novela perfecta para niños, una novela que los hará soñar y que los meterá de lleno en un mundo de duendes en el que podrán perderse. Es una novela que a mí me hubiera encantado leer de niña, que tiene una historia bonita y entrañable a la que cualquier lector le cogerá muchísimo cariño.
April 11, 2014
Goblin Secrets (Zombay #1) is a fantasy/science-fiction novel by author Willam Alexander. A young boy named Rownie (a variation of Rowan) is the main focus of the book. Rownie has run away from his "grandmother" Grabba, in search of his older brother, his only actual who has run away with an acting troupe in an area where acting is illegal. Now that the great flood is on it's way, Rownie has joined an acting troupe of goblins himself in search of his older brother, whom he is trying to locate and save.
To be honest, this was probably one of my favorite books to read. The first thing that I really enjoyed about this book was how it jumped directly into the storyline of Rownie, and explained everything from the start. It directly told the reader who Rownie was, who he lived with, what he was like, and his problems, all from the start. Another thing that I enjoyed was how the author inserted flashbacks of Rownie's memory. They provided amusing, and comical insight to Rownie's life. Another aspect that I enjoyed about this book was how the author introduced and showed character development to the reader. Although this book was good, it was far from perfect. One of the mistakes that the author made in the book was the quickly-paced scenes. At times, they made the book difficult to understand at times because of illogical time lapses (excluding flashbacks). Another thing that wasn't so enjoyable about this book was its over-explanations of simple things. For example, descriptions of Grabba, and all of her oddities were spurred upon a bit too much for my liking, and it was a little insulting as a reader.
Despite the lack of quickly-paced scenes, illogical time lapses, this novel was a joy to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, fiction, science fiction, and magic. I plan on reading more novels by William Alexander soon, and reviewing them as well. William Alexander gets a pat on the back for this one though. Very well done.
To be honest, this was probably one of my favorite books to read. The first thing that I really enjoyed about this book was how it jumped directly into the storyline of Rownie, and explained everything from the start. It directly told the reader who Rownie was, who he lived with, what he was like, and his problems, all from the start. Another thing that I enjoyed was how the author inserted flashbacks of Rownie's memory. They provided amusing, and comical insight to Rownie's life. Another aspect that I enjoyed about this book was how the author introduced and showed character development to the reader. Although this book was good, it was far from perfect. One of the mistakes that the author made in the book was the quickly-paced scenes. At times, they made the book difficult to understand at times because of illogical time lapses (excluding flashbacks). Another thing that wasn't so enjoyable about this book was its over-explanations of simple things. For example, descriptions of Grabba, and all of her oddities were spurred upon a bit too much for my liking, and it was a little insulting as a reader.
Despite the lack of quickly-paced scenes, illogical time lapses, this novel was a joy to read. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fantasy, fiction, science fiction, and magic. I plan on reading more novels by William Alexander soon, and reviewing them as well. William Alexander gets a pat on the back for this one though. Very well done.
April 1, 2012
I love it when a book makes me throw out my presuppositions and biases and actually yanks me by the shirt into the story before I know what's happening. So I picked this up after I put my last book down and thought "oh, a goblin book. I really don't like goblins . . . and goblin books tend to be full of comic scenes and gross stuff. Sigh."
It's so nice to be knocked on my proverbial butt for making a judgement based on a title. It restores my faith in books and writing.
Goblin Secrets takes place in the city of Zombay, a place strange and oppressive where masks and plays are not allowed and only goblins may perform. A place where gears and mechanical devices combine with magic and curses and witchery. The orphan Rownie lives in this town, running errands for the woman who cares for him and the odd and end other orphans in her home. Until the day he sees the goblins perform a play, and runs away to join them, hoping to find his lost brother and find out who he is. But other forces are chasing him, and a time is coming soon where Rownie will have to act in order to save the city and discover the person he is meant to be.
William Alexander plunges readers into his magical urbanesque environment with no apologies or explanations. It's a tightly told story with suspense and magic and evocative descriptions. The world building is superbly done, painting a unique picture of this landscape. Unlike some stories that take the grand scale fantasy world and give readers a panoramic view, this story remains seated in one city and the rise and fall of that city and its denizens. I'm not certain if Alexander intends to explore this world further, since this book is a satisfying stand-alone, but I'd be happy to dive in if he so decides.
Just marvelous fun, great imagination and something I wasn't expecting--which will keep me humble!
It's so nice to be knocked on my proverbial butt for making a judgement based on a title. It restores my faith in books and writing.
Goblin Secrets takes place in the city of Zombay, a place strange and oppressive where masks and plays are not allowed and only goblins may perform. A place where gears and mechanical devices combine with magic and curses and witchery. The orphan Rownie lives in this town, running errands for the woman who cares for him and the odd and end other orphans in her home. Until the day he sees the goblins perform a play, and runs away to join them, hoping to find his lost brother and find out who he is. But other forces are chasing him, and a time is coming soon where Rownie will have to act in order to save the city and discover the person he is meant to be.
William Alexander plunges readers into his magical urbanesque environment with no apologies or explanations. It's a tightly told story with suspense and magic and evocative descriptions. The world building is superbly done, painting a unique picture of this landscape. Unlike some stories that take the grand scale fantasy world and give readers a panoramic view, this story remains seated in one city and the rise and fall of that city and its denizens. I'm not certain if Alexander intends to explore this world further, since this book is a satisfying stand-alone, but I'd be happy to dive in if he so decides.
Just marvelous fun, great imagination and something I wasn't expecting--which will keep me humble!
April 16, 2021
This is an older book about magic in a theater run by goblins, for once depicted not as the bad guys, but as a city's protectors.
Rownie is one of the orphan children collected from the streets of Zombay by the mechanical chicken-legged witch, Graba.
When his older brother goes missing, he can't stick around with her, waiting helplessly for him to come back. Rownie escapes, knowing Graba won't stop searching for him. To avoid her many eyes in Zombay's deepest, darkest corners, he ducks into a theater production put on by goblins.
Now, in Zombay, only goblins are allowed to put on masks and act on stage. There's a reason for this -- the masks contain the magic of all the players who've put them on before, and the roles they've been used in. But the residents of Zombay have, over time, lost this knowledge and they no longer know why human children aren't allowed to wear the masks.
In fact, it's a totally made-up restriction, by a power-hungry official who wants to be the only playwright in Zombay, even if it means chasing all the goblins out and letting the city be flooded. He's cut out Rownie's brother's heart, leaving him a unthinking, unfeeling husk ripe to play the part of whatever mask is put on his face.
Graba doesn't take well to someone challenging her control over her corner of the city, however. And the goblin players aren't powerless, either. Rownie figures out a way, with his brother's lifeless husk, to save the city.
I won't spoil the ending, it was surprising. A very imaginative offering for under the tree this holiday!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
Rownie is one of the orphan children collected from the streets of Zombay by the mechanical chicken-legged witch, Graba.
When his older brother goes missing, he can't stick around with her, waiting helplessly for him to come back. Rownie escapes, knowing Graba won't stop searching for him. To avoid her many eyes in Zombay's deepest, darkest corners, he ducks into a theater production put on by goblins.
Now, in Zombay, only goblins are allowed to put on masks and act on stage. There's a reason for this -- the masks contain the magic of all the players who've put them on before, and the roles they've been used in. But the residents of Zombay have, over time, lost this knowledge and they no longer know why human children aren't allowed to wear the masks.
In fact, it's a totally made-up restriction, by a power-hungry official who wants to be the only playwright in Zombay, even if it means chasing all the goblins out and letting the city be flooded. He's cut out Rownie's brother's heart, leaving him a unthinking, unfeeling husk ripe to play the part of whatever mask is put on his face.
Graba doesn't take well to someone challenging her control over her corner of the city, however. And the goblin players aren't powerless, either. Rownie figures out a way, with his brother's lifeless husk, to save the city.
I won't spoil the ending, it was surprising. A very imaginative offering for under the tree this holiday!
Looking for more book suggestions for your 7th/8th grade classroom and students?
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: https://amb.mystrikingly.com/
March 24, 2013
After reading rave reviews about this 2012 National Book Award winner, I was stoked to read a title that was a little dark and twisted with a fantasy/steampunk twist. Due, perhaps, to such high expectations, I found it challenging to fully immerse myself in the tale. The numerous odd names introduced in the first chapters as I struggled to get my bearings in the strange land also lent an air of Tolkien confusion. Soon, however, the story morphed into a rather plot line of traditional orphaned waif leaves the relative security of his neglectful home for adventures and eventual saving of the world, all be it in a rather unusual scenario and with some delightful dialogue from classically trained goblin actors. Parents, take note, while this is a solid story well told, some tweens may find the Dark Crystal like soul stealing antics a bit hard to stomach, while others will find that hint of scariness thrilling. Overall, I'm interested enough to try the second title... as long as the Goblin troupe makes an appearance.
*This review is based on the audio book version. William Alexander is to be commended as one of the only authors to ever receive my approval for reading his own work. Well done sir.
*This review is based on the audio book version. William Alexander is to be commended as one of the only authors to ever receive my approval for reading his own work. Well done sir.
March 15, 2015
I read this purely because it had a recommendation from Ursula Le Guin on the cover. It wasn't bad, but I hate steampunk/clockwork stuff.
September 14, 2018
I don't exactly love goblins. Apart from their racist origins, I'm not really drawn to them bc I feel like they don't do anything. And they kinda didn't in this book, except for talking. A lot of talking.
The writing style didn't pull me in either, and I didn't come to care about the story, so this was just forgettable. A standard book for reading in public transport.
The writing style didn't pull me in either, and I didn't come to care about the story, so this was just forgettable. A standard book for reading in public transport.
May 27, 2021
This was a pretty average read. I liked it well enough. It just wasn't notable.
The best part about it was the worldbuilding. The divide between the goblins and humans, the regulations made by the Mayor, the body modifications, and the magical system all created this really immersive atmosphere. It wasn't the best I've ever read, but it certainly did draw me in. And more than that I could tell that the author wanted it to make sense and took pains to make sure it flowed together. I appreciate when an author has a clear vision that they want to execute rather than play it fast and loose to get to the parts they actually want to write.
But, Rownie was a huge drag. He didn't have much personality other than 'Rowan's little brother'. There were times when William Alexander tried to add little sarcastic or mischievous quips, but it never felt genuine. It didn't run deep enough to make it a legitimate facet of his character. A sarcastic boy would always be sarcastic not just when it was his regularly scheduled time for a (not so) funny comment. There were so many times that the book would say 'thousands of questions flew through Rownie's mind' only for Rownie to ask One question or none at all. He barely commented on events. He didn't ever complain. He was so well mannered it was actually annoying.
Every other character was more interesting than him. I wanted to hear more about the goblins' struggles in a world that despises them for merely existing. I wanted to know more about how each goblin came to join the troupe. Heck, even Rowan who we only got to know through the occasional flashback sounded like he would have made a more compelling protagonist.
I also don't see what made him so special that the goblins would want him for their troupe. Thomas makes it clear he was sought out originally for information on Rowan. But, Rowan has not been in contacted with Rownie and he also hasn't shared any mysterious warnings that will eventually make sense as the story unfolds. Nor does Rownie have any insight into Rowan's mind that would come in handy.
Thomas also says that Rownie has a bit of talent for acting. But, then Rownie is rendered incapable of acting almost immediately because his adopted grandmother has cursed the troupe as punishment for Rownie escaping her household.
So basically he's totally useless. I understand that the goblins are actually kind and as such, have a bit of a soft spot for Rownie. However narratively it doesn't fly.
Alexander has hooked the entire progression of the novel on Rownie rather than having Rownie react to the circumstances around him. So the book stalls. The troupe doesn't put on shows or actively look for Rowan. They sort of just plod on with Rownie tagging ineffectually behind them.
The lack of actual events occurring means there can't be any suspense either. The floods apparently are coming posthaste yet there's no urgency to find Rowan. Rownie hasn't seen his supposedly beloved brother in months and even he doesn't try to force the issue.
The resolution is disappointing. All the intrigue and corruption and secrets suggested by the plot synopsis are crammed into the last few chapters making it feel rushed. I also felt misled since most of the book wasn't doing anything with its concept like the synopsis suggested it would.
Apparently this is a series which I didn't know going in because this was a random audiobook pick. This wasn't so bad that I wouldn't give the sequel a chance though. I actually think it might be better because it won't have to spend all its time setting up the pieces. Granted neither did this book, but hey I'm optimistic. If you want a simple, very quick middle grade fantasy with decent ambience and a glimmer of potential moving forward then look no further.
The best part about it was the worldbuilding. The divide between the goblins and humans, the regulations made by the Mayor, the body modifications, and the magical system all created this really immersive atmosphere. It wasn't the best I've ever read, but it certainly did draw me in. And more than that I could tell that the author wanted it to make sense and took pains to make sure it flowed together. I appreciate when an author has a clear vision that they want to execute rather than play it fast and loose to get to the parts they actually want to write.
But, Rownie was a huge drag. He didn't have much personality other than 'Rowan's little brother'. There were times when William Alexander tried to add little sarcastic or mischievous quips, but it never felt genuine. It didn't run deep enough to make it a legitimate facet of his character. A sarcastic boy would always be sarcastic not just when it was his regularly scheduled time for a (not so) funny comment. There were so many times that the book would say 'thousands of questions flew through Rownie's mind' only for Rownie to ask One question or none at all. He barely commented on events. He didn't ever complain. He was so well mannered it was actually annoying.
Every other character was more interesting than him. I wanted to hear more about the goblins' struggles in a world that despises them for merely existing. I wanted to know more about how each goblin came to join the troupe. Heck, even Rowan who we only got to know through the occasional flashback sounded like he would have made a more compelling protagonist.
I also don't see what made him so special that the goblins would want him for their troupe. Thomas makes it clear he was sought out originally for information on Rowan. But, Rowan has not been in contacted with Rownie and he also hasn't shared any mysterious warnings that will eventually make sense as the story unfolds. Nor does Rownie have any insight into Rowan's mind that would come in handy.
Thomas also says that Rownie has a bit of talent for acting. But, then Rownie is rendered incapable of acting almost immediately because his adopted grandmother has cursed the troupe as punishment for Rownie escaping her household.
So basically he's totally useless. I understand that the goblins are actually kind and as such, have a bit of a soft spot for Rownie. However narratively it doesn't fly.
Alexander has hooked the entire progression of the novel on Rownie rather than having Rownie react to the circumstances around him. So the book stalls. The troupe doesn't put on shows or actively look for Rowan. They sort of just plod on with Rownie tagging ineffectually behind them.
The lack of actual events occurring means there can't be any suspense either. The floods apparently are coming posthaste yet there's no urgency to find Rowan. Rownie hasn't seen his supposedly beloved brother in months and even he doesn't try to force the issue.
The resolution is disappointing. All the intrigue and corruption and secrets suggested by the plot synopsis are crammed into the last few chapters making it feel rushed. I also felt misled since most of the book wasn't doing anything with its concept like the synopsis suggested it would.
Apparently this is a series which I didn't know going in because this was a random audiobook pick. This wasn't so bad that I wouldn't give the sequel a chance though. I actually think it might be better because it won't have to spend all its time setting up the pieces. Granted neither did this book, but hey I'm optimistic. If you want a simple, very quick middle grade fantasy with decent ambience and a glimmer of potential moving forward then look no further.
March 9, 2017
This is an okay book. Some parts of it were to detailed, and others were not detailed enough, but I still think it is pretty good considering I have never seen this author before. This isn't a popular book, but I like it very much. If you like adventure with lying, stealing, traitors, and random decisions, then this book is for you.
December 17, 2014
Los secretos de los duendes nos transporta a una época medieval ficticia, a una ciudad llamada Zombay, habitada por personas normales y corrientes, un alcalde, guardias, campesinos, civiles, niños, larvas, máscaras, duendes... y una bruja. Graba.
Tras solo pasar unas páginas y adentrarme en los primeros capítulos pude darme cuenta del halo de misterio que envuelve esta historia, como una espesa niebla. Este misterio nos acompaña durante todo el libro, pues la magia que vamos hallando a medida que avanzamos en él no es una magia cualquiera. No hay varitas, ni hechizos, ni encantamientos, ni objetos mágicos. Hay maldiciones, entes, máscaras con voluntad propia, carbón... y Cambios.
Si sabéis quién es Baba Yaga os gustará leer esta historia. Para mí fue una sorpresa ir leyendo y descubrir la conexión entre Graba, la bruja que "cuida de los niños sin hogar" y descubrir su origen en las aclaraciones del libro. Cuando era pequeña leía cuentos sobre Baba Yaga, la temible bruja del norte, con los dientes de hierro y una pierna de hueso, cuya casa de piedra tenía largas patas de pollo que se alzaban en el cielo y podían transportarla a cualquier lugar. Incluso hay una divertida película de animación "Bartok el magnífico" que trata sobre esta bruja.
Graba también es una horrible bruja, con una pierna de hierro, una casa móvil y una peligrosa lengua capaz de lanzar las más temibles maldiciones. A Rownie lo tiene atrapado junto a los demás chicos que trabajan para ella. Rownie la teme y no desea convertirse en un títere más de Graba, por esa razón decide escapar y esconderse, así es como llega hasta los Duendes, con la ayuda de estas misteriosas criaturas tal vez pueda encontrar a su hermano mayor e irse con él de Zombay.
El libro está dividido en tres actos, simulando una gran representación escénica, como hacen los Duendes actores, con sus máscaras. Narrado en tercera persona y siempre desde la perspectiva de Rownie, nuestro protagonista, seremos testigos de cómo este chico deja atrás su miedo para enfrentarse a los mayores peligros, con el objetivo de encontrar por fin a su hermano.
A lo largo de la historia encontraremos mucha acción. No he podido evitar devorarlo rápidamente, entre escenas de acción, persecuciones, huídas y luchas, también encontraremos momentos para la magia y el misterio, la amistad y el compañerismo.
La ambientación es, además, uno de los elementos de los que más he disfrutado. El autor crea un fantástico escenario entre las calles de Zombay, sus afueras y los oscuros Subterráneos bajo la ciudad. Los secretos de los duendes posee todos los ingredientes para una lectura inolvidable y hechizante.
Sin duda mis personajes favoritos han sido Graba y los Duendes, con sus grandiosas Máscaras. Al conocerlos a ellos no me ha quedado duda alguna de que yo formaría parte de ellos, con sus peligros y sus aventuras.
Si os gustan las historias cargadas de misterio y magia os recomiendo esta original novela, aunque esté dedicada a un público más juvenil, yo la he disfrutado muchísimo y creo que también os gustará. Dejaos llevar por las Máscaras de Zombay.
Tras solo pasar unas páginas y adentrarme en los primeros capítulos pude darme cuenta del halo de misterio que envuelve esta historia, como una espesa niebla. Este misterio nos acompaña durante todo el libro, pues la magia que vamos hallando a medida que avanzamos en él no es una magia cualquiera. No hay varitas, ni hechizos, ni encantamientos, ni objetos mágicos. Hay maldiciones, entes, máscaras con voluntad propia, carbón... y Cambios.
Si sabéis quién es Baba Yaga os gustará leer esta historia. Para mí fue una sorpresa ir leyendo y descubrir la conexión entre Graba, la bruja que "cuida de los niños sin hogar" y descubrir su origen en las aclaraciones del libro. Cuando era pequeña leía cuentos sobre Baba Yaga, la temible bruja del norte, con los dientes de hierro y una pierna de hueso, cuya casa de piedra tenía largas patas de pollo que se alzaban en el cielo y podían transportarla a cualquier lugar. Incluso hay una divertida película de animación "Bartok el magnífico" que trata sobre esta bruja.
Graba también es una horrible bruja, con una pierna de hierro, una casa móvil y una peligrosa lengua capaz de lanzar las más temibles maldiciones. A Rownie lo tiene atrapado junto a los demás chicos que trabajan para ella. Rownie la teme y no desea convertirse en un títere más de Graba, por esa razón decide escapar y esconderse, así es como llega hasta los Duendes, con la ayuda de estas misteriosas criaturas tal vez pueda encontrar a su hermano mayor e irse con él de Zombay.
El libro está dividido en tres actos, simulando una gran representación escénica, como hacen los Duendes actores, con sus máscaras. Narrado en tercera persona y siempre desde la perspectiva de Rownie, nuestro protagonista, seremos testigos de cómo este chico deja atrás su miedo para enfrentarse a los mayores peligros, con el objetivo de encontrar por fin a su hermano.
A lo largo de la historia encontraremos mucha acción. No he podido evitar devorarlo rápidamente, entre escenas de acción, persecuciones, huídas y luchas, también encontraremos momentos para la magia y el misterio, la amistad y el compañerismo.
La ambientación es, además, uno de los elementos de los que más he disfrutado. El autor crea un fantástico escenario entre las calles de Zombay, sus afueras y los oscuros Subterráneos bajo la ciudad. Los secretos de los duendes posee todos los ingredientes para una lectura inolvidable y hechizante.
Sin duda mis personajes favoritos han sido Graba y los Duendes, con sus grandiosas Máscaras. Al conocerlos a ellos no me ha quedado duda alguna de que yo formaría parte de ellos, con sus peligros y sus aventuras.
Si os gustan las historias cargadas de misterio y magia os recomiendo esta original novela, aunque esté dedicada a un público más juvenil, yo la he disfrutado muchísimo y creo que también os gustará. Dejaos llevar por las Máscaras de Zombay.
December 9, 2012
Rownie, a young orphan boy cannot seem to find his brother anywhere. The mystery is, why are so many people looking for him? Rownie's "Grandmother" Grabba, with her robotic chicken legs has housed Rownie and other orphan kids so long as the run errands for her. She is the town witch, and seems to actually posses her children on some of their errands. (um yeah, that's creepy) not only that, but there are performing Goblins who skate around the town's laws forbidding mask wearing and performing because they aren't considered citizens anymore- even though they have been in the town of Zombay longer than anyone. The Goblins seem nice, and have promised not to change Rownie into one of them... yet. Add to that a mysterious mayor and you have trouble. Everyone wants to find Rownie's brother, and he isn't sure who to trust.
I would actually give this more like a 3.5 star rating. The story is interesting, but for me it was a little bit too creepy. Specifically the use of many curses and masks that actually change the person wearing them. Maybe Dark would be a better word than creepy, as it isn't scary in the traditional sense. I admit I am sensitive to that kind of thing, so my rating is lower than perhaps the writing deserves. The other thing that differentiates it from some other kids books with possession is, no one is really "evil" in the traditional sense. the bad guys aren't all that bad, which makes it unique but also sort of dangerous in my mind. The town is interesting... the half human half robot thing is also interesting. I just couldn't get past the darker elements. This book did win the National Book award for 2012... but I think there are better ones out there.
I would actually give this more like a 3.5 star rating. The story is interesting, but for me it was a little bit too creepy. Specifically the use of many curses and masks that actually change the person wearing them. Maybe Dark would be a better word than creepy, as it isn't scary in the traditional sense. I admit I am sensitive to that kind of thing, so my rating is lower than perhaps the writing deserves. The other thing that differentiates it from some other kids books with possession is, no one is really "evil" in the traditional sense. the bad guys aren't all that bad, which makes it unique but also sort of dangerous in my mind. The town is interesting... the half human half robot thing is also interesting. I just couldn't get past the darker elements. This book did win the National Book award for 2012... but I think there are better ones out there.
January 3, 2013
I picked this book up to read based on the fact that it was a winner of an award. I like fantasy and so I thought it sounded good. I am not sure why it won an award. I felt like it was hard to follow and difficult to really visualize the characters. After reading the book, I am still left with questions about things that I just didn't understand. It kept talking about the masks and how putting on the mask changes you- as if something magical happens, but I didn't find that until at the end when the goblins are placing the masks on their spots on the walls and they come to life. They come to life because of a spell on them placed there by Graba and so I felt like the promise of how the masks changes things, didn't ever really come to reality in the book. The only thing that was hinted at was how the fox mask helped him become sure of himself. I also found it confusing to think that a heart could be removed from a boy and yet, they could still function- as a puppet? Why did he put the river mask on his brother and send him to the river? I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone- I finished reading it because I wanted to try to understand what was going on- but it was not a book I would say, Hey, you need to read this book.
August 2, 2013
I didn’t feel the magic. There are some fantasy elements at the start of a book that arouse my interest and keep me turning the pages. It is not something I can specify but I know when I see it as I can’t stop reading. The Harry Potter series seized my interest and sustained it, and books 1-3 of the Twilight series did it for me too. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the urge to rush back to Goblin Secrets when I had put it down.
It could be because the gear-work legs and eyes etc. didn't work for me. I could not understand which citizens were clockwork and which weren’t – or why.
It could be because I could not feel the magic of the goblins or the point of the masks.
It could be also the seemingly-minor quibble that I couldn’t see how a bridge could carry the weight of large buildings such as the clock tower.
Or it could be because the book didn’t really help me to understand why masks were outlawed and what happened to the perpetrators.
It could be that I couldn’t see the point of Rowan disappearing and the denouement at the end.
To put it simply, I didn’t feel the magic. There was poetic writing. But it wasn’t enough to keep me turning the pages.
It could be because the gear-work legs and eyes etc. didn't work for me. I could not understand which citizens were clockwork and which weren’t – or why.
It could be because I could not feel the magic of the goblins or the point of the masks.
It could be also the seemingly-minor quibble that I couldn’t see how a bridge could carry the weight of large buildings such as the clock tower.
Or it could be because the book didn’t really help me to understand why masks were outlawed and what happened to the perpetrators.
It could be that I couldn’t see the point of Rowan disappearing and the denouement at the end.
To put it simply, I didn’t feel the magic. There was poetic writing. But it wasn’t enough to keep me turning the pages.
January 14, 2013
A juvenile steampunk fantasy that takes just the right tone; ominous but never terrifying; odd but never incomprehensible for the age group. Alexander pulls threads from a variety of fantastical/folkloric traditions to make his tale an intriguing blend: the witch Baba Yaga ("Graba")and her chicken legs (but in this case, they are clockwork and gears); goblins; a bit of Greek theater complete with masks; and a murky, rundown city with clockwork police. Rownie is one of Graba's "grandchildren," street children who run errands for Graba and whose minds she can control. But Rownie's goal is to find his months-missing older brother, who disappeared after a raid on a tavern in which he was performing. And when Rownie volunteers to be on stage during a goblin performance, he discovers that the troupe of goblins may be able to help him find his brother, and protect him from Graba, both. Children should enjoy this action-packed chapter book that manages to thrill and entertain quite effectively. 4th-6th grade.
August 6, 2013
My family and I were just quasi-playing a game called Booktastic the other night (quasi as in just reading questions from the cards rather than actually playing the game), when the question came up to name an award-winning book whose awarding you just didn’t get. I believe I chose an entire year of finalists one year for the National Book Award (All five. Every one.). Now though, I’d have to add this year’s winner for Young People: William Alexander’s Goblin Secrets. Alexander’s debut novel isn’t by any stretch a bad book, but it is, in my mind, under-developed and unfocused and in the end, unsatisfying.
Goblin Secrets is set in Zombey, a beguiling creation of a city split into two parts: upper class, clean Northside, with its straight streets laid out in a grid, and lower-class, cluttered and crowded Southside, full of winding, twisting lanes and alleys. ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
Goblin Secrets is set in Zombey, a beguiling creation of a city split into two parts: upper class, clean Northside, with its straight streets laid out in a grid, and lower-class, cluttered and crowded Southside, full of winding, twisting lanes and alleys. ... Read More:
http://www.fantasyliterature.com/revi...
July 16, 2012
Short & Sweet: I must say, I was enraptured by this story. Set in a steampunk type setting, this book also involves goblins and witches along with clockwork parts. Rownie is looking for his brother who disappeared to find work further than the town they were staying in. Set in a world where you cannot entertain if you are not a goblin, Rowan (Rownie's brother) was an illegal entertainer and Rownie fears the worst. So Rownie leaves the witch who is watching after him to search out his lost brother with the help of a troupe of goblins who are play actors. I love the way this story moved and the sense of adventure, peril and magic in such an intriguing world made this a satisfying read.
Final Verdict: A wonderful novel that has such a unique world and an interesting plot that I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy fantasy.
Final Verdict: A wonderful novel that has such a unique world and an interesting plot that I would highly recommend it to those who enjoy fantasy.
February 28, 2013
An odd little book about disguises and truth, the unknowable and the all-knowing. Written for the younger crowd, a lot of what's in it may pass over their heads, yet there's not quite enough here to truly engage the adult reader. It was a pleasant read to pass the time.
A fairy tale in the Neil Gaiman sense, but written with bit less polish overall, and definitely skewed younger. Dickensian-like ragamuffins roam clockwork cities, seeking an identity yet often hiding behind masks and mannerisms, trying to escape the all-knowing witch who'd enslave them.
The witch and her house were very reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle, and the tale overall very Japanese in its approach to story telling.
I'd rate this a 3 for adults, and a 4 for children of the appropriate age (7-11), which is younger than the ages listed by the publisher.
A fairy tale in the Neil Gaiman sense, but written with bit less polish overall, and definitely skewed younger. Dickensian-like ragamuffins roam clockwork cities, seeking an identity yet often hiding behind masks and mannerisms, trying to escape the all-knowing witch who'd enslave them.
The witch and her house were very reminiscent of Hayao Miyazaki's Howl's Moving Castle, and the tale overall very Japanese in its approach to story telling.
I'd rate this a 3 for adults, and a 4 for children of the appropriate age (7-11), which is younger than the ages listed by the publisher.
October 12, 2012
I really, really wanted to like this book. Other authors had told me it was wonderful. Somehow I missed something. Don't get me wrong, there were definitely elements I enjoyed--Graba, who reminded me of Baba Yaga; the whole concept of putting on a mask and becoming the character; the split city...
There were just times in my reading where I felt something had been skipped or not fully developed. And that's why I didn't love the book. I think the concept and the story arc are fantastic, but it felt a unpolished.
I would recommend this book to older kids--there's a scene towards the end which is rather gruesome/disturbing. It fits the story--I'm not critical of that, but it could be very scary for someone younger.
There were just times in my reading where I felt something had been skipped or not fully developed. And that's why I didn't love the book. I think the concept and the story arc are fantastic, but it felt a unpolished.
I would recommend this book to older kids--there's a scene towards the end which is rather gruesome/disturbing. It fits the story--I'm not critical of that, but it could be very scary for someone younger.
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