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The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy #2
Close Kin
(Large Print Edition). For years Emily has been living happily in the underground goblin kingdom. Now she is old enough to marry, but when her childhood friend Seylin proposes, she doesn't take him seriously. Devastated, Seylin leaves the kingdom to find his own people: the elves. When Emily sets out in search of him, they bring two worlds onto a collision course, awakening centuries-old prejudices.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2004
27 people are currently reading
1560 people want to read
About the author
Clare B. Dunkle
11 books390 followersI was born Clare Buckalew in Fort Worth, Texas, and grew up in Denton, Texas, a city north of Dallas. I earned my B.A. in Russian with a minor in Latin from Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. After graduating from Indiana University with a master's degree in library science, I came back to San Antonio to work when my husband, Joe, joined the engineering staff at Kelly Air Force Base. I earned tenure as the monographs cataloger at Trinity University's Coates Library from 1990 to 1999; then I left the library to homeschool my two daughters, Valerie and Elena. My family moved to Germany in 2000, and we lived for seven years in the Rheinland Pfalz region, not far from the old Roman city of Trier. We returned to San Antonio in the summer of 2007, when my younger daughter Elena began college. In 2012, now grandparents, Joe and I moved back to Germany, where we are once again enjoying the bike trails, wine fests, and amazing travel opportunities. We hope to live here at least through 2017.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 259 reviews
February 17, 2017
If you like fantasies that don't pull their punches, this is a good one and it's well-written, but I have some difficulties with recommending Close Kin unless you truly loved the first book, The Hollow Kingdom, and don't have a strong aversion to reading about some really unpleasant events. This sequel is tied very closely to events in The Hollow Kingdom, so you definitely need to have read the first book before this one.
About 6 or 8 years after the end of Kingdom, we meet up again with Seylin, a unusual goblin who looks just like an elf. He can shapeshift into a very large cat, which he does all the time because, how embarrassing to be a really hot-looking guy when you live with freaky-looking goblins? Anyway, Seylin has fallen in love with Emily, the younger sister of Kate, the main character in the first book. Emily thoughtlessly blows him off while they're talking one day, not even realizing that he's trying to propose to her. Seylin, in a funk, gets permission from the goblin king to go on an extended journey to seek out any elves that may remain.
After he's gone, Emily suddenly pulls her head out of wherever it's been and decides to go find Seylin and tell him She Has Feelings Too. This book is about each of their travels and what has become of the elves that (in the first book) everyone in Goblinland was convinced had died out. Close Kin discloses what happened with the elves, and seriously, it's brutal, nearly as bad as dying out, but in the end there's a ray of hope.
If you get through this book, you should read the third one, In the Coils of the Snake, to get some closure and peace of mind. :)
Content advisory (these things are more or less disclosed near the beginning of the book, so, not really spoilers except for the one I've marked): Self-mutilation and utter subjection of elvish women. Also, a major plot point is that elvish women ALWAYS die in childbirth unless -- this understandably creates some major problems for the few remaining elves.
About 6 or 8 years after the end of Kingdom, we meet up again with Seylin, a unusual goblin who looks just like an elf. He can shapeshift into a very large cat, which he does all the time because, how embarrassing to be a really hot-looking guy when you live with freaky-looking goblins? Anyway, Seylin has fallen in love with Emily, the younger sister of Kate, the main character in the first book. Emily thoughtlessly blows him off while they're talking one day, not even realizing that he's trying to propose to her. Seylin, in a funk, gets permission from the goblin king to go on an extended journey to seek out any elves that may remain.
After he's gone, Emily suddenly pulls her head out of wherever it's been and decides to go find Seylin and tell him She Has Feelings Too. This book is about each of their travels and what has become of the elves that (in the first book) everyone in Goblinland was convinced had died out. Close Kin discloses what happened with the elves, and seriously, it's brutal, nearly as bad as dying out, but in the end there's a ray of hope.
If you get through this book, you should read the third one, In the Coils of the Snake, to get some closure and peace of mind. :)
Content advisory (these things are more or less disclosed near the beginning of the book, so, not really spoilers except for the one I've marked): Self-mutilation and utter subjection of elvish women. Also, a major plot point is that elvish women ALWAYS die in childbirth unless -- this understandably creates some major problems for the few remaining elves.
August 6, 2008
This sequel to The Hollow Kingdom was entertaining enough, but I found it overall to be rather disappointing. There were definite high points: the fleshing out of the history of the conflict between the elves and the goblins was welcome, and Dunkle's depiction of the dying elf culture was excellent, if harsh.
There were quite a few problems with the book, though. For one, the pacing and plotting was very odd; I felt that Dunkle introduced a lot of plot elements and then didn't give them their due, and the story seemed to move in fits and starts.
I also, quite frankly, had problems with Dunkle's handling of the characters in this one, particularly the women. Kate was so fantastic in the first book, and Sable, a young elf woman, had great potential to be just as interesting. Dunkle never really lets that potential play out, however, and after a daring act at the beginning of the novel, Sable fades into little more than a passive pawn. Dunkle's characterization of Irina, the other elf maiden, was downright forehead-slappingly offensive; the character is completely, unbelievably vapid. There's an attempt toward the end to make her more than a pretty cardboard cutout, but by then the damage is already done.
Finally, it bothers me that the author has created a sympathetic culture (the goblins) who rely on wife-stealing to further their race, and has really just completely failed to truly explore the ramifications of this. There are attempts to do so, but for all of the main characters it pretty much boils down to a kind of Stockholm Syndrome, where the stolen wives decide that they are better off where they are now. I might even be ok with this if it was more blatantly acknowledged, but instead it feels like Dunkle is glossing over something uncomfortable that she herself has created.
There were quite a few problems with the book, though. For one, the pacing and plotting was very odd; I felt that Dunkle introduced a lot of plot elements and then didn't give them their due, and the story seemed to move in fits and starts.
I also, quite frankly, had problems with Dunkle's handling of the characters in this one, particularly the women. Kate was so fantastic in the first book, and Sable, a young elf woman, had great potential to be just as interesting. Dunkle never really lets that potential play out, however, and after a daring act at the beginning of the novel, Sable fades into little more than a passive pawn. Dunkle's characterization of Irina, the other elf maiden, was downright forehead-slappingly offensive; the character is completely, unbelievably vapid. There's an attempt toward the end to make her more than a pretty cardboard cutout, but by then the damage is already done.
Finally, it bothers me that the author has created a sympathetic culture (the goblins) who rely on wife-stealing to further their race, and has really just completely failed to truly explore the ramifications of this. There are attempts to do so, but for all of the main characters it pretty much boils down to a kind of Stockholm Syndrome, where the stolen wives decide that they are better off where they are now. I might even be ok with this if it was more blatantly acknowledged, but instead it feels like Dunkle is glossing over something uncomfortable that she herself has created.
March 21, 2015
I’ve really enjoyed Clare Dunkle’s The Hollow Kingdom.
Dunkle has an unpretentious way of writing. Her characters are humorous, direct, and to the point. Her stories are fast-paced and fun. And the best part is there’s no purpley prose cluttering up the sentences or overlong, blown-up descriptions. Yet the world building is still imaginative, different and succinct. I like the characters and I like how Dunkle never strays from her original source which is obviously old-fashioned fairytales.
Dunkle’s world has a harshness that doesn’t sugarcoat the ugly and cruel aspects of both goblins and the elves. Nobody is perfect here. Goblins are pretty good natured, but they have dangerous, badass tempers. Elves are beautifully magical, but they can be pretty ruthless. As always, Dunkle has a strong theme running through her books about how beauty is misleading. Goblins might be grotesque, but they are grievously misjudged. And elves might not be as beautiful as they look.
I must admit though, I didn’t enjoy Close Kin as much as The Hollow Kingdom. In the first book, the give and take between Kate and Marak was great because they ended up being each other’s equal, even with all the annoying goblin laws. But this book is less focused. There are more characters and it’s heavier handed. Don’t get me wrong, Emily is a hoot, but this book seems to have an underlining message that says all women will only find happiness if they get married and have children (or adopt like Ruby did.) And that message drives me bonkers!
Here I had thought Marak had changed from the first book (because of Kate) but he hasn’t changed at all. He still has the same nauseating agenda that says women are a means to an end; their main purpose being to pump out a bunch of goblin babies. Yes, I realize Marak is just trying to save the goblins from extinction, and the goblins are a lot nicer than the elves (Dunkle even tried to add that the women go on to have exciting careers as well as a fruitful family). But I don’t buy it. I seriously wanted to punch Marak in his overbearing, goblin nose.
Of course this doesn't stop me from wanting to read book 3. These books are entertaining, unpredictable and fun. I don't need to agree with every theme from every book I read.
Dunkle has an unpretentious way of writing. Her characters are humorous, direct, and to the point. Her stories are fast-paced and fun. And the best part is there’s no purpley prose cluttering up the sentences or overlong, blown-up descriptions. Yet the world building is still imaginative, different and succinct. I like the characters and I like how Dunkle never strays from her original source which is obviously old-fashioned fairytales.
Dunkle’s world has a harshness that doesn’t sugarcoat the ugly and cruel aspects of both goblins and the elves. Nobody is perfect here. Goblins are pretty good natured, but they have dangerous, badass tempers. Elves are beautifully magical, but they can be pretty ruthless. As always, Dunkle has a strong theme running through her books about how beauty is misleading. Goblins might be grotesque, but they are grievously misjudged. And elves might not be as beautiful as they look.
I must admit though, I didn’t enjoy Close Kin as much as The Hollow Kingdom. In the first book, the give and take between Kate and Marak was great because they ended up being each other’s equal, even with all the annoying goblin laws. But this book is less focused. There are more characters and it’s heavier handed. Don’t get me wrong, Emily is a hoot, but this book seems to have an underlining message that says all women will only find happiness if they get married and have children (or adopt like Ruby did.) And that message drives me bonkers!
Here I had thought Marak had changed from the first book (because of Kate) but he hasn’t changed at all. He still has the same nauseating agenda that says women are a means to an end; their main purpose being to pump out a bunch of goblin babies. Yes, I realize Marak is just trying to save the goblins from extinction, and the goblins are a lot nicer than the elves (Dunkle even tried to add that the women go on to have exciting careers as well as a fruitful family). But I don’t buy it. I seriously wanted to punch Marak in his overbearing, goblin nose.
Of course this doesn't stop me from wanting to read book 3. These books are entertaining, unpredictable and fun. I don't need to agree with every theme from every book I read.
February 17, 2017
3.5 stars, mainly because I loved seeing so much of Kate and Marak from book one, The Hollow Kingdom. What I loved about book 1 was the singleminded focus on only two main characters, Marak and Kate. Their developing relationship was given the attention it needed, and I enjoyed watching the beautiful Kate bond with her ugly goblin beast, even in the midst of fear, loss, and danger.
However, in this book (Close Kin) we see three relationships develop. Three!!! Seylen and Emily, Tinsel and Sable, Thaydar and Irina (spelling?). And this book gets grim and really dark in places.
Emily's romance was supposedly the focus, but I found myself more interested in Sable's story. I wanted to know more about Sable and Tinsel ( a nice pairing). However, I felt cheated. Not one of the relationships got the attention it needed -- and I needed -- so I left this book feeling a little miffed.
But the good news is that we see plenty of Kate and Marak from book 1, along with their adorable son Catspaw. (Loved the scene with weary Old Agatha and the little rascal.) I liked how Kate and Sable became friends. I also liked how Irina showed her trump card -- the single magical gift she had that no one else could top. That sequence was sweet.
At the end, we see little Catspaw, the prince, and young Matilda (Til) grow into an adolescent. I liked how Dunkle portrays Catspaw, but she used the proverbial sledgehammer when working with Til's character. Why? Maybe she's prepping us for book 3, In the Coils of the Snake (yes, that's right).
However, in this book (Close Kin) we see three relationships develop. Three!!! Seylen and Emily, Tinsel and Sable, Thaydar and Irina (spelling?). And this book gets grim and really dark in places.
Emily's romance was supposedly the focus, but I found myself more interested in Sable's story. I wanted to know more about Sable and Tinsel ( a nice pairing). However, I felt cheated. Not one of the relationships got the attention it needed -- and I needed -- so I left this book feeling a little miffed.
But the good news is that we see plenty of Kate and Marak from book 1, along with their adorable son Catspaw. (Loved the scene with weary Old Agatha and the little rascal.) I liked how Kate and Sable became friends. I also liked how Irina showed her trump card -- the single magical gift she had that no one else could top. That sequence was sweet.
At the end, we see little Catspaw, the prince, and young Matilda (Til) grow into an adolescent. I liked how Dunkle portrays Catspaw, but she used the proverbial sledgehammer when working with Til's character. Why? Maybe she's prepping us for book 3, In the Coils of the Snake (yes, that's right).
September 6, 2016
I was disappointed with this sequel to THE HOLLOW KINGDOM. Read Kirsten's review from August, 2008: I couldn't have said it any better.
June 8, 2018
God I could read these books over and over again they are that good. The magic, goblins, elves, even stupid humans all make it worthwhile 😍
January 19, 2016
This book was such a disappointment, it lacked all the charm and excitement of book 1!
The one thing that I liked about this book (and is the reason that I gave it two stars) was the whole elf culture and the way that it was dying out. It was interesting to see and it felt realistic.
Sadly, that is the one and only thing that I liked about this book. There are far more things that I disliked which sucks even more because the first book was great.
My first problem was the pacing. It was off, it was so incredibly off! Sometimes we would follow characters for a day or two and nothing interesting happens and then suddenly a month or so has passed and still nothing interesting is happening!!!
This whole book is all about finding brides. Nothing else! There is no excitement, there is nothing thrilling, there is nothing interesting at all about finding some bloody brides!
And when they finally do find some brides, they are boring. Irina is a ditzy stupid girl and she remains this throughout the whole story. Sable showed promise during the first chapter but in the end she stayed this shallow weak girl. Neither of them ever become interesting even though they had potential.
And talking about the brides, the author seems to simple refuses to explore the fact that these woman have been stolen by the goblins to take as their brides! She doesn't explore the consequences of this at all. Whenever she makes an attempt it turns into some kind of Stockholm Syndrome; the wives listen to their goblin-husbands-to-be and come to the conclusion that life with them is probably better than before. They do not love them, they do not like them but you know what it's better than being a free elf apparently... The author simply glosses over this uncomfortable thing she has created and I wonder why because it could have made the story so much interesting! Maybe she doesn't want to portray the goblins badly? I don't know...
Finally the ending. It was too perfect, it was too sweet and the final chapter was unnecessary for the story. It doesn't follow any of the main characters and seems like a set up for the next book.
The one thing that I liked about this book (and is the reason that I gave it two stars) was the whole elf culture and the way that it was dying out. It was interesting to see and it felt realistic.
Sadly, that is the one and only thing that I liked about this book. There are far more things that I disliked which sucks even more because the first book was great.
My first problem was the pacing. It was off, it was so incredibly off! Sometimes we would follow characters for a day or two and nothing interesting happens and then suddenly a month or so has passed and still nothing interesting is happening!!!
This whole book is all about finding brides. Nothing else! There is no excitement, there is nothing thrilling, there is nothing interesting at all about finding some bloody brides!
And when they finally do find some brides, they are boring. Irina is a ditzy stupid girl and she remains this throughout the whole story. Sable showed promise during the first chapter but in the end she stayed this shallow weak girl. Neither of them ever become interesting even though they had potential.
And talking about the brides, the author seems to simple refuses to explore the fact that these woman have been stolen by the goblins to take as their brides! She doesn't explore the consequences of this at all. Whenever she makes an attempt it turns into some kind of Stockholm Syndrome; the wives listen to their goblin-husbands-to-be and come to the conclusion that life with them is probably better than before. They do not love them, they do not like them but you know what it's better than being a free elf apparently... The author simply glosses over this uncomfortable thing she has created and I wonder why because it could have made the story so much interesting! Maybe she doesn't want to portray the goblins badly? I don't know...
Finally the ending. It was too perfect, it was too sweet and the final chapter was unnecessary for the story. It doesn't follow any of the main characters and seems like a set up for the next book.
August 4, 2019
The second title in Dunkle's Hollow Kingdom Trilogy, Close Kin follows the dual narratives of Emily, younger sister of Kate, the heroine of the first book, and Seylin, the goblin who loves her. When Emily fails to recognize a marriage proposal from her old friend, the resultant hurt and misunderstanding leads the two on very different quests. As Seylin searches far and wide for the elves that some believe are extinct, Emily and her companion find themselves in the human world...
I was impressed by Dunkle's world-building, as she delved much deeper into some of the alien customs of both elves and goblins in this second title, laying bare the bigotry and hatred displayed by all the races towards one another. The "debased" state of the elf survivors was somewhat ironic, given their physical beauty, and seemed to offer an insightful meditation on the fragility of culture.
But although I felt that Dunkle did an excellent job building the history of the goblin-elf conflict, I did not find this as strong a narrative as the first, perhaps because it was split between two story-lines. I continued, moreover, to feel somewhat troubled by the controlling nature of the male characters - both goblin and elf - and the absence of real choice for the women of the story.
I was impressed by Dunkle's world-building, as she delved much deeper into some of the alien customs of both elves and goblins in this second title, laying bare the bigotry and hatred displayed by all the races towards one another. The "debased" state of the elf survivors was somewhat ironic, given their physical beauty, and seemed to offer an insightful meditation on the fragility of culture.
But although I felt that Dunkle did an excellent job building the history of the goblin-elf conflict, I did not find this as strong a narrative as the first, perhaps because it was split between two story-lines. I continued, moreover, to feel somewhat troubled by the controlling nature of the male characters - both goblin and elf - and the absence of real choice for the women of the story.
March 15, 2012
Although this book was no way near as good as The Hollow Kingdom, I still greatly enjoyed it. The characters are so much fun!!! This tale centers around two people from the first book, but it also introduces intriguing new people. Emily and Seylin must underatake quests in order to grow up and figure out which direction their lives will take. The story takes on a definite dark side when Seylin encounters the ragged elf band. I highly recommend to all my peeps and I am most definetly reading book three.
October 5, 2014
I did like this in the end, but it took a while to really capture my attention. It felt like there wasn't much of a plotline, just some people wandering around and . . . really, not even doing all that much.
But I ended up really liking the characters.
But I ended up really liking the characters.
June 10, 2022
A sequel to The Hollow Kingdom, focusing on a minor character from that book. This one is problematic too, for many of the same reasons as the first one, with some new issues thrown in just for fun. I loved it.
It’s been popular in recent decades to portray elves as less perfect than Tolkien imagined them, this book takes that idea and runs with it. In the first book, everyone believes elves have died out. Seylin, the protagonist, is determined to find any last remnants of them. He’s a goblin who looks like an elf (genetics is a bit wibbly-wobbly in this series), and is ostracized for it. He manages to find the last elves, but they’re not what he expected. They are cruel, savage, and misogynistic. No matter, the goblin king is happy to “rescue” the elvish women into his own kingdom, forcibly, to marry goblin husbands. Like in the first book, the captive wives are given comfortable lives and gentle husbands, which is certainly better than their futures with elvish men, though still distasteful in their lack of choice.
Seylin comes to the realization that he is truly a goblin at heart and returns home with them. He and his childhood friend, Emily, acknowledge their love for each other and things end happily.
I’ll admit that I don’t like this one as much as the first. I love the characters, but I’m one of those people who likes elegant Tolkien-style elves. I’m also not a fan of stories where romantic relationships are strained due to simple miscommunications, which is a big issue in Seylin and Emily’s relationship. If they could just talk for five minutes, the problem is solved. Yes, that’s where I draw the line, not kidnapping and forced marriage.
It’s been popular in recent decades to portray elves as less perfect than Tolkien imagined them, this book takes that idea and runs with it. In the first book, everyone believes elves have died out. Seylin, the protagonist, is determined to find any last remnants of them. He’s a goblin who looks like an elf (genetics is a bit wibbly-wobbly in this series), and is ostracized for it. He manages to find the last elves, but they’re not what he expected. They are cruel, savage, and misogynistic. No matter, the goblin king is happy to “rescue” the elvish women into his own kingdom, forcibly, to marry goblin husbands. Like in the first book, the captive wives are given comfortable lives and gentle husbands, which is certainly better than their futures with elvish men, though still distasteful in their lack of choice.
Seylin comes to the realization that he is truly a goblin at heart and returns home with them. He and his childhood friend, Emily, acknowledge their love for each other and things end happily.
I’ll admit that I don’t like this one as much as the first. I love the characters, but I’m one of those people who likes elegant Tolkien-style elves. I’m also not a fan of stories where romantic relationships are strained due to simple miscommunications, which is a big issue in Seylin and Emily’s relationship. If they could just talk for five minutes, the problem is solved. Yes, that’s where I draw the line, not kidnapping and forced marriage.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 19, 2024
A really good read. You have to read it like a fairy tale, or the painting of things with a broad brush rankles a little (i.e. the goblins are TOO good, and the rogue elves are TOO bad). I was especially moved by Sable’s story arc and Ruby’s story arc. It was nice to see Emily develop some maturity, too. Selylin was a very appealing character. The idea of goblins having to kidnap elf brides is still hard to swallow, but again, this is a fairy tale and not meant to be a commentary on anything in real life. The author has created a very clever world and continues to come up with fascinating elements to it. The ending sets up, I’m assuming, for the next book which I already have in my hot little hands. On your mark, get set…
January 23, 2026
Weird book, so different from the first, with two viewpoint characters whose stories were uncomfortably different in tone. The plot seemed almost an apology or justification for rape and I say this as a middle aged white man, so can hardly imagine how women would respond to those sections. The ending is tacked on and uncalled for--imagine if Pride and Prejudice ended with an additional chapter where Mary rebels, joins the Fenians, and shoots Mr. Bingley's sisters--WTF? In all it reads like an adult and child collaborated--with no editor.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
February 22, 2015
It was good, but not quite as good as the first.
February 5, 2023
I really enjoyed The Hollow Kingdom and ordered the sequel a couple of weeks after finishing it. I really wish I hadn't. I should have let that book exist as a stand-alone!
Close Kin is the sequel to The Hollow Kingdom, about Kate's little sister, Emily, and Seylin, the boy who can turn into a cat. Emily and Seylin were pals in the first book but now they're all grown up (in their teens, at least). And since the goblin culture revolves around child marriage and bride stealing, Seylin asks Emily to marry him. She completely misses the hint and poor Seylin decides to go on a quest to find any surviving elves (he's part elf but elves are rumored to be extinct). Emily, learning of his departure, sets off on her own adventure.
The creepy bride-stealing culture worked in The Hollow Kingdom because that book's plot focused on Kate and the goblin king, a clearly recognizable re-telling of the princess and the goblin fairy tale. The sequel tries to re-use this plot devise but it's incredibly creepy. In the first book, Kate was at least a "strong" character, but here all the female characters are vapid and exist only as marriage material. Emily, for example, is incredibly immature and it's disturbing that she has to get married because that is the goblin way.
I see that this is a trilogy but I probably won't read the last book.
Close Kin is the sequel to The Hollow Kingdom, about Kate's little sister, Emily, and Seylin, the boy who can turn into a cat. Emily and Seylin were pals in the first book but now they're all grown up (in their teens, at least). And since the goblin culture revolves around child marriage and bride stealing, Seylin asks Emily to marry him. She completely misses the hint and poor Seylin decides to go on a quest to find any surviving elves (he's part elf but elves are rumored to be extinct). Emily, learning of his departure, sets off on her own adventure.
The creepy bride-stealing culture worked in The Hollow Kingdom because that book's plot focused on Kate and the goblin king, a clearly recognizable re-telling of the princess and the goblin fairy tale. The sequel tries to re-use this plot devise but it's incredibly creepy. In the first book, Kate was at least a "strong" character, but here all the female characters are vapid and exist only as marriage material. Emily, for example, is incredibly immature and it's disturbing that she has to get married because that is the goblin way.
I see that this is a trilogy but I probably won't read the last book.
August 13, 2018
I liked The Hollow Kingdom better; that ending was extremely unsettling. Let's see how Til is redeemed in the next book.
It was rather slow toward the beginning.
It was rather slow toward the beginning.
December 28, 2024
I thought I would be disappointed by the second in the series but I was still very intrigued by the characters and the lore! Once again, the books ends quite strangely which I’m starting to think is this author’s signature move.
November 2, 2011
A wise and entertaining sequel to the Hollow Kingdom. The focus shifts to new main characters, Kate's sister Emily and her best friend Seylin. The variety and realism of characters is Dunkle's special talent, both the good and the bad learn and respond to circumstances, growing better or worse for their own free choices. Emily's initial resistance and later recognition of the need to gain maturity is expertly portrayed, realising that winning others over to her own ends is not as helpful as learning from what others might be trying to instruct her.
Dunkle continues the theme of goodness being more attractive than external beauty, and once again manages to win her readers' affection for even the most unusual characters. A rewarding read for teens.
Dunkle continues the theme of goodness being more attractive than external beauty, and once again manages to win her readers' affection for even the most unusual characters. A rewarding read for teens.
February 22, 2015
This series' continuing emphasis on forcing teenage girls to get married really turns me off. It bothered me in the first book (especially the ease with which the author glossed to "but she loved him") but I was willing to accept it as a traditional trope. There was no need to use the marriage theme again here.
July 11, 2012
Wow. Just wow! I love this series; it is really amazing! The way Clare Dunkle made a world where societies of elves, dwarves, and goblins can live in secret without any humans knowing is spectacular! I would definately read this series again and again!
The characters have depth and the conflicts are so cool and believable! I definately recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy!!
The characters have depth and the conflicts are so cool and believable! I definately recommend this to anyone who loves fantasy!!
February 27, 2008
This is a good book. But, near the end, it gets boring just like the first book in its series.
September 3, 2020
“Em, I am trying to have an important conversation!" shouted Seylin. "I will not change into a cat!” —Claire B Dunkle
(3.5/5⭐️) The Hollow Kingdom lives on in the second installment centered around Emily and Seylin. The story takes place a number of years following Kate’s marriage to Marek. Emily is now eighteen and of marriageable age. When she refuses Seylin’s hand in marriage, Seylin decides to leave his home in search of elves and an elf bride. Emily, realizing her mistake, sets out to find him and bring him home. This is a journey of learning for both. Seylin succeeds in finding the elves, but he upsets the balance in the process, igniting age old prejudices in the process. Will Emily find him in time?
I love the world Claire B Dunkle created. It’s enchanting. I want to live in the hollow kingdom under hollow hill with all the frighteningly ugly goblins and their magic. I thoroughly enjoy immersing myself in these books. I only wish the books were longer, with more substance. They are of a novella length, written for middle grade, so they skim a lot of details you might see in YA and adult fantasy. All too soon, the story is at an end, but you’re left wanting to remain.
Close Kin follows Kate’s younger sister, Seylin, and Sable. It centers more around the elves, digging deeper into their culture and history. There were a number of stories told that allowed me to glean a better understanding as Dunkle fleshed out ideas that were only hinted at in the first book. I find myself wishing this was a full fledged YA series with multiple spin offs and novellas. The potential is there.
Emily, Seylin, and Sable all have their own character arc. These arcs are fairly subtle, and mostly plot driven. Emily must realize that Seylin is the man she wants to marry, and find him in time to tell him this. Seylin believes that finding the elves is what he wants, only to be wrong. And Sable believes that her horrible life with the elves is better than any other life she might live, even if it means being treated like a dog and eating scraps off the floor. Sable learns in the end that her beliefs were wrong, and that life can be better, if only surrounded by people who treat her as she deserves to be treated.
Seylin is born a goblin but looks more like an elf. He has a magical ability to turn into a cat. A handy trick, I might add. He doesn’t fit in with the goblins because he’s pretty. In a world where being ugly is appealing, he gets teased for being too pretty. He hopes that by going to live with elves, who are all pretty like him, that he might be able to find a place to fit in. The elves are nearly gone from the world, so he must search and search to find them. What he finds is a sad, pathetic existence. Most of the elves are gone, killed from the age-old battle feuds between goblins and elves, who warred in years past. There’s nothing left for Seylin here. But this is where he finds Sable and Irina, the last two elvish women. Both Sable and Irina are treated like trash by their small tribe. They are left to do all the undesirable work. They are disrespected. They are brainwashed, told they are ugly and useless. The men strive to be purposefully mean to them. This is never how goblins would treat their women. Goblins prize elven women.
For time immemorial, Goblins have stolen human and elvish women to take for their brides, to preserve their lines and keep their kingdom alive. It’s a war-band type of mentality. It appears brutal. In a way, it is, because these women are taken against their will. However, they are treated well, like royalty, not like slaves. They are allowed to do whatever they wish, marry whichever goblin they wish, learn magic, learn reading, writing, and become distinguished members of goblin society. The only thing they are deprived of is the freedom to leave the kingdom under hollow hill. It’s a rather archaic idea, and still surprises me that stealing women is considered middle grade. But it’s written in a middle grade style, and there isn’t any violence portrayed. After all, it’s a fantasy story about ugly monsters. But I could see some people bashing the book for this reason. I find the story charming, if only because the women who are taken are given better lives and removed from danger.
Irina and Sable are taken from a PTSD inducing type of environment and nurtured, cared for, and cherished. They learn that goblins aren’t monsters. In fact, the monsters are the ones they were rescued from. And since they are elves, they can’t just go off and live with the humans. Hollow Hill is really the only place for them. They are given the best life possible. They are allowed to pick their husbands, their grievances are heard, and Marek, the goblin king does everything in his power to see that they are made happy. He personally teaches them magic alongside his elvish wife, Kate, something the elven males had deprived them of. Here in the goblin kingdom, Sable and Irina thrive.
Compared to the first book, this one wasn’t as good. I was nervous to read it for YEARS because of this. I was afraid it would be a huge letdown. I found myself pleasantly surprised. It was a fast, enjoyable read. I liked it. It WAS good, but still not as good as the first. I don’t feel I can give it a five star rating because it’s very simple, and the character arcs are very minor. It lacked the banter seen in the first book between Kate and Marek. But for a middle grade book, I think it hits the nail on the head. It sets out to do what it claims to do and I must fairly judge it as such.
(3.5/5⭐️) The Hollow Kingdom lives on in the second installment centered around Emily and Seylin. The story takes place a number of years following Kate’s marriage to Marek. Emily is now eighteen and of marriageable age. When she refuses Seylin’s hand in marriage, Seylin decides to leave his home in search of elves and an elf bride. Emily, realizing her mistake, sets out to find him and bring him home. This is a journey of learning for both. Seylin succeeds in finding the elves, but he upsets the balance in the process, igniting age old prejudices in the process. Will Emily find him in time?
I love the world Claire B Dunkle created. It’s enchanting. I want to live in the hollow kingdom under hollow hill with all the frighteningly ugly goblins and their magic. I thoroughly enjoy immersing myself in these books. I only wish the books were longer, with more substance. They are of a novella length, written for middle grade, so they skim a lot of details you might see in YA and adult fantasy. All too soon, the story is at an end, but you’re left wanting to remain.
Close Kin follows Kate’s younger sister, Seylin, and Sable. It centers more around the elves, digging deeper into their culture and history. There were a number of stories told that allowed me to glean a better understanding as Dunkle fleshed out ideas that were only hinted at in the first book. I find myself wishing this was a full fledged YA series with multiple spin offs and novellas. The potential is there.
Emily, Seylin, and Sable all have their own character arc. These arcs are fairly subtle, and mostly plot driven. Emily must realize that Seylin is the man she wants to marry, and find him in time to tell him this. Seylin believes that finding the elves is what he wants, only to be wrong. And Sable believes that her horrible life with the elves is better than any other life she might live, even if it means being treated like a dog and eating scraps off the floor. Sable learns in the end that her beliefs were wrong, and that life can be better, if only surrounded by people who treat her as she deserves to be treated.
Seylin is born a goblin but looks more like an elf. He has a magical ability to turn into a cat. A handy trick, I might add. He doesn’t fit in with the goblins because he’s pretty. In a world where being ugly is appealing, he gets teased for being too pretty. He hopes that by going to live with elves, who are all pretty like him, that he might be able to find a place to fit in. The elves are nearly gone from the world, so he must search and search to find them. What he finds is a sad, pathetic existence. Most of the elves are gone, killed from the age-old battle feuds between goblins and elves, who warred in years past. There’s nothing left for Seylin here. But this is where he finds Sable and Irina, the last two elvish women. Both Sable and Irina are treated like trash by their small tribe. They are left to do all the undesirable work. They are disrespected. They are brainwashed, told they are ugly and useless. The men strive to be purposefully mean to them. This is never how goblins would treat their women. Goblins prize elven women.
For time immemorial, Goblins have stolen human and elvish women to take for their brides, to preserve their lines and keep their kingdom alive. It’s a war-band type of mentality. It appears brutal. In a way, it is, because these women are taken against their will. However, they are treated well, like royalty, not like slaves. They are allowed to do whatever they wish, marry whichever goblin they wish, learn magic, learn reading, writing, and become distinguished members of goblin society. The only thing they are deprived of is the freedom to leave the kingdom under hollow hill. It’s a rather archaic idea, and still surprises me that stealing women is considered middle grade. But it’s written in a middle grade style, and there isn’t any violence portrayed. After all, it’s a fantasy story about ugly monsters. But I could see some people bashing the book for this reason. I find the story charming, if only because the women who are taken are given better lives and removed from danger.
Irina and Sable are taken from a PTSD inducing type of environment and nurtured, cared for, and cherished. They learn that goblins aren’t monsters. In fact, the monsters are the ones they were rescued from. And since they are elves, they can’t just go off and live with the humans. Hollow Hill is really the only place for them. They are given the best life possible. They are allowed to pick their husbands, their grievances are heard, and Marek, the goblin king does everything in his power to see that they are made happy. He personally teaches them magic alongside his elvish wife, Kate, something the elven males had deprived them of. Here in the goblin kingdom, Sable and Irina thrive.
Compared to the first book, this one wasn’t as good. I was nervous to read it for YEARS because of this. I was afraid it would be a huge letdown. I found myself pleasantly surprised. It was a fast, enjoyable read. I liked it. It WAS good, but still not as good as the first. I don’t feel I can give it a five star rating because it’s very simple, and the character arcs are very minor. It lacked the banter seen in the first book between Kate and Marek. But for a middle grade book, I think it hits the nail on the head. It sets out to do what it claims to do and I must fairly judge it as such.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 29, 2022
Compelling introduction. Decent middle. Bad ending. Same issue with the previous novel.
Disappointing, that's what it is.
Disappointing, that's what it is.
August 13, 2024
Kate and Emily are getting along splendidly inside Hollow Hill, and now that Emily is of marriagable age, Seylin would like to propose to her. Only he's not very good at it, and she's not very good at listening, so he ends up thinking there's no hope and instead leaves to find some elves somewhere. Realizing her mistake, Emily hurries after, weighed down by her old humanities teacher, Ruby, who hates humans. They all meet some other folks, including humans, goblins, and even some elves. There are some side plots, but then we get to the meat of the story, which is about elves living pitiful existences in absence of education and magic.
Like its predecessor, this book had some parts I really liked and some parts that I really didn't like. This time, however, it was the content itself that made me unhappy: descriptions of abuse and gross neglect that kept making me think that it couldn't get worse, but then it did. It is appropriate to be unhappy reading this kind of content. And it worked brilliantly with the ending, making use of contrasts to prove an interesting point. (And by the ending, I'm not counting the last two chapters, which I'm fairly certain are the beginning of a new story not the end of the old one). The rest of the book was fun. There were sweet moments, humorous scenes, cozy bits, and clever dialogue. I enjoyed the description and the character development and overall felt a lot of emotions while reading this book. It's not inappropriate for young teens, but it's designed to be both lighthearted and dark at times. I think I like it better than book 1.
Like its predecessor, this book had some parts I really liked and some parts that I really didn't like. This time, however, it was the content itself that made me unhappy: descriptions of abuse and gross neglect that kept making me think that it couldn't get worse, but then it did. It is appropriate to be unhappy reading this kind of content. And it worked brilliantly with the ending, making use of contrasts to prove an interesting point. (And by the ending, I'm not counting the last two chapters, which I'm fairly certain are the beginning of a new story not the end of the old one). The rest of the book was fun. There were sweet moments, humorous scenes, cozy bits, and clever dialogue. I enjoyed the description and the character development and overall felt a lot of emotions while reading this book. It's not inappropriate for young teens, but it's designed to be both lighthearted and dark at times. I think I like it better than book 1.
June 10, 2019
Reader thoughts: I am still not sure about the practice of goblins stealing their wives, but it seems less crazy than it did before. Dunkle is basing the society upon legends and just using those to build a story. Plus, the goblins are obligated to make their wives happy, else they won't get many children from them (which is the whole point of stealing wives).
I started the book almost a year ago and got stuck so many times in the first 30% of the book. So boring! Emily wanders around, looking for Seylin. He wanders around, looking for elves. Oh, so tragic, that they are in love with each other yet never told each other! Bleh.
Then Seylin finds the elves, and they are doing very poorly. It was really interesting to see how far they had stooped after losing their home and important magic. Sable's situation was depressing, and yet the ending for her was so satisfying because of it.
Writer Thoughts: I wonder if Dunkle did that on purpose. If she knew she was going to be mean to Sable (steal her from her family), she made the act positive by making Sable's family so horrible. If something unpleasant has to happen to a character, can that negative aspect be negated by making the event at least better than what the character has grown up with? So, put the character in total depravity and loneliness, and then anything is a happy ending?
I'm not sure this writing strategy always works.
I started the book almost a year ago and got stuck so many times in the first 30% of the book. So boring! Emily wanders around, looking for Seylin. He wanders around, looking for elves. Oh, so tragic, that they are in love with each other yet never told each other! Bleh.
Then Seylin finds the elves, and they are doing very poorly. It was really interesting to see how far they had stooped after losing their home and important magic. Sable's situation was depressing, and yet the ending for her was so satisfying because of it.
Writer Thoughts: I wonder if Dunkle did that on purpose. If she knew she was going to be mean to Sable (steal her from her family), she made the act positive by making Sable's family so horrible. If something unpleasant has to happen to a character, can that negative aspect be negated by making the event at least better than what the character has grown up with? So, put the character in total depravity and loneliness, and then anything is a happy ending?
I'm not sure this writing strategy always works.
July 17, 2017
It's a fun read. Kind of a more up-to-date fairy tale filled with your goblins, elves, magic, and so on. What this book does really well is world building. Everything that gets mentioned is actually explained in the context of the book and provides a rather broad and detailed picture of the world the book is presenting. The writing from a technical standpoint is also well-done, not bogged down in extraneous words or details. The writing is tight, and the ending is completely wholesome.
It does suffer from some pacing issues, and characterization could have used some more attention; however, it's a fairy tale that reminds me a lot of The 10th Kingdom(Only not set in 2000 New York but some 1800 year in England)(Goblins are actually cool in the Hollow Kingdom trilogy too.) The 10th Kingdom was dope, and it's interesting reading books in the same vein as that show.
tl;dr, Goblins make a wholesome fairy tale that's enjoyable to read.
It does suffer from some pacing issues, and characterization could have used some more attention; however, it's a fairy tale that reminds me a lot of The 10th Kingdom(Only not set in 2000 New York but some 1800 year in England)(Goblins are actually cool in the Hollow Kingdom trilogy too.) The 10th Kingdom was dope, and it's interesting reading books in the same vein as that show.
tl;dr, Goblins make a wholesome fairy tale that's enjoyable to read.
October 23, 2024
Seylin is an unusual goblin—he looks like an elf—and he has fallen in love with Emily, Kate's younger sister. While they're talking, Emily accidentally rejects him one day, not realizing he is proposing. Soon after, he sets off on a journey to find any remaining elves.
Once Seylin leaves, Emily realizes what she's done and goes on her own journey to find him.
I loved the first book—it's one of my favorites. This one took me a little while to get into. I liked there was more history of the conflict between goblins and elves. The depiction of elf culture didn't paint them in a good light, especially the men.
I love that the goblin men respect and want elf women to have the best life possible. But I dislike the fact goblins steal them. I see their lives will be better with the goblins, but it's a lack of freedom to make the choice themselves that bothers me.
I did end up enjoying this book, but not as much as the first one.
Once Seylin leaves, Emily realizes what she's done and goes on her own journey to find him.
I loved the first book—it's one of my favorites. This one took me a little while to get into. I liked there was more history of the conflict between goblins and elves. The depiction of elf culture didn't paint them in a good light, especially the men.
I love that the goblin men respect and want elf women to have the best life possible. But I dislike the fact goblins steal them. I see their lives will be better with the goblins, but it's a lack of freedom to make the choice themselves that bothers me.
I did end up enjoying this book, but not as much as the first one.
February 10, 2019
I love the story that Clare B. Dunkle has created. I love the idea of the goblins waging war on the elves, and the incredible characters who seem so real. This is the second book of the Hollow Kingdom trilogy, and while it was certainly enjoyable, it seemed to have but one purpose: create a bridge for the finale book with little care to the characters. I wasn't so attached to anyone in this book until the very last chapters (which is when my love for the Hollow Kingdom was rekindled at last.) If the whole of the second book had been like it's latter half, I would have given it five shining stars. But, it was sadly awkward, and it stumbled a bit in the descriptions, and the dialogue felt very forced at times.
Besides these negative aspects, it is certainly worth reading, if only to bridge the gap to the stunning final book in the series.
Besides these negative aspects, it is certainly worth reading, if only to bridge the gap to the stunning final book in the series.
December 15, 2018
This book had some good fantasy elements and expanded on characters and the world we were introduced to in the first installment of this trilogy. The plot started strong and seemed to be gearing up for a great climax. Unfortunately, the end was disappointing. It felt too easy and the resolution really ruined the rest of the book for me. Additionally, Dunkle seems to have a difficult time portraying her female characters. Both of the female elves were not great; Irina was rather pathetic and while Sable started strong and interesting, the ending really took that away. As others have mentioned, the lack of true acknowledgment of how messed up the bride-stealing tradition is rather undermines a lot of the strong elements of this trilogy.
July 24, 2020
As typical, I did not find this book to be quite as entrancing as the first in the series, but it was still very good. I was able to follow more about characters from the first book, but there were still mysteries left for the third book. In this installment, human Emily completely misses the fact that goblin Seylin is in love with her and is asking her to marry him. Granted, he goes about it in a very awkward way, but Seylin is devastated and leaves the kingdom. Emily chases after him but spends a lot of unpleasant time in the human world. Along the way Seylin encounters a small group of elves who aren't quite what he expected.
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