Goblins & Guides: Hidden Histories

by T.J. Bramble

History, messy, witty, unexpected.
A cozy fantasy

History is personal—at least for Wisp, a goblin scraping by on the streets of Liston. She knows the best spot to pull a rat-on-a-stick scam and how to dodge Travis, the ever-menacing underworld troll enforcer. So when Idris, a scholarly centaur chasing an ancient mystery, hires her as his tour guide, he finds Wisp knows a lot about Liston. Just… not the right things.

But Wisp is a quick learner. Under Idris’s mentorship, and with the help of Sirena, a manic gnome with a penchant for poking things, Wisp reinvents herself as a tour guide of “old stuff.” Business booms… until the local gangs muscle in, offering “authentic” mugging experiences and premium troll punches.

Soon, Wisp is caught between the underworld, a nobleman determined to see her returned to the gutter, and secrets that could shatter her blossoming friendships. And through it all, an ancient mystery demands to be solved.

Perfect for fans of Terry Pratchett and Travis Baldree, Goblins & Hidden Histories is a cozy fantasy mystery brimming with unlikely allies, found family, and a goblin who might steal your heart—along with the contents of your pockets.

Genres: Fantasy, Cozy Fantasy, Cozy

312 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 12, 2025

Reviews

[Heather Harper · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a truly fun book. I would love for it to be for the whole family. My kids love hearing about the story line but I had to skip things because of the small romance arc. The romance didn't add anything to the story for me. And that is why I gave it 3 stars.
I really enjoyed all the characters. They each had their place to make the story move and grow. There are multiple twist that keep you wanting more.
Wisp is a fun character to root for and I would read more with her.


This a fun quick mystery read.





I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goblins & Guides: Hidden Histories by T.J. Bramble is a cozy fantasy, and I received a digital review copy through BookSirens. If you're looking for the coziest of fantasy books, then this is one to check out.

The characters in this novel are adorable with a strong found family trope, and underlying teachings of racism. Not to mention the importance of history.

The novel takes place in Liston and only in Liston, yet there's a lot to explore. Wisp is a goblin trying to make ends meet through thievery. When a centaur takes a chance on her to show her around Liston, she begins a tourist business with her new friends, discovering secrets and unearthing history from long, long ago. 

Not only does Wisp learn to make an honest living, she discovers more about her past, herself, and makes friends. I enjoyed all the characters and Sirena's and Wisp's dynamic was cute. However, I enjoyed them as friends and thought their relationship was a tad forced.

The narrative style and world building was well done, too, especially since the book is set in one location.

Being within the cozy genre, stakes are relatively low. In Goblins & Guides: Hidden Histories, the stakes are nearly non-existent. If the characters got into an argument or had a misunderstanding, it was resolved within the next page. Even when danger was afoot, it was resolved within the chapter. Essentially, the jams they got themselves into seemed too easy to get out of, even for a cozy read.

However, I did fall in love with the characters and the worldbuilding enough that I will pick up book two when it releases. 

I received an advance review copy for free via BookSirens, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. All opinions are honest and my own.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goblins and Guides is a cozy fantasy that quietly exceeds expectations and unfolds into something truly special. In this story, goblins are widely seen as low-class citizens, often dismissed or mistrusted, and many live in the slums. Wisp, a goblin on the fringes of society, is nearly caught in a scrape with the local authorities when Idris, a centaur, asks her to guide him through Liston, inadvertently saving her from trouble. What begins as a simple request quickly grows into a chain of events that could completely rewrite the history books of the country of Damash and challenge everything known about its most famous artist, DiAngelo.

As Wisp creates a tour guide business, she begins uncovering long-buried secrets, and the story unfolds in a natural and engaging way. You can truly tell the author took great care with the historical elements, making the details feel rich and believable. It feels like something that could have happened in our own world—just with mythical creatures woven in.

The characters are wonderfully written. I quickly fell in love with the main cast and even found myself rooting for several side characters as they worked to better themselves.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy with a strong sense of history. It hits all the right notes and is a genuinely delightful read. I’m grateful to BookSirens and TJ Bramble for the ARC, and all opinions expressed here are my own.

[Katie Lepore · Rating 3 out of 5]

Goblins and Guides immediately drew me in based on the cozy cover and description/blurb of the book!

This story follows our main female character, Wisp, who is a bad thief and friendly goblin. Her career in the unsavory isn’t working out so well and so she invents tourism in her world. Through found family (including a centaur and a gnome) and hard work, Wisp builds herself a new career path and some confidence along the way. A few other unsavory characters don’t want her to be successful, and problems ensue.

This story is very much in a similar vein to Legends and Lattes, as a cozy fantasy with a lot of heart. I enjoyed the overall plot however felt like the pacing was a bit off at times, with some portions of the plot feeling like they needed to be fleshed out a bit. Also, despite being a very cute story with cute characters, I sometimes felt like there was some slightly spicier (we are barely talking about 0.25 chili peppers here) dialogue lines that didn’t fit with our characters and where they were at in their relationship/fit the vibe/wholesomeness of the story well.

The story was fun and it was an easy read. I think with a bit of editing of pacing and dialogue, this would definitely be a winner. I would recommend it to others who like cozy fantasy however it wouldn’t be a re-read for me.

I received an advance review copy for free through BookSirens and am leaving this review voluntarily. Thank you for allowing me to share in this story!

[Wilfred Berkhof · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goblins & Guides: Hidden Histories is a wonderful new addition to the cosy fantasy genre.

I love cosy fantasy with non-humans as the main characters. So when I came across Goblins & Guides: Hidden Histories with its enticing, colourful and cosy cover, I had to give it a go.

What really hooked me was the strong found family feeling I got. With Wisp, Ash and the Goblets finding a new home with Loretta and Sirena. And the way Wisp took charge of her own life and wasn't afraid to take chances to improve it for herself and the people around her.

However, where this story truly shines is in the side characters. The little goblets, the over-the-top bad guys and my favourite, Travis the Troll. Travis was a total treat—I was expecting a typical dumb underworld enforcer, but he’s written with such surprising emotional depth and wit. He’s easily one of the most fun characters I’ve encountered lately.

So, if you love witty, low-stakes fantasy with a cast that feels like home, you need to read this.

[Erik Murin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not a fantasy guy. Most of what I read is to learn something new. I started reading this book because I know the author personally, which also means I didn't really read any descriptions of it or any other reviews.

And that made it so much more special since I came with no expectations. I kept reading because of a cozy feeling. I didn't know that "Cozy Fantasy" was even a genre, once again, I didn't read any information on the book, but I did feel cozy every second of those evenings that I spent reading. I loved the characters, the humour, plot twists, and a very visual writing style that made imagining the little world full of goblins, gnomes, centaurs and other creatures so easy. Travis the troll was definitely my favorite, and somehow the author made it so easy to even imagine his voice and the way he speaks.

I loved it. Can't wait for the second book. Once again, I usually read non-fiction, but I just loved this so much. T.J. BRAMBLE BOOK COZY. ERIK LIKES COZY BOOK.

[Willow Poteet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Life is hard for Wisp- a goblin living on the streets of Liston. As a “typical” goblin, she is dirty and unkempt, but she knows the streets well, has a heart of gold and helps to support orphaned goblin children (goblets) that are living in a run-down building owned by a loan shark named Gibbons.
Wisp finds herself hired by a scholarly centaur named Idris, who is in search of ancient artifacts. Since he pays well, Wisp is eager to help him so she can use the money to pay the orphans’ rent.
This is a WONDERFUL book! If you love fantasy, you’ll love this book!
I grew to really love the characters and the storyline and once I started, I just couldn't put it down.
I highly recommend this awesome book and I am anxious to read more from this author!
I received this book as an Advanced Reader Copy and I am happy to leave this voluntary review.

[Julie-Ann Amos · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an amazing surprise! First books can be a little hit and miss but this one read as if it had been written by an experienced author with many titles under their belt. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily, but would willingly have paid full price!

Cozy, with characters that left me really invested in the outcomes. First, the overall story was great. It unfolded in ways I didnt expect. Changes in characters weren't too sudden and unrealistic (I hate that!) so the entire cast of characters evolved gradually.

I didn't foresee the various plot twists at all. It was like a lovely warm hug of a book. If you like cozy fantasy, I highly recommend it. I wish there were more

I'll be eagerly looking out for more my this author! DEFINITELY 5 stars!

[Chere Gruver · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a fantastic fantasy!

This story was not exactly what I expected, but I was thoroughly delighted by it. A lot more than I thought I would be. All the characters are totally delightful, well the good guys anyway. My favorite is Travis the Stone Troll. We have a mix of different species from trolls to goblins, and centaurs, humans, gnomes and even poltergeists. Wisp proves that goblins can be very intelligent, just like any other species. Sirena with her constantly poking things was adorable. I cannot praise this story highly enough. There is a wonderful plot, with a bad guy, the world building is excellent and Liston sounds like somewhere I would love to live!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Brad Audiobibliophile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author and StoryOrigin for the Advanced Reader Copy of this book, and apologies for the late review. This is an honest and unbiased review.

This novel was a refreshing change from my usual fare of mysteries, thrillers, and serial killers—and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The cast of characters is strong, but Wisp stands out as exceptional. Goblins are often portrayed as evil, dangerous, and wholly unlikeable, yet Wisp breaks that mold. Though still grubby and an inept thief, she reveals a good-natured, endearing side. Clever, quick-thinking, and surprisingly loveable, she’s a delight to follow.

The story itself is easy to follow and kept me engaged from start to finish. It’s well-crafted, blending adventure, humour, friendship, and a touch of romance into a seamless narrative. Overall, it’s an entertaining and heartwarming read.

The only lingering question: will there be a book two? I certainly hope so!

[Tyffani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goblins & Guides was a fun read. The characters are well developed and really pull you into the story. As a teacher, I especially enjoyed Idris and his scholarly ways. There's a few significant plotlines all going on at the same time. Even though they are all interesting and easy to follow, the story starts to drag at around the 60% mark. It feels long at this point. It does eventually pick back up and the ending is sweet and satisfying. Overall, I enjoyed the book and would read future releases by this author.

Thank you to the author TJ Bramble and Booksirens for the arc of this book.

[Sue E. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved "Goblins & Guides: Hidden Histories"! I read the pre-release ebook and found it utterly charming. The Wisp character is plucky and inventive. Other beings in her orbit start to think that maybe there is more to goblins than they knew. Her character development throughout the book feels real and I was always rooting for her. She starts as a lone, orphan goblin trying to survive and along the way creates a found family. It's a wonderful, cozy fantasy and I want more!

[Calista Wielgos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was lucky enough to receive an Advanced Reader Copy of this book and I’m so glad I did. I adored this book. I loved all of the focus on history. I felt like I was full immersed and in the city getting tours from Wisp herself. This is also a great book about a found family/friendships. I found myself loving all of the characters and their personalities. The way they all worked together was heartwarming and beautiful. Thank you T.J. Bramble for writing such a cozy, heartfelt book.

[Timothy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't know Cozy Fantasy was even a real thing. I got the book based on the cover art and the book description but really didn't have any sort of expectations for it. But, it was a lot better than the blurb led me to believe. The emphasis is on Cozy so none of the problems, disputes, or struggles last for very long. However, it still managed to be a more complex story than is common in Cozy mysteries, with which I am more familiar. Give it a shot, it makes for an enjoyable read of 4-5 hours.

[Delphia Von Heeder · Rating 4 out of 5]

Goblins and Guides in A fantasy novel T J Bramble. I thought that this novel was a different fantasy. Wisp is a goblin who strikes a bargain with a unicorn, Idris. I thought the author wrote good characters and Wisp grew and changed throughout the story. Idrio was crafty and his goal was exposed at the end. I received an arc for free and am leaving my review voluntarily.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as an ARC.

I appreciated the light heartedness and humour of this read, although there were one or two heavy truths mixed in as well. Wisp learns so much about herself and ends up surrounded by such a good group of individuals. There’s also some action and adventure towards the middle and end. All in all, it was an interesting cosy read.

[Shirley Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wisp and her friend Sareni have found a legal way to make money. But others want in on it. Wisp is a very careful goblin and passes her learning on to others. She makes friends easily and enemies unfortunately. Wisp is usually the one in danger.
I loved this book. it is extremely well written. I'll be looking for more.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Goblins, orcs, elves, trolls, centaurs, dwarves, gnomes, and humans make up the characters in this story. It tells the story of a young goblin and her friends that help her rise out of theivery and poverty to be the founder of tourism in her city. It is quite an adventure for her and those she guides through the city to see ancient artifacts. This was an entertaining story!

[Deborah Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

I fell in love with Wisp almost immediately and the love grew as her personality developed. The characters in this book are well drawn despite the fact that they are nearly all mythical. from Centaurs to goblins an excellent read, with an essential, to me, happy ending.

[Lavender Jade · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an example of storytelling at its finest. The book is stunningly inventive and brilliantly paced, with intricate worldbuilding and endearing characters (Travis!). A joy to read.

A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.

[Phyllis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an unexpected treat of a book !!
Wisp is a charming, ingenious, inventive
and delightful little being who will capture
your heart before you realise that it's happening.
I'm off to buy the second book in the series.
Enjoy !!

Phyllis S.

[Hannah Etherton · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this read. The pacing of the book was good. Some aspects seemed a bit stated, like the creation of the tourism industry, but I did like the touch, similar to how Terry Pratchett did it, just not as artful (this is a very high standard to reach however!!). Side characters did have development also so they are not flat and I actually liked them!
Give this a read if you like a bit of cosy fantasy but more adventure and cultural development!