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Rags and Ruins
Rags leads an idyllic life for a goblin child—he spends his days playing in the landfill with his gargoyle friend Ladin, going fishing with his father Hargo in the river, and developing his love of music. His parents love him intensely, and his mother Calin is fiercely protective of him. How could he ask for anything more as he lives an enchanted life on the reservation on the outskirts of the “civilized” world, surrounded by mystical creatures and magic? Little does Rags realize that he is not a goblin but instead a human who was abandoned shortly after his birth and left in the landfill to be raised by the goblins as a way to fulfill an ancient prophecy of good and evil, twin brothers separated at birth and reunited in the thirteenth year of their life, one to unleash an ancient evil, the other the only hope to stop it from happening. A powerful tale of magic, music, and danger,Rags and Ruins is sure to thrill readers of all ages with its mix of adventure, intrigue, and humor—and if it doesn’t, they’ll have to answer to a furious goblin mother.
292 pages, Paperback
First published October 30, 2015
4 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
November 14, 2015
Rags and Ruin is a good YA book full of adventure and excitement. It’s a little bit predictable, but that doesn’t hurt the story. I wish there had been a bit more action for the climax, but overall this was an enjoyable read.
There is definitely a message to the story that I think translates well for younger readers as well as older. I really liked that throughout the story we are told the different adventures that Rags and his father embark on. It helps to give a more rounded idea of what Rags is like as a character. It gives him life. I do wish we knew a little bit more about his brother’s life, but I think it might would ruin a bit of the story if we did.
Overall, a great story for younger and older readers alike.
There is definitely a message to the story that I think translates well for younger readers as well as older. I really liked that throughout the story we are told the different adventures that Rags and his father embark on. It helps to give a more rounded idea of what Rags is like as a character. It gives him life. I do wish we knew a little bit more about his brother’s life, but I think it might would ruin a bit of the story if we did.
Overall, a great story for younger and older readers alike.
May 23, 2017
Great story
It is a good story for old or young folk. A vety enjoyable read. I would highly recommend this book. It is a fairytale type story with adventure and life lessons.
It is a good story for old or young folk. A vety enjoyable read. I would highly recommend this book. It is a fairytale type story with adventure and life lessons.
October 15, 2016
I received this book free from Ravenswood Publishers.
Rags and Ruins is a fantasy story that takes so much of what we think we know about fantasy tropes and turns them on their heads, in the best way possible.
Hargo, is a good-hearted, hard working goblin. Calin is a loving, protective mother goblin. Ladin is a fun loving, adventurous gargoyle. With the Man in the House to keep watch on him and the landfill where they and other “creatures of darkness” live. Rags is really lucky to have them all in his life. A boy never had it so good from so many “bad characters.”
The main story line is about a prophecy that Rags and a twin brother are destined to fulfill one day. Of course, as happens with most fantasy stories there is a magical council working behind the scenes to make sure that the “child of darkness” has as little training as possible and that the “child of light” as much as possible. Their plan is to stack the odds so that come the day of fulfillment evil will be easily overcome. But they are wrong… wrong about Rags, wrong about his brother, wrong about the true meaning of darkness and light, and wrong about themselves. (Telling you this is not a spoiler, you’ll see this coming from a mile away.)
Luckily Hargo and Calin have seen the truth of things and Rags’ love of music is no accident.
This isn’t rooting for the bad guys the way some dark fantasy and urban books have you rooting for the vampire with a soul, or the brooding bad guy. Rags and Ruins has a deep message about stereotypes but brings it out with a light touch.
Bob Dixon can weave a tale. Rags and Ruins is a masterpiece, a must read for fantasy fans.
Bottom Line:
I loved it! From the first page to the last, I thought this book was adorable and the characters truly likable. It’s hard for me to imagine that in 2016 I will like another book more than I liked Rags and Ruins. I think I have found my book of the year.
Rags and Ruins is a fantasy story that takes so much of what we think we know about fantasy tropes and turns them on their heads, in the best way possible.
Hargo, is a good-hearted, hard working goblin. Calin is a loving, protective mother goblin. Ladin is a fun loving, adventurous gargoyle. With the Man in the House to keep watch on him and the landfill where they and other “creatures of darkness” live. Rags is really lucky to have them all in his life. A boy never had it so good from so many “bad characters.”
The main story line is about a prophecy that Rags and a twin brother are destined to fulfill one day. Of course, as happens with most fantasy stories there is a magical council working behind the scenes to make sure that the “child of darkness” has as little training as possible and that the “child of light” as much as possible. Their plan is to stack the odds so that come the day of fulfillment evil will be easily overcome. But they are wrong… wrong about Rags, wrong about his brother, wrong about the true meaning of darkness and light, and wrong about themselves. (Telling you this is not a spoiler, you’ll see this coming from a mile away.)
Luckily Hargo and Calin have seen the truth of things and Rags’ love of music is no accident.
This isn’t rooting for the bad guys the way some dark fantasy and urban books have you rooting for the vampire with a soul, or the brooding bad guy. Rags and Ruins has a deep message about stereotypes but brings it out with a light touch.
Bob Dixon can weave a tale. Rags and Ruins is a masterpiece, a must read for fantasy fans.
Bottom Line:
I loved it! From the first page to the last, I thought this book was adorable and the characters truly likable. It’s hard for me to imagine that in 2016 I will like another book more than I liked Rags and Ruins. I think I have found my book of the year.
February 2, 2016
I really enjoyed this book. It was a really fast read because of how it read - the pacing was great and the story itself was interesting. It captured my attention easily and was just a really good story. I loved the writing, I thought the writer did a fantastic job writing and editing this story which made it such a pleasure to read.
I liked the characters and the settings alot. I will probably never look at a landfill the same and will always wonder if there isn't more than meets the eye in them...maybe a world of fantastical creatures that escapes human attention. I thought that concept was really clever and really enjoyable. The protagonist and antagonist are both very young throughout the story and it all comes to a head on their thirteenth birthday so I would classify this story as more of a middle grade story but it would still be super enjoyable to a young adult audience. As an adult of twenty nine years, I really enjoyed it so I think that everyone would find this story interesting, enjoyable and well worth a read. This is the first book in a series and I am super excited to continue it in the future and would definitely be interested in reading more from this author.
If you are looking for a light, fun read be sure to check this one out! I also think it would be a great introduction to the fantasy genre for younger readers! I am planning on purchasing a paperback copy for my niece who is just now beginning to get comfortable with reading and fantasy is her genre of choice...I'm excited to see how she enjoys this story.
P.S. I absolutely love the cover too, it's super cool!
I liked the characters and the settings alot. I will probably never look at a landfill the same and will always wonder if there isn't more than meets the eye in them...maybe a world of fantastical creatures that escapes human attention. I thought that concept was really clever and really enjoyable. The protagonist and antagonist are both very young throughout the story and it all comes to a head on their thirteenth birthday so I would classify this story as more of a middle grade story but it would still be super enjoyable to a young adult audience. As an adult of twenty nine years, I really enjoyed it so I think that everyone would find this story interesting, enjoyable and well worth a read. This is the first book in a series and I am super excited to continue it in the future and would definitely be interested in reading more from this author.
If you are looking for a light, fun read be sure to check this one out! I also think it would be a great introduction to the fantasy genre for younger readers! I am planning on purchasing a paperback copy for my niece who is just now beginning to get comfortable with reading and fantasy is her genre of choice...I'm excited to see how she enjoys this story.
P.S. I absolutely love the cover too, it's super cool!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 7, 2016
Prophecies can't be changed.
So what happens when you're supposed to watch over the rising evil power, knowing that it will be defeated by the good? And what happens when the rising evil is a small boy? And what happens when you grow to love that small boy?
Rags and Ruins is a well written tale about that boy and the people who love him.
Throughout the story, Bob Dixon explores the idea that people are not always what they seem, or as we expect them to be, based on their looks and our pre-conceived notions. Filled with humour and not-too-scary adventure - I highly recommend this story for young readers and for anyone else who enjoys a good fantasy read.
So what happens when you're supposed to watch over the rising evil power, knowing that it will be defeated by the good? And what happens when the rising evil is a small boy? And what happens when you grow to love that small boy?
Rags and Ruins is a well written tale about that boy and the people who love him.
Throughout the story, Bob Dixon explores the idea that people are not always what they seem, or as we expect them to be, based on their looks and our pre-conceived notions. Filled with humour and not-too-scary adventure - I highly recommend this story for young readers and for anyone else who enjoys a good fantasy read.
August 15, 2016
There's everything in this book - gargoyles, creatures that eat human legs, mystery, kidnapping, fairytales...geez
A human boy named Rags had a green mother who was a fish eating goblin that didn't have a problem with roughing up The Man in the House.
Interesting choice for young teens
A human boy named Rags had a green mother who was a fish eating goblin that didn't have a problem with roughing up The Man in the House.
Interesting choice for young teens
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews