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Billy Smith and the Goblins #2
The Fallen Star
“If kinging were easy, everyone would do it.” With help from his friends, Billy Smith―the unlikeliest of heroes―overthrew the corrupt General Sawtooth and claimed the Goblin Crown. But his perilous journey to save the goblin race has just begun. The powerful Hanorian Army is gathered at the gates of Kiranok, threatening to invade the goblin city and wipe out everyone within. So the inhabitants of Mother Mountain must draw on their deepest strengths for the battle to Billy, a burgeoning leader, crafts military strategy while fending off foes from within the goblin ranks; Lexi, her magic growing, trades firepower with the mighty wizard Mig; and steadfast Hop and stalwart Kurt set off in pursuit of a mysterious Fallen Star, perhaps their only hope for defeating the enemy―but did it awaken an even darker force in the universe? Billy, Lexi, Kurt, and the goblins soon realize the true meaning of duty, death, and destiny―and that the wages of war come at a steep price.
336 pages, Paperback
Published June 12, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 20, 2017
[Note: This book was provided free of charge by Edelweiss/Turner Publishing Company. All thoughts and opinions are my own.]
Having read and enjoyed the first book of this trilogy [1], I found much that was intriguing about the way that this book presents goblins and their interactions with human beings [2]. To be sure, there is a deeper point behind this work, especially in the way that the author consistently portrays the forces of light as the enemy in an alliance with the goblin forces of the night as well as the heretical and dualistic celestials with their belief in the balance between light and dark. I myself am a firm believer in the ultimate triumph of light over darkness, and this firm biblical commitment makes me more than a little bit concerned about the way that the book deals with the issues of good and evil in our world as well as others. The fact that it portrays the Goblins as more or less hopeless without their alliance with human beings, even though their species has troubled relations with human beings has a paternalistic air to it that may bother some adult readers, although the appealing and diverse mix of characters is generally appealing and the book seems tailor made for adaptation.
The plot of this book is both complicated as well as straightforward. It is straightforward that nearly all of the action takes place in and around the goblin capital city, which is dug into a volcano. One would not normally consider this to be a good idea but it works out here. There are epic battles, a great deal of poignant death and punishment, and an ending that sets up the next novel nicely. The author is clearly familiar with fantasy literature as well as with YA literature and manages to keep the action well-paced and also to provide for numerous cliffhangers that keep the tension high until the very end. Although the book is almost 400 pages, it reads pretty quickly and promises to be an excellent work for teens interested in fantasy. The heroes at the middle of the story are, as always, appealing, from the awkward bi-racial king of the Goblins himself to the fiery but somewhat frail Filipino Lexi to Kurt the all-American football quarterback who seems rather like this novel's third wheel even if he does enjoy some adventures here.
There is much to enjoy here, of course. The book includes a pronunciation guide and some maps, and ends with an expectation not necessarily of battle but with a lengthy journey and a struggle for someone to fit in who has not particularly fit in very well though his entire life. The book plays with concerns about death and resurrection, as well as what it means to be a success, and the tension between fate and free will. Although I have some serious reservations about the framing that this novel takes, I must admit that I find a great deal about it to be appealing as a reader if one looks at the plot and characterization, as there is a lot to be said here about heroism. This is a book that should be very appealing for younger readers and is written seriously and thoughtfully enough that it ought to please adult readers who enjoy a bit of sword and sorcery fantasy as well. About the only thing missing here is a great deal of romance, and even here there is some even if it is rather subdued and limited. You can't please everyone, though.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
[2] See also:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
Having read and enjoyed the first book of this trilogy [1], I found much that was intriguing about the way that this book presents goblins and their interactions with human beings [2]. To be sure, there is a deeper point behind this work, especially in the way that the author consistently portrays the forces of light as the enemy in an alliance with the goblin forces of the night as well as the heretical and dualistic celestials with their belief in the balance between light and dark. I myself am a firm believer in the ultimate triumph of light over darkness, and this firm biblical commitment makes me more than a little bit concerned about the way that the book deals with the issues of good and evil in our world as well as others. The fact that it portrays the Goblins as more or less hopeless without their alliance with human beings, even though their species has troubled relations with human beings has a paternalistic air to it that may bother some adult readers, although the appealing and diverse mix of characters is generally appealing and the book seems tailor made for adaptation.
The plot of this book is both complicated as well as straightforward. It is straightforward that nearly all of the action takes place in and around the goblin capital city, which is dug into a volcano. One would not normally consider this to be a good idea but it works out here. There are epic battles, a great deal of poignant death and punishment, and an ending that sets up the next novel nicely. The author is clearly familiar with fantasy literature as well as with YA literature and manages to keep the action well-paced and also to provide for numerous cliffhangers that keep the tension high until the very end. Although the book is almost 400 pages, it reads pretty quickly and promises to be an excellent work for teens interested in fantasy. The heroes at the middle of the story are, as always, appealing, from the awkward bi-racial king of the Goblins himself to the fiery but somewhat frail Filipino Lexi to Kurt the all-American football quarterback who seems rather like this novel's third wheel even if he does enjoy some adventures here.
There is much to enjoy here, of course. The book includes a pronunciation guide and some maps, and ends with an expectation not necessarily of battle but with a lengthy journey and a struggle for someone to fit in who has not particularly fit in very well though his entire life. The book plays with concerns about death and resurrection, as well as what it means to be a success, and the tension between fate and free will. Although I have some serious reservations about the framing that this novel takes, I must admit that I find a great deal about it to be appealing as a reader if one looks at the plot and characterization, as there is a lot to be said here about heroism. This is a book that should be very appealing for younger readers and is written seriously and thoughtfully enough that it ought to please adult readers who enjoy a bit of sword and sorcery fantasy as well. About the only thing missing here is a great deal of romance, and even here there is some even if it is rather subdued and limited. You can't please everyone, though.
[1] See, for example:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
[2] See also:
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
https://edgeinducedcohesion.blog/2016...
June 18, 2018
A Battle Between Goblins and Humans
The human army, Hanorians, is at the gates of Kiranok, the goblns’ stronghold, threatening to wipe them out and kill all of them. Billy, the reluctant goblin king, is worried about how he can save the situation. Billy with the help of his goblin commander, Hob, won the Goblin Crown, defeating General Sawtooth, but not all goblins are happy with the situation, so Billy is facing problems both from the Hanorians and from some goblins.
Billy’s friends, Lexi and Kurt, who arrived unexpectedly in the goblin kingdom along with Billy, are doing their best to help. Lexi’s magic continues to improve, and she fights a battle with the powerful wizard, Mig. While all these things are happening, the friends see a falling star. Falling stars are important to the goblins, so Hob and Kurt set off to see if they can find it.
This book is aimed at middle grade readers. The characters are well done for this age group. Billy and to an extent Lexi were outcasts in their school. Now they’re shouldering serious responsibility and protecting Billy’s subjects. Kurt was an insider but now that he is with the goblins, he has become a faithful supporter of Billy.
The book is an enjoyable fantasy with plenty of action, but also some philosophical questions that will make young readers think.
I received this book from Turner Publishing for this review.
The human army, Hanorians, is at the gates of Kiranok, the goblns’ stronghold, threatening to wipe them out and kill all of them. Billy, the reluctant goblin king, is worried about how he can save the situation. Billy with the help of his goblin commander, Hob, won the Goblin Crown, defeating General Sawtooth, but not all goblins are happy with the situation, so Billy is facing problems both from the Hanorians and from some goblins.
Billy’s friends, Lexi and Kurt, who arrived unexpectedly in the goblin kingdom along with Billy, are doing their best to help. Lexi’s magic continues to improve, and she fights a battle with the powerful wizard, Mig. While all these things are happening, the friends see a falling star. Falling stars are important to the goblins, so Hob and Kurt set off to see if they can find it.
This book is aimed at middle grade readers. The characters are well done for this age group. Billy and to an extent Lexi were outcasts in their school. Now they’re shouldering serious responsibility and protecting Billy’s subjects. Kurt was an insider but now that he is with the goblins, he has become a faithful supporter of Billy.
The book is an enjoyable fantasy with plenty of action, but also some philosophical questions that will make young readers think.
I received this book from Turner Publishing for this review.
June 17, 2025
Not as good as the first, but still compelling and a good read.
June 9, 2020
A worthy follow-up to the first book, continuing a great series that turns many of the basic assumptions of fantasy on their heads. The characters are real, relatable people, who face difficult decisions with real consequences. A compelling story, with some clever twists... Looking forward to book 3!
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews