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Of Goblins Kings #1
Of Goblins and Gold
Freya knows the sound of goblin bells. She knows to move to the side of the road and let them pass. Never buy any of their wares. And above all else, never make a deal with the monstrous beasts.
But when her sister takes a necklace and is kidnapped, Freya knows there is no other choice. She must journey to the realm of the fae where the Goblin King himself has stolen her sister. Once there, she must perform four tasks to save the only family she has left.
The Goblin King won't make this easy, however. He always seems one step ahead of her. To defeat him, she'll have to put everything on the line.
Even her heart.
Fan of Sarah J. Maas and Ursula K. Le Guin will be left guessing at every turn!
Scroll up and one click to get tricked by the fae right alongside Freya in this Labyrinth-inspired fantasy today!
But when her sister takes a necklace and is kidnapped, Freya knows there is no other choice. She must journey to the realm of the fae where the Goblin King himself has stolen her sister. Once there, she must perform four tasks to save the only family she has left.
The Goblin King won't make this easy, however. He always seems one step ahead of her. To defeat him, she'll have to put everything on the line.
Even her heart.
Fan of Sarah J. Maas and Ursula K. Le Guin will be left guessing at every turn!
Scroll up and one click to get tricked by the fae right alongside Freya in this Labyrinth-inspired fantasy today!
238 pages, Paperback
First published January 5, 2021
1128 people are currently reading
7026 people want to read
About the author
Emma Hamm
73 books4,517 followers
We all know you don't really care about reading my background. Enjoy Cap instead.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 504 reviews
February 7, 2021
This was such a fun read!
Following Freya on her persistent endeavour to save her sister from the Goblin King, this turned out to be quite the adventure. Journeying through variations of faerie courts while on a whirlwind of misguided trickery, this book really was an entertaining read with our main character attempting to be one step ahead, while also having no clue what's going on. The determination seen from her as she charges into these worlds headfirst was the sort of headstrong willingness you can't help but get caught up in. It was fast paced, and I turned the pages with no hesitation whatsoever.
I would've loved to have seen this book a little longer, if only to build on some of the smaller details. For instance, at one point a character learns the history of another, but we don't get to read that. Had this been added in, I think there would have been more potential for us to align with the character's perspective, after being presented with the same information and understanding better why they came to these conclusions. Still, I do acknowledge that generally I'm used to reading longer books, so this could just as well be on me and my preferences than the book itself, being only 200 or so pages.
Overall I found it an enchanting read, one of strange magic and luring darkness that I couldn't help falling into. The ending specifically was really strong, and I honestly cannot wait to see where this series goes!
Following Freya on her persistent endeavour to save her sister from the Goblin King, this turned out to be quite the adventure. Journeying through variations of faerie courts while on a whirlwind of misguided trickery, this book really was an entertaining read with our main character attempting to be one step ahead, while also having no clue what's going on. The determination seen from her as she charges into these worlds headfirst was the sort of headstrong willingness you can't help but get caught up in. It was fast paced, and I turned the pages with no hesitation whatsoever.
I would've loved to have seen this book a little longer, if only to build on some of the smaller details. For instance, at one point a character learns the history of another, but we don't get to read that. Had this been added in, I think there would have been more potential for us to align with the character's perspective, after being presented with the same information and understanding better why they came to these conclusions. Still, I do acknowledge that generally I'm used to reading longer books, so this could just as well be on me and my preferences than the book itself, being only 200 or so pages.
Overall I found it an enchanting read, one of strange magic and luring darkness that I couldn't help falling into. The ending specifically was really strong, and I honestly cannot wait to see where this series goes!
March 29, 2021
“And what a pity that you’re tempted by a monster, my dear. Stories like those never end well.”
Of Goblin and Gold was so much better than I was anticipating. It was a very short read but SO MUCH HAPPENS. I never once felt bored and flew through this book in one sitting! It was such a fun, fast paced and action-packed story with a riveting slow burn romance.
☙ Writing & Worldbuilding ❧
I LOVED Emma Hamm’s style of writing. It was FLAWLESS. Even for such a small book, the worldbuilding was fantastic! The vivid imagery and careful attention to detail made it so easy to imagine what was going on. And while I was reading, it felt like there was a movie playing in my head! Everything flowed seamlessly… Seriously, I wish I could write like her!
☙ Characters ❧
I really liked the heroine, Freya, despite how obviously flawed she was. Her character arc was very obvious but still very enjoyable to follow. I liked that she was tenacious, and persistent on her quest to free her sister. She was quick to learn and not once did I feel like slapping her across the face.
The Goblin King was such a crafty villain! He was so dark and mysterious… His motivations were entirely unclear but I’m kind of already in love...? He was definitely a bit over the top in the beginning but I totally get his allure.
“He will do everything in his power to slow you down. Of course he will. The Goblin King has never lost a deal, not to anyone.”
The secondary characters were all wonderfully crafted! I loved meeting the different characters from the different kingdoms. Arrow was definitely one of my favorite characters – a dog-looking goblin that wore a velvet suit! SO COOL, RIGHT?!
☙ The Romance ❧
I really enjoyed the slow burn romance. The attraction between Freya and The Goblin King was undeniable. I have so many thoughts and questions...??? I can’t wait for the next installment!
☙ Other thoughts / Criticisms ❧
The one thing that (IMHO) really let the story down was the quests that Freya had to go on. They were rather lackluster and waaay too easy for her. In some ways, it just didn’t feel like much of a challenge given how high the stakes were, which was a shame because the quests take center stage in the story.
Overall, Of Goblin and Gold was a fantastic read! I can't say that it was particularly original or groundbreaking but I was enthralled from beginning to end. I haven’t read anything else from this author, but I will definitely be rectifying that! Warning, this book does end on a cliff-hanger!
Rating: 4.25/5
April 15, 2021
No, I didn't like this. What a mess. Emma Hamm tried to reimagine the tale of the Goblin King, my favorite fairy tale of all time, but fell short with Of Goblins and Gold (what gold, btw?)
The book was too short, and each objective of her quest felt rushed and too easy. When the too easy thing tried to be explained, it just got even more confusing. The MC Freya was completely frustrating, with her self-centered nature and consistent alienation of her only allies.
Finally, no romance. Unless you count the king's "heated breath upon her neck" or his claws scratching her skin. Blah.
I'll continue searching for retellings of The Erlking, and reading them no matter how bad. Such is my lot in life.
The book was too short, and each objective of her quest felt rushed and too easy. When the too easy thing tried to be explained, it just got even more confusing. The MC Freya was completely frustrating, with her self-centered nature and consistent alienation of her only allies.
Finally, no romance. Unless you count the king's "heated breath upon her neck" or his claws scratching her skin. Blah.
I'll continue searching for retellings of The Erlking, and reading them no matter how bad. Such is my lot in life.
May 23, 2022
DNF - quit at 17%
I had a hard time getting into this, the flow is very slow & I thought a few times of quitting. The point that made up my mind, when the FMC suddenly does something she vehemently says she will never do, with no explanation for the change of opinion. She’s so against Goblins or any dealings with them, to suddenly change her tune was wrong for the character. I just couldn’t get past that contradiction. I didn’t realize this was by an author I hadn’t wanted to read more from -until after I was writing the review, which helps explain my feelings for this book that had a similar review to that other book by this author.
At my age (approaching 60), life is way too short & my time is too important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
I had a hard time getting into this, the flow is very slow & I thought a few times of quitting. The point that made up my mind, when the FMC suddenly does something she vehemently says she will never do, with no explanation for the change of opinion. She’s so against Goblins or any dealings with them, to suddenly change her tune was wrong for the character. I just couldn’t get past that contradiction. I didn’t realize this was by an author I hadn’t wanted to read more from -until after I was writing the review, which helps explain my feelings for this book that had a similar review to that other book by this author.
At my age (approaching 60), life is way too short & my time is too important to force myself to read a book I'm not enjoying, especially when there are so many other books out there waiting to be read.
January 29, 2021
This had me from start to finish. I’m almost sad I finished this quickly. The Goblin king was impossible not fall in love with. He’s beautiful, mysterious and charming with a vulnerability you see more of towards the end. Feyre is amazing too. I enjoyed her banter which was humorous half the time and adored her little goblin dog sidekick. I can’t wait until March for the next book and to get our charming Goblin King, Eldridge back!
July 1, 2022
3.5 rounded up
This was a beautifully created fantasy world based on The Goblin Market poem with lots of Labrynth vibes.
I do wish it had been longer because it felt a bit jarring when it abruptly ended on a cliffhanger.
This was a beautifully created fantasy world based on The Goblin Market poem with lots of Labrynth vibes.
I do wish it had been longer because it felt a bit jarring when it abruptly ended on a cliffhanger.
December 17, 2022
well, I won't be reading the rest of the series
December 21, 2020
This was a journey filled with magic and mysteries! I went into it blind and was wonderfully surprised at the plot as well as the amazing world building. The characters are well developed and while I never had a chance to know the thoughts of the Goblin King, there were so many instances that I could imagine what he might be feeling. With a cliffhanger, I will not know for sure if I was correct or not until the next book.
This is a fast read that covers a lot of ground even as it leaves so many more questions behind. The romance is not a priority and I would say it’s not even a main plot point. However, I suspect there are emotions and elements working behind the scenes that will lead to this couple’s relationship in the future book. I would make a deal with a goblin that the King is going to fall hard for Freya, if he hasn’t already.
Heroine POV
Safe <.spoiler>no ow/om drama; no relationship history for h/H
Triggers
February 12, 2021
I think this story did have a lot of potential, unfortunately it fell quite flat for me.The characters were superficial and the supposedly impossible quests she had to complete were too easy for her. I really would have loved to learn more about Freya's background and have more character growth/building. I think the story would have benefitted from being longer, as it's only 230 pages.
March 5, 2021
Am I the only one that didn't get the memo that this was a series? That ending caught me so off guard.
Obviously, I have already preordered the next one; I mean, we are talking about Emma Hamm, and her books are MAGICAL.
Obviously, I have already preordered the next one; I mean, we are talking about Emma Hamm, and her books are MAGICAL.
January 14, 2021
A fantastic fantasy adventure. Emma Hamm is a new author to me and I was very impressed. Freya is on a mission to rescue her sister from the horrors of the Fairy Realm. Freya strikes a deal with the Goblin King, she has to beat him at his own game.
This was on the short side of the fantasy genre with only 230 some pages but it accomplishes a lot with out sacrificing character development and world building. I find that many fantasy authors get bogged down in world description and it can make it difficult to piece together the setting but Emma Hamm gives the reader a perfect amount of detail for her settings and character. The romance was not center stage but the slow burn aspect of Freya and Eldridge growing attraction was paced perfectly. This was one of most captivating books I have read in a long time. Can't wait for book 2!
This was on the short side of the fantasy genre with only 230 some pages but it accomplishes a lot with out sacrificing character development and world building. I find that many fantasy authors get bogged down in world description and it can make it difficult to piece together the setting but Emma Hamm gives the reader a perfect amount of detail for her settings and character. The romance was not center stage but the slow burn aspect of Freya and Eldridge growing attraction was paced perfectly. This was one of most captivating books I have read in a long time. Can't wait for book 2!
March 21, 2021
bad, I will not read the next books
January 10, 2021
I think I am somewhat cursed to always vaguely disappointed in Labyrinth re-telling. Apart from one book, no matter how much I love the idea of them, I always end feeling like it was somewhat lackluster.
I was highly anticipating reading this, and the reviews were unanimously positive, but I got to around 40% and realised I wasn't really into it at all.
There were various reasons for this. Firstly, I didn't like Freya at all. While I appreciate her character arc was fairly obvious, and that's why she was so small minded, I still didn't like her much even when he views eventually changed. She was rude, arrogant and foolish. I understand why she was presented as being as ignorant as she was, but more nuanced characterisation might have guven some depth to her behaviour. All we got time after time was that her mother told her how evil Goblins and magic were. The fact that she didn't begin to question this sooner didn't paint her in a very good like. She also solved all of the so called challenges far too easily.
My second disappointment was the Goblin King himself. He's just your vaguely stereotypical Fae guy, who just happens to have grey skin. He pops up occasionally in his poet shirt and embroider velvet suit and seems sort of enamoured of Freya, although I couldn't see why, and it wasn't made clear. I didn't feel the chemistry between them, maybe because they are not together on page very much at all, so it felt like nothing really developed.
There were aspects of the world building I liked, but this was quite fragmented in its presentation.
I think the Thief of Autumn, only in it for about 15 pages, was my favourite character, and by far the most interesting.
I am vaguely interested in the second book, mainly because it might be nice to see Freya eat humble pie, but I'm not sure I'll read it.
However, this book could well be for you. If you like Labyrinth retellings then I would urge you to go for it. Maybe what didn't work for me will work for you?
I was highly anticipating reading this, and the reviews were unanimously positive, but I got to around 40% and realised I wasn't really into it at all.
There were various reasons for this. Firstly, I didn't like Freya at all. While I appreciate her character arc was fairly obvious, and that's why she was so small minded, I still didn't like her much even when he views eventually changed. She was rude, arrogant and foolish. I understand why she was presented as being as ignorant as she was, but more nuanced characterisation might have guven some depth to her behaviour. All we got time after time was that her mother told her how evil Goblins and magic were. The fact that she didn't begin to question this sooner didn't paint her in a very good like. She also solved all of the so called challenges far too easily.
My second disappointment was the Goblin King himself. He's just your vaguely stereotypical Fae guy, who just happens to have grey skin. He pops up occasionally in his poet shirt and embroider velvet suit and seems sort of enamoured of Freya, although I couldn't see why, and it wasn't made clear. I didn't feel the chemistry between them, maybe because they are not together on page very much at all, so it felt like nothing really developed.
There were aspects of the world building I liked, but this was quite fragmented in its presentation.
I think the Thief of Autumn, only in it for about 15 pages, was my favourite character, and by far the most interesting.
I am vaguely interested in the second book, mainly because it might be nice to see Freya eat humble pie, but I'm not sure I'll read it.
However, this book could well be for you. If you like Labyrinth retellings then I would urge you to go for it. Maybe what didn't work for me will work for you?
December 22, 2020
THIS! THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT I HAVE COME TO EXPECT FROM EMMA HAMM! PURE GOLD 👏👏
Of Goblins and Gold had me absolutely hooked from the very beginning. Emma Hamm has demonstrated how lyrical her and captivating her writing is. I was absolutely blown away by the magical construction within Freya's world, the intrigue of the Goblin King, and the emotional ride we take throughout the story.
I think Freya's character growth is the most intriguing piece of the story and her connection to the Goblin King just enthralled me even more. I found my heart swelling, breaking, melting, and I still wanted more 😭🖤
If you loved Heart of the Fae, this is a MUST READ by Emma Hamm!! Total Heart of Fae vibes while still remaining original and beautiful in its own way!
Eagerly awaiting book two 🖤
Of Goblins and Gold had me absolutely hooked from the very beginning. Emma Hamm has demonstrated how lyrical her and captivating her writing is. I was absolutely blown away by the magical construction within Freya's world, the intrigue of the Goblin King, and the emotional ride we take throughout the story.
I think Freya's character growth is the most intriguing piece of the story and her connection to the Goblin King just enthralled me even more. I found my heart swelling, breaking, melting, and I still wanted more 😭🖤
If you loved Heart of the Fae, this is a MUST READ by Emma Hamm!! Total Heart of Fae vibes while still remaining original and beautiful in its own way!
Eagerly awaiting book two 🖤
January 5, 2021
Absolutely love this book! The detailing is out of this world and the characters are so unique and expertly detailed I feel like I’m in that world. I want this made into movie...it would be the best. Freya and Eldridge are a different kind of enemies to lovers but I can’t wait for more of their story. Arrow is by far my favorite and he definitely stole the show.
June 26, 2021
4.5 Stars
Here is another book I kept passing over that continued to show up on my recommendations until I finally decided to give it a go today. And once I started, I couldn't put it down.
Yes, I was a bit Leary of the Goblin King and I couldn't figure out what his end game really was so I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series.
Here is another book I kept passing over that continued to show up on my recommendations until I finally decided to give it a go today. And once I started, I couldn't put it down.
Yes, I was a bit Leary of the Goblin King and I couldn't figure out what his end game really was so I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series.
January 7, 2021
Overall: 2.5 stars. A fantasy romance, heavily inspired by the Labyrinth film, that suffers from flat characters and is a little too derivative.
I was quite disappointed by this one because I enjoyed the other Emma Hamm book I’ve read, Heart of the Fae, and I LOVE the Labyrinth movie from the 80s. That cemented my love of fae princes from a young age, and I was excited to see Hamm’s take on the story. Sadly, this just didn’t live up to my expectations.
The biggest problem here is that the characters read very flat: Sarah of the film has more depth, even if she spends a lot of screentime whining. Freya here is as generic as a fairy tale heroine can be, and her friendship with one of the goblins, Arrow, is shallow as well (unlike the heroine of Heart of the Fae, who is complex and interesting and has rather touching and complicated friendships with fae creatures). I can’t describe a single of Freya’s personality traits beyond “determined” - which she has to be because she’s going on a quest(tm).
It also disappointed me that the worldbuilding here was very surface-level. The world of Heart of the Fae uses familiar tropes about fae and fairy tales in cool and interesting ways and builds a unique setting. This book has no discernible setting or much lore either: it’s vague, but not in a charming, dreamy way.
The best parts of this book are Freya’s initial meeting with Arrow upon entering the fae lands (it had a very Cheshire Cat vibe to me) and any scene with the Goblin King. He’s no David Bowie as Jareth, but he’s wonderfully snarky and sensual and adds some much-needed zest to this rather dull fairy tale landscape.
Overall, I found this quite disappointing, but I still might give the sequel a try and will definitely read other books by Hamm at some point. I loved Heart of the Fae and am not yet ready to give up on her as an author.
I was quite disappointed by this one because I enjoyed the other Emma Hamm book I’ve read, Heart of the Fae, and I LOVE the Labyrinth movie from the 80s. That cemented my love of fae princes from a young age, and I was excited to see Hamm’s take on the story. Sadly, this just didn’t live up to my expectations.
The biggest problem here is that the characters read very flat: Sarah of the film has more depth, even if she spends a lot of screentime whining. Freya here is as generic as a fairy tale heroine can be, and her friendship with one of the goblins, Arrow, is shallow as well (unlike the heroine of Heart of the Fae, who is complex and interesting and has rather touching and complicated friendships with fae creatures). I can’t describe a single of Freya’s personality traits beyond “determined” - which she has to be because she’s going on a quest(tm).
It also disappointed me that the worldbuilding here was very surface-level. The world of Heart of the Fae uses familiar tropes about fae and fairy tales in cool and interesting ways and builds a unique setting. This book has no discernible setting or much lore either: it’s vague, but not in a charming, dreamy way.
The best parts of this book are Freya’s initial meeting with Arrow upon entering the fae lands (it had a very Cheshire Cat vibe to me) and any scene with the Goblin King. He’s no David Bowie as Jareth, but he’s wonderfully snarky and sensual and adds some much-needed zest to this rather dull fairy tale landscape.
Overall, I found this quite disappointing, but I still might give the sequel a try and will definitely read other books by Hamm at some point. I loved Heart of the Fae and am not yet ready to give up on her as an author.
December 10, 2020
Thinking you know where an Emma Hamm book is going is almost certainly a mistake. One I make over and over. I am delighted every single time I pick up one of her books, even though it is not in the way I expected.
Freya is not your average heroine. She is not a shrinking violet. She is not a spoiled brat. She is not stupid. She recognizes when she is wrong. She is aware of her biases. She works to improve herself and is open to learning while she wrestles with the way she was raised. Freya is the heroine 2020 needed. I love this first part of her journey. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
The Goblin King's story is fascinating. I wish I knew more about his history. He allows Freya to learn on her own, while nudging her along in the right direction. I have questions.
This new world is fascinating. The best part of the story is that Freya traipses through the entire world, through all the courts. Emma Hamm is a master world builder. She creates intricate kingdoms and creative characters. Freya meets people of all types, and learns to work with them. She learns to appreciate the types of people she previously feared and hated.
As ever, I highly recommend this book. Emma Hamm is one of my absolute favorite authors.
https://ssshwearereading.wordpress.co...
Freya is not your average heroine. She is not a shrinking violet. She is not a spoiled brat. She is not stupid. She recognizes when she is wrong. She is aware of her biases. She works to improve herself and is open to learning while she wrestles with the way she was raised. Freya is the heroine 2020 needed. I love this first part of her journey. I cannot wait for the next book in the series!
The Goblin King's story is fascinating. I wish I knew more about his history. He allows Freya to learn on her own, while nudging her along in the right direction. I have questions.
This new world is fascinating. The best part of the story is that Freya traipses through the entire world, through all the courts. Emma Hamm is a master world builder. She creates intricate kingdoms and creative characters. Freya meets people of all types, and learns to work with them. She learns to appreciate the types of people she previously feared and hated.
As ever, I highly recommend this book. Emma Hamm is one of my absolute favorite authors.
https://ssshwearereading.wordpress.co...
May 5, 2024
2024 Reads #185/250
3.75⭐️
3.75⭐️
June 17, 2021
DNF
I was super excited to see that this was inspired by Labrynth! One of my all time favorite movies! But it let me down, still, if you're a fan of the genre I suggest you give it a try, one man's no thanks pile is another man's favorite read!! 😁😉
I was super excited to see that this was inspired by Labrynth! One of my all time favorite movies! But it let me down, still, if you're a fan of the genre I suggest you give it a try, one man's no thanks pile is another man's favorite read!! 😁😉
July 31, 2023
This is very clearly a rip-off but that's not to say it wasn't enjoyable. Because I ate this up. It felt like a copy/paste of Goblin King stories I've read before in which the level-headed older sister has to rescue her silly younger sister from making an unfair deal with goblins. The twist here is she must navigate the four kingdoms and obtain a token/essence of each to appease the Goblin King and get her wish. Despite the cover this wasn't a romance and there is 0 spice. There is, however, tension and it was delicious and fun. I can't wait to read the next!
Read
July 1, 2022To much chaos. like Alice in Wonderland type
April 22, 2021
Well I liked this. I like the idea that she went to find her sister and ended up finding herself. I like the way the story was told and how she went against the Goblin king. I love the quest and how we got to see every court. I also liked how all the courts were different. The Autumn court was my favorite it's one of those stories that grows on you and you are left wanting more.
March 4, 2021
I love Labyrinth. I think I'm one of the select few that enjoy the plot/themes over the Goblin King. (I mean, I love the Goblin King but I think the heroine should have a worthy foe.) So, when I saw this book was written by Emma Hamm... and I had read a book of hers before, I decided to dive into it.
Okay. This is an issue that I have with people who write ANY Jareth/Sarah/OC fic. ... The attraction cannot be blunt and or obvious. It has to blossom, grow, and or be subtle. In the film Labyrinth we get that opportunity to write Jareth/Sarah paring fic that would make sense because he reveals that everything he was doing was doing for her to live up to her expectations of the book / play 'The Labyrinth'.
In this messy ass kindle unlimited book you get treated to a Goblin King who wears 'suits' but the author cannot describe the suit and how he could be wearing a billowing shirt if it's a suit he is wearing at the same time. You also get some strange half-baked plot about her sister being "kidnapped" by some rat boy. You also get some sort of 'quest' for items that the Goblin King wants, but it isn't really developed why he wants them or what is the point of wanting them. (Where we know in the film Labyrinth the Goblin King takes the children because he turns them into goblin or is kept within the realm forever, because that is what fae do.)
Like, fuck, I could go on how how much this book sucked. How the scenes between the OC/Goblin King were just written for the sake of latching onto the people who want some easy, breezy, sensual moments with them.
Pull back the veil from your eyes or stop eating the rotten peach and you'll find out that this book ain't worth your time. You can fight me by saying this was the author's own story, and if it was, gee, it followed the beats of Labyrinth quite well. So don't give me that. But maybe you're that desperate for Goblin King/OC action. By all means, read it... I am not going to pick up the sequel.
Okay. This is an issue that I have with people who write ANY Jareth/Sarah/OC fic. ... The attraction cannot be blunt and or obvious. It has to blossom, grow, and or be subtle. In the film Labyrinth we get that opportunity to write Jareth/Sarah paring fic that would make sense because he reveals that everything he was doing was doing for her to live up to her expectations of the book / play 'The Labyrinth'.
In this messy ass kindle unlimited book you get treated to a Goblin King who wears 'suits' but the author cannot describe the suit and how he could be wearing a billowing shirt if it's a suit he is wearing at the same time. You also get some strange half-baked plot about her sister being "kidnapped" by some rat boy. You also get some sort of 'quest' for items that the Goblin King wants, but it isn't really developed why he wants them or what is the point of wanting them. (Where we know in the film Labyrinth the Goblin King takes the children because he turns them into goblin or is kept within the realm forever, because that is what fae do.)
Like, fuck, I could go on how how much this book sucked. How the scenes between the OC/Goblin King were just written for the sake of latching onto the people who want some easy, breezy, sensual moments with them.
Pull back the veil from your eyes or stop eating the rotten peach and you'll find out that this book ain't worth your time. You can fight me by saying this was the author's own story, and if it was, gee, it followed the beats of Labyrinth quite well. So don't give me that. But maybe you're that desperate for Goblin King/OC action. By all means, read it... I am not going to pick up the sequel.
January 14, 2025
I enjoyed this so much more than I expected to. It’s giving Strong Labyrinth vibes and I’m here for it.
April 3, 2021
3.5 Stars
This was an OK read for me. I'm eager to see what's next for the heroine and the King but I almost wish the heroine did not go to so much trouble over her sister. Her sister was too much and such a brat. To think all of this is to 'save' her and it was not even necessary. Makes me wonder what the King's real motives were and if he really just wanted to add her to his stone collection like some weird Medusa wannabe lol. To save her sister she has to complete some tasks and luckily along the way she made a friend who helped. I was really worried her new friend was also going to trick and trap her but thankfully that did not happen. Now that she knows the truth about her sister and bested the King I'm curious what's next for her or if she'll even want to return home. Plans have certainly changed.
This was an OK read for me. I'm eager to see what's next for the heroine and the King but I almost wish the heroine did not go to so much trouble over her sister. Her sister was too much and such a brat. To think all of this is to 'save' her and it was not even necessary. Makes me wonder what the King's real motives were and if he really just wanted to add her to his stone collection like some weird Medusa wannabe lol. To save her sister she has to complete some tasks and luckily along the way she made a friend who helped. I was really worried her new friend was also going to trick and trap her but thankfully that did not happen. Now that she knows the truth about her sister and bested the King I'm curious what's next for her or if she'll even want to return home. Plans have certainly changed.
March 13, 2023
So ... I read the prequel to this book and hated it with a passion of a thousand suns. You might be asking, "Ok you hater, why go back to read the actual book it's based on?"
Mutliple reasons. 1) I am a hater. 2) I wanted to see if the author would put more effort into her solo projects/proper books. 3) A friend of mine tried to read it and failed, and I am nothing if not a martyr. 4) Yeah?? Maybe I want to read a story with a hot Goblin King in it? I didn't grow up watching The Labyrinth, I'm a little younger than most who did (and also not American), but just the words "Goblin King" are enough to perk my cat ear headphones.
Basically, I was curious, and I wanted to give this book a chance. Against my better judgment, clearly.
I'll cut to the chase: the writing is very poor. Like, to the point where I wasn't sure about the target demographic of this book, that's how juvenile and simplistic it was. Slightly better than the prose in the prequel short story, but only marginally. It reads like something for lower middle grade kids, it has this fairytale quality that's less dreamy and more "Oh, this could be a picture book." To illustrate my point, I literally, physically recoiled when I read the word "fuck" being uttered by a character, because it was so sudden and jarring amidst what had been, up to that point, Freya sees ball, see Freya run.
The writing isn't helped by quite poor and derivative characterization, the nonsense worldbuilding, and the shaky and confusing plot.
Freya is a fae-hating, determined young woman who totally isn't an off-brand Feyre (and I say this as an SJM hater, so being an off-brand copy of a shitty character is not great), and the Gerblin Shmerblin is a ... star-themed hot guy in a billowing shirt. Cool. Great. They don't have chemistry as much as they have scenes together and interact with each other. I understand Jareth and his magic bulge was the sexual awakening for many, and you will not get that here.
My biggest problem with this here book is the plot, and the ... themes? Morals? Where do I even begin?
Freya is understandably distrustful of goblins because her parents taught her to be. Esther is ... not. So Esther runs away with a goblin boy, and Freya thinks that she's been kidnapped because she finds a threatening note saying so (that I don't remember if it's ever explained who wrote it), and sets out to save her. She encounters the Gorblin Shmorblin, who challenges her to a game to fetch mystical artefacts from each of the four courts. Which she does, very easily. It apparently takes her weeks, though some of that time she spends brainwashed, I suppose. We then find out that it was easy on purpose, because the Gablin Mamblin wanted her to win for some reason?
Spoiler warning because I have to go into some very confusing things that honestly won't really spoil anything because it's hard to make sense of what's exactly being spoiled.
The way this book handles Freya's prejudice leaves a weird taste in my mouth. As per my review of Stolen Goblin Bride, Esther is an insufferable brat who is always right and who never gets punished for hurting those around her, particularly Freya. The narrative and other characters encourage Esther to act like an asshole, because Esther is Good and Pure and Righteous and anything she does is automatically correct, even when she knows it'll hurt her sister. And even in Freya's own story, Esther is vindicated in the end. This book confirms what was hinted at in Stolen Goblin Bride: Esther is always right, and Freya is always wrong. It's honestly kind of gross and uncomfortable to read, like the author had a grudge against Freya and thus didn't want to afford her any sort of depth or complexity.
We're led to believe that Freya, who was raised to believe goblins were dangerous and had no reason to believe otherwise, is actually a close-minded bigot who is in denial about how great the fae are and how much she longs for the adventure the fae world provides.
I get what the author was going for, but it falls really flat for many interconnected reasons.
Freya spends the entire book warring against the idea of goblins/fae being good people and the fae world being wonderful, believing they stole her sister, and denying her (supposed) attraction to the Gabby Babby, up until the last pages of the book. But when she finally meets Esther and sees that she wants to be there, Freya's like "Oh ok. Nevermind then. I was wrong and you were right." Like, she kept denying it for so long, to the point it became unrealistic, but all it actually took was Esther, the paragon of righteousness, to tell her to calm down?
It's not even a bad idea, it's fine to have Freya's sister be the final nail in the bigot coffin, but the way Freya folds and doesn't even doubt or give up or feel bitter or anything? She spends the majority of the book being in denial, then flips on a dime and goes "Ok! This is fine actually! Whatever my little sister wants, uwu!" It's the author showing her hand very blatantly. Like, ok, the book is over, time for the finale and for tying a nice bow on the character development. Freya is done with her arc, which was less an arc and more of a 90 degree angle, so now her anger and denial are just gone despite being her main characterization throughout. Freya's entire character gives way for Esther's wants and needs, and it's framed like Esther is doing Freya a favor by opening her eyes to the wonders of the goblins.
And the thing is, Freya being in denial isn't even that convincing, either? Obviously, she needs to be in denial for this particular plot, I get it, and the part that doesn't work for me is the idea that there is something to deny at all. Pretty much every fae creature she encounters wants to hurt her, except for the one side character she forces into servitude who doesn't, at any point, show that he wants to help her out of the kindness of his heart and nothing else, and one character who Freya admits herself seems nice but harbors some threatening edge deep down (not even that deep down, tbh).
So all the things Freya sees that she needs to deny are ... pretty landscapes. The mere existence of magic. The supposed kindness of the fae? The promise of adventure, the type she's on right now trying to save her sister from a creep who, as far as she knows, kidnapped said sister?
Freya's in very unconvincing denial about things that nobody in their right mind would actually be in denial about. Are we supposed to believe she doesn't care about her sister and just wants adventure? That she's convincing herself the goblins are evil to have a righteous thing to war against, to make herself a hero in her own story, and Esther's kidnapping is just an excuse to go on a quest? I think that angle would've worked, and there's hints of that in the book, but it's clearly not the point. Mostly it's Freya's bigotry we're supposed to dislike about her, and her wanting to be a hero is painted as a good thing she's repressing.
Now, I'm not saying that bigotry is somehow justified if the people you're bigoted against "prove" that they're as bad as you think they are. Nor am I saying that it's on them to prove you wrong. But this is a book, and Freya unlearning these things needs to be shown convincingly to the reader. Here, the fae are in obvious positions of power over Freya throughout and several of them attempt to kill her, yet her reacting negatively to this is painted as irrational? Why purposefully write cruel and threatening fae and then punish your character for thinking they're cruel and threatening? It doesn't make any sense.
The fae: We stole your sister and you need to do a bunch of dangerous shit to get her back. Also, a bunch of us will drug you, dehumanize you, insult and belittle you, and generally treat you like disposable garbage. The one guy who doesn't hate your guts is in charge of all of us.
Freya: Hmm ... Yeah that matches what I know about you. Kinda shitty tbh.
The fae and the narrative: Omg how racist! Open your heart to how great we are!
In the end, Freya wins, but we're meant to dislike that. Because Freya winning means the Gabba Babba loses, and he's correct about everything always, just like Esther. The narrative tells us Freya is wrong, Esther tells Freya she's wrong, the Gorblo Borblo tells Freya she's wrong. You just end up reading about this poor woman who's gaslit into being the villain by everyone around her, and she ends up blaming herself when shit goes to hell, and then Esther is the one who's like "it wasn't your fault uwu" and I'm not sure if we're meant to agree?
Freya somehow ends up being the butt monkey of the entire book despite also being the most interesting human ever (according to the Gebble Pebble) and having the easiest epic quest of all time. She's a bigot but we never see her get any reason to unlearn said bigotry, but she's still punished for her beliefs, ones she got from her dead parents and never had reason to question. Her love interest tells us she's the most fascinating human he's ever met (and he's met millions, despite being a thousand years old? That's a lot of humans for a guy who mostly seems to live on non-human soil) despite her never doing anything extraordinary.
This is a very confusing read. I'm leaving two stars because it baffled me more than it infuriated me, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you're really desperate for lukewarm goblin content.
On that note, let's talk about Stolen Goblin Bride and the way these two books together open up a well of wack-ass worldbuilding.
First of all, the events in this book do not match up with the events in Goblin Bride. Lux "kidnaps" Esther in that one, but here, she says she went willingly. The Gobbo Shobbo also distinctly helps Lux kidnap Esther, all while claiming he didn't, and that goblins don't do that. Here, it's also established that only children go out to the human world to sell their wares (???), but in Goblin Bride, there were named characters who were clearly adults. Lux himself can't be a child, either. Assuming he's not much older than Esther's 16, and also that he lives and travels alone and owns a home, he's probably around that same age. That does not make him a child. It seems like the author just retroactively made those goblins kids in order to make Freya look even worse. We also find out that the King Gob is well-loved by his people, despite there being a bunch of starving people that Lux has to personally feed on the king's orders? Man must have one hell of a propaganda team. We also don't really know, generally, what sort of world Esther and Freya come from? They talk about being peasants and living in a small village, but at some point Freya mentions a zoo? Huh??? And again, why are the goblins sending their kids to trade with humans that hate and fear them? What kind of sense does that make? Goblin Bride establishes that they trade mainly with nobles, but this book outright says that human nobles left Freya's village centuries ago. Why are the goblins still sending their kids to remote human villages?
All in all, it's a shambles of a book. Nothing really works, and the protagonist seems to be punished for existing, a pawn in a heavy-handed moral that doesn't really work at all. The characters are bland amalgamations of tropes, the worldbuilding is wacky and nonsensical in a bad way, and the plot has the integrity of string cheese. There are tiny glimpses of a vision, of a goal in there somewhere, that might be enough to please some, but I don't know if I'm masochistic or mean enough to pick up the rest of the series.
Mutliple reasons. 1) I am a hater. 2) I wanted to see if the author would put more effort into her solo projects/proper books. 3) A friend of mine tried to read it and failed, and I am nothing if not a martyr. 4) Yeah?? Maybe I want to read a story with a hot Goblin King in it? I didn't grow up watching The Labyrinth, I'm a little younger than most who did (and also not American), but just the words "Goblin King" are enough to perk my cat ear headphones.
Basically, I was curious, and I wanted to give this book a chance. Against my better judgment, clearly.
I'll cut to the chase: the writing is very poor. Like, to the point where I wasn't sure about the target demographic of this book, that's how juvenile and simplistic it was. Slightly better than the prose in the prequel short story, but only marginally. It reads like something for lower middle grade kids, it has this fairytale quality that's less dreamy and more "Oh, this could be a picture book." To illustrate my point, I literally, physically recoiled when I read the word "fuck" being uttered by a character, because it was so sudden and jarring amidst what had been, up to that point, Freya sees ball, see Freya run.
The writing isn't helped by quite poor and derivative characterization, the nonsense worldbuilding, and the shaky and confusing plot.
Freya is a fae-hating, determined young woman who totally isn't an off-brand Feyre (and I say this as an SJM hater, so being an off-brand copy of a shitty character is not great), and the Gerblin Shmerblin is a ... star-themed hot guy in a billowing shirt. Cool. Great. They don't have chemistry as much as they have scenes together and interact with each other. I understand Jareth and his magic bulge was the sexual awakening for many, and you will not get that here.
My biggest problem with this here book is the plot, and the ... themes? Morals? Where do I even begin?
Freya is understandably distrustful of goblins because her parents taught her to be. Esther is ... not. So Esther runs away with a goblin boy, and Freya thinks that she's been kidnapped because she finds a threatening note saying so (that I don't remember if it's ever explained who wrote it), and sets out to save her. She encounters the Gorblin Shmorblin, who challenges her to a game to fetch mystical artefacts from each of the four courts. Which she does, very easily. It apparently takes her weeks, though some of that time she spends brainwashed, I suppose. We then find out that it was easy on purpose, because the Gablin Mamblin wanted her to win for some reason?
Spoiler warning because I have to go into some very confusing things that honestly won't really spoil anything because it's hard to make sense of what's exactly being spoiled.
The way this book handles Freya's prejudice leaves a weird taste in my mouth. As per my review of Stolen Goblin Bride, Esther is an insufferable brat who is always right and who never gets punished for hurting those around her, particularly Freya. The narrative and other characters encourage Esther to act like an asshole, because Esther is Good and Pure and Righteous and anything she does is automatically correct, even when she knows it'll hurt her sister. And even in Freya's own story, Esther is vindicated in the end. This book confirms what was hinted at in Stolen Goblin Bride: Esther is always right, and Freya is always wrong. It's honestly kind of gross and uncomfortable to read, like the author had a grudge against Freya and thus didn't want to afford her any sort of depth or complexity.
We're led to believe that Freya, who was raised to believe goblins were dangerous and had no reason to believe otherwise, is actually a close-minded bigot who is in denial about how great the fae are and how much she longs for the adventure the fae world provides.
I get what the author was going for, but it falls really flat for many interconnected reasons.
Freya spends the entire book warring against the idea of goblins/fae being good people and the fae world being wonderful, believing they stole her sister, and denying her (supposed) attraction to the Gabby Babby, up until the last pages of the book. But when she finally meets Esther and sees that she wants to be there, Freya's like "Oh ok. Nevermind then. I was wrong and you were right." Like, she kept denying it for so long, to the point it became unrealistic, but all it actually took was Esther, the paragon of righteousness, to tell her to calm down?
It's not even a bad idea, it's fine to have Freya's sister be the final nail in the bigot coffin, but the way Freya folds and doesn't even doubt or give up or feel bitter or anything? She spends the majority of the book being in denial, then flips on a dime and goes "Ok! This is fine actually! Whatever my little sister wants, uwu!" It's the author showing her hand very blatantly. Like, ok, the book is over, time for the finale and for tying a nice bow on the character development. Freya is done with her arc, which was less an arc and more of a 90 degree angle, so now her anger and denial are just gone despite being her main characterization throughout. Freya's entire character gives way for Esther's wants and needs, and it's framed like Esther is doing Freya a favor by opening her eyes to the wonders of the goblins.
And the thing is, Freya being in denial isn't even that convincing, either? Obviously, she needs to be in denial for this particular plot, I get it, and the part that doesn't work for me is the idea that there is something to deny at all. Pretty much every fae creature she encounters wants to hurt her, except for the one side character she forces into servitude who doesn't, at any point, show that he wants to help her out of the kindness of his heart and nothing else, and one character who Freya admits herself seems nice but harbors some threatening edge deep down (not even that deep down, tbh).
So all the things Freya sees that she needs to deny are ... pretty landscapes. The mere existence of magic. The supposed kindness of the fae? The promise of adventure, the type she's on right now trying to save her sister from a creep who, as far as she knows, kidnapped said sister?
Freya's in very unconvincing denial about things that nobody in their right mind would actually be in denial about. Are we supposed to believe she doesn't care about her sister and just wants adventure? That she's convincing herself the goblins are evil to have a righteous thing to war against, to make herself a hero in her own story, and Esther's kidnapping is just an excuse to go on a quest? I think that angle would've worked, and there's hints of that in the book, but it's clearly not the point. Mostly it's Freya's bigotry we're supposed to dislike about her, and her wanting to be a hero is painted as a good thing she's repressing.
Now, I'm not saying that bigotry is somehow justified if the people you're bigoted against "prove" that they're as bad as you think they are. Nor am I saying that it's on them to prove you wrong. But this is a book, and Freya unlearning these things needs to be shown convincingly to the reader. Here, the fae are in obvious positions of power over Freya throughout and several of them attempt to kill her, yet her reacting negatively to this is painted as irrational? Why purposefully write cruel and threatening fae and then punish your character for thinking they're cruel and threatening? It doesn't make any sense.
The fae: We stole your sister and you need to do a bunch of dangerous shit to get her back. Also, a bunch of us will drug you, dehumanize you, insult and belittle you, and generally treat you like disposable garbage. The one guy who doesn't hate your guts is in charge of all of us.
Freya: Hmm ... Yeah that matches what I know about you. Kinda shitty tbh.
The fae and the narrative: Omg how racist! Open your heart to how great we are!
In the end, Freya wins, but we're meant to dislike that. Because Freya winning means the Gabba Babba loses, and he's correct about everything always, just like Esther. The narrative tells us Freya is wrong, Esther tells Freya she's wrong, the Gorblo Borblo tells Freya she's wrong. You just end up reading about this poor woman who's gaslit into being the villain by everyone around her, and she ends up blaming herself when shit goes to hell, and then Esther is the one who's like "it wasn't your fault uwu" and I'm not sure if we're meant to agree?
Freya somehow ends up being the butt monkey of the entire book despite also being the most interesting human ever (according to the Gebble Pebble) and having the easiest epic quest of all time. She's a bigot but we never see her get any reason to unlearn said bigotry, but she's still punished for her beliefs, ones she got from her dead parents and never had reason to question. Her love interest tells us she's the most fascinating human he's ever met (and he's met millions, despite being a thousand years old? That's a lot of humans for a guy who mostly seems to live on non-human soil) despite her never doing anything extraordinary.
This is a very confusing read. I'm leaving two stars because it baffled me more than it infuriated me, but I wouldn't recommend it unless you're really desperate for lukewarm goblin content.
On that note, let's talk about Stolen Goblin Bride and the way these two books together open up a well of wack-ass worldbuilding.
First of all, the events in this book do not match up with the events in Goblin Bride. Lux "kidnaps" Esther in that one, but here, she says she went willingly. The Gobbo Shobbo also distinctly helps Lux kidnap Esther, all while claiming he didn't, and that goblins don't do that. Here, it's also established that only children go out to the human world to sell their wares (???), but in Goblin Bride, there were named characters who were clearly adults. Lux himself can't be a child, either. Assuming he's not much older than Esther's 16, and also that he lives and travels alone and owns a home, he's probably around that same age. That does not make him a child. It seems like the author just retroactively made those goblins kids in order to make Freya look even worse. We also find out that the King Gob is well-loved by his people, despite there being a bunch of starving people that Lux has to personally feed on the king's orders? Man must have one hell of a propaganda team. We also don't really know, generally, what sort of world Esther and Freya come from? They talk about being peasants and living in a small village, but at some point Freya mentions a zoo? Huh??? And again, why are the goblins sending their kids to trade with humans that hate and fear them? What kind of sense does that make? Goblin Bride establishes that they trade mainly with nobles, but this book outright says that human nobles left Freya's village centuries ago. Why are the goblins still sending their kids to remote human villages?
All in all, it's a shambles of a book. Nothing really works, and the protagonist seems to be punished for existing, a pawn in a heavy-handed moral that doesn't really work at all. The characters are bland amalgamations of tropes, the worldbuilding is wacky and nonsensical in a bad way, and the plot has the integrity of string cheese. There are tiny glimpses of a vision, of a goal in there somewhere, that might be enough to please some, but I don't know if I'm masochistic or mean enough to pick up the rest of the series.
April 3, 2021
Characters 4 Stars
Esther comes off a little selfish for me. She doesn't really think about her sister at all or consider how her actions will affect her only living family. If she wanted to go off with Goblin Boy, then fine, but she could have told Freya and they could have avoided so much.
Freya is clever and independent. I enjoyed her character. She didn't really need anyone. Except for Arrow, but he was just giving her half truths throughout, so he doesn't count. And of course, the Goblin King himself, but same as Arrow. He was more harm than help and the one she was trying to beat. So again, doesn't count. Speaking of Arrow, I need to say how much I love talking dogs. I just do. I want one.
Setting 4.5 Stars
So Faery Land is everything that I wanted it to be. It had more Wonderland vibes, and I would go so far as to say that Wonderland influenced the setting here.
Plot 3 Stars
Three stars here because the whole XYZ challenge is a little formulaic for me. It was like a checklist. That said, I really did enjoy each of these challenges set before Freya. My favorite part of the story was when Freya was 'turned into a flower.' I think that was the strongest Alice moment I recognized. I really did like the end, that Esther wanted to stay. I felt like that was actually the biggest conflict in the story. And of course, there was a bit of a cliffhanger at the end that makes me want to read more.
Writing5 Stars
I really wasn't sure how the writing would be in a book this short. Now, there are some great short books. Even short stories. But trying to create a new world in so short a book isn't easy. However, I think Hamm did so very well here. I felt like I was there, could see everything that was happening.
Average Rating: 4 Stars
Quotes:
"I'll eat your hair like spaghetti!"
Random Thoughts:
So goblins can't take you if you don't talk?
Not event he right necklace?? Geez
Faceless elves? Creepy AF
Oh! Sprites!
Hashtags for IG
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January 22, 2021
Actual Rating: 4.5 stars!
Review to come!
Review to come!
October 30, 2021
DNF AT 45%. I can’t get through this. I kept pushing forward even though it sucked but I can’t anymore. Here is why:
There is zero romance. She gets a little turned on by the Goblin King and that’s it.
The story has similarities to the Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti. That’s why I gave it a shot. I love that story.
It also has some very similar storylines and characters to Labyrinth and Alice in Wonderland.
The author makes a good attempt at paying homage to these stories. Some of her moves are sweet callouts to these beloved stories.
However, the motive and main character and lack of romance and quest all fall short. The world does not come alive. It is a limited set that only exists in the moment.
And Freya is so selfish in her motives. She is told that Esther came willingly and had been hanging out with them and seeking them out. And she does not think to demand to see her before she makes a deal? And she is described as being incapable of existing on her own. I get it but her panic seems an overreaction because the world she lives in is so vague. She lives outside the town. Is it the Middle Ages or is it more advanced? Do they have a government? Are the people superstitious? We don’t meet anyone at all in town. It’s just a place she visited but not one we get to see. Vague scenery.
Overall I applaud the effort but the whole thing is so vague and kind of annoying
There is zero romance. She gets a little turned on by the Goblin King and that’s it.
The story has similarities to the Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti. That’s why I gave it a shot. I love that story.
It also has some very similar storylines and characters to Labyrinth and Alice in Wonderland.
The author makes a good attempt at paying homage to these stories. Some of her moves are sweet callouts to these beloved stories.
However, the motive and main character and lack of romance and quest all fall short. The world does not come alive. It is a limited set that only exists in the moment.
And Freya is so selfish in her motives. She is told that Esther came willingly and had been hanging out with them and seeking them out. And she does not think to demand to see her before she makes a deal? And she is described as being incapable of existing on her own. I get it but her panic seems an overreaction because the world she lives in is so vague. She lives outside the town. Is it the Middle Ages or is it more advanced? Do they have a government? Are the people superstitious? We don’t meet anyone at all in town. It’s just a place she visited but not one we get to see. Vague scenery.
Overall I applaud the effort but the whole thing is so vague and kind of annoying
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