The Goblin King

When Alex awakens one day, she realizes that she is not in her bed in her comfy home. Instead, she is in a strange land inhabited by strange creatures. Goblins, sprites, leprechauns, and urchins are just a small sampling of the creatures Alex meets on her journey through their village. As she walks, the creatures urge her to get to the castle and meet with the master. He is waiting for her, and he grows ever more impatient. So impatient in fact, that he is withholding all food and drink from the creatures until Alex meets him. Alex knows that she doesn’t want to meet a man who would be so cruel as to punish his subjects by making them go without sustenance, but soon she is at the castle doors without a willing choice. Just what and who is the master? Who is the Goblin King who has spirited Alex away from her world and into his?

The Goblin King is an intriguing tale with an otherworldly tone to it, all due to the various creatures Alex meets along the way. These inhabitants bring the goblin world to life in a way that is quite extraordinary for such a short novella. I was fascinated by what Alex learned about this world just as much as she herself was. The appearance of the Goblin King, Crick, proves to be another interesting twist in the tale as the reader doesn’t know what to expect of him? Is he a good guy or a bad guy? And just what role is Alex to play in his world? Belita Renn provides fitting answers for all these questions and more, leaving the reader satisfied with the ending. Perhaps there is a sequel in store as it seems like there could be more tales to tell about The Goblin King and Alex.

Reviewed by: Sarah W