Author: S. Jae-Jones
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Source: Library Hardback
Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Liesl grew up on the tales of the Goblin King, Lord of Mischief and Ruler of the Underworld. Since childhood he was also the muse to her music, the inspiration for her compositions. As she grows older and puts aside childish memories, the Goblin King and all her fantasies must be forgotten in favor of being the daughter she needs to be. When her sister Kathe is taken by the goblins, Liesl challenges the king to a game, she wins he lets Kathe go. He wins, he gets Liesl as his bride. But there is a catch, the life of a maiden must be given to the land in order for it survive according to the old laws. There is not rebirth, no death, nothing will grow and flourish. Liesl then offers herself in marriage to the Goblin King. As time goes Liesl discovers her passion for music remains within the Goblin King and she realizes she loves him. But the longer she remains in his bride, her life fades. Will she pay the ultimate sacrifice so that the world above may live? Will she choose love of her husband over love of her family?
I have seen this book around everywhere and had it on my list for a little while. Then one of my best friends recommended it, so I grabbed it. Once I started reading it I got the feel of many different folklore and fairy tales mixed into this story. It is not a cutesy fairy tale, it has its darker moments which is reflective of Goblin Market by Christina Rossetti. Goblin Market is basically a tale of goblins in a market trying to lure young women into their realm with fruits like peaches. Once the girls eat the fruit nothing can satisfy their hunger until they are once again with the goblins. Soon because they cannot get the fruit again, they die. There is more to it, but that is the gist of it.
First I will say my Goblin King will first and always be David Bowie as Jareth in Laberynth so every time he was in a scene, that is who I pictured. I don't think this was Jae-Jones' intention, but that's what happens when a Laberynth fangirl reads a book with a goblin king right? Granted a lot of things about this Goblin King did remind me of Jareth, down to the mismatched eyes (really?). I wanted his image to be different, but I couldn't shake Bowie from my mind. I have read people thinking this book will be like the Laberynth, but it is not. Do not go into this book with that expectation. I enjoyed the mystery around the Goblin King and that there seemed to be more depth to him that what meets the eyes, to both the readers and Liesl.
The writing for this novel is eerily beautiful and chills you to the bone at times. The words Jae-Jones is beautifully chosen and create quotes that are endless. Liesl is a spitefire willing to do anything to save her sister, she fights and sacrifices, even giving herself up for marriage to the King so Kathe may live. The Goblin King is ever the trickster, changing thing up, saying one thing but meaning something else. But then they marry and everything changes. He becomes a submissive, almost weak being, and apparently a Christian. Not that I dislike that, but it didn't fit with a character such as a goblin king who would honor the old laws rather than God's laws. And Liesl becomes cruel and angry. All she wants to do is "consummate" their marriage and is angered when he rejects her body stating he wanted her soul, her heart. But she will have nothing of it, and borderline forces herself on him or tries to guilt him into it. I am not a fan of that.
There was no romance building other than the two discussing music and playing music together. We don't see them exploring caves together or them sharing the inner parts of themselves which granted that's what the king wanted but we don't actually see the actions to lead to that other than the sex scenes. I did like the use of music throughout the book, and how he wanted the music within, the part of her she hid from everyone else.
I would continue to recommend this book. It felt more meh to me than fantastic. I will continue to read the series to see how things will play out.
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