Review: Greta and the Goblin King

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Greta and the Goblin King by Chloe Jacobs

Genre: YA

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

While trying to save her brother from a witch’s fire four years ago, Greta was thrown in herself, falling through a portal to Mylena, a dangerous world where humans are the enemy and every ogre, ghoul, and goblin has a dark side that comes out with the eclipse. 

To survive, Greta has hidden her humanity and taken the job of bounty hunter—and she’s good at what she does. So good, she’s caught the attention of Mylena’s young goblin king, the darkly enticing Isaac, who invades her dreams and undermines her will to escape. 

But Greta’s not the only one looking to get out of Mylena. An ancient evil knows she’s the key to opening the portal, and with the next eclipse mere days away, every bloodthirsty creature in the realm is after her—including Isaac. If Greta fails, she and the lost boys of Mylena will die. If she succeeds, no world will be safe from what follows her back...

I have to say that the title, not the cover, got me from the start. The blurb, then the cover, sealed the deal. I just had to read this book.  I’m so glad I did.

This book was amazingly written well. I was impressed with how quickly I was taken in by the story.  It only took the first page to get hooked and by the end of it all I was thoroughly in love with Mylena, Greta, the Goblin King and everyone and everything in between.

The writing was incredible in this book. I know I said this before but it really was.  It was mature for a YA and in all the right ways. We speak of world building, character building, character growth, flow, pacing when we read these reviews; and I have to say that this book did it all right. The words literally lifted off the page, effortlessly, creating visuals of everything taking place in this story, held your attention and refused to let go.   

Before reading this book I had never read anything involving a goblin. I already thought this was unique because the main hero happens to be one. Imagine my surprise when I find other bits of other fairy tales in this book. For example: Greta “falls” into Mylena via a cauldron that a witch was using to kidnap her brother. There are a few human children in Mylena who call themselves the Lost Boys.  This is only to name a few.  The way these little details where included were awesome and although these stories felt familiar, Greta and the Goblin King remained very unique.

Greta

Not once did I doubt her as a fierce yet smart heroine.  I admired her stubbornness because it kept her on the right path. Her feelings and thoughts always felt genuine to me and I was excited to accompany her on this adventure.

The Goblin King aka Isaac

It’s been a few days since I finished this book and I have no idea why, even now, but it only took a few of Isaac’s lines to fall in love with him.  Again, I can’t explain why but I instantly fell for him. He is mysterious, loyal, intriguing, stubborn, a man of a few words who never gives up and is constantly warring with his thoughts, emotions, and soul. He carries the weight of his world on his shoulders. Love him. 

Mylena and its people

This world is not overly complex. It’s not simplistic either. The author managed the right balance where you understand the terms, you can easily follow all that is happening and furthermore, is completely believable. All of the characters are interesting, likeable, consistent and relatable. It was exciting to be in this world.

The Action

It is filled to the rim with action and intrigue.  

The Romance

There is romance. Amazingly, I felt and understood the attraction between Greta and the Goblin King. I didn’t think it was rushed at all and it was something you could relate to. It was also handled nicely.  It wasn’t all up in your face but it didn’t take a back burner either. I liked that it complimented the heart of the story but wasn’t an awkward forced addition.

This leads us to…

I didn’t like so much…

Well, there is romance… with another character. There is a dreaded semi-love-triangle.  This one, I didn’t feel too much.  No, it’s not because my heart already belonged to the Goblin King as of page 2 or 3. It’s because although I love this character as a “person”, I felt his love for Greta came out of nowhere. Just read the story and you’ll know what I mean.

Greta gasps a lot.  I mentioned earlier that one of the positives of this read is that it read very mature for a YA, until Greta gets kissed. It doesn’t happen a lot but it was a bit irritating. First time, ok. Second time, hmm. Third time… Dudette, stop!

Isaac and his secrets. I understand that not everything could be given up at once. I understood this in hopes that by the end of the story it would finally be clarified. It wasn’t and I hope it is brought up in the next book. If you’re wondering what I’m talking about… It involves a prophecy.

I recommend this book to EVERYONE and anyone looking for a wonderful, unique, fast paced, action packed fantasy that will leave you wanting the next book like now.  

ARC was provided by Entangled Teen for an honest review.