Wednesday, March 21, 2007

[Review] Goblin Quest, by Jim C. Hines

Goblin Quest
Genre: Fantasy
By: Jim C. Hines (346 pages, DAW Books, Inc., $6.99 US/$9.99 Canadian)
ISBN #: 0-7564-0400-2



            Jig is a very lucky goblin. Of course, he would much rather put the luck back where it found him. Jig's not just any goblin, mind you: he's a goblin who would rather stay alive, and avoid beatings by his fellow goblins, who know him for a clumsy runt who gets stuck with mucking about with the lighting. Not that Jig minds the muck. It's one thing he's good at. But when a group of his fellows draft him as bait, in case invaders enter the goblin's tunnels, and told to scream loud when he dies: that way, the goblins on guard duty who are busy drinking and playing can repel the invaders. Well, Jig's along for the ride-er, as bait. All this, before breakfast.
            He's more than a bit put out when he's drafted by two princes, one dwarf, and an elf for their party's quest--to find the Rod of Power. Not that the elf really has anything to say about it. See, she's a thief, and she was sort of drafted too. The worst part of it is, he has to eat this tasteless morsel that the humans call bread, which has no flavor whatsoever. Still, it is edible, barely.
            Thus begins Jig's Big Adventure, in Goblin Quest. If the adventurers find the Rod of Power first, will Jig live long enough to go home and have some decent food? Preferably, something with meat in it.
            On the one hand, I felt sorry for Jig. Essentially, he was sleeping with the enemy (in a manner of speaking), though he did end up making a friend or two along the way. A lot of what happened during his travails really led him to some hard questions and observations about Goblin society, and his place in it: but it's done in such a way that it's funny, too. There are a few surprises along the way, not the least of which is a dragon with an appreciation of fine art, a genteel if not a gentle soul.<
            Of course, speaking of which, Goblin Hero comes out, very soon. ;-)

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