Jim C. Hines, Goblin War

Goblin War

Jim C. Hines

Daw, March 2008, $7.99 352 pp.

ISBN 9780756404932

Jig the goblin is the runt of the litter who used to be picked on by goblins stronger than him which included the entire goblin civilization (if one can call it that since they fight between themselves and are backstabbers and sneaky beings who try to outwit one another' that sounds like Congress). For a slimy goblin (obvious oxymoron), Jig dealt with two malevolent princes and a dragon, fought against the pixie infection and though he doesn't realize it, the goblins are beginning to respect and look up to him.

Trouble comes their way when the goblin's lair is invaded by the prince and princess whose brother bled in the goblin's lair. They steal the Rod Of Creation and take the strongest goblins to shore up their defenses against Billa the Blood and her army of monsters including orcs, goblins and kobolds. Shadowstar, the god Jig worships quietly helps him because he want Billa defeated; apparently the godess Isa abets Billa with an objective to kill the god of death Noc who happens to be Shadowstar?s son just as Isa is his wife.

Readers who want some fun and laughs in their fantasy should read Jim C. Hines' Jig the Goblin books due to the appealing hero. Jig is an amusing cynic who has no confidence in his ability to make things right as he assumes he is too cowardly to do so; no one else in the goblin or readership communities believe that after his recent escapades in GOBLIN QUEST and GOBLIN HERO. His pathos, which sounds at times like chick lit goblin style, will have readers laughing out loud at the lament of a couch potatoes creature whose prime wish in life is not to be the greatest goblin hero.

Harriet Klausner