tabithaseesandcoprehendletters's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 STARS It was a fun and entertaining reading! I had a few problems with the characters and some of the stuff with theater that wasn't realistic. But I think this book is very original and it deserves credit for that. If you want a fun and very original read I would recommend this!
dlberglund's review against another edition
2.0
This was an underwhelming National Book Award winner for me. I was unsurprised but disappointed to see (only when I cam on to Goodreads to review it) that this is the first in a series. The town of Zombay and the universe the characters inhabit is well designed and intriguing; I can understand the author wanting to spend more time there. The problem for me is that the book itself left a great deal to be desired in resolving questions and standing on its own, without making us need to turn to the sequel. This was an imaginative and original story (though drawing on folklore) that gives me a new window into goblins (the Changed), but not enough. I respect the crafting of the book, but wasn't satisfied.
turrean's review against another edition
5.0
Steampunk city; a Baba Yaga-style witch; literary goblins; salvation through theater. All good. I already have book two on hold at the library.
kiltedcoyote's review against another edition
3.0
It's a very good story. And I love the world he's created. I just feel the author hints at world building without delivering it.
melanieapril's review against another edition
5.0
I read about this book winning the National Book Award on io9.com and a couple days later ran into a copy on display at the library, so I checked it out and gobbled it down. Goblin Secrets is everything a good children's book should be - fun, weird, and sort of scary. It is also very intelligently written and leaves the impression that the author was reading a lot of Plato and Castelvetro when he came up the central premise.
hldillon's review
2.0
An orphan named Rownie runs away from Graba (the witch on Southside) and joins a touring Goblin theater group. Through this group, Rownie learns secrets about the kinds of masks people where when they want to hide their true identities.
shighley's review against another edition
2.0
I put this on my list after it won the National Book Award, but did not really get into it or fully appreciate it. I can honestly say that when I read the final paragraph and turned the page, I said to myself, "What do you mean, it's over?" It seemed like a jumble of varied episodes in and out of a strange town. I never felt that the "powers" or definition of goblins was completely explained. I did like the inclusion of some new vocabulary (yes, I had to look some words up), but I kept finding myself struggling to find my place (have I read this part yet?), as I mainly read at night until I fell asleep. Some touches seemed clever, such as the mayor statue having its head chopped off and replaced with the new one when the position changed, or Graba just taking her roof off to enter her house if it was situated so she couldn't get to a door or window big enough to fit through. Why couldn't Graba find Rownie wherever he was in town? It just didn't strike me as cohesive, and I don't know how much kids would enjoy it.
otrops's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25