the_bookish_nurse's review against another edition
4.0
***Special thanks to @netgalley and [a:Kara Barbieri|15265325|Kara Barbieri|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1524890022p2/15265325.jpg] for this #free copy in exchange for an honest review***
Overview:
The Hunt is over but the War has just begun.
Against all odds, Janneke has survived the Hunt for the Stag--but all good things come with a cost. Lydian might be dead, but he took the Stag with him. Janneke now holds the mantle, while Soren, now her equal in every way, has become the new Erlking. Janneke's powers as the new Stag has brought along haunting visions of a world thrown into chaos and the ghost of Lydian taunts her with the riddles he spoke of when he was alive.
When Janneke discovers the truth of Lydian and his madness, she's forced to see her tormentor in a different light for the first time. The world they know is dying and Lydian may have been the only person with the key to saving it.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Format: ARC ebook
Genre: YAPOV: 1st person
Theme: Fantasy, Magic
Review: Goblin King picks up a year after the end of [b:White Stag|45892353|White Stag|Kara Barbieri|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566117134l/45892353._SY75_.jpg|50677972]. Janneke is the Stag; Soren the new Erlking. Their bond and relationship is something that hasn't been seen for many years. As Soren navigates the role as Erlking, Janneke fights with Lydian in her head. She thinks she may be going crazy until she realizes he is the key to saving the world. Janneke is put through challenges as she and her entourage work toward a common goal. The story is well written and has twists and turns throughout. Many references to Norse mythology in the creatures and events that take place. The author also doesn't brush Janneke's pain and PTSD aside in this second book. Yes, Janneke has come a long way in her healing process, but she also has a long way to go as well. Especially now that her torturer could potentially help them save the world.
Recommendation: Yes!
Overview:
The Hunt is over but the War has just begun.
Against all odds, Janneke has survived the Hunt for the Stag--but all good things come with a cost. Lydian might be dead, but he took the Stag with him. Janneke now holds the mantle, while Soren, now her equal in every way, has become the new Erlking. Janneke's powers as the new Stag has brought along haunting visions of a world thrown into chaos and the ghost of Lydian taunts her with the riddles he spoke of when he was alive.
When Janneke discovers the truth of Lydian and his madness, she's forced to see her tormentor in a different light for the first time. The world they know is dying and Lydian may have been the only person with the key to saving it.
Rating: 5/5 Stars
Format: ARC ebook
Genre: YAPOV: 1st person
Theme: Fantasy, Magic
Review: Goblin King picks up a year after the end of [b:White Stag|45892353|White Stag|Kara Barbieri|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566117134l/45892353._SY75_.jpg|50677972]. Janneke is the Stag; Soren the new Erlking. Their bond and relationship is something that hasn't been seen for many years. As Soren navigates the role as Erlking, Janneke fights with Lydian in her head. She thinks she may be going crazy until she realizes he is the key to saving the world. Janneke is put through challenges as she and her entourage work toward a common goal. The story is well written and has twists and turns throughout. Many references to Norse mythology in the creatures and events that take place. The author also doesn't brush Janneke's pain and PTSD aside in this second book. Yes, Janneke has come a long way in her healing process, but she also has a long way to go as well. Especially now that her torturer could potentially help them save the world.
Recommendation: Yes!
nukie19's review against another edition
3.0
This is a decent sequel but I don’t think I could recommend it to someone who hasn’t read the first book previously. The setting of Permafrost is well thought out and described, but this lacked the spark of story that I felt with White Stag. I definitely will pick up Book 3 when it comes out to see how the story arc continues, but I appreciate that Book 2 ended in a lull in the story.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
Thanks to the publisher for providing an ARC through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.
magicbetweenpages's review against another edition
3.0
I just felt that this sequel fell a bit flat for me. It took me the longest time to get back into the story and it was a bit slow-paced in my opinion. The jump into the adventure part of this book felt flimsy and not much happened. At times I felt like Soren was a sulky teenager and the plot of having Lydian prancing around with not much fight or push back was a bit weird.
Of course, it ended in a cliff hanger, so let's see how the next one goes.
Of course, it ended in a cliff hanger, so let's see how the next one goes.
bookishqueendom's review against another edition
4.0
What a great continuation of the series, great sequel to the White Stag! The combination of Norse mythology and a fae-like court had me hooked. I am a sucker for mythology and anything fae.
Janneke is one of the such a strong MC. You get a good dose of perseverance with this character. So many hard lived experiences but that doesnt stop her. It is inspiring.
I love following strong MCs.
Janneke is one of the such a strong MC. You get a good dose of perseverance with this character. So many hard lived experiences but that doesnt stop her. It is inspiring.
I love following strong MCs.
auburnedge's review against another edition
3.0
I had mixed feelings about the first book and was kind of interested in how the second book was going to further the norse mythology. It was well done and definitely brought in more elements. I was just not as attached to the characters as I thought I would be.
mindlessmartyrr's review against another edition
5.0
I found this to be a wonderful sequel to The Stag, and I am so glad I was able to snag it when it was read now. I could not put this down once I had started reading, and it just kept me invested the entire duration of the novel. I adore the combo of fae and Norse mythology, it is unique and makes this one of my favorite series for YA fantasy no doubt.
Janneke is such a fierce MC, there is no way to not think she is amazing. She has been to hell and back, and she is still surviving. I know sometimes life can knock you down, but she is the epitome of getting back up and not stopping. I think this is all a message we need sometimes, especially with what is going on in the world right now. I also really like her relationship with Soren, because it is built upon a foundation of trust and understanding. They make a great team, and the other side characters are great as well.
The Norse mythology in this book was interesting, and I even learned some things I had not known. Overall, this was a great book and I am looking forward to the next.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press/Wednesday for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Janneke is such a fierce MC, there is no way to not think she is amazing. She has been to hell and back, and she is still surviving. I know sometimes life can knock you down, but she is the epitome of getting back up and not stopping. I think this is all a message we need sometimes, especially with what is going on in the world right now. I also really like her relationship with Soren, because it is built upon a foundation of trust and understanding. They make a great team, and the other side characters are great as well.
The Norse mythology in this book was interesting, and I even learned some things I had not known. Overall, this was a great book and I am looking forward to the next.
Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press/Wednesday for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
kylielovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
3.5 stars
So I liked this book a little bit more than the first one, but it still didn't really grab my attention. I enjoyed getting to know the characters more, but still didn't feel super connected to them. I liked Jenneke and Soren's growing relationship and how neither of them were perfect, but they managed to work through their issues.
The pacing was a little bit slow at points, but there were some good action scenes too. The second half was more exciting and memorable than the first half.
There were a few things that were a little confusing, we had a lot of flashbacks and if you weren't paying close attention (to the audiobook), it was a little hard to remember where in time we were at times. Jenneke's stag powers I feel like could have been more extended upon and explained more.
There was really nothing I can point to that I disliked exactly, so if you are looking for a darker fantasy with goblins, give this duology a try!
So I liked this book a little bit more than the first one, but it still didn't really grab my attention. I enjoyed getting to know the characters more, but still didn't feel super connected to them. I liked Jenneke and Soren's growing relationship and how neither of them were perfect, but they managed to work through their issues.
The pacing was a little bit slow at points, but there were some good action scenes too. The second half was more exciting and memorable than the first half.
There were a few things that were a little confusing, we had a lot of flashbacks and if you weren't paying close attention (to the audiobook), it was a little hard to remember where in time we were at times. Jenneke's stag powers I feel like could have been more extended upon and explained more.
There was really nothing I can point to that I disliked exactly, so if you are looking for a darker fantasy with goblins, give this duology a try!
lulustjames's review
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
allyem_reads's review against another edition
3.0
I don’t know if I enjoyed this book more or less than the first one. I appreciated all of the references to Nordic mythology of course, but I felt like too much was going on? Like the author tried to address too much all at once, so instead of answering all the questions, it just felt like it was a jumble of things that weren’t solved. But I’m interested in seeing how the next book will play out, because with that epilogue there’s no way there won’t be a third installment.
starsbooksandtea's review against another edition
5.0
Title: Goblin King
Author: Kara Barbieri
Release Date: November 17th, 2020
Page Count: 309
Start Date: November 28th, 2021
Finish Date: December 7th, 2021
Review:
Story: I was very impressed with this book. I was so worried that I wasn't going to like it very much. I thought the story would fall flat. The first book was so good. Where do you go from there? I was wrong. It was intense. It was action-packed. I can't wait to see more happening in this!
Characters: I really loved to see the progression in all of the characters in this one. They maintain their stubborn ways, but they have grown on each other. They have formed a dynamic. You just have to see it for yourself.
Critiques: None
Narration: No words can describe how amazing it was.
Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book very much. I really need a book three in my life very soon! Or maybe many more books by this author! I fully recommend this book to anybody who likes dark fantasy. However!!!! You really need to read to read White Stag first. It's very important.
Author: Kara Barbieri
Release Date: November 17th, 2020
Page Count: 309
Start Date: November 28th, 2021
Finish Date: December 7th, 2021
Review:
Story: I was very impressed with this book. I was so worried that I wasn't going to like it very much. I thought the story would fall flat. The first book was so good. Where do you go from there? I was wrong. It was intense. It was action-packed. I can't wait to see more happening in this!
Characters: I really loved to see the progression in all of the characters in this one. They maintain their stubborn ways, but they have grown on each other. They have formed a dynamic. You just have to see it for yourself.
Critiques: None
Narration: No words can describe how amazing it was.
Final Thoughts: I really enjoyed this book very much. I really need a book three in my life very soon! Or maybe many more books by this author! I fully recommend this book to anybody who likes dark fantasy. However!!!! You really need to read to read White Stag first. It's very important.