shyfroglet's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
lamusadelils's review against another edition
5.0
Este es uno de esos libros que te permiten sumergirte de lleno en mundos fantásticos, no solo por que el libro es físicamente hermoso, detallado y gracioso sino porque de inmediato se siente familiar. Todo mundo que guste de la fantasía puede reconocer a estas criaturas, pero además la situación política no nos es extrana.
Aunque se tocan temas que no siempre me gustan ver en fantasía (racismo, extremismo) creo que el humor junto con el cuidadoso uso de cartas y elementos similares lo hacen sentir mucho más llevadero.
Creo que nunca me había divertido tanto leyendo sobre una guerra fría ente gnomos y elfos.
Aunque se tocan temas que no siempre me gustan ver en fantasía (racismo, extremismo) creo que el humor junto con el cuidadoso uso de cartas y elementos similares lo hacen sentir mucho más llevadero.
Creo que nunca me había divertido tanto leyendo sobre una guerra fría ente gnomos y elfos.
stenaros's review against another edition
5.0
Read for Librarian Book Group
As a reader who only likes fantasy if it is set in the present and could happen to me, I wasn't eager to dive into this book. A goblin hosting an elf visitor after a great war? Ugh! No!
And then, the goblin was so eager to be an excellent host, so excited about trading goblin/elfin histories that when the elf showed up and was a terrible guest, I couldn't help but love this book.
Not to mention that it has illustrations that are gorgeous and add a completely different dimension to the story.
If you've ever had an unpleasant visitor, or if you've ever been an unpleasant visitor, this is a book for you.
As a reader who only likes fantasy if it is set in the present and could happen to me, I wasn't eager to dive into this book. A goblin hosting an elf visitor after a great war? Ugh! No!
And then, the goblin was so eager to be an excellent host, so excited about trading goblin/elfin histories that when the elf showed up and was a terrible guest, I couldn't help but love this book.
Not to mention that it has illustrations that are gorgeous and add a completely different dimension to the story.
If you've ever had an unpleasant visitor, or if you've ever been an unpleasant visitor, this is a book for you.
the_fabric_of_words's review against another edition
5.0
We love M.T. Anderson's non-fiction books. We've read a few, reviewed Symphony for the City of the Dead, and love the historical narrative tales he tells.
We just recently discovered the author / illustrator Eugene Yelchin, and enjoyed his historical fiction books and reviewed his historical fiction, Spy Runner, set in the Cold War.
So I was intrigued to find this, a collaboration by both publishing titans, featuring, of all creatures, an elf of the title name, Brangwain Spurge.
Now, I'm going to spoil the ending a bit -- but not really -- when I say, don't let the title fool you. It's really the tale of his planned assassination, poor idiot. Miraculously, he makes it out alive. So he's not doomed, but it is close.
Brangwain is loaded into a barrel, shot across his land (the Realm of Elfland) with a "gift," a precious gem contained in an elaborately carved box (with gruesome scenes of death, hint-hint), for the elusive, never-seen ruler of the goblins, Ghohg the Evil One, as a sort of peace-keeping gesture after a long war between Elves and Goblins. (Emphasis on sort of -- oh, it's so tempting to reveal this plot twist, but I won't, I promise!)
When he lands in the goblin lands, he becomes the special house guest of Werfel the Archivist, goblin historian of the Court of the Mighty Ghohg. It's his job to see to Brangwain's needs during his visit, make sure he's well taken care of, and present him to the Mighty Ghohg, who doesn't often see visitors -- there's a complicated dance, and waiting around, and plenty of opportunities for Werfel to botch this, which he's terrified he'll do.
Of course, Brangwain doesn't cooperate and he fails to see the goblins as people, but rather as evil, horrific, gross, etc. He has a secret mission to complete -- to spy on the goblins, gather as much intelligence about the Mighty Ghohg as he can, and make it back to the elf kingdom.
The goblins contend the elves nearly wiped them out in a war a few years ago, pushing them to worst possible bits of what was left of their land, over the Bonecruel Mountains. They don't see the elves as such an enlightened and wonderful "race." The goblins are just eking out an existence with what's left of their once-bountiful and beautiful homeland, which the elves now control.
It would help if Brangwain could see this, but he's blinded by his preconceptions of the goblins, and oh, how Werfel suffers for the dolt!
I won't reveal the plot twist, or how the book ends. Enjoy the read!
Candlewick Press offers a free discussion guide with 16 questions, and Yelchin posts many of his images / illustrations for the book on his website. The black and white illustrations have a Where the Wild Things Are feel to them, both scary and fascinating at the same time, sure to delight the most reluctant reader. They're featured prominently in a 3 minute book trailer offered by the publisher on YouTube.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/
We just recently discovered the author / illustrator Eugene Yelchin, and enjoyed his historical fiction books and reviewed his historical fiction, Spy Runner, set in the Cold War.
So I was intrigued to find this, a collaboration by both publishing titans, featuring, of all creatures, an elf of the title name, Brangwain Spurge.
Now, I'm going to spoil the ending a bit -- but not really -- when I say, don't let the title fool you. It's really the tale of his planned assassination, poor idiot. Miraculously, he makes it out alive. So he's not doomed, but it is close.
Brangwain is loaded into a barrel, shot across his land (the Realm of Elfland) with a "gift," a precious gem contained in an elaborately carved box (with gruesome scenes of death, hint-hint), for the elusive, never-seen ruler of the goblins, Ghohg the Evil One, as a sort of peace-keeping gesture after a long war between Elves and Goblins. (Emphasis on sort of -- oh, it's so tempting to reveal this plot twist, but I won't, I promise!)
When he lands in the goblin lands, he becomes the special house guest of Werfel the Archivist, goblin historian of the Court of the Mighty Ghohg. It's his job to see to Brangwain's needs during his visit, make sure he's well taken care of, and present him to the Mighty Ghohg, who doesn't often see visitors -- there's a complicated dance, and waiting around, and plenty of opportunities for Werfel to botch this, which he's terrified he'll do.
Of course, Brangwain doesn't cooperate and he fails to see the goblins as people, but rather as evil, horrific, gross, etc. He has a secret mission to complete -- to spy on the goblins, gather as much intelligence about the Mighty Ghohg as he can, and make it back to the elf kingdom.
The goblins contend the elves nearly wiped them out in a war a few years ago, pushing them to worst possible bits of what was left of their land, over the Bonecruel Mountains. They don't see the elves as such an enlightened and wonderful "race." The goblins are just eking out an existence with what's left of their once-bountiful and beautiful homeland, which the elves now control.
It would help if Brangwain could see this, but he's blinded by his preconceptions of the goblins, and oh, how Werfel suffers for the dolt!
I won't reveal the plot twist, or how the book ends. Enjoy the read!
Candlewick Press offers a free discussion guide with 16 questions, and Yelchin posts many of his images / illustrations for the book on his website. The black and white illustrations have a Where the Wild Things Are feel to them, both scary and fascinating at the same time, sure to delight the most reluctant reader. They're featured prominently in a 3 minute book trailer offered by the publisher on YouTube.
Visit my blog for more great middle grade book recommendations, free teaching materials and fiction writing tips: http://amb.mystrikingly.com/
jengennari's review against another edition
5.0
What a hoot! This was such a fun and inventive read, with its back and forth between illustrative storytelling and words. Delightful goblins and elves, with a much-appreciated MG level of scariness. And under all the playfulness and fantasy was a wonderful message about the assumptions and impressions we have of the other.
peterparkerslabpartner's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It was really funny, but also very weird. I would recommend it to weird fantasy fans.
bethnellvaccaro's review against another edition
5.0
This book is an absolute surprise and delight. There is humor, unreliable narrators, and wonderful pictures. A great book for having discussions with kids on a lot of topics including who writes history and alternative perspectives.
renatasnacks's review
5.0
All of M.T. Anderson's books are so weird and I love them so much. He's such a funny, incisive author no matter what he's talking about. This book was a real trip. I also loved Eugene Yelchin's illustrations, and the whole conceit is so clever and so well-excecuted.
I feel like this has appeal and accessibility for a wide range of ages--the language is pretty simple and straightforward but the story and concepts are complicated. I think it would be great to discuss in a classroom or book club setting.
I feel like this has appeal and accessibility for a wide range of ages--the language is pretty simple and straightforward but the story and concepts are complicated. I think it would be great to discuss in a classroom or book club setting.
joshsloan9's review
5.0
I read the whole thing in one day and it’s like 500 pages!! I couldn’t put it down.
Hilarious. Creative. Exciting.
Hilarious. Creative. Exciting.