marklpotter's review against another edition
4.0
I'm actually surprised that I haven't read this series before now. I'm always a fan of books that take the genre and bend it over a table! If a good romp through fantasy tropes is what you need then you really can't go wrong with Jig as your hero. I mean, who doesn't love a nearsighted runt of of a goblin who'd rather be doing anything besides being a hero?
fryguy451's review against another edition
5.0
These just keep getting better! Loved it! and the Graphic Audio production was wonderful.
tmikerx's review against another edition
5.0
I *love* this series. Not a dull moment yet. I can't wait to read the third book.
weaselweader's review against another edition
5.0
Hilarious humour and true fantasy CAN stand side by side!
Jig is a shy, retiring, runty, near-sighted goblin, anything but a fierce goblin warrior, who wishes to quietly live an ordinary goblin life - out of sight, out of mind and below everyone else's radar. But, having earned the moniker "Jig Dragonslayer" by surviving his adventure with the Necromancer and the Dragon in GOBLIN QUEST, Jig finds himself unwillingly in the spotlight and under everyone else's magnifying glass. Kralk, the current goblin chief, wants nothing more than to kill Jig because she sees him as a threat to her authority. Veka, another goblin in Jig's tribe who sees herself as a rising sorceress, follows Jig incessantly seeking his advice and guidance on how to be a hero and how to increase her abilities in the use of a hero's magic. The neighbouring ogres, usually bitter rivals of the goblins, have arrived seeking Jig's help eliminating a dangerous unknown threat that is slowly killing ogres one by one and seems capable of wiping out the entire tribe. The conniving Kralk sees this as an opportunity to rid herself of Jig once and for all so she sends him off on a quest to help the ogres - a mission she firmly believes Jig will fail and see him killed. His companions on the mission will be Grell, an aging, decrepit goblin scarcely able to hobble along with the help of a cane; Braf, a bumbling goblin warrior well known to be slightly dumber than a bag of dirt; and, of course, Smudge, Jig's pet fire spider!
Another reviewer categorized Jim Hines' GOBLIN HERO as a fractured fairy tale. It's certainly true that humour and off-the-wall cartoonish versions of typical fantasy characters form an important part of Hines' most entertaining story. But underlying the wit, the humour, the sarcasm, not to mention the hilarious antics and escapades is a true tale in the finest tradition of the fantasy genre. Hines reminds us through Jig that leadership, success and courage often derive from other simpler things - loyalty, common sense, a strong moral compass, a good heart and an instinct for survival in the face of difficult odds and adversity.
If you're a fan of fantasy literature and can see the value in a good laugh now and then, then Jim Hines' GOBLIN HERO will suit you perfectly. Don't forget to read GOBLIN QUEST first. There's a definite story line to the development of the characters and many of the references in the story will blow right over your head without being familiar with the first novel in his series.
Great humour! A great story and great fantasy! Thanks very much, Mr Hines. Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
Jig is a shy, retiring, runty, near-sighted goblin, anything but a fierce goblin warrior, who wishes to quietly live an ordinary goblin life - out of sight, out of mind and below everyone else's radar. But, having earned the moniker "Jig Dragonslayer" by surviving his adventure with the Necromancer and the Dragon in GOBLIN QUEST, Jig finds himself unwillingly in the spotlight and under everyone else's magnifying glass. Kralk, the current goblin chief, wants nothing more than to kill Jig because she sees him as a threat to her authority. Veka, another goblin in Jig's tribe who sees herself as a rising sorceress, follows Jig incessantly seeking his advice and guidance on how to be a hero and how to increase her abilities in the use of a hero's magic. The neighbouring ogres, usually bitter rivals of the goblins, have arrived seeking Jig's help eliminating a dangerous unknown threat that is slowly killing ogres one by one and seems capable of wiping out the entire tribe. The conniving Kralk sees this as an opportunity to rid herself of Jig once and for all so she sends him off on a quest to help the ogres - a mission she firmly believes Jig will fail and see him killed. His companions on the mission will be Grell, an aging, decrepit goblin scarcely able to hobble along with the help of a cane; Braf, a bumbling goblin warrior well known to be slightly dumber than a bag of dirt; and, of course, Smudge, Jig's pet fire spider!
Another reviewer categorized Jim Hines' GOBLIN HERO as a fractured fairy tale. It's certainly true that humour and off-the-wall cartoonish versions of typical fantasy characters form an important part of Hines' most entertaining story. But underlying the wit, the humour, the sarcasm, not to mention the hilarious antics and escapades is a true tale in the finest tradition of the fantasy genre. Hines reminds us through Jig that leadership, success and courage often derive from other simpler things - loyalty, common sense, a strong moral compass, a good heart and an instinct for survival in the face of difficult odds and adversity.
If you're a fan of fantasy literature and can see the value in a good laugh now and then, then Jim Hines' GOBLIN HERO will suit you perfectly. Don't forget to read GOBLIN QUEST first. There's a definite story line to the development of the characters and many of the references in the story will blow right over your head without being familiar with the first novel in his series.
Great humour! A great story and great fantasy! Thanks very much, Mr Hines. Highly recommended.
Paul Weiss
laurarhds's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.0
midwichtriffid's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
maximus_56's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-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
planetarypan's review against another edition
4.0
Another fun installment of the Goblin series, this one goes even deeper into the psychology of goblins, hobgoblins, and ogres. We see Jig trying to deal with his new reputation and a new threat to the mountain. And his lost god trying to manipulate events for reasons unclear (well, manipulate Jig anyway). I will definitely have to get a hold of book three.
socr8sjohnson's review against another edition
4.0
Hines has found his voice as a writer. The pacing picks up, he switches viewpoints to other characters he weaves more subplots in. The book is an entertaining read. It is funnier than the last it just goes down as a darn good book. Definitely worth the read.