A review by chriskoppenhaver
Goblin Secrets by William Alexander

3.0

This was: good, but.

I really liked the world building and original setting with a lot of under-the-surface, unstated-but-implied history and culture and legends, but I felt like we barely scratched the surface of the potential.

I really liked the hints of atmosphere and Dickensian street urchin life, but wanted much more so that I really felt embraced by it instead of merely dipping my toes in it.

I thought the characters were interesting with decent personalities, motivations, and growth, but didn't feel like I was ever really caught up in their experiences or feeling their emotions.

I thought the story built to a decent climax, but halfway through I wouldn't have thought that was the defining conflict of the plot and the whole thing left me wanting much more.

I wanted to be delighted by all the insight provided by the theme of masks and the power each of us has to determine reality, but felt we just got a glimpse at the idea.

I felt like this was a small appetizer of a story, when what I wanted was a full meal. It left me wanting.

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He put on the mask and shifted his stance to tower above them all, even though he wasn't very tall.

"I am a giant," he said in a giant's voice, and it was true because he said that it was true.

Rownie wanted to try it. He wanted to declare himself a giant.