Goblin Hero (Goblin Series) [Mass Market Paperback]

Jim C. Hines (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1, 2007 | Series: Goblin Series (Book 2)

After barely surviving an adventure he never wanted, the scrawny little nearsighted goblin called Jig is now known as Jig Dragonslayer, and has the power of healing, thanks to the forgotten god he worships. But being a hero isn't all it's cracked up to be. Not when the goblin leader wants him dead, and everyone else actually expects him to keep doing heroic-and incredibly dangerous-things.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: DAW (May 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756404428
• ISBN-13: 978-0756404420
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #614,326 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jim C. Hines' latest book is THE SNOW QUEEN'S SHADOW, the fourth of his fantasy adventures that retell the old fairy tales with a Charlie's Angels twist. He's also the author of the humorous GOBLIN QUEST trilogy. Jim's short fiction has appeared in more than 40 magazines and anthologies, including Realms of Fantasy, Turn the Other Chick, and Sword & Sorceress XXI. Jim lives in Michigan with his wife and two children. He's currently hard at work on LIBRIOMANCER, the first book in a new modern-day fantasy series. Online, he can be found at http://www.jimchines.com

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I really enjoy this fractured fairytale!, July 19, 2007

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Goblin Hero (Goblin Series) (Mass Market Paperback)

When a large, nasty ogre comes into the goblin lair, demanding to see Jig Dragonslayer, Jig realizes that he is about to have yet another adventure. However, when he realizes that the ogres are scared, and are turning to him for help, he realizes just how dangerous this adventure is going to be! To make matters worse, he soon learns that his fellow travelers will be a old hobbled nursemaid, an exceedingly stupid warrior (and for goblins, that's saying something!), and a slightly mad gobliness with delusions of wizard-hood. Something sinister and dangerous is loose in the mountain, and if the goblins are going to survive, Jig and his band are going to have to work miracles!

As a confirmed fan of your traditional sword and sorcerer, elf and dwarf type fantasy, I really enjoy this fractured fairytale. The characters are all quite different than the fantasy heroes you are used to seeing, but the storyline is pure...well, magic.

Overall, I found this to be a fun and very interesting book. I liked the story, and really liked the very interesting characters who populated it (especially the goblins). If you are a fan of fantasy literature, then you will enjoy this wacky, off-beat addition to the genre. I highly recommend it!

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great followup to GOBLIN QUEST, May 8, 2007

By 

Raechel H. Moon (Bolingbrook, IL) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Goblin Hero (Goblin Series) (Mass Market Paperback)

GOBLIN HERO returns to the story of Jig, the runty goblin who got kidnapped by adventurers, killed a Necromancer, defeated a dragon and returned to tell about it. While Jig is useful to his fellow goblins for his healing ability, he's viewed as a threat by the goblin chief. So when an ogre shows up looking for Jig the Dragonslayer to battle a new threat to their mountain home Jig has two choices: go and face somewhat certain death, or stay and face much more certain death at the hands of his deceitful fellows. Going and getting killed will at least free him from having to watch his back, so off Jig goes.

GOBLIN HERO is an enjoyable follow up to GOBLIN QUEST. Hines has managed to create a world and characters that keep the reader guessing. Instead of heroes-with-a-capital-H his characters are just trying to stay alive and (with one exception) have no delusions of grandeur. This is a world where one could as easily be stabbed by one's companions as by the enemy (and friendly-stabbing happens more than once in the novel).

The book takes a lot of stabs at heroism-with-a-capital-H, adventurers in general, notions of fair play, and who someone is and who someone pretends to be. At one point a hobgoblin who has no compunction eating another hobgoblin, goblin or ogre (cannibalism isn't really a matter of ethics in this world as one of survival) complains about adventurers bringing their pets into the mountain only to be killed leaving their pets to fend for themselves.

The real strength of the book, however, is the gradual revealing of each character as more than just your typical fantasy monster. From the amorphous concept of goblin Hines pulls out individuals. They are cowardly and sneaky and backstabbing, to be sure, but they also have interests that involve more than just self-preservation. Over the course of the book the characters grow from roughly sketched stereotypes into finely drawn personalities. And it all takes place through the characters eyes, as they come to realize there's more to each other than meets the eye. It's a delightful realization.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Goblin Fever!, June 26, 2007

By 

Kari Gritzan (San Francisco) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Goblin Hero (Goblin Series) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a great sequel to the first book, Goblin Quest, taking us further into the life and adventures of our Goblin hero Jig and his wonderful firespider, Smudge. This time he's joined by some of his goblin family, as well as other denizens of the mountains in which they live. This time, they're fighting against an invading horde of nasty pest-like faeries from another world. Jig continues on his reluctant path of heroism, yet continues to prove what a big hero he is! This is a hugely delightful story, one which young adults and grownups won't be able to put down. Excellent fantasy!