Goblin Quest [Paperback]

Jim C. Hines (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 6, 2009

Jig is a scrawny little nearsighted goblin-a runt even among his puny species. Captured by a party of adventurers searching for a magical artifact, and forced to guide them, Jig encounters every peril ever faced on a fantasy quest.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"If you''ve always kinda rooted for the little guy, even maybe had a bit of a place in your heart for the likes of Gollum, rather than the Boromirs and Gandalfs of the world, pick up Goblin Quest - just make sure you keep well away from Golaka''s stewpot." - The SF Site

From the Inside Flap

When Jig's patrol is ambushed by a group of adventurers, he does what goblins do best: throws down his weapon and surrenders. Thus begins Jig's quest, as the adventurers force him to serve as their guide through the labyrinth of tunnels beneath the mountain. Led by Prince Barius Wendelson, their goal is an ancient magical artifact, hidden here ages past.

As the group moves deeper into the tunnels, Jig finds himself face to face with creatures of goblin legend: ogres, trolls, not to mention the long-dead servants of the dreaded Necromancer, all leading to one final, deadly battle.

To survive, Jig will have to find a way to combine heroism with his own goblin ideals. The result is an unpredictable adventure that will leave readers cheering this unlikeliest of heroes and questioning some of the most basic traditions of fantasy quests. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: DAW (October 6, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0756404002
• ISBN-13: 978-0756404000
• Product Dimensions: 7.1 x 4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (54 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #483,032 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

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Jig is Up, January 11, 2007

By 

Joshua Koppel (Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Goblin Quest (Paperback)

Jig the goblin in very low on the pecking order in the goblin tunnels. But one day Jig runs afoul of a group of adventurers. The group is led by a prince with too many older brothers. He wants to prove himself. So with his wizard brother, a dwarf protector, and a young elf thief, they have come to the tunnels to search for the legendary Rod of Creation. It is said to be deep in the mountain, beyond the terrible Necromancer, and guarded by an ancient dragon. Jig is impressed into service as a guide.

Jig knows little of the tunnels outside the goblin territory but leads them anyway. Along the way Jig begins to question goblin ways. He sees how the adventurers work together in crisis although they fight most of the rest of the time. He sees the value of good equipment and proper training. All a far cry from the goblin standard of rushing headlong into battle and almost certain death. Jig also learns about religion. But mostly he just tries to survive the various rants and furies from the adventurers. But Jig has untapped depths that help the party advance when hope seems lost. Dragons, necromancers, and endless treachery must be overcome if Jig can get out of this alive.

This is a wonderful little story and Jig is a very interesting character. Seeing a traditional quest fantasy from the eyes of a goblin was very refreshing. You will see many parallels with THE HOBBIT (there is even a reference to Frodo at one point). I am eagerly awaiting the sequel which will be out May 2007. Jig's actions and solutions are original and fresh. The writing is smooth and well-paced. Although billed as a comedy it is really light fantasy. Check it out.

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Midwest Book Review, February 2005 Issue, January 26, 2005

By 

Lori L. Lake "Author of Like Lovers Do, Buyer... (Portland, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: GoblinQuest (Five Star Science Fiction/Fantasy) (Hardcover)

Jig is a goblin with little social status. He has been assigned to the lowliest muck duty far longer than others his age, and he can't help but feel shame. He also can't help that he is a clumsy, near-sighted runt, and his cousin Porak and his buddies never let him forget it. Only in his fantasies is Jig a brave and respected warrior, and he longs for the chance to prove himself.

Finally Jig is given the opportunity to guard the mountain tunnels from intruders, which is a scary proposition since so many of the tunnel guards wind up dead. He resolves to do what needs to be done in order to stay alive. Imagine his surprise when he is accosted by a party of treasure hunters made up of two humans, a dwarf, and an elf who are searching for the Rod of Creation thought to be guarded by a dragon named Straum.

Jig is forced to join them for the hunt-or die. "Jig knew what a real hero would do. A hero would scream something defiant, wrestle Darnak's club away and use it against the dwarf and the human. A hero might even slay them both before making his escape. Of course, Jig knew all the goblin songs, so he knew what happened to goblin heroes.... He had not desire to be a hero. He only wanted to go home, curl up with a hot bowl of lizard-egg soup, and feed dead cockroaches to Smudge" (p. 25).

The prospect of making such a journey successfully with his captors doesn't look good to Jig. He doesn't even know where Straum's lair is, but instead of mounting what would be a suicide attack, Jig reluctantly agrees to help the adventurers find their way around the tunnels. What follows is a series of action-filled, entertaining, and often funny adventures as they battle hobgoblins, worms, a necromancer, and various other foes.

This book will appeal to both adults and young adults. Teens will very much enjoy Jig's quest and his attempt to define himself in a world that doesn't necessarily value his skills. Adults will also enjoy the humor and the upending of various aspects of the fantasy/quest genre. Prepare to be entertained throughout and completely satisfied with Jig's journey by the time you reach the end. ~Lori L. Lake, reviewer for Midwest Book Review and author of the "Gun" series

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Better than the Zanth novels, April 11, 2008

By 

Elaine C McTyer "avid reader" (Dawson, GA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Goblin Quest (Paperback)

I loved this book, it is one of my favorites now and I know I will want to revisit it often. I also bought the other two books in the series. Each book is stand alone great. I laughed so hard I almost fell out of my chair and yet there is also a lesson to be learned in the book. Great read.

Jig is a goblin. He lives with the rest of the goblins in a magic mountain. He is the runt and gets bullied often. A large mean goblin, Porak, forces him to go with his company while they check out the tunnels. They stop to drink and play craps while Jig is forced to wander off further in the tunnels. He comes upon a group of adventurers. Prince Barius, a warrior, Prince Ryslind, a mage, Darnak, a dwarf and a captured young elf girl. She is a thief who was caught by Darnak and is being forced to accompany the trio on their quest.

Jig is the only one left after the goblins encounter the adventurers and he is forced to lead the party deeper into the mountain. They are in search of the Rod of Creation. Jig knows what a goblin is and does, he is a coward and he runs. Unfortunately that is not possible for our hero. So his great idea is to lead the party into all of the most dangerous places he knows. The only thing is that he only knows the goblin tunnels.

As you can imagine the journey is a hoot and the adventures are swift and deadly. From one death trap to another, Jig has already decided that death is his destination. But as they travel Jig learns things not the least is that Darnak serves a God who helps him, by healing injuries due to battle. Jig thinks that might come in handy if he can find a God who won't mind a goblin worshiper. There must be at least one God who needs a servant.

I found the adventure wonderful, exciting, and delicious. I look forward to the other two books in the series. GOBLIN HERO and GOBLIN WAR if they are as good as GOBLIN QUEST, I will dive in and devour each of them just as I did this one. Great Reading.