Title: Goblins: Book 1
Author: Melanie Tushmore
Genre: Paranormal / Fantasy / Fae
ISBN: 9781620042373
Length: Two Novellas (189 pages)
Publisher: Less Than Three Press LLC (September 25th, 2013)
Heat Level: Low ~ Moderate
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥4.5 Hearts
Reviewer: Thommie
Blurb: In the 17th Century, the ancient sprawl of Epping Forest is bursting with magic and those who go unseen by human eyes: the elves who rule the summer court, and the goblins who rule the winter court. It is said that if a human catches the eye of one of the fey, they are either doomed or blessed.
Wulfren & the Warlock
When Wulfren wakes from a strange dream of a human captor with long silver hair, and grey eyes, his brothers tell him they rescued him from a warlock, and take Wulfren back home to the goblin king’s palace. But Wulfren isn’t so sure the matter is that simple. Why was he missing so long? What are the strange dreams of the beautiful man with the silver hair? Dalliances with humans are severely frowned upon, especially by Wulfren’s father, but Wulfren is willing to risk the scorn of his family to find the human who haunts his dreams.
Quiller & the Runaway Prince
After a hard winter, Quiller is sent deep into the forest on a family errand, and is surprised when a human stumbles into his path. Quiller swoops in to pester him, perhaps even eat him, but there is something special about the human: his scent is royal, though he protests that he is not, and soon Quiller finds himself agreeing to help the human with his troubles—in exchange for a kiss.
Product Link: http://www.lessthanthreepress.com/books/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=502
Review: I can’t believe I hadn’t read this one earlier really. What an enthralling read these two stories were. I absolutely adored them. But here, let me walk you through each one separately.
Wulfren & the Warlock
Oh how I loved this story. It was fascinating, the goblins just to die for, and their personalities so much of what I’ve always fantasized them to be. Playful and pure trouble they very well could be the little terrors of the forest. I think this is one of those rare stories about the fae that makes a decent and relatively logical approach to their magic and life. It just awakens that fire inside you whenever you think about the magic of the forest and Mother Nature herself.
Wolf is the seventh son of the Goblin King, and though he plays around with his brothers, there is something missing in his life. When one day he awakens dizzy and without memories he feels out of place and terribly irritated. His brothers explanation that he was captured and enslaved by a warlock makes no sense as dreams show him memories of his time with Ash, and though he was enslaved the first time he met him, he was set free after that.
So what happened? Why has a season gone by, one he doesn’t remember? What happened in between and why does his heart feel cold and his arms empty?
A fantastic story filled with magic, naughty goblins that cause lots of trouble, and love. Mostly love, for this is a wonderful, brilliant love story where one willingly would give everything he has, even his own life for the privilege to be loved back.
Quiller & the Runaway Prince
The second story actually picks up where the first left and follows Quiller, Wulf’s brother. Half Goblin half Bird spirit, Quiller finally has two seasons off. Spring and summer are perfect as the Rotten Ring’s dwellers rest. But on his very first day off Quiller finds himself tasked with chores yet again. Irritated he sees to it nonetheless and his reward is a beautiful runaway prince. A human prince but royalty nonetheless, one that smells deliciously and has Quiller’s imagination sparkling with mischief. This is the perfect opportunity for some meddling and fun, but alas, as Quiller goes through the bargain and helps his Charming Prince, he falls into the oldest trap of them old. He falls in love…
So both these stories have this thing in common. They made me recall old tales told in hushed whispers from my great-grandmother in order to scare us children into behaving. The fear of the dark when the spirits rise and the little people come out to startle us. Tales of spells and magic cast to the fools who aren’t wary enough, and so on. Yes, these tales had an old touch in them, one that made me literally melt and enjoy them wholeheartedly.
Quiller’s story is fascinating too, a bit more intense action wise, a bit more entrancing as he sets out to save his distressed Prince. I loved it, I enjoyed it immensely, but the end left me wondering. Having met the Goblin King and with the happy for now sort of end, I couldn’t help but wonder how would Quiller and his Prince’s future be like.
Other than that though, both stories were so very worth reading that I couldn’t recommend them enough. I hadn’t thought it possible to like Goblins as much, but here you have it, I’ve been yet again surprised and fell yet again a little bit more in love.