Teagan Wylltson's best friend, Abby, dreams that horrifying creatures--goblins, shape-shifters, and beings of unearthly beauty but terrible cruelty--are hunting Teagan. Abby is always coming up with crazy stuff, though, so Teagan isn't worried. Her life isn't in danger. In fact, it's perfect. She's on track for a college scholarship. She has a great job. She's focused on school, work, and her future. No boys, no heartaches, no problems. Until Finn Mac Cumhaill arrives. Finn's a bit on the unearthly beautiful side himself. He has a killer accent and a knee-weakening smile. And either he's crazy or he's been haunting Abby's dreams, because he's talking about goblins, too . . . and about being The Mac Cumhaill, born to fight all goblin-kind. Finn knows a thing or two about fighting. Which is a very good thing, because this time, Abby's right. The goblins are coming.
Publisher: Clarion Books | Published: November 15, 2010
Hardcover | 320 pages | ISBN: 978-0547330082
Genre: Young Adult
Plot: Sixteen year old Teagan is one of those wonderful teenagers most adults love to get to know. She volunteers at the zoo using sign language with the primates. Teagan hangs out with her best friend, Abby who claims to be psychic. And, Teagan adores her five year old baby brother, Aiden, who is as precocious as they come. Aiden was born with a photographic memory and is known in the family as the "human gps system." Teagan's parents are just as interesting! Her father is a librarian and storyteller, claiming to be descended from Merlin. Her mother was adopted by the Irish Travelers who moved to America when she was 12; now she is a popular writer and illustrator of children's picture books. Her stories include fantastical drawings of goblins, fairies, and sprites. When a distant cousin Teagan never knew she had, Finn Cumhaill, is brought to their home via social services, life completely changes. There is an electric current that passes between the two when they happen to touch in passing. . .Teagan begins to see a menacing creature out of the corner of her eye. . .Finn starts to tell her things as though she already knew them. . .Aiden sees a shadow at dinner walking around - not attached to anyone or anything. Since it's on the book jacket I don't feel like I'm giving away a spoiler, but when their mother passes away from quite mysterious circumstances and their father is kidnapped by a handsome-looking goblin, Teagan, Aiden and Finn must fight to stay alive while trying to rescue the father.
Setting: We are taken from Teagan's home with her parents to the library in Chicago where her father works and on a journey to reconnect with the long-lost grandmother and back to the park behind the library in Chicago. The park has great significance as it is where Teagan and Aiden's mother's ashes were scattered and it holds the entrance to Mag Mel, the kingdom ruled by the evil Fear Doirich. In each passage, I could smell the standing water that Finn, Teagan and Aiden were having to walk through in Mag Mel and picture the multitude of frogs leading the way through, all the while,listening to Aiden sing. Ms. Hamilton could not have done any better with the atmosphere and setting in this first Goblin Wars book!
Characters: These characters were well drawn out, with personalities and backgrounds that shone through in every nuance, every conversation. I do have to say that although Teagan was smart to the point of almost nerdy, beautiful heroine, she also had a bit of warrior girl in her; and Aiden - well, he definitely stole the show. The human g.p.s. with his singing through all their scrapes, arguing that he wasn't a baby (although he was), but showing a fortitude and strength for a five year old that most do not have. After yesterday's Top Ten Post - I so want Aiden as a baby brother! or son! either one! Finn was the consummate hero. One thing I truly loved about Finn was he was a true gentleman - a fighter, Irish, yet always a gentleman. Abby provided comic relief. I want a best friend like her, one with mafia connections, an uncle who owns a limo service and a friend who is there no matter what. Even the evil characters had character!
Mood this book evokes: So glad there were no vampires and no angels!
My Final Say: If you love anything Irish, if you even half-way like young adult books, if you're into something fresh, different, celtic, think Merlin-in-a-pub, then this book is totally for you!!! It is so good, so very, very good! My only complaint is having to wait for Goblin Wars #2!
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Review Copyright © of A Novel Source
I'm so glad you enjoyed this one. It might be a little too magical for me.
ReplyDeleteLack of vampires and angels in a YA novel is so refreshing! I am definitely going to read this one.
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear this one is worth a read. It sounds like something I would love. I am going to have to check it out!
ReplyDeleteGoblins is a new twist!
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to the passing of the demons, werewolves and vampires stage in YA Lit. It's time for something new and refreshing. Perhaps goblins and goblin chasers?
ReplyDeleteO I LOVE this book and am totally thrilled you dug it! Hooray! I can't wait for book 2.
ReplyDelete