happyDAW, paperback
352 pages, crazytrain fantasy
Currently in print
***
So here's one of the truly wonderful things about being with DAW Books -- and presumably, about being with just about any publisher, but it's DAW for me: you wind up getting encouraged to read other books by DAW authors. It's sort of a 'keeping it in the family thing,' but more, it's a fantastic excuse to go out and discover things that I had managed to miss on the bookstore shelves. And wow, have I made some discoveries.
Goblin Quest never even pinged my radar. Either the bookstores didn't put it out where I could see it, or none of my friends recommended it, or I just wasn't browsing in the 'H' section of the shelves; whatever the reason, I didn't see it until it was pressed into my hands with a glowing "You'll like this" recommendation. I listen to glowing recommendations, especially since they mean I'll have someone to chuck the book at if I really hate it. I took the book home. I opened it. I read.
I laughed until I was in danger of spraining something.
You see, Goblin Quest is the story of Jig the goblin. Jig has always lived in the goblin caverns, because that's what goblins do. Sometimes adventurers come along and decimate the population, which provides everyone else with fresh meat for a few days; the rest of the time, well, the caverns just get along being caverns. What else is there? As it turns out, plenty, as Jig discovers to his dismay when his path happens to collide with a group of adventurers. Led by Prince Barius, a noble (read 'arrogant') warrior (read 'testosterone-poisoned asshole'), they're on a quest to find the Rod of Creation, a powerful artifact supposedly guarded by a dragon. And that's where the real fun begins.
This book is perfect for anyone who's ever wondered what it was like to be on the other end of a dungeon crawl. As Jig ponders at one point, it must be very sad for the adventurers of the world to have all these monsters sitting on treasure that is 'rightfully theirs.' Wouldn't it be easier if the current owners of all that treasure just realized that it actually belonged to someone else? The goblin caverns may not be nice places by human (or sane) standards of 'nice,' but they're home to Jig and his species, and they didn't exactly ask to be invaded time and again by arrogant treasure-seekers with more swords than sense.
Of course, none of this really addresses the best part of Goblin Quest: it's funny as hell. I've had amazing luck finding hysterically funny reads in 2008, and this one has just taken the number two spot, second only to John Dies At the End. Seriously, it's awesome. I kept needing to go back and read one more page, one more chapter, just one more little scene, leading to me bringing a book to the dinner table for the first time in years. It was just that good. There are two sequels, and I'm really looking forward to sinking my teeth into them -- the world needs more funny.
If you've ever played a game of D&D, watched a fantasy 'epic,' or wondered how the world could be that simple when you had a sword in your hand, this book is for you. Hell, if you just enjoy laughing, this book is for you. It's just plain fun, from the opening to the ending, and that's the way a book ought to be.
Plus, the hero has a pet fire-spider that periodically ignites everything in sight. Including our hero. Now that's comedy.
August 18 2008, 17:34:36 UTC 8 years ago
August 18 2008, 20:48:53 UTC 8 years ago