Firstly, I was a bit reluctant to read this initially. I was interested, but I was really worried it would be hokey as heck. Second, that cover does this book no justice. Its pretty enough, but the novel is much darker then it suggests.

Greta is, for all intents and purposes, the Special One in a world where being the Special One is not something you want. She's faster, stronger and way more reckless then your typical human (and some of the supernatural creatures running around), but she's also grouchier, snappish and wholly more anti-social then nearly everyone else too.

Issac meanwhile is pretty much everything you've come to expect from the Alpha Males of paranormal/fantasy romances of late (YA or otherwise). I'm with Greta--where the hell is the teasing, kind of dorky guy she kind of talks about and kind of shows up on occasion? When did 'love interest' in a PNR become short hand for 'guy who pushes the heroine around while manipulating events'? The possible romantic third did nothing for me as well--he annoyed me MORE because it was obvious he was a third wheel to the romance. Why does everyone have to be in love with everyone else? Why can't they be really good friends who care about each other but don't necessarily want anything more?

Mylena itself was a bit iffy world-building wise. I think its a land of perpetual winter, or at least where Greta was hanging about it seemed to be (which was the Goblin territory). How anybody managed to survive though is beyond me. Economy, trade, agriculture--the world is given a very basic and broad swipe. Part of it may be because Greta really only knows the Goblin territory (having never ventured outside of it, that she mentions) and if they had sat down to discuss the economical division of each 'kingdom' it would have tanked the suspense of the plot, but seriously. Something.

There's a surprise for Greta, that isn't much of a surprise since it was telegraphed unsubtly, though I was surprised at some of Issac's actions. Relatively speaking Greta's only known him two weeks (their meeting occurred off screen, before the book began), and she has the barest understanding of how being the Goblin King works so its not terribly surprising she doesn't understand the position Issac is thrust into, but she reacts badly.

That aside, this book didn't mess around. Practically nothing got a pass because its meant to be for the teen set--someone does something stupid they died, didn't matter who they were. Someone doesn't think of the consequences, well they got the bitter pill of reality right quick enough. Even Greta, who as the title character is almost guaranteed a pass to surviving, gets herself routinely beat up, scratch, cut, stabbed and thrown around. More than any of the male characters.

Really this didn't feel like a YA fantasy, this felt a bit more like the old school portal fantasies and that's not necessarily a bad thing. I'm interested to see how Greta's actions play out and I sincerely hope that certain people do not pop back up. Not needed. Cut them out. Throw them off a cliff. ( )

I stumbled across this book while I was hunting for more fae books after reading Hidden Huntress by Danielle L. Jensen and A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas. Since I have a huge nerd-on for Labyrinth (1986) and subsequently anything along that line, I had to check this book out.
It's a okay book, the plot was a little rushed and confusing at times. The characters could have used a little refining, but overall it was a quick and enjoyable read. The book starts out with Greta already in Mylena and has been for a while, establishing herself as a bounty hunter. All the while concealing her humanity and posing as a sprite. She has been taken in and claimed by a high elf like creature who trains her and becomes a father-figure to her in this world that is not her own. We also meet the Goblin King, Isaac who has dream invading abilities, an ability to get under Greta's skin, and for some reason you cannot say his name because that gives him the ability to invade your dreams???
The fae(ish) creatures of this book are pretty standard, though they're kind of like weres in the sense that during eclipses they lose their ability to reason similar to a werewolf during the full moon. And of course that's a big plot point in the book. Anyway Greta's adoptive father gets murdered, leading her to seek revenge with a half-baked, ill-conceived plan and an overestimate of her abilities. She meets a group of human boys living in the woods who have escaped from an evil wizard who seems more like an afterthought than an actual nefarious villain. The books gave me serious Peter Pan feels in the sense they reminded me of the Lost Boys, which there was a joke about later in the book that had me smiling!
These boys have some hairbrained scheme to free the other human slaves working for the big baddie, which they rope Greta into. She quickly forms a bond and has a sense of camaraderie with the boys, all the while there's a bounty on her head because it was revealed to the world that she's human, and Isaac is looking for her because he's in love with her. There's this big deus ex machina ending and basically everyone goes home happy. Don't get me wrong I really did enjoy this book, I just feel with a little more work the plot could have been expanded upon and made this a better read. I'm still going to read the sequel(s) and see where this goes. ( )

Originally reviewed at Witchmag's Boekenplank

Before I started reading this book I honestly thought that this would be a paranormal romance (an adult version). So I was a bit shocked to discover that our main character is only 17 years old. And then checked and found out this is a YA-book (Thank God). The book itself didn’t help correcting my misconception since Greta, at first, didn’t come across as a 17-year old girl. She felt way older. However, later on, it was a so clear that she’s still growing up… The cover also didn’t give me a YA “vibe,” what with the woman and man on the cover. They don’t look like teenagers at all! The blurb also doesn’t help you, since it doesn’t give you an indication about the age of our main characters. And since I started reading this book thinking it was a PNR, I felt that there was something missing (no not THAT). That it lacked that special chemistry between the two main characters that’s usually there in most of the PNR that I read…

There was also something else that made it difficult for me to like this book: Greta. She’s the most impossible, selfish, suspicious, I’m-better-off-alone…. and so on and so on. I did not like her at all. She does improve a bit throughout the story, but too little for me to like her more. And the worst was, that most of her actions hurt Isaac. That was something I could not stand at all!

Isaac is the Goblin King. I’d really thought I’d never write this but: goblins are hot. Or at least this particular one ^^ From the first moment you met him you can see how he feels about Greta. He does everything for her. He’s totally besotted with her. But does Greta see this too? Of course not! She stubbornly keeps on thinking that it’s all a game to him. A game that ends with her handed over to creatures who don’t think much of humans. It really hurt to watch how he was treated every time…. and made me want to kick Greta’s ass!

The story itself starts strong, with a lot of action and adventure, but the awesomeness soon faded away. Till all that is left is instructing Lost Boys and dreaming about finally putting a knife through Isaac’s heart. Yeah, not something I like to read about and therefore I had a bit of trouble with reading on. Although 6 little boys fighting against evil and dangerous creatures had me focused once again. If only to hit the ones who thought it would be a good idea on the head! Afterwards my attention once again went away. The end was a bit more interesting, but not totally attention capturing.

The one thing that was totally perfect was the world building. Here and there I could see the references to certain fairy tales, like Peter Pan and Hansel und Gretel. It was great to think about which stories could be used. There’s also a cursed world full of magical and horrendous creatures, who, for a change, aren’t the bad guys (for the largest part ;) ). A world where it’s forever winter, because humans let the evil in… (Sounds familiar, doesn’t it???) Yeah although it similar, it also different and I quite liked all those little references.

Conclusion

2 HEARTS. A book burdened with one of the most horrendous main characters I’ve ever met. Who manages to hurt my beloved Isaac time and time again. With a story that failed to totally capture my attention, but with a well build world where the most hideous creatures, for once, aren’t the bad guys. ( )

Quick Review...for when I don't have a lot to say...

I wasn't sure about this book, because of the cover. It kind of has a weird-looking cover to me; almost a graphic novel feel. I don't do graphic novels. When the library bought it though, I decided to give it a shot.

I was pleasantly surprised by it. It had quite a nice story and I liked the characters. It was a pretty unique plotline, and I really appreciate that. Also, Isaac just sounds hot. Except for maybe when he's in uber-goblin mode, and then I'm pretty sure I don't want anything to do with him.

Greta was a very strong character. I liked her a lot. She was tougher than tough, but also still very much in touch with her feelings and emotions. I like that her hard life hadn't burned the compassion out of her. I like that she tried so hard to save her brother and took his place in Mylena. I like that she was willing to put herself on the line to help others - even those she didn't know and didn't even particularly like.

The eclipse was fascinating. I liked the idea that, for the most part, the creatures of Mylena were pretty civilized. When that eclipse comes though, all bets are off. The normally thinking creatures become feral, and the normally feral creatures become nightmarish. I really liked the added danger of the eclipse.

All in all, a fun read and one that I might buy for my personal library at some point.

3.5 Eiffel Towers

Content Advisory
Language: Moderate
Sexuality: Moderate
Violence: Heavy ( )

Briefly, what I enjoyed. Goblins as the main fantasy characters in a story and a kick butt heroine trying to survive and get home. The world building was pretty solid. The pace is fast and the action moves along pretty much non stop.

What I didn't like. The action was the main focus and the characters suffered from that. They lacked depth, especially Isaac, the Goblin King. It was mostly a case of insta-love and there is never a reason why he cares about Greta except that it makes the story work. Also the dream connection was not really explained and again it felt like an element just to make the story work. Greta's internal dialogue was a little overly repetitive and she kept saying one thing and then acting opposite of what she was thinking. So while this was not an outstanding read, it had enough going for it that I may try the sequel. ( )