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hidekisohma's review
2.0
Ugh. Throw this into the "could have been good"category. This seems to be a theme with Jim Hines. He has some good ideas, but can't follow through (my other time with Mr. Hines being Libriomancer). The book this time though is about a goblin name Jig who the story focuses on. A bunch of terrible D&Dish adventurers come to find the rod of creation in this gigantic cavern. (warning the twist is stupid).
One of the biggests issues that i had with this book was that it really would have benefitted from being written in first person. All the thoughts, ideas and actions really lent this story to be a first person story. It not being so really hurts it, and I never thought i would say that.
The other big problem in this book is that not a single character is likable. Seriously. No one. Jig is annoying, the elf girl is whiny and switches between emotions very quickly, the dwarf is kind of just there, the prince is a butt and the wizard is stereotypically wizardly.
Not a single character develops. No one learns a lesson, and there's no FUN in this book. It's just a pure schlog. I wanted to see the other party members, you know, realize that the random goblin is a useful party member and learn to like him. NOPE! That would require character development. Let's have them act exactly the same as they did in chapter 1. And let's have Jig murder people. Cause why not?
I don't know WHAT Jim was going for in this book, but it's just plain unpleasant. I even considered reading the second book until the final few chapters. Afterwards I was just disgusted. This book took me two weeks. It shouldn't have taken me that long but I had to put it down. I was not having fun at all which is very sad. It wasn't even acceptable 3/5. it was unpleasant so it gets a 2/5. Not the worst written thing ever, but not fun, not enjoyable, no character development, and boring in many places. That's two tries I gave to Jim Hines. I think i'm done for a while.
2/5.
One of the biggests issues that i had with this book was that it really would have benefitted from being written in first person. All the thoughts, ideas and actions really lent this story to be a first person story. It not being so really hurts it, and I never thought i would say that.
The other big problem in this book is that not a single character is likable. Seriously. No one. Jig is annoying, the elf girl is whiny and switches between emotions very quickly, the dwarf is kind of just there, the prince is a butt and the wizard is stereotypically wizardly.
Not a single character develops. No one learns a lesson, and there's no FUN in this book. It's just a pure schlog. I wanted to see the other party members, you know, realize that the random goblin is a useful party member and learn to like him. NOPE! That would require character development. Let's have them act exactly the same as they did in chapter 1. And let's have Jig murder people. Cause why not?
I don't know WHAT Jim was going for in this book, but it's just plain unpleasant. I even considered reading the second book until the final few chapters. Afterwards I was just disgusted. This book took me two weeks. It shouldn't have taken me that long but I had to put it down. I was not having fun at all which is very sad. It wasn't even acceptable 3/5. it was unpleasant so it gets a 2/5. Not the worst written thing ever, but not fun, not enjoyable, no character development, and boring in many places. That's two tries I gave to Jim Hines. I think i'm done for a while.
2/5.
mollymortensen's review
3.0
I typically avoid dungeon books (and D&D books) but I was looking for something light and funny and this was recommended to me.
I like the idea of a monster as the main character and Jig the Goblin is a great protag. He's complicated, cowardly, but intelligent, and actually a decent person.
The other characters were well done. I didn't particularly like any of them, but I knew how they'd react to things. Riana, the young elven thief, the pompous nasty prince, his creepy wizard brother, and the religious intelligent dwarf. (I liked him the best)
The book was entertaining enough. The dungeons got a bit tedious at times, but the author knows how to tell a good tale. There's not much to the plot but I wasn't expecting much.
I'm surprised this isn't a standalone. Would I read another? I don't think so. I really liked the ending and I'm afraid that a sequel would ruin it.
I like the idea of a monster as the main character and Jig the Goblin is a great protag. He's complicated, cowardly, but intelligent, and actually a decent person.
The other characters were well done. I didn't particularly like any of them, but I knew how they'd react to things. Riana, the young elven thief, the pompous nasty prince, his creepy wizard brother, and the religious intelligent dwarf. (I liked him the best)
The book was entertaining enough. The dungeons got a bit tedious at times, but the author knows how to tell a good tale. There's not much to the plot but I wasn't expecting much.
I'm surprised this isn't a standalone. Would I read another? I don't think so. I really liked the ending and I'm afraid that a sequel would ruin it.
Spoiler
Though I think Jig should've left the goblins, who were horrible to him his whole life, and gone with Riana. (Then she wouldn't be lonely either.) He totally could have remade the spoon and hidden it in the fish to get it back to the cook.frak00's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
chriscoman's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
marklpotter's review
3.0
This was a pretty fun little romp. Questing, dragons, a necromancer, and an unlikely hero. I do like Hines' take on the goblins and thier culture but the focus wasn't on that. Jig makes a good hero and is fun to root for along the way.
hellojorelle's review
4.0
Fun read especially if you play DND. The character tropes are definitely there, and some things are a bit predictable and deus ex machina-y, but its a fun read.
fryguy451's review against another edition
5.0
GraphicAudio version is wonderfully done! Exciting and funny! Loved it.
tmikerx's review
5.0
This was a great book. Great story, great action, a bit generic, but I think ironically so (you'll understand what I mean when you read it). I loved reading a swords and sorcery fantasy book through the eyes of a goblin, albeit an extraordinarily forward-thinking goblin. There was no point in the story that was tedious or boring, and I greatly enjoyed every word of it.
chupacobbruh's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75