Goblin Quest by Jim C. Hines
Series: Jig the Goblin #1
Published by Indie
Published on: November 2, 2004
Genres: Fantasy
Pages: 346
Format: eBook
Source: Library
Amazon | Book Depo | Chapters | Kobo | B&N | iBooks | GoodReads
Jig is a scrawny little nearsighted goblin-a runt even among his puny species. Captured by a party of adventurers searching for a magical artifact, and forced to guide them, Jig encounters every peril ever faced on a fantasy quest.
 |
 |
 |
I saw a review for Goblin War on Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell and thought the story sounded so cute, so I decided to start with the first book in the series. I’m really glad that I did. I love Jig. He is a great character.
So, Jig is a goblin. He isn’t a particularly good goblin. He is nearsighted, which makes him clumsy. He starts off the story doing the job that the children do. He isn’t trusted to do the job of adults. That is until a bully comes along and forces Jig to go on patrol with his group. He sends Jig out ahead as the rest get drunk.
Jig runs into a group of “Adventurers”. There’s a human prince, a human wizard (the brother of the prince), a dwarf and a elf that is a thief (I feel like I should add walk into a bar, to make this into a joke). Darnak, the dwarf convinces the prince that the goblin could be of some use. Barius, the prince is on a quest. He wants to prove himself. As the seventh son, he was never going to be king. His younger brother, Ryslind, the wizard, was at least a powerful wizard.
So Jig goes on this quest to help Barius. Jig proves himself pretty useful, as does the elf, Riana. Of course the wizard was very helpful with his magic. The dwarf, was also extremely helpful, as dwarves are very strong. This was supposed to be Barius’s quest, but yet it seems that all the others in the party are the useful ones. He was just along to take credit. Can you tell that I was not a fan?
He found it peculiar the way these adventurers thought anything they found was “rightfully” theirs. Why couldn’t they come out and admit they were stealing from the monsters? Nothing wrong with that. Goblins and hobgoblins did it all the time. True, it was mostly hobgoblins stealing from the goblins, but that was part of life. Why this nonsense about the rod really belonging to Barius? Did he think Straum should rush out and present the rod to him? Should the goblins have given over their meager treasure because it “rightfully” belonged to Barius?
No wonder the prince was so bitter and angry. All that treasure was rightfully his, and none of the current owners were considerate enough to realize it.
As I said, I loved Jig. He is not a likely hero, but yet he is one. Even though Jig is nearsighted, he is very observant (I think it comes from avoiding bullies his whole life). He notices things that many others don’t.
Wait a minute. Jig gave himself a mental shake. The one thing adventurers and goblins share is their ability to get into deeper trouble. Forget about what goblins would do. Forget about what an adventurer would do. I need to figure out what Jig should do.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Jig’s pet fire spider, Smudge. I really liked Smudge too. He is not a normal pet, but I thought him adorable. I’m not sure if I would feel the same about it if I came across him in real life, but in the story, he is cute.
This was a really fun start to a series. I’m excited to see what else will be in store for Jig.
| Jig the Goblin Series | ||
  |
  |
  |
I’m Melanie and I live in Ohio. I have two horses and a dog. I’m an animal lover, avid book reader and audiobook listener. I like to live vicariously through fictional characters. I enjoy reading and listening to mostly fictional books in the paranormal genre, including Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance and Horror. My favorite paranormal creatures are shifters, doesn’t matter the flavor.
I typically don’t like the group if adventurers type book but this one sounds fun! It’s like he picked the most unlikely of narrators. I like the pet spider too.
Molly Mortensen recently posted…Hello world!
Yes! I’m the same way. I don’t usually go looking for “quest” books, but when I read the review of the third book, I had to try it. I love the unlikely hero aspect.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: The Games of Supervillainy by C.T. Phillips (@mlsimmons, @Willowhugger, @JeffreyKafer)
Smudge is the best, all hail Smudge! hehe, I am glad you liked it too. Hines is so fun
blodeuedd recently posted…Carole’s Sunday Post: The Lion of the South – Jessica James
Smudge is awesome. I’ve read book two. I loved it just as much. This is the only thing I’ve read from this author, but I would try other stuff from him.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: The Games of Supervillainy by C.T. Phillips (@mlsimmons, @Willowhugger, @JeffreyKafer)
So is this a middle grade fantasy then or young adult? Sounds fun either way!
kindlemom1 recently posted…Blog Tour Book Review: A Treacherous Curse by Deanna Raybourn
It is not middle grade (though I agree that the cover looks like it might be). Ages aren’t mentioned. They are all adults. Some YA people could read it, but I’m not sure if they would enjoy it, unless they like reading adult books. It is a really fun story. I’ve already tackled the second book and eager for the third book.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: The Games of Supervillainy by C.T. Phillips (@mlsimmons, @Willowhugger, @JeffreyKafer)
I like the Unlikely Hero stories. I somehow missed the review over on Book Girl’s blog. Jig and his pet sound great. Thanks for putting me on to this, Melanie!
Sophia Rose recently posted…Review: Switchback by Melissa F. Olson
Her review was a while ago. I try to put who’s blog I makes me add them to my TBR, so I can remember to cite them. And it also helps encourage me to start them when I see it wasn’t just a random add to TBR, but a review from someone I trusted.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: The Games of Supervillainy by C.T. Phillips (@mlsimmons, @Willowhugger, @JeffreyKafer)
You’re right this does sound cute. Even Smudge, although I am with you, I wouldn’t want to meet him in person! And Jig sounds fun as well. I am glad you are enjoying these!
I’m not scared of many animals, but I have no desire to have a spider crawling on me. About the only ones I can stand to do that are Granddaddy Long Legs. They don’t bother me at all. I’m always saving them so DH doesn’t squish them.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: The Games of Supervillainy by C.T. Phillips (@mlsimmons, @Willowhugger, @JeffreyKafer)
This sounds like a fun adventure with quite the cast! I don’t normally read straight fantasy but this may be something to keep in the back of my head when I’m looking for something funny and different.
I’m finding myself reading more and more fantasy. I’ve never been much into reading stuff like J.R.R. Tolkien or R.A. Salvatore, but these others I’m really enjoying.
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: The Games of Supervillainy by C.T. Phillips (@mlsimmons, @Willowhugger, @JeffreyKafer)
That does sound fun and a good start to a new series.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Happy Raturday!
I’m really enjoying it. I’ve already read book two and I liked it too. I’ve already eyeing book three. 🙂
Melanie recently posted…Audiobook Review: The Games of Supervillainy by C.T. Phillips (@mlsimmons, @Willowhugger, @JeffreyKafer)
This does sound really cute, Melanie, and Jig is the kind of character I can get behind. 😉 And then the pet fire spider? I’m not really a fan of spiders but I think I might could like Smudge! 😀
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…#COYER Review ~ At Peace ~ Kristen Ashley
Smudge is really cute. I really liked Jig. I have one more book in this series to read and I’m excited about it.
Melanie recently posted…Fresh Meat: January 21 to 27 — 12 Speculative Fiction Releases
This does sound cute and like a fun read! Sounds fun to read about a goblin as you don’t see those as often as main characters in books. he sounds like a fun character to read about based from that quote and he does seem observant. I hope the series continues to be fun!
Lola recently posted…Review: The Reprisal by Kelly St. Clare
You don’t see goblins as characters very often at all. I really liked this one.
Melanie recently posted…Fresh Meat: January 21 to 27 — 12 Speculative Fiction Releases
OH! I remember those reviews from Linda and thought I’d enjoy the series. Glad to know you followed though and read! Are they on audiobook? I didn’t realize they are Jim Hines – I really liked his new one.
Jen Twimom recently posted…Review: Stud by Kelly Siskind
I didn’t see them on Audible’s site, so I don’t think they are on audio. It looks like there might be a German version, but I’m not sure (my German isn’t good enough to tell for sure).
Melanie recently posted…Fresh Meat: January 21 to 27 — 12 Speculative Fiction Releases
This is familiar and now I have to see if I read it. I’m sure I have. Time for a possible reread. 🙂
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…The Eterna Solution by Leanna Renee Hieber
It is a really cute series. I have one more book to read in the series. I can’t wait to tackle it.
Melanie recently posted…Fresh Meat: January 21 to 27 — 12 Speculative Fiction Releases