Michael Barnes
An enchanting tale spun from the mythology of the fae inspired by Christina Rossetti's poem Goblin Market (though one of their names are changed and roles are swapped from the poem) where the title of the novel also appears and references to Scarborough Fair.
“I didn’t say it was pleasant.” She swallowed hard, looking down at the mug in her hands. May wondered if it was still warm. “Our love stories rarely are.”
Lou never believed in superstitions or magic–until her teenage aunt Neela is kidnapped to the goblin market. The market is a place Lou has only read about–twisted streets, offerings of sweet fruits and incredible jewels. Everything–from the food and wares, to the goblins themselves–is a haunting temptation for any human who manages to find their way in. Determined to save Neela, Lou learns songs and spells and tricks that will help her navigate this dangerous world and slip past a goblin’s defenses–but she only has three days to find Neela before the market disappears and her aunt becomes one of them forever. If she isn’t careful, the market might just end up claiming her too.
I loved this novel of two generations of Wickett women and their strong relationships. The story alternates between the contemporary setting and 18 years earlier which reveals what drew May to the market and what Laura did to see them banished. Lou is every bit the resourceful protagonist learning about herself that I love in these stories and the resolution is consistent and satisfying for such a rule bound place at the market.
Ilana at Unbridged Adventures observed "There is representation for many different aspects of the queer community. May is a bisexual woman coming to terms with her sexuality in late ’90s, early 2000s York, England. Lou is ace and Neela is pan, both girls are comfortable in their identities and supportive of each other. It seems to be the queer women that are most drawn to the market, maybe because they are more able to recognize unconventional forms of beauty and attraction. I absolutely loved how Lou’s asexuality works to her benefit when dealing with creatures who use physical pleasure and desire as the basics of their tricks".
I also appreciated Chekhov's gun but in this case Chekhov's Goblin Ice introduced until chapter 26.
An enchanting tale spun from the mythology of the fae inspired by Christina Rossetti's poem Goblin Market (though one of their names are changed and roles are swapped from the poem) where the title of the novel also appears and references to Scarborough Fair.
“I didn’t say it was pleasant.” She swallowed hard, looking down at the mug in her hands. May wondered if it was still warm. “Our love stories rarely are.”
Lou never believed in superstitions or magic–until her teenage aunt Neela is kidnapped to the goblin market. The market is a place Lou has only read about–twisted streets, offerings of sweet fruits and incredible jewels. Everything–from the food and wares, to the goblins themselves–is a haunting temptation for any human who manages to find their way in. Determined to save Neela, Lou learns songs and spells and tricks that will help her navigate this dangerous world and slip past a goblin’s defenses–but she only has three days to find Neela before the market disappears and her aunt becomes one of them forever. If she isn’t careful, the market might just end up claiming her too.
I loved this novel of two generations of Wickett women and their strong relationships. The story alternates between the contemporary setting and 18 years earlier which reveals what drew May to the market and what Laura did to see them banished. Lou is every bit the resourceful protagonist learning about herself that I love in these stories and the resolution is consistent and satisfying for such a rule bound place at the market.
Ilana at Unbridged Adventures observed "There is representation for many different aspects of the queer community. May is a bisexual woman coming to terms with her sexuality in late ’90s, early 2000s York, England. Lou is ace and Neela is pan, both girls are comfortable in their identities and supportive of each other. It seems to be the queer women that are most drawn to the market, maybe because they are more able to recognize unconventional forms of beauty and attraction. I absolutely loved how Lou’s asexuality works to her benefit when dealing with creatures who use physical pleasure and desire as the basics of their tricks".
I also appreciated Chekhov's gun but in this case Chekhov's Goblin Ice introduced until chapter 26.