It has been two years since Jig the Goblin had been captured by Prince Barius Wendelson, his wizard brother, Ryslind, and a dwarf named Darnak. Two years since Jig had gone on his involuntary quest. Two years that Jig has been a follower of a god who's been forgotten for good reason. Despite impossible odds, Jig the Goblin is still alive.
Relka is a kitchen drudge. Previous the goblin had attempted to assassinate Jig. Now she follows Jig around singing and praising him and his god, Tymalous Shadowstar, non-stop. When the goblin lair is invaded and Jig is one of the goblins taken out of the mountain as their prisoner, he thinks that his ears may at least get a rest from Relka's chatter. Unfortunately, Relka insists the invaders take her too. Jig soon learns that the leader of the human invaders is the sister of the adventurers from a couple of years ago. And by her side is a familiar dwarf. Darnak.
Genevieve Wendelson, Princess of Adenkar, has been charged by her father to restore the city of Avery and see to its defense. The humans are preparing for war. Coming their way is an army consisting of thousands of monsters. The creatures are led by an orc, Billa the Bloody. Genevieve has her prisoners rebuilding and fortifying Avery.
Fleeing his captors and reaching the other army is no better for Jig. When Jig meets Billa, he comes to understand that he is not the only one with a forgotten god by his side. Jig's god and Billa's goddess have a rocky history together. The real danger to Jig's people is not from the humans and elves. If Billa's goddess succeeds in her pans, everyone will die - no matter their species.
***** FIVE STARS! In this, the last story in the Goblin Trilogy, readers will finally have all their questions about Tymalous Shadowstar answered. At the beginning of each chapter, a little more of the god's past is revealed. Not only did I find these sections intriguing, but the author managed to surprise me once or twice.
By this story's middle, everything was a mess of epic proportions! I could see no (believable) way possible for our pint-sized goblin hero to save goblinkind from extinction, much less for Jig to overcome all obstacles begin tossed his way and continue breathing. But Jim C. Hines is a wily author who forged his reluctant goblin hero through fire and all sorts of chaos, causing Jig to become very resourceful. (I'm sure Jig could come up with some interesting tortures should the goblin ever get his hands on the author.) Jim Hines has an incredible storytelling talent and it shines through on every page. *****
Favorite Quote: "We're going to teach Billa the Bloody a lesson about goblins," somebody said.
"But she has thousands of monsters," Jig said. "She'll slaughter every one of you."
"See?" said the same goblin. "General Jig, he tells it like it is! No lies from this one." They cheered yet again, idiots to the last.
Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.
