Book Suggestion: Goblin Secrets

Goblin Secrets by William Alexander

Category: YA Fantasy

In the town of Zombay, there is a witch named Graba who has clockwork chicken legs and moves her house around—much like the fairy tale figure of Baba Yaga. Graba takes in stray children, and Rownie is the youngest boy in her household. Rownie’s only real relative is his older brother Rowan, who is an actor. But acting is outlawed in Zombay, and Rowan has disappeared.

I very much enjoyed this book. I loved the characters, and found the creepy, sort of magic world it was set in alluring. I liked the ending too, although I felt a little sad by it. Still, it was in keeping with the tone of the story: no matter how rough things get, you have to keep finding ways to go on. Rownie is one of Graba's grandchildren, and he is at a loss because of the disappearance of his brother Rowan. He gets involved with the Goblins, who he isn't quite sure he can trust, but they can teach him stage craft, which he is fascinated with. Even more, he wants to find his brother, and the Goblins drop some very hopeful clues about how he might be able to do that. In the process, he gets caught up in a power struggle, and joins the effort to save his city from the floods. A rich, original story.

#bookrecommendation