"The characters are well-developed, believably imperfect, and multicultural (Billy himself is biracial); the plot moves briskly; and the goblin dialectsometimes humorous, sometimes startlingly poignantis a real strength [...] It’s a solid start to the Billy and the Goblin series." Publishers Weekly
"Readers who fervently wish for the ability to jump into a mythical world like Middle-earth will enjoy this tale."― School Library Journal
"Wolfe, a television screenwriter, offers a story full of a surprising amount of emotional heft [...] a compelling series beginning."― Kirkus
4/5 Stars: "Robert Hewitt Wolfe’s The Goblin Crown is the start to the fantasy series, Billy Smith and the Goblins, and combines the elements of goblin culture, disasters in high school and destiny, and is layered in mythology, adventure and magic.
The Goblin Crown is sprinkled with themes and lessons from handling guilt to responsibility. Readers will relate to both the characters’ experiences and connect with the lessons learned. This is a coming of age novel that will delight readers who enjoy imaginative fantasy worlds full of suspense, adventure, and descriptive world building." Portland Book Review
"Robert Hewitt Wolfe accomplishes something magical. He creates a Tolkienesque fantasy world for young adults that feels lived in, original and accessible. He also gives us Billy Smith - a real boy from the real world, who discovers that “not fitting in” is what makes him so special. The Goblin Crown is exciting, emotional and unflinching."― Ashley Edward Miller, co-author of Colin Fischer and co-writer of Thor and X-Men: First Class
" The Goblin Crown is the smart, morally complex version of the heroic coming-of-age story that you've been waiting for."― Charlie Jane Anders, author of All the Birds in the Sky
" The Goblin Crown is a riveting, relatable, compelling journey into another realm. I found myself staying up late to read about Billy's adventures and his unlikely alliance with goblin leader Hop. Robert Hewitt Wolfe, who I know from his legendary work in the Star Trek universe, has set his sights on the fantasy genre with great success! Can't wait for more installments."― Jennifer Brody, author of The 13th Continuum
08/01/2016
Gr 7 Up—Readers who fervently wish for the ability to jump into a mythical world like Middle-earth will enjoy this tale. Nerdy new kid Billy's first day of school is going terribly, but it gets worse when he accidentally and completely mysteriously transports himself, Lexi, and jerky quarterback Kurt to the Ironspine Mountains. The intrepid teens are soon confronted by a group of strange creatures that turn out to be goblins. The leader of the small band, Hop, explains the dire situation: hostile forces are coming to kill all goblins, a false goblin king has taken the throne, and only the true human king can save goblinkind. In a world where light and dark magic rage against each other, the three young adults must battle their way through hardships to uncover the secret of who is the true heir to the goblin throne. The writing moves swiftly, but alternation among multiple perspectives (some goblin, some human) is not always smoothly navigated—at some points the narratives seem to be running on different time lines, which could cause some head-scratching. While the world-building is sound and intriguing, the many characters feel stereotypical, bordering on stock. Voracious fantasy readers will tear through and probably enjoy this novel, but don't expect it to be in high demand. VERDICT An additional purchase for larger collections.—Abby Bussen, Muskego Public Library, WI
2016-08-17
Transported into an underground world of goblins, war, magic, and hybrid beasts, a trio of reluctant human heroes must brave the strange in this morally complex, action-packed fantasy epic.The first day of high school gets rough for biracial (black/white) Billy Smith. When he and two schoolmates—Lexi, a young Filipina with little self-discipline, and Kurt, a brooding, white quarterback—end up in Kiranok, an underground goblin city, the three teens unwittingly arrive in the middle of a human-goblin war. Persecuted and almost beaten, the goblins hope for the return of the Goblin King, a leader destined to guide them to salvation. Aided by the cunning yet world-weary goblin Hop, Billy, Lexi, and Kurt uncover new powers and truths about themselves to discover who among them is the rightful heir to the Goblin Crown. Making matters worse is Gen. Sawtooth, a power-hungry, arrogant goblin with a tragic past. Wolfe, a television screenwriter, offers a story full of a surprising amount of emotional heft. Although his exploration of what constitutes a racialized identity is underdeveloped, it’s more forthright than many of his contemporaries’. The story shifts perspective among characters with ease (for the most part), filling in narrative gaps with a balanced mixture of exposition and action and soaring in those moments when these transitions glide. A flawed but compelling series beginning. (appendices) (Fantasy. 10-16)