#BookReview: “The Goblin King” by Shona Husk

Blurb

Cursed by a Druid millennia ago, Roan lives a bleak existence in the Shadowlands, desperately trying to retain his soul and not succumb to the goblin horde. When a beautiful human summons him to grant a wish, he sees a glimmer of hope. But will she ever agree to be his queen?

Once upon a time…

A man was cursed to the Shadowlands, his heart replaced with a cold lump of gold. In legends he became known as The Goblin King.

For a favored few he will grant a wish. Yet, desperately clinging to his waning human soul, his one own desire remains unfulfilled: A Willing Queen.

But who would consent to move from the modern-day world into the realm of nightmares? No matter how intoxicating his touch, no matter how deep his valor, loving him is dangerous. And the one woman who might dare to try could also destroy him forever.

Review

In book one in the Shadowlands series, Eliza Coulter wishes for the mythical Goblin King to take her away from her abusive fiancé. (In the prequel, which I read and loved, she met the king when she was a teenager, and she has longed to see him again.)

Roan, the Goblin King, fears he won’t last much longer before he succumbs to his lust for gold and become a true goblin, a Hoard. The only way to avoid becoming a mindless monster is to fade (die), but in dying, his brother Dai and his last remaining warrior will share his fate. When a human summons him, he has no choice but to obey. He needs a queen—a willing woman to share his bed—in order to stave off the darkness encroaching on his soul. He picks Eliza, but making her his queen in every sense of the word is no easy task.

I liked Eliza and Roan, and I sympathized with their pain and helplessness, but I didn’t feel much chemistry between them. There are a few unanswered questions, and parts of the story could’ve used more description. Overall, I enjoyed it, and I’m happy I read it because I was eager to know about Eliza’s fate with her king.

3 Stars

— I’d love to know what you think of the book or my review. Please comment below.

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