Goblin Secrets

In this day and age, with the book world as oversaturated as it is, finding a fantasy book that has magic, a hero’s quest, and a prophecy is almost commonplace – but that’s not what you’ll get in William Alexander’s Goblin Secrets. This book has familiar elements from all of those tropes but in Zombay, even with the threat of a prophesized flood, nothing is as it seems. The main character, Rownie, is a little boy who doesn’t even have his own name, and yet, he is plucky and tough. It is easy to see why this book received a National Book Award as William Alexander’s quality of writing, narrative style, and structure is easy to follow and his characters are both charming and brave. In the city of Zombay, Tamlin (the politically correct term for goblins) believe in hope and magic and prophecy, and need Rownie’s help to make it come to pass. They accept Rownie as one of their own and tell him to “Stand and move with purpose. Move the way the mask would prefer you move” (103) because what they do for Zombay is mysterious… something “ancient and grand” (101).​This book, originally written for middle grade readers, is full of steampunk, action, and questing for them to enjoy. Rownie, an orphan running from the witch that is his caregiver, Graba, is looking for his missing brother throughout the town of Zombay. Rownie, while on the run from Graba, comes upon a band of goblins (Tamlin) whose home, despite their social status, is Zombay. Born and raised in Zombay, but changed – the term used for people who become goblins – are not seen as real citizens even in their hometown. In this, Alexander does something clever – he introduces social commentary into the novel without seeming to be on a soapbox. He does this in little ways, for instance he writes, “UnChanged folk do not touch Tamlin, as a rule. They seem to believe that it would give them freckles” (106). Without being political, Alexander introduces inequity and discrimination into a novel meant for preteens.The story is told from a 3rd person point of view which allows the reader to enter Rownie’s mind throughout the book. Alexander writes in the main character’s emotions and thoughts in a way that lends itself to its readership. Rownie “does not run” (60) from his problems – although he does run from the Guard – but instead, faces them as a hero who is on a quest must. Alexander’s style posits for strong truths and deeper meanings into the hero’s quest. Semele, the Tamlin who takes Rownie in, says, “We are always using masks and a lack of facts to find the truth and nudge it into becoming more true” (95). In a city full of liars, Rownie realizes that actors, who “pretend” because “It’s kind of [their] job” (95) are the only ones who can help him find his brother and save Zombay from the prophesized floods. into Rownie’s journey with simple, yet beautiful prose. It isn’t Graba or his brother who “gather beside Rownie” (219) throughout this journey through the flood and back, it’s the Tamlin. Alexander’s book, written in Acts and Scenes, like the drama it is, is a journey for the truth. Rownie, an orphan and a misfit, goes on a quest for his brother, but ends up finding out what he’s truly made of in the process.

This book didn't end up being exactly the way I pictured it, but I did enjoy it quite a bit. The world building was fantastic. I could easily picture the city built in the ravine with the large river running through the center of it and the bridge that seemed to function like a sanctuary. The clock tower was a fascinating addition, I loved the idea of a clock that showed what time of day it was with a moon and sun rising and setting. I also really appreciated the mask mythology and how wearing a mask could almost turn you into whatever the mask portrayed.Character-wise, Alexander created some interesting ones both good and bad, although there wasn't a whole lot of depth to them. I would have liked them to be a little more three dimensional. But Rownie was a likeable protagonist kind of finding himself through the story. Graba made a great contrast with her bulk and chicken-shaped, gear legs. The goblins or Tamlin's as the call themselves were great secondary characters, each other unique in their characteristics. Thomas, the loud, easily annoyed seemed like the leader, but Semele, the really old and experienced goblin really led the group. It was fun seeing Rownie get to know them and find a place where he felt like he belonged. Rownie's brother, Rowan was an interesting side character and a bit of mystery since he is talked about a lot but is an enigma for most of the book.One aspect of the storyline bothered me a tad because it was a bit gruesome. The taking of hearts and using them as 'coal' made me a little sick but provides a powerful twist in the plot. The plot moves along nicely from Rownie's discovery and involvement with the goblins to the conflict with Graba and the sudden confrontation with the town mayor who has banned all acting within the city, a law which Rownie violates. The possible flooding of the river though is the main conflict that Rownie finds himself confronting with the goblins due to their history with masks. I enjoyed how all the plotlines came together at the end in somewhat surprising ways.Overall, an enjoyable book with fun characters, a unique plot, and a fabulous setting. The length is perfect for middle grade readers who aren't yet ready to tackle longer fantasies such as Harry Potter.

This book is a National Book Award Finalist, and it's got people talking. I'm always a bit dubious about that sort of thing. However, Goblin Secrets lives up to the hype--it's beautifully told and has some wonderful world building, not to mention a nicely melodic theme of masks. Goblin Secrets is that rare creature, a steampunk novel for middle grade. Alexander's genius is that he simply wraps the steampunk elements into the story, melding them so fluidly (or so clockworkedly) into the world he creates, which also has fantasy elements, that the whole thing feels complete and of a piece. So: Rownie is one of the children who lives with and serves a version of Baba Yaga--if the witch and her house had clockwork legs and chicken feet, respectively. In a city where the king won't let anyone wear a mask and act in plays except maybe a troupe of goblins, Rownie's older brother Rowan has gone missing. And he's an actor. Rownie runs away from the witch Graba and joins the goblins, searching for his brother. Everything just gets more complicated from there, with plenty of magic, plotting, and a river threatening to flood.I liked Rownie, and I liked this book. Alexander's characters with their masks and secrets roam the fresh fantasy world he's created like actors on a stage: the author has even titled the sections of his story Act I, Act II, etc. That stage is definitely one of Alexander's strengths. The use of the clock tower and a train station are especially good. I highly and happily recommend Goblin Secrets.

I have just read this book to my daughter. I asked her what I should say in the review: 'It was brilliant' was her instant response.We had just one problem with it - we'd have liked it to be longer. Better still would be more stories by the same writer. His output seems to consist mainly of short stories, which we will investigate. With a large font size, the book stretches to 220 pages but seems almost a novella. Both my daughter and I would happily have read it in one sitting, though we stretched it over several days.In style and subject matter it reminded us of Frances Hardinge's  Fly By Night , which is also a superb work. Goblin Secrets is set in a fantasy city, could have been a long time ago, though it features trains. The story has layers, depths of meaning that could appeal to grown ups as well as children. Its dust jacket classifies it as age 8-12, but it could appeal to older readers too, and is not illustrated. It is evocative enough to need no illustration. I think it will linger in our memories for a long time. I found out about it by an enthusiastic reader's reference to it on Amazon: I'm grateful for that, and hope lots of other UK readers will come to know and enjoy it. I hope too that William Alexander will write more for us to enjoy. Fly By Night

I discovered this author by sheer chance, I read his review of the new book and was so captivated by his use of langauge, I wanted to read more. I was not disappointed, although this book was written for children, adults will get a great joy from reading it, William Alexander paints such great pictures with words, my only disappointment was that the book was not three times longer, I never wanted it to end.