Details Books Conducive To The Hollow Kingdom (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy #1)
| Original Title: | The Hollow Kingdom |
| ISBN: | 0805081089 (ISBN13: 9780805081084) |
| Edition Language: | English |
| Series: | The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy #1 |
| Literary Awards: | Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature (2004) |
Clare B. Dunkle
Paperback | Pages: 230 pages Rating: 4.08 | 9785 Users | 820 Reviews
Identify Based On Books The Hollow Kingdom (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy #1)
| Title | : | The Hollow Kingdom (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy #1) |
| Author | : | Clare B. Dunkle |
| Book Format | : | Paperback |
| Book Edition | : | First Edition |
| Pages | : | Pages: 230 pages |
| Published | : | September 19th 2006 by Henry Holt & Company (first published October 1st 2003) |
| Categories | : | Fantasy. Young Adult. Romance. Magic. Fiction. Fairy Tales |
Narrative Concering Books The Hollow Kingdom (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy #1)
This book is exactly the type of fairy tale that I love the most. Now, I know that I have been outspoken in the past about my dislike of fantasies featuring caveman, bad-boy type hero characters. However, I think that I know and respect dozens of women who melt in the presence of these guys. Do I look down on my friends for their fantasy preferences? Absolutely not, because guess what? We all have a fantasy weakness. We all have that certain fairy tale that bypasses every logical part of our brains and just makes us feel giddy and excited. So, you can safely assume that mine is decidedly not the perfect specimen, territorial, alpha male. This book keys into the fairy tale that’s always turned me into a puddle of goo:
He’s ugly (but only on the outside, of course), a bit ruthless, desperate, smart, and he has one hell of a library. Except that in this book, he’s comfortable in his own skin, and he doesn’t turn into a foppish, effeminate prince in the end (which is what I always wished would happen).
This book is not going to go down in history as one of the greatest works of all time, but I can feasibly see myself re-reading it whenever I need a bit of comfort. It’s like the literary equivalent of a grilled cheese sandwich. I was completely drawn in by the prologue, and by the time the intelligent, practical, and resourceful heroine Kate and her plucky little sister Emily run into the Goblin King Marak I knew that this would become a favorite of mine.
Marak is the ruler of a colorful, dangerous race of goblins, dwarves, and elves who live within Hollow Hill. It is a long and traditional practice for the Goblin King to steal a human or elf bride and imprison her underground until the next King is born and his people are secure. When Kate inherits Hollow Hill after her father’s death, she and her sister become the wards of two elderly great aunts and a shady, pretentious cousin. Kate and her sister soon catch the eye of the Goblin King, but Kate is revolted and determined to escape his grasp at all costs.
As Kate and Marak engage in a battle of wills and wits, this book actually began to remind me of Pride and Prejudice. These two characters have a lot of preconceived notions and ideas about each other, and their verbal sparring is charged and exhilarating. Here is one of my favorite scenes:
”’Indeed it is, Kate,’ Marak agreed. ‘It’s time to plan your revenge. Goblins just adore revenge.’ He grinned. ‘Do you have anything in mind?’
Kate was taken aback. ‘Revenge is wrong,’ she told him solemnly. ‘Vengeance belongs to God.’
The goblin put his head to one side and watched her through narrowed eyes. ‘You won’t even give God a little help?’ he asked softly.”
Kate is independent and powerful, but not unrealistically so. She’s a proper Englishwoman who reacts in realistic ways to her surroundings and the hideous goblin court. And by the end of this book, she fits the specs for all of my favorite female heroines: she’s determined, powerful, a bit merciless and bloodthirsty, and she has a sword (plus the most entertaining magical charm around).
My only “thirty year old woman” type gripe is that this book, despite being what I would class as a romance novel, is clean enough to give to a ten year old. Which is actually great for when my daughters get a bit older, but the lack of anything even mildly suggestive felt like a big gaping omission to me.
Perfect Musical Pairing
Joshua Radin – The Fear You Won’t Fall
This sugary sweet song is not something that I like to listen to all the time, but it’s a definite comfort food song for me. This is a song about falling harder than you thought you could for someone, who may or may not love you back.
Also seen on The Readventurer.Rating Based On Books The Hollow Kingdom (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy #1)
Ratings: 4.08 From 9785 Users | 820 ReviewsColumn Based On Books The Hollow Kingdom (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy #1)
There are books that I don't like, but very few of them do I hate. Not only did I hate this book, I hated it with such a fiery passion, I'm surprised the pages didn't erupt into flames.It started off with so much potential, which is what got me hooked at first. I loved Kate, because she started off as a strong, well-rounded character. She could be lady like, and she had fear, but at the same time she didn't let her fear paralyze her. I loved how at first she stubbornly refused to marry the awfulKate and Emily have just inherited the estate on Hollow Hill but have no idea of the land's cursed history. Girls have been disappearing off the property for centuries with only crazy legends about magic and goblins for explanations. Kate begins to realize just how true the danger is once Marak the Goblin King begins to woo her. Goblin Kings court by kidnapping and the bride is destined to spend the rest of her life below ground. Kate is desperate to save herself and her sister, but dangers
This book is exactly the type of fairy tale that I love the most. Now, I know that I have been outspoken in the past about my dislike of fantasies featuring caveman, bad-boy type hero characters. However, I think that I know and respect dozens of women who melt in the presence of these guys. Do I look down on my friends for their fantasy preferences? Absolutely not, because guess what? We all have a fantasy weakness. We all have that certain fairy tale that bypasses every logical part of our
I... well. The beginning is creepy in a good way. The end is creepy in a bad way.The beginning has a sense of danger from a goblin menace. The end is some sort of apologia for rape, abduction, and Stockholm Syndrome.This book just kinda grosses me out.
I first read this book when I was younger, and I absolutely loved it. It was one of those books that I enjoyed reading over and over. There are a lot of things I hate about this book now, which really breaks my heart, because I used to love it so much. When I was young, naïve, and blind toor at the very least ignoringall of the disturbing elements. But first to the positives. I absolutely adore the world Dunkle creates. The goblins are really cool, and its kind of fun to watch Kate go from
Bumping it up to 5 stars, because I've read this YA fantasy again and again. Each time I like it more. "She couldn't move or speak, though she was vaguely aware the ugly creature was watching her with concern." From page one, I was captivated by this award-winning fantasy, written for adolescents. With only a few hugs and kisses, it is unexceptional, but beware the creepy dark magic in the last chapters, where (view spoiler)[an evil sorcerer mutilates animals and even people (ugh). (hide
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