Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatke

Nobody Likes a Goblin by Ben Hatke

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Review copy provided by Netgalley

This is one of those books that completely turns a genre on its head, and I just loved it. In this story, the goblin is the protagonist and the adventurers that invade his home are the antagonists. They come to his, pillage it for treasures that include his best friend, Skeleton, and leave. It makes the usual hero into the heartless villain essentially.

Goblin, of course, goes on a rescue mission to get his friend, Skeleton, back. He is mistreated by nearly all the other characters he meets on his journey, which pulls at your heartstrings because this goblin does nothing to earn the mistreatment that he receives, and you find yourself rooting against the cruel humans and elves of his world. They are bullies it turns out, driven by fear, that wish to destroy Goblin just for who he is.

This book could offer a great character lesson for any teacher that shares it with a class. This book, with its innocent approach, allows readers to confront the wrongness of discrimination head-on through fantasy. Therefore, you don't have to concern yourself with the awkwardness that sometimes arises out of trying to have this same discussion with more realistic examples. It offers readers a chance to think about a situation from a new point of view and should really invite a lively discussion.

I, for one, love this book, and I hope it makes a huge impact on the market when it is released. Really impressive story that will make readers empathize with a traditional enemy. Outstanding.

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