Okay, when I read this book I hadn't read the first two books in the series, nor am I generally well disposed to goblin-like creatures. Anyone who's read my own fantasy novels knows that, for me, goblins and their kin are generally cannon-fodder. Yet, Jean Rabe - always a brilliant writer -- grabbed hold of me and made me care about this band of motley creatures that I would, in normal circumstances, merely have stepped on. Does that make me more akin to the Dark Knights than to the heroes in this tale?
I hope not, because the Dark Knights in this volume are pretty despicable (as they should be). The goblins, on the other hand, run the full gamut of human personalities from loving to greedy to brave to selfish, and their near-human friends and allies show the same depths. And though I had not read the first two books in the series, the plot was easy to follow -- though never simplictic -- and the characters were compelling (even without their full back stories).
In short, this is another fine fantasy novel by Jean Rabe, one of the modern masters of the form. If you like Jean's work, you'll surely like this. If you like goblins (and other disgusting creatures), you'll surely like this. If you like goblins being killed -- you'll surely like this, as the body count is very high. And if you like Dark Knights, well, there are some dandy ones doing dastardly things here. Something for just about every lover of fantasy: bold heroes, vile villains, humans, goblins, half-elves, wizards, druids, healers, traitors, a gnoll, a bit of sex, and even a dragon.
So maybe I would make a fine hobgoblin, after all. Thanks, Jean.