The Goblin King [Mass Market Paperback]

Eliza Coulter first met the Goblin King at the age of 16, when she summoned him for help at her birthday party, as a drunk male wouldn't leave her alone. At first, she was surprised he came, but his appearance is even more surprising. His hair is long and in dreadlocks, with beads on each one, which jangle whenever he's near. He takes her away to Summerland, which is as lovely as it sounds, but it's not long before the shadows come for him, revealing his true identity. He gives her a bead and tells her never to summon him again. Now she's 25, she's engaged to a man who she knows cares nothing for her. Once again she calls for him. The Goblin King soon realises who his summoner is and is keen to keep her this time. She was the only one to treat him as a human. He asks her to be his queen. Eliza tells him she's engaged, but secretly would love a way out of it. When her fiancé's lies entangle them both, she accepts. The Goblin King (human name Roan), takes her back to his home in the Shadowlands (as bad as it sounds), where they're about to consummate the relationship. Knowing he's been with others, she asks about diseases and he says since he's goblin and he's not really alive as his heart's made of gold, he has none. Eliza learns of his ancient curse that binds him and his brother, Dai. Unless it can be broken, they will become full goblins. She's already seen glimpses of Roan as a goblin, which have scared her, but gradually she begins to love him, seeing the human still lurking behind the goblin. When her fiancé turns dangerous, Eliza is even more determined to break the curse, but can a goblin ever love her?

Overall, the book was good, but there were a couple of things that niggled me. Spoilers ahead

1) Bad editing. On a few occasions, the editor's failed to use the correct spelling for the simplest of words.
2) When Eliza asks about STD's and he says since he's not alive he doesn't have any. How can he do the things he can if he's not alive? He asks if she can have babies and she says yes if she removes her implant. Surely someone who's not alive cant even 'perform?' but can have babies but not get an STD? This was a similar situation in Twilight's Breaking Dawn, when Edward somehow manages to impregnate Bella, despite being 'dead.'
3) I wasn't sure if this book was a young adult or an adult paranormal, but when I read the graphic scenes and expletives, I soon figured it out.
4) The Goblin King has his hair in dreads and beads. The guy on the front is totally different. Perhaps this is him at the end, but it is confusing.

There is another story due out, but I'm in no rush for it.

3/5

Eliza Coulter has it all - an inherited family home, part-ownership of the successful family business, a trust fund and she's getting married! To a lying, cheating, blackmailing lawyer. With the wedding looming, Eliza is running out of escape options. But she's been in trouble before. Then she dreamed of a warrior king who came to her rescue and drove the bad guy away.

Back then the Goblin king promised that if she called him again he wouldn't bring her back. But it was only a dream, and surely it can't hurt to wish...

Until Eliza wakes in the bed of a warrior and learns the importance of being careful what you wish for.

Before you read this book I highly recommend downloading Summons: A Goblin King Prequel, which should be free and will give you a great taste of what this story is all about.

This an unusual paranormal romance, and not just because the hero is a goblin. Well, sort of. Actually Roan is a cursed Celtic king, bound to answer summons and grant wishes. At least he was, until he worked out how to avoid obeying orders, even if he can't evade a summons. Banished to the Shadowlands where nightmares are made, Roan can only dream of a cure while his soul slowly drains away, leaving only a cold-hearted goblin behind.

So on Roan's side of things we have a traditional Beauty and the Beast tale - cursed hero, magical home full of beautiful things, a love that goes beyond the surface - but Eliza's story is more like Sleeping Beauty. Except instead of sleeping, Eliza's been under Steve's influence for so long she's forgotten how to think for herself.

With a druid and a blackmailer to fight, a wedding to derail and a curse to break there's always something happening in this tale. So much in fact that Roan and Eliza don't seem to talk much. They to and fro a lot between selfish and unselfish motives. It's a wonder they ever actually achieve anything.

Still, with a maturing heroine, a sexy, noble hero, revenge both sweet and cold, and a romance that goes deep this is a good start to an intriguing series. I look forward to Dai's tale in Kiss of the Goblin Prince.

Is a beautiful story and amazing people
It keeps you wanting to read the to the end
Can't wait until the next one