Declare About 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	:	Deluxe 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

The Hollow Kingdom (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy #1) Paperback | Pages: 230 pages

Narration Toward 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.

Be Specific About Books Concering 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)

Rating About Books The Hollow Kingdom (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy #1)

Ratings: 4.08 From 9785 Users | 820 Reviews

Column About Books The Hollow Kingdom (The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy #1)

Apparently it is romantic to be imprisoned underground by goblins and forced to bear their children. At least she had her self-centered sister to keep her company till the Stockholm Syndrome kicked in.

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

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 really really really wanted to like this book. In fact, there were parts of it that I enjoyed immensely. Kate was my favorite kind of heroine, someone who was clever, determined, and a little fiesty. So what went wrong? Well, the whole captive bride thing. I know they went over it a lot, how important it was for the goblin race and how it was necessary for survival, but the wedding ceremony was honestly the most disturbing thing I'd ever read. They made a big deal of Kate doing it "of her own

This book is truly special! I love reading, but this was the first time I was so excited with a book that I started sharing what I've read with my family. By the time I've reached half of it, my mother was nudging me to read it faster so I could tell her more of Kate and Emily's adventures. Unfortunately, The Hollow Kingdom is not available in Bulgarian and I am surprised that the book hasn't been translated in more languages! A pity, because I am certain that people from all over the world will

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.

This is a wonderful, different kind of YA fantasy, set in Victorian times in England. It takes the old trope--goblin kings kidnap beautiful girls, marry them and they never see the light of day again--and twists it: Goblins are lovable even if ugly and, um, prone to kidnapping women for their wives. You don't need to marry a handsome prince. And it's done in a way that's honest and appealing (the story has a great sense of humor) but doesn't pull any punches.Kate, the main character who becomes