Review+Giveaway: The Goblins of Bellwater by Molly Ringle

I have been obsessed with Christina Rosetti’s poem “Goblin Market”, ever since I read it in college. So finding out The Goblins of Bellwater was inspired by that poem made me instantly request it on Netgalley and I am so glad I did. Ringle brings the poem we know and love into a contemporary romance, keeping some of the core principles and bringing the entire story into new light.

Summary

Strange things are afoot in Bellwater, Washington, mainly the presence of goblins. Although many people would be hard pressed to believe you. Skye and her sister Livy are examples of those people. They always had a sinister feeling in the woods, a whispered name, but to actually believe it, that’s another thing. However, when Skye falls victim to a goblin curse, their entire world is transformed for better and for worse. Not only does Livy have to figure out how to cure her sister, but also what to do with the charismatic and gorgeous local mechanic Kit, who also just happens to be the Goblin’s human liaison.

Review

What struck me first about The Goblins of Bellwater was the skill and care Ringle puts into incorporating the elements of the poem – the seductiveness and danger of the Goblins’ world – and modernizing them. The Goblins take the names of the first item they steal. So for many older ones, we have RedRing and Flowerwatch, but for the newly turned ones, we have the names such as iPhone and Slide. Little touches like this just illustrated how much time and effort Ringle put into updating the poem for the modern audiences.

That this is a contemporary romance presented a wonderful change of pace for me. But I loved it! There was just enough steam to balance out the fantastical world of Goblin curses. And in a way it felt right. The poem itself is very seductive, not only with its language, but also its imagery, so setting it as a romance just felt right. I fell even more in love with the story as it progressed.

Characters

I loved each one of these characters for very different reasons. There was so much complexity and also humanness in them – whether it be their vulnerabilities or their funny actions. The little touches, Skye’s art and Grady’s cooking, became a part of them in a way that was refreshing. I appreciated all the little aspects of their characterization that made them the lively and colorful people they were in the story. And the romance! I loved that aspect, it was just the perfect amount for me.

The themes of family, love, and sacrifice, as present in the original, take on a variety of different angles as Ringle introduces more characters. I especially loved the familial relationships and the way we sometimes have to let them make their own mistakes. It was great to read a book that focused on sisters! More sister books please!

Overall,

Ringle brings the magical to the mundane. She paints a picture of a world where magic simmers under the surface, in the waters we kayak in, in the whispers in the woods, and in those flashes of eyes from the corner of our eyes. Ringle did a fantastic job with the scenery and setting, transporting us to a world that is both intoxicating and serene, full of danger and wonder.

You can get The Goblins of Bellwater on Amazon(US), your local indie, or add it to Goodreads.

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.