children's fiction/middlegrade fantasy. Natl Book Award winner, but not that impressive (authors have to pay an application fee in order to qualify for the award). I was hoping for more, but wasn't particularly wowed. I also picked up The Peculiar by Stefan Bachmann which has received strong reviews from librarians and booksellers--also having to do with the fey, magic, and children who disappear--and so far I am liking that one a lot more. ( )

There is a lot I like about this book -- the mechanical beings, the play with theater, the menace of the goblins -- but I came away (1/3 of the way through) perplexed. This doesn't seem to be an award winner and I'm amazed that it was even nominated. I wasn't drawn into the story at all, in part because the world of Zombay seemed so thin and textureless. And the main character, Rownie, just didn't come alive for me. I happen to be reading China Mieville's Perdido Street Station at the same time, and while that book is very different (and can be frustratingly overwritten), he does immediately and satisfyingly thrust the reader into his very odd yet convincing world. ( )

Like many other reviewers, I picked up this book after it was given the National Book Award and was eager to get started with it. However, I was met with a very disappointing read. The plot has some interesting promise -- a steampunk world, goblins, theater and beautifully described masks, as well as a Baba Yaga-esque villain -- the story, setting, and characters all fell flat. While some elements of the story were compelling, including the use of interesting machinery and the imminent danger of the flooding river, many of the books story arcs felt rushed and underdeveloped.

Most disappointing of all is the protagonist, Rownie, whose search for his missing brother and efforts to gain self-confidence are brought to an abrupt and unsatisfying conclusion. Although the plot moves with Rownie's attempts and desires to stand up to his adversaries through skills learned on the stage, Rownie never truly comes alive as a character and his role in the goblin's theater troupe seems minimal. Similarly, the goblins, who play a large role, feel one dimensional and never seem to emerge as distinct or memorable characters.

The multiple story lines and lack of exposition also make this a somewhat confusing read. The characters jump from place to place, but never make any lasting interpretations of difficult themes. Likewise, many questions, including the use of human hearts as coal, the social divisions and conflicts between Zombay's Northside and Southside, or the importance of the Changed versus the unChanged, are left frustratingly unanswered. And despite the time spent on different set pieces within the story, many of the events don't seem to have a lasting impression on the characters or tie back into the story later. The tropes and devices used in this book often lack a cohesion that would allow them to benefit the story or characters as a whole.

Overall, this book starts with the potential of a fantasy adventure, but the underdevelopment of key characters and themes, as well as an ill-paced plot lead Goblin Secrets to be an unsatisfying read.

If you are looking for a more effective book in this genre, I would suggest Neil Gaiman's [b:The Graveyard Book|2213661|The Graveyard Book|Neil Gaiman|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1303859949s/2213661.jpg|2219449]. ( )

Goblin Secrets (Zombay #1) by William Alexander is a interesting steampunk fantasy book for kids. I don't find many fantasy that mixes goblins and steampunk and this worked great. A fresh mix. Good plot, great characters, interesting story all around. The best of both worlds mixed and mashed into something really special in this magical world. Loved it. I got this from the library. ( )

Listened to the audiobook read by the author and enjoyed it a lot. Like the most beloved stories in children's literature, this one centers on an ordinary child who has an extraordinary adventure and discovers something important about himself. Listening to this story made me feel as if this were a book that was written long ago--it had the language and pacing of an old classic. I don't know how that translates on the page for the reader, but as a listener, I found it quite appealing. Filled with theatrical goblins, a mechanical legged witch, and a motley assortment of street children and suspicious pigeons, here is a book where horrible secrets are slowly revealed and a town's safety depends on finding a lost brother.

Highly atmospheric, this would be a great story to listen to at night, under the stars. ( )