White Stag

October 15, 2018
A scarred survivor must decide if she will be predator, prey, or something more.Violently orphaned, then tortured, 17-year-old Janneke has spent a century in Permafrost as a goblin thrall. When the Erlking's death sets off the Hunt for the white stag, Janneke accompanies her current master, Soren. Together, they must stop Lydian--Janneke's abusive first captor and Soren's maniacal uncle--prevent a war, decide Janneke's humanity, and resolve their unusual relationship. Video game-like action sequences, obligatory fae political machinations, unnecessary mystical ordeals, random animal slaughter, and melodramatic brooding ensue. Suffering from chosen one syndrome--prophecies, magical birth, inexplicable uniqueness, and desirability--Janneke survives the Hunt through stubbornness, specialness, and a repeatedly mentioned but superficially discussed childhood of being raised as a male heir (she reserves the feminine form of her name, Janneka, for intimates). Russet-haired, green-eyed Janneke has dark skin and suggested Scandinavian origins, while Soren is white-haired, purple-eyed, and blue-gray skinned. Dazzling descriptions and morbid humor aside, debut author Barbieri eschews original dialogue and subtlety in favor of anachronisms, clichés, blunt moralizing, and insensitive treatment of sexual abuse.Originally self-published online, this tale reads more as impassioned fanfiction than a fully realized, judiciously edited novel; best for existing fans. (Fantasy. 16-adult)

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December 1, 2018

Gr 10 Up{amp}mdash;The Wattpad author debuts with a violent YA fantasy that draws heavily on elements of Norse mythology. In the first installment of a planned trilogy set in the Permafrost, humans and a society of beautiful, fierce goblins uneasily coexist in adjacent kingdoms. Seventeen-year-old human Janneke has been enslaved to the powerful goblin lord Soren for 100 years, ever since her village was burned, her family massacred, and she was captured by Soren's ruthless uncle Lydian. After enduring unspeakable brutality at Lydian's hands, Janneke tolerates Soren as a master but still views all goblins as monsters. When the ancient goblin king dies, Janneke and Soren join the legendary white stag hunt to determine who will succeed him. Along the way, they must outwit "svartelves," battle a pair of vicious "lindworms," and fend off attacks from rival goblin gangs. Throughout the adventure, Janneke struggles to come to terms with her traumatic history as she discovers mysterious newfound powers, emotional strength, and a growing tenderness toward Soren. In her interior monologues, Janneke repeatedly and vividly relives Lydian's brutal abuse, which becomes particularly problematic when scenes of graphically described rape are invoked to demonstrate Lydian's{amp}mdash;and his fellow goblins'{amp}mdash;monstrous nature. Although Barbieri tries to portray Janneke as a strong female lead, she seems to be defined mainly through her relationships with men, and her character growth is underdeveloped. VERDICT Not recommended.{amp}mdash;Kelsy Peterson, Forest Hill Coll., Melbourne, Australia

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Starred review from November 1, 2018
Grades 9-12 *Starred Review* No human can survive for long in the Permafrost, the goblin land ruled by the law of the predator. Janneke is the rare human who has lived there for more than a century, ever since she was kidnapped by the mad goblin Lycian. After Janneke incapacitated her vicious captor with a scrap of deadly iron, Lycian transferred possession of his mutinous prisoner to Soren, his younger rival for the throne. Impressed by Janneke's resilience, Soren makes her his companion. When the old Erlking dies, Lycian and Soren vie to kill the legendary White Stag and secure the crown. Soren enlists Janneke in the Hunt to spur her transformation from human to goblin. Janneke resists becoming one of the monsters she despises, but she must embrace her darkest instincts during the treacherous Hunt. When she and Soren are forced to rely on each other like never before, their evolving relationship challenges everything she thought she knew about the goblin lord, and herself. Debut author Barbieri began publishing Janneke's story on the online writing community Wattpad before landing a three-book deal for her work, which is certainly intriguing enough to capture a new audience in print as well. Janneke's epic journey to overcome past horrors and seize her rightful place in the world is packed with equally gripping action and emotion. Readers will flock to this compelling debut.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)