The Goblin's Puzzle

Starred review from November 2, 2015
Debut author Chilton combines the unpredictability of a Monty Python skit with traces of the Brothers Grimm as he zigzags among the stories of an unnamed young slave, who escapes his master and soon becomes tied to a mischievous goblin; Plain Alice, the daughter of a sage desperate to follow in her father’s footsteps; and Princess Alice, slated to rule West Stanhope if she can elude both a dragon and marriage to the treacherous Duke Geoffrey. The characters, hailing from the Middle Eastern–inspired High Albemarle and the medievalesque Middlebury, learn that only logic and bravery will thwart dangerous foes, such as a princess-eating ogre, as they make their way from the dragon’s lair to Princess Alice’s home. Threaded between daring adventures and rhetorical arguments is the unnamed boy’s dilemma over his fate. Is he “truly and justly a slave?” Or does he have the power, as the goblin Mennofar suggests, to make his own fate? Filled with quick-witted asides and engaging characters, Chilton’s novel is sure to please readers looking for a fresh spin on cherished fairy tale conventions. Ages 8–12. Author’s agent: Pam Howell, D4EO Literary Agency.

October 15, 2015
The princess is kidnapped, a kingdom imperiled, and the fate of West Stanhope's throne rests on a trickster goblin's riddles and a boy without a name. In his debut novel, Chilton crafts a sharp and engaging fantasy world that, in the vein of William Steig's Shrek! (1990), satirizes conventional fairy-tale themes while employing them to pen an original story. Set in a medieval era of knights and ladies, the story presents the standard fantasy tropes: the young hero of humble origins, the feisty princess and clever peasant girl (both are named Alice), dragons, goblins, ogres, hapless royalty, and a dastardly villain angling for the throne. A deft weaving of feudal and contemporary sensibilities (nobles own slaves, but the Earth's circuit of the sun is common knowledge) distinguishes these characters from the herd. Part of the joy of this novel lies in watching the different character arcs interlock, like pieces to a jigsaw puzzle. While the boy is the "official" hero sent on the quest, Princess Alice and Plain Alice (who's not so plain) are neither helpless maidens awaiting rescue, nor insignificant supporting characters. In fact, their shrewd observations drive the novel's central premise that "not knowing means exploring and discovering." An emphasis on questioning fate, societal rules, and traditions as well as the importance of wit and logic rather than brawn renders this lighthearted adventure fresh. (Fantasy. 10-13)

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Starred review from November 1, 2015

Gr 4-8-In this clever fantasy, readers meet a slave boy with no name, a princess and a peasant (both named Alice), and Mennofar, a tiny green goblin who surely cannot be trusted-because everyone knows goblins are sneaky. When the boy finds himself unexpectedly free from the bonds of slavery, he is determined to discover his heritage. Mennofar knows the answers he seeks, but the goblin only answers the boy's questions with riddles, creating ever more questions. During their travels, they meet the father of Plain Alice the peasant. Unfortunately, she has been captured by a dragon. The boy, hoping a heroic deed will lead him to his own destiny, promises to rescue Plain Alice. He and the goblin set out to do just that, but the dragon really meant to capture the Princess Alice, which obviously confuses things for everyone. The plot turns and twists at a marvelously fast pace as this motley crew find one another through various adventures. Readers will have a great time trying to solve the goblin's riddles. Though the narrative contains many characters, all of them sparkle with life. VERDICT Sometimes heartbreaking, sometimes brimming with sarcastic, cheeky, laugh-out-loud humor, this is a smart, original, and completely engaging adventure.-Mandy Laferriere, Fowler Middle School, Frisco, TX

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