The Goblin Wood: A Book Review

Summary:
The Goblin Wood (by Hilari Bell)
"One terrible day, Makenna, a young hedgewitch, witnesses her mother's murder at the hands of their own neighbors. Stricken with grief and rage, Makenna flees the village that has been her home. In the wilds of the forest, she forms an unexpected alliance. Leading an army of clever goblins, Makenna skillfully attacks the humans, now their shared enemy.
What she doesn't realize is that the ruling Hierarchy is determined to rid the land of all magical creatures, and they believe Makenna is their ultimate threat-so they have sent a young knight named Tobin into the Goblin Wood to entrap her.
In this captivating fantasy adventure, the difference between Bright and Dark magic is as deceptive as our memories, hopes, and fears-and the light of loyalty and friendship has a magic all its own." (Taken from the book flap)
 
POV:
It was written in third-person limited omniscient, and title of the each chapter was the name of the character whose thoughts and surroundings were disclosed.
Plot:
For the most part, the plot of the book was well developed. The exact goals of the Hierarch weren't crystal clear at times, but the war on the border and the choices the Hierarch makes as a consequence are logical (though somewhat extreme).
Characters:
Both Makenna and Tobin are well crafted, realistic characters. Tobin's relationship with his family is complicated, as with real families, and both Tobin and Makenna have understandable reasons for their actions. Though their original motives are basic, they themselves have a great deal of depth. Also, the goblins were wonderful characters, each with unique personality! They were developed more than any character besides the main two, and the adults and children had realistic and comical relationships with each other. While Cogswhallop was the main goblin, Master Erebus was one of my favorites (a comical Bookerie, whose purpose in life is to collect knowledge and pass it on).
 
Overall:
This book was so much better than the description in the flap! The motives of the characters are simple at first: Makenna seeks to avenge her mother's death by fighting all humans who enter the Goblin Wood, while Tobin seeks to reclaim his honor and follow the Hierarch's orders. But when the two collide they both, slowly but surely, begin to experience doubt. They finally stop seeing things in black and white, and realize that their causes aren't worth losing their identities for. This story is about them growing as people, and seeing things from a different perspective. The Goblin society was well developed, their form of trade and 'exchange economy' if you will thoroughly explained. They provided so much heart and humor, that the goblins truly carried the spirit of the book (while the humans provided a great deal of action). My only complaint is the first three chapters were long (a sixth of the book) and dragged, and almost caused me to put the The Goblin Wood down. In the first chapter, Makenna is 11 and fueled solely by revenge, and the next two chapters covered about a year. I have other books in my reading list, and was wondering if reading a story about a twelve year old girl seeking revenge was worthwhile, but then the story jumps ahead five years and the direction changes completely, for the better. Also, the ending leaves a little to be desired, as it is a little rushed. I'd say my biggest problem with the book is the inconsistent pace, though the story itself was great.
 
I give this book 4 out of 5 shooting stars :)
--
"But you see, it's not me, it's not my family.
In your head, in your head they are fighting,
With their tanks and their bombs,
And their bombs and their guns.
In your head, in your head, they are crying..."


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