Jim C. Hines is the author of 20 published SF/F novels, including the Goblin Quest trilogy, the Magic ex Libris series, the Princess series of fairy tale retellings, the Janitors of the Post-Apocalypse trilogy, and the Fable Legends tie-in Blood of Heroes. His latest novel is Slayers of Old. His short fiction has appeared in more than 50 magazines and anthologies.

Jim has an undergraduate degree in psychology and a Masters in English, and lives with his family in mid-Michigan.

Goblin Quest by Jim C. Hines

Jig the goblin was the weakest of an admittedly weak race. He was scrawny and nearsighted, and his only friend was a fire-spider named Smudge, whose loyalty was balanced by his tendency to accidentally set you on fire when startled.

So when Jig's patrol is ambushed by a group of adventurers, he does what goblins do best: throws down his weapon and surrenders. Thus begins Jig's quest, as the group forces him to serve as their guide through the maze of caves and tunnels beneath the mountain. Their goal is an ancient magical artifact hidden here ages past. Unfortunately, Jig has no idea how to find it.

As they delve deeper, Jig finds himself facing ogres, trolls, not to mention the long-dead servants of the dreaded Necromancer, all leading to the ultimate confrontation with the dragon Straum.

CURATOR'S NOTE

Goblins are the unsung heroes of epic fantasy adventure. Right? Right? I mean, they should be. Jim Hines thinks so too, as he wrote a hilarious triliogy about Jig the goblin. Check out the brand-new cover, and a bonus short story included in this edition! – Alex Shvartsman

 

REVIEWS

  • "One of the funniest dungeon-delving epics ever!"

    – Ed Greenwood, author of Elminster: the Making of a Mage

  • "This book is too f***ing cool for words!"

    – Wil Wheaton, actor and author

  • "Goblin Quest is a hilarious piece of work! It's confident, irreverent and laugh-out-loud funny!"

    – John Kovalic, creator of Dork Tower

  • "[A] rollicking ride, enjoyable from beginning to end…Hines has just become one of my must-read authors!"

    – Julie E. Czerneda, author of the Night’s Edge series
 

BOOK PREVIEW

Excerpt

"The Rod of Creation," Jig repeated. Every goblin knew of it, but no goblin knew much about it. Or rather, they all knew the same three things. First, the rod was ancient, powerful magic. Second, it had been hidden in this mountain ages ago to keep it safe. Finally, trying to steal the rod was an elaborate but foolproof way to commit suicide.

"Surely you've heard the song," Darnak said. He had been attempting to sketch the ceiling's design onto his map. Setting quill and parchment aside, he coughed to clear his throat, took a drink from his wineskin, and began to sing in a low, rumbling voice.

There was a mage named Ellnorein

Who lived in times long past.

A merrier man was rarely seen,

For he made magic last.

One day he met a lonely queen,

A lass as pure as gold.

His eye for beauty was quite keen,

So he said in this bold:

A wizard am I, whom many dread,

With power like a God.

So come with me to yonder bed

And see my mighty rod.

"Darnak, please," shouted Barius, drowning out the dwarf's song. "What is this dwarven nonsense of which you sing?"

"It demeans the very memory of the wizard Ellnorein," added Ryslind.

Jig blinked. Truth be told, he had been looking forward to the next verse. Maybe he could convince Darnak to sing the rest of the song later, when the humans weren't listening. Goblins would like this kind of song. Assuming he ever made it home to share it with them.