I started this book not realizing that it was the second one in the series. However, I had not trouble following along. This book was full of magic, sassiness and adventure and anyone who enjoys magical creatures and or Nordic lore will enjoy this story. I can’t wait to read more about these characters.

As I was excited for the White Stag, I couldn't wait to read this one as well! Such a darkly enchanting tale!

Thank you to Netgalley, Kara, and Wednesday Books for an advance copy of Goblin King.

This is book two in the Permafrost series. My review for book 1, White Stag, can be found here. This review may be slim, as I try to avoid spoilers from book 1.

Goblin King picks up about a year after the Hunt ends, with Janneke and Soren working through the outcome and revelations. Facing a perilous journey, our core two team up with some old and new characters to travel into the unknown and attempt to save the world as they know it.

Once again, Kara Barbieri weaves a beautiful world of mythology and fantasy. I still don’t *love* Janneke, but there has been obvious growth since book 1, which I appreciate. It was very cool to see the layers of Lydian coming out, as well. The supporting cast was fun to get to know, there was an appropriate amount of depth while trying to keep the story moving along.

The story itself was paced nicely and remained interesting throughout…moreso than book 1, I believe. I really think that Kara’s writing is just going to continue to progress and impress. My one big negative from this one is that it was not as harsh as book 1. We were given such a brutal landscape with brutal characters and this one felt more like a PG rated world than R. I’m hoping in the future we get some of those rough edges back…maybe even in Janneke as she continues to grow into her role with the Permafrost.

Goblin King is the second installment in Kara Barbieri's Permafrost series. Goblin King picks up a few months after the events of White Stag with Soren being the Erkling, king of the goblins, and Janneke being the Stag. Even though Lydian, Janneke's worst enemy and abuser, is dead now, Janneke still hears his voice in her head. It appears that Lydian was cursed with knowing everything, including the fact that Soren and Janneke will be responsible for setting off Ragnarok, the end of the world. After learning this Janneke and Soren set off on a quest with their friends to retrieve Lydian's shadow so he can guide them to their solution and prevent Ragnarok from happening.

Just like White Stag, Goblin King immediately pulls you into the world and mythology of the Permafrost. I was surprised to learn that the mythology is based on Norse mythology but I did find it fitting to the story and enjoyed it a lot. The premise is a quest to stop the end of the world where our main characters, Janneke and Soren surround themselves with a fun and interesting group of characters. I immensly enjoyed the new addition of Diaval, Seppo and Rose. Each unique and loveable characters in their own right.

Goblin King is an adventure filled with high stakes and action-packed sequences. I was glad to be back in this world and I can't wait for the final installment in this series to arrive.

When I requested this book, for some reason I did not realize that it was the second book in a series. Some books can be read in any order but this one definitely should be read in sequence in order to be able to follow the story properly. Otherwise it feels a bit like jumping into the middle of a movie. That being said, I was still interested in the story line and found the writing to be fluid. The author drew me in enough for me to want to read the first book in the series. I actually have the first book now and plan to start reading it this weekend. It should be noted that I don't usually do this with most series that I have read out of order unless the book I read was very promising and interested me enough to want to finish the book. I really like stories that involve mythology and I am already intrigued by the idea of goblins who are quite different than the ones typically written about in books such as Lord of the Rings. I recommend this series to anyone who is interested in YA mythology and fantasy. It is definitely an orginal read for me.

Thank you to NetGalley for the review copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Goblin King is the second book in a series, following White Stag. We meet our characters a few months after the events of the first book. I received a review copy because I read and reviewed the first book, but I was a little disappointed in this installment.

Spoilers Below:

One of the criticisms I read about the first book was how the author used the main character's rape and abuse as a central plot point. It is not explicitly described, but it is frequently referenced and quite disturbing. Then in the second book, despite the fact that her abuser is dead, Janneke is forced to work in close alliance with his ghost. This of course leads to further trauma from constant interactions and reminders of her abuse. While the author adds some clarity as to the reasons behind his actions, I still felt that this was a poor choice. I think there could have been a different way to introduce tension to the story without Janneke being constantly reminded of her trauma.

I liked that there was more Norse mythology woven into this book as compared with the first. It added some familiar characters and interesting settings to the mix. In general, the plot and action were interesting, although the culminating action scenes felt a little anticlimactic. I wanted more from the storyline about the stag's powers, because that ancient magic element was intriguing.

In my opinion, while the premise was interesting, the writing and the execution left something to be desired.

Gah I am a bit conflicted. I loved White Stag so much and was really excited for the opportunity to read the Goblin King early. But to be completely honest, its started off rough. The first 10 chapters were a bit of a challenge to get through. The characters just did not feel like themselves. Like why did Janneke read like a teenager despite surviving over a century in the Permafrost? Soren using human cuss words was weird. It was even more apparent because I had reread White Stag before diving into this.

Despite all that, I still love these characters, this story and this world. The last half of the book was much more of an adventure story which was fun. I loved seeing more of Soren even though it didn't always feel like it fit. It was interesting to see the villain from the previous book be humanized a bit. But that's so real. Abusers are not the clear cut villains we often what them to be.

I think the one thing I appreciate most is Kara Barbieri sharing her truth and giving a voice to trauma survivors. It is so raw and real. As a therapist that works with trauma survivors, this story resonates so much.

I am definitely looking forward to the next book!

The Goblin King is the sequel to The White Stag. Janneke is now with Soren, who has become the Erlking. Janneke now holds the mantle of the White Stag and must learn to control her new powers so she can save her world from destruction. Lydian, who Janneke killed in the first book, is haunting her with visions of a horrible future and riddles that hint at what is to come. Janneke must unravel the mysteries and learn the truth about Lydian, all while dealing with her new relationship with Soren and training hard to learn what she must. This book is an excellent sequel, just as exciting as the first book. I recommend reading them both if you enjoy fantasy, romance and well-paced, thrilling adventure. I appreciate the opportunity to read the ARC.

This was a fantastic second installment to the Permafrost series! We catch up with Janneke and Soren roughly a year after the events of the first book and unfortunately it has not all been peas and carrots. Janneke is having nightmares where Lydian has infiltrated, taunting her. She is also having visions of the end of the world. When she finally comes clean to Soren, they and a merry band of others head off in search of Lydian’s ghost because unfortunately, he holds the key to stopping the ending of the world. Spoiler alert: he’s still a dick even though you you get a false impression of a character redemption. Ney ney. Do not believe.

Well anyways, this book was a lot more adventure and battling and honest to Prophet Elvis, some legit icky gore scenes. The romance was a little subdued so if you are here for that, you’re going to have to alter your expectations. I mean it’s there, promise, but this story really focuses more on world-building and plot advancement. I wasn’t mad about it though.

Janneke unfortunately makes some rookie mistakes by hiding things from Soren which just causes unnecessary drama and I kinda wanna smack her but then also have to understand this is her first legit relationship and like no one gets it right the first time. Also, the whole being the stag business. Soren showed a lot more vulnerability and self-doubt in this book which adds another dimension to his character. It was an interesting change to his character. The merry band characters were excellent support and completely needed to resolve their goal. WIthout them it would have been a complete disaster. Yikes. However, none of them were really remarkable. They had their roles in the group but I wasn’t super attached to any of them.

So, to reiterate, this was a solid second book and I feel honestly skirted around the second book syndrome. Maybe it was a wee bit lagging in parts but I never was bored or trying to just power through it. I love this world that the author has created and I love the growth of the main characters. I am so excited for the next book!

2.5 stars

Goblins, the underworld, and a lot of mythology references... I wish I'd loved this more.

Plot: ★★★
World: ★★★★
Pacing: ★★

Goblin King is the second book in the Permafrost duology. If you haven't read the first book, White Stag, please avoid this review as there are SPOILERS for the first book in the series. (You can read my review of White Stag here.)

The newbies gone? Good. Let's talk about this one.

So, first off, let me preface this by saying that it's been quite a while since I've read White Stag. Because of that—and how I felt while reading this sequel—I'm sadly coming to the conclusion that this series and my reading tastes have probably split up. Permanently. I'm not sure if it was the plot itself, the writing style, or the pacing but something about Goblin King really didn't work for me.

For those reasons alone, please take this review with several grains of salt. I'd encourage other readers to still pick up this book if it sounds of interest!

In this sequel, we're following Janneke and Soren as they try to come to terms with the new world order in the Permafrost following the explosive ending of White Stag.

Janneke merged her life force with the mythical heart of the land, the stag, in order to save the Permafrost realm and become one with her goblin beau, Soren. He became the Erlking—goblin king—and she his magical stag counterpart.

But all is not perfect in the goblin realm. Janneke is seeing and hearing the specter of her dead past abuser, Lydian, and he's taunting her with some bad news—he says that Janneke is going to bring about the end of the world.

Turns out, he's not wrong.

Now faced with a world ending prophecy of EPIC proportions, Janneke and Soren must lean on each other, venture to the underworld, and figure out how to fix what's already set in motion....before it's too late.

My thoughts:
Now I don't know if I was an ignorant newb when I read White Stag, but this sequel was essentially a retelling of Ragnarok—and I DON'T remember this series relying so heavily on Norse mythology. Yes, you heard me correctly: the Norse myth. We had Hel, Frigga, the world-ending serpent, and a lot of references to the nine realms and Yggdrasil.

Because of that, the plot felt quite tired to me from the get-go. It's hard to get excited about a plot when you know the main players and the steps of the game... and when it seems like a total hit out of left field in the first place. Again, I wasn't expecting that element to be so tied to existing myths so that's either on me (for forgetting the first book so much) or on the book (for executing a complete 180 flip in priorities).

In addition to a plot that felt well-traveled, I also had quite a few personal issues with the way the pacing unfolded. We had a lot talking, rehashing, and limited action sequences as Janneke explained, then explained again, and then explained AGAIN to various characters and herself what had occurred in the novel so far. This was tiring. I wanted more developed plot, less debriefing after each new action, and less internal rehashing of old concepts.

Overall, not for me... but maybe a treat for a newer YA fantasy reader or someone very interested in Norse myths.

Thank you to the publisher via NetGalley for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

“ꜱᴏᴍᴇᴛɪᴍᴇꜱ ᴛʜᴇ ꜱᴛʀᴏɴɢᴇꜱᴛ ᴛʜɪɴɢ ᴡᴇ ᴅᴏ ᴀʟʟ ᴅᴀʏ ɪꜱ ᴡᴀᴋᴇ ᴜᴘ ᴀɴᴅ ɢᴇᴛ ᴏᴜᴛ ᴏꜰ ʙᴇᴅ ᴀɴᴅ ᴄᴏɴᴛɪɴᴜᴇ ʟɪᴠɪɴɢ ᴀɴᴅ ꜰɪɢᴜʀɪɴɢ ᴏᴜᴛ ɴᴇᴡ ᴡᴀʏꜱ ᴛᴏ ᴅᴏ ᴛʜᴇ ᴛʜɪɴɢꜱ ᴡᴇ ᴏɴᴄᴇ ᴅɪᴅ.”—Kara Barbieri

Rich with Norse mythology, this sequel explores some of the unanswered questions from White Stag. Against all odds, Janneke and Soren have become the Stag and Erlking. While they may have won the hunt, the war for the fate of the world has just begun. “What happens when the serpent stops eating its tail?” Lyndian’s famous question is the new focus. And Lydian might be the key they need, even though they sent his soul to Hel. That would mean navigating the other worlds to find him and destroy the harbinger of Ragnarok. Everything comes at a cost.

Healing, adventure, and unforgettable friendships are the central focus of this installment. But my favorite aspect was the depth of Norse Mythology portrayed throughout. Goblin King dives deep. Yggdrasil, the tree of life, is the main focus as readers are taken on a journey through the realms of the gods. This installment is centered more around adventure and saving the world, instead of romance. However, Janneke and Soren’s relationship is tested. It also didn’t feel as poetic as the first book, and moved a bit slower in the beginning. For example, in the first book, I highlighted line after line of great text. This one, I didn’t find myself highlighting much.

In terms of internal conflict, Janneke is forced to work with Lyndian, the goblin who ruined her life. This is a struggle through which we see her grow. No one should ever have to face someone like Lydian, but Janneke puts aside her pain. She does what needs to be done to save the world. This shows a level of mature growth. Soren, too, faces his own struggles. I liked that we saw him forced into a more difficult position this time around. His character was truly tested.

And of course, I have to mention Rose and Seppo. I loved those two. They were sort of the comic relief, because Seppo’s sense of humor and sarcasm. But they added a great dynamic to the story. Aside from Janneke and Soren, they were my other two favorite characters.

While I read White Stag in two sittings, this one took about a week. I really didn’t enjoy it as much as the first. Maybe that’s the romantic in me. When there’s a heavy romance storyline, I find myself devouring. This one was much slower. But it also didn’t have as much suspense. IMO, the one thing it really had going for it was the rich portrayal of the Norse mythology.

If you’re a Norse mythology lover, this one is for you! Since I already own the hardcover of White Stag, I’m going to go ahead and purchase the hardcover of Goblin King, even though I didn’t enjoy it as much as I’d hoped. The story does leave off in a way that suggested a definite third book. Will I read it? Probably, since I’m invested. MY RATING:3/5⭐️

A huge thank you to Wednesday Books and NetGalley for the eARC.

As much as I adored the first book, I felt like this one had a vastly different tone, and was missing the eerie magical feeling of the first. Janneke spoke more like a modern teenager, instead of someone who has spent at least eighty years in the company of goblins. I couldn't connect as deeply.

I love this series!...well, everything except the ending. Let me explain. White Stag (book 1) and Goblin King are dark YA fantasy--which I love. No rainbows and butterflies here. There can be only one king and Soren and Janneke will do anything to defend their titles. Lydian still haunts Janneke's mind, and when she learns that she and Soren will be the bringers of Ragnarok, they must go to Hel to find Lydian’s shade to help stop it, as Janneke isn’t quite able to tune in to her Stag powers just yet. The worldbuilding here is epic. The pacing in this book is so fast. Emotions are high and the book just pulled me right back in. I really enjoyed it.

This was one of those sequels where I was a little nervous to read it because I LOVED the first one so much and just couldn't imagine anything better in a continuation. I needn't have worried. Where the first one was bolstered by the romantic tension this one doesn't feel its lack. If anything this one sunk its claws into me even deeper. Any author who can suck me into emotionally precarious places is a winner in my book (AKA - I teared up in this one, and that almost never happens to me, especially in a Fantasy read).

It starts out a little slow as we warm up with our characters new situations and a few additions to the cast, but once the gauntlet is thrown and we know what must happen (nothing less than preventing Ragnarok), it jets off at livelier pace and adds in some great action adventure sequences in some very cool locals (the underworld, the roots of the world tree, the list goes on...). The Fae are very on trend in Fantasy right now, but I like Barbieri's take on the Goblin's who people her world - and while essentially "Fae-esque", these Goblins, like their environment the frozen Permafrost, are decidedly more savage and harsh - and you can feel a little bit of the Nordic influence in their characterization and their Viking/Raider mentality. Both the characters, character types, and creatures/gods are all a little different and unusual in Barbieri's careful hands, their renditions often a study in contrasts and the interesting/unexpected.

I think I am finally getting a vibe on her as an author and I really appreciate her blend of hard action and realism as well as sentimentality (especially in terms of character emotions and confrontations) - her Permafrost is both Brutal and Dreamy....and I love that.

This sequel to White Stag takes place almost a year after the events of the first book. Janneke is trying to access the power of the Stag that was entrusted to her from the previous Stag and Soren is dealing with being Erlking. Much to Janneke's shock Lydian is still alive as a shade since his heart hasn't been burned and is being kept in the palace. Janneke is still working through her issues with Lydian's abuse and rape when she was his thrall. Soren, Janneke, Lydian, and some others go on a journey to save the Permafrost.

I did end up liking this book but I didn't enjoy it as much as White Stag but now I'm invested in this series and I need the next four books in my hands. I do recommend these books if you are a fan of goblin boyfriends who love their human girlfriends with an adventure thrown in.

I loved the first book in this series and I loved this one.
It's an exciting and highly enjoyable read that kept me hooked turning pages as fast as I could.
Great world building and character development, good storytelling and a fascinating plot.
I can't wait to read another book by this author, this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Goblin King by Kara Barbieri is the second book in the Permafrost series and not a stand alone. Now that Janneke and Soren are the Stag and Erlking everything should be going well. They killed their enemy, fell in love and now are each one of the most powerful beings in their world. Well they killed their enemy but he is not gone. Lydian has some disturbing news, like world ending news. Ragnarok is coming.

Super interesting world and mythology that I am definitely enjoying but I found this book to somehow be fast paced and slow at the same time. This book kept me hook but now that I am finished I feel like nothing really happened. I mean stuff happened but this book was essentially a filler/ builder for book three. I finished this in couple days but I cannot generally remember anything super interesting happening. I still recommend the book because I think the information is going to be important for book three but I just wish there had been more tension/ suspense/ character interactions. I felt like none of the characters were really stand out and even as a group they were bland. I still plan to pick up book 3 though because I am excited to see where the mythology is going to go.

Three stars for interesting mythology and making me want to continue reading. Only read if you read book one and plan to read book three. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for ARC. This is an honest review.

3.5 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is the second book in a fascinating YA Fantasy series. In this book, Janneke comes to grips with her new power as the mantle, making her an equal to Soren, who is now the Erlking. Her power comes with disturbing visions of the future, which sends Janneke and her companions on a dangerous journey to save the world.

Along with visions, Janneke's tormentor Lydian taunts her despite being dead. She can hear him in her thoughts, and as the purpose of her visions becomes clear, she discovers she must work with him if she has any hope of saving the world. This strains everyone's nerves, and puts Janneke's relationship with Soren in danger.

I was hoping there would be more worldbuilding in this book, but there isn't. That is disappointing. This book dealt with relationships more than action, although there is some action toward the middle and end of the book. Once again, the author provides a lot of Jannek's inner dialogue. She's a bit more confidant, but is still riddled with feelings of inadequacy, particularly with respect to her mantle abilities. This book seems a bit slower than the first book, but we do get more character interaction, which was fun to read. I liked getting to know the minor characters a bit more, and enjoyed reading about their relationships with each other, as well as the main characters.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for a free digital copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Goblin King is the sequel to White Stag, the first book in the Permafrost series. I was a big fan of the first book; it was such an interesting, captivating book. I read it in one sitting. If you read White Stag a while ago and you’re worried about not remembering everything that happened in the book, don’t worry. The author does a great job of recapping the events of book one. You’ll quickly remember why you enjoyed the first book so much. But, in case you don’t quite remember, allow me to remind you that this world is very dark and brutal. If you’re looking for an uplifting, happy book, then this is not the book for you. Janneke, the main character, is still trying to heal from her prior trauma that occurred in the first book.

The first thing you should know about Goblin King is that it’s more of an adventure book. The characters have to go on a quest to Hel when they realize they’re the only ones who can prevent Ragnarok from starting. I forgot how much I loved these characters until I picked this book up. If you’re a fan of the found family trope, then you’ll love these characters. Their banter is very entertaining—especially because Goblins don’t really understand sarcasm. Romance lovers, there is some romance in this book. Janneke and Soren are officially a couple in this book. However, their relationship is not without its faults. Neither of them is skilled in being vulnerable, which leads them to have issues with communication.

One thing you should know, there is going to be another book in this series. When I picked up Goblin King, I thought it was going to be the last book, but I was wrong. So, you should go in expecting this book to not resolve everything since there will be another book.

Other than that, all I have to say is that I enjoyed this book. I love the characters so much! I can’t wait for the next book.

TW: mention of rape, death of an infant, suicide, death/sacrifice of an animal, talk of an eating disorder, talk of depression, dark themes

GOBLIN KING is a much faster-paced and action-packed YA fantasy sequel. Janneke has taken the mantle of the stag, though she has not yet mastered its powers, and Soren is the Erlkonig. She is hiding something from him though - she is hallucinating and hearing her tormentor/his uncle after his death. What she is soon to learn is that his ramblings that sounded so strange and impossible may have been a portent of things to come.

They set off on a quest with danger around every corner, and every step bringing new challenges. The alternative is the end of the world, and they must persevere. Although I thought this would be the end of the series, this book ends with a bit of a cliffhanger, setting the stage for another sequel.

This book is just as dark and gritty as the first. However, this one is more filled with action and less of the character deep-dives that really made me love the first. Regardless, I found it highly readable and moved through the book quickly. I enjoyed particularly the scenes where we go deeper into the psychology of different characters, though I found them to be shorter than I would have anticipated. On the flip side, this does make the book move faster, so this would have more appeal for some readers.

This sequel does a great job of recapping the first book, so it is easy to pick up after some time. I would definitely recommend reading it, as it is fantastic. There is some complexity and very dark elements to the story as Janneke is wrangling with the feeling that she needs her former torturer to achieve her goal of stopping Ragnarok (the end of the world).

Overall, I found this to be a faster-paced sequel to an intriguing YA dark fantasy series. Would recommend for fans who want to continue Janneke's story, through this does focus more on the action vs character insights.