I have always been impressed by Josh Malerman’s ability to create an true atmosphere of dread with his words alone. Like his other stories, Goblin is dark, suspenseful, and creative. He manages to capture the town of Goblin in such a way that it feels like a living creature. A few of the novellas reminded me of my favorite childhood book series so they evoked a lot of feelings of nostalgia. I especially loved the shocking endings; yes, they were a little predictable at times but i still found them satisfying. While I enjoyed the overall collection, there were a couple novellas that just didn’t completely work for me. I found them to be a little too long and drawn out, which detracted from the sense of menace. That being said, I think there is something in here for everyone to enjoy and it would be a really fun read for Halloween!

I loved reading this book about a mysterious small town where creepy, mysterious things happen. I loved the format of the book, with the short stories that all intertwined. I had to keep reading to find out what happened to each character in each short story. Great, quick read with twists I didn't expect.

My interest was immensely piqued by the book cover and title GOBLIN, and I was instantly mesmerized by the Prologue. I couldn’t help but was constantly on the edge of my seat, devouring this devilishly delicious horror.
GOBLIN is a strange town that is persistently engulfed in rain and fog, seems like a perfect nurturing ground for six nail-biting, dark, and evil novellas that are entwined together to lure one into the twilight zone of unfathomable.
Indisputably, the phenomenal Josh Malerman once again masterfully crafted this invigorating yet heart-pounding GOBLIN that definitely serves to satiate avid readers of this genre.
I would like to thank NetGalley and Del Rey/Random House for this enjoyable horror completed with some interesting detailed illustrations.
#NetGalley
#Goblin

Of course this is five stars!!!! But I had better think about it for a minute before I settle in on a review.

So it’s been like four or five days since I’ve finished reading this… I’m finally not (as) creeped out by flipping topiaries now… Seriously, Josh Malerman has a talent for the ultimate creep out factor.

As we start, the first story, I started to get chills already!!! I have a fairly high tolerance for these things, but dang, it pulls you in so quickly. Looking over your shoulder and wondering what’s going to happen next!! Great first story, and then you move quickly into the next one. But hold that thought because you’ll get back to that first story eventually…

Oh Walter… a story of paranoia or is it?! This was such an interesting read that I’m not sure how to even get into it. Just get in there with Walter and read this one until the next story. Don’t stop or else you may catch that paranoid feeling too!

So the next story is great because there’s this jerk, the one that most people love to hate and he’s got it all. As it goes on, things just get creepier and creepier. And let me tell you… you’re going to want to know how that one ends!!! One of my favorites!!

Then things really get going!!! Seriously, I had such a hard time stopping after this point. Presto was absolutely fabulous. I mean, it’s creepy just thinking of people getting buried standing up. Right?!?!

A mixup at the zoo is the story that follows and it’s sure to hollow out your heart.

Finally the hedges, which is just spectacular!!!! The cops though!!!!! Wtf!!??!!??? And also, NOOOOO!!! You’ll see when you get there. This one was still a fun one too. Chillingly good time.

Last, but really first, the prologue where we circle back around. It’s just absolutely stellar!!! Like I said, this whole book is awesome and I love every minute of it. I’m not really doing it justice here. Just read it because of its awesomeness.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for allowing me to read this book for my honest and unbiased opinion.

thank you net galley and random house publishing group - ballantine for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review. this collection of novellas was average to me. a lot of the stories were disappointing and didn’t really interest me. there were some stories in here though that were truly spectacular. if you like malerman’s previous books check this out.

OMG! Such a great book! 6 novellas within a larger story. Wow! Malerman knows how to push the envelope while keeping you guessing! Just when I thought I knew where he was going with a story, he shocked me in the best possible way! I absolutely loved this!!!!
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Great stories in here. I expected a lot from this author, and I definitely got it. Highly recommend

Just so rich and creepy! I love short stories like these. But this is really the best of the best. The characters were surprisingly well developed. The stories were just so twisted and strange. I wasn't familiar with Mr. Malerman's work, but will keep an eye open for more like this. Just haunting.

“Nobody ought to be tasked with maintaining their sanity forever in a city that never stopped crying” -Goblin
Goblin is a collection of stories based on the town of Goblin. This is a town set on cursed land and a place that it almost never stops raining.
These stories contain quirky characters in some Twilight Zone twist scenarios. Unfortunately, I did not connect with any of the characters and it made for some long tales. There was lots of backstory about the town that pulled me out of the story making it hard for me to stay interested.
It must just be me because lots of people have really enjoyed this book so dive into Goblin and see for yourself.

This is quite possibly the most atmospheric book I've ever read! The town of Goblin is pretty much a character in itself which is quite the feat. This is a sinister, creepy read that is perfect for rainy days to match the mood of the town of Goblin. Each story was suspenseful, well told, and pretty terrifying. Each story leaves you with a sense of wonder, foreboding, and that nail biting craving for more terror. If you are looking for hope and happiness, you won't find much in this town! But you will find a brilliant set of stories all connected by this creepy town and more. I couldn't get enough and sing really high praises for this book.

I’m a Josh Malerman fan. I, like most of the horror community, adored Bird Box. I enjoyed Malorie, but wanted just a few more scares. And thought Unbury Carol just barley missed becoming one of my favorites. Josh also just seems like a really cool and good guy. He loves horror and produces some of the more unique takes in the genre.



Goblin was something I was very excited for. A Castle Rock-esque (which it kinda sorta is) rainy midwestern town where freaky stuff happens? Sign me up. I wasn’t phased that the book was billed as essentially a short story collection wrapped in a “creepy place” narrative. I was all for it. 



Sadly, while a couple of the stories, specifically “A Man in Slices” and “Happy Birthday, Hunter!" hit the mark, the other 4 missed their mark for me. That isn’t to say they’re bad stories, far from it! But, personally, I just wanted more horror out of the town than Malerman was able to conjure.

I feel like I’m grading Malerman on a curve because of what he is capable of, and that may be so. It is very likely most casual horror readers will enjoy the stories and if Goblin opens to the gates for more folks reading horror, I’m all for it.

Despite my lukewarmness of the prose, Goblin has one of the cooler covers in recent horror literature, so it will find a place on my bookshelf regardless.

I was provided an early copy of Goblin from Del Ray Books and Netgalley in exchange for my fair and honest review. Thank you to Del Ray Books, Josh Malerman, and NetGalley.

This book started off creepy and awesome and then it kind of tapered off. I was hoping this would be one that was so scary but it let me down.

Goblin is a great collection of stories about a really unique town called Goblin. Each of the six stories in this collection had me pulled in. They were creepy and I liked how they all flowed together

Welcome to Goblin, a town with epic rainfall, creepy northern woods, and they bury their dead standing up. Included in this novel is six messed up novellas, all occurring in the quirky town of Goblin. my favorite two were A Man in Slices and The Hedges..

A Man in Slices is about lifelong friends, Charles and Richard. Charles has always been a bit of an oddball, but Richard felt compelled to stick by him. That is until Charles meets the love of his life, Andi. Unfortunately, Andi is even more messed up than Charles. She says that "the greatest symbol of true love is self-sacrifice" and requests that Charles cuts off and sends her one of his toes. Charles, who isn't as crazy as he always seemed, instead decides to break into the morgue to "borrow" a toe from a corpse. But she keeps asking and he keeps going back for more and more...

The Hedges is about one of Goblin's pre-eminent citizens, Wayne Sherman. When his wife died several years before, he began building a hedge maze next to his home that became a destination in Goblin with a secret at the end. Allegedly unsolvable, no one had ever made it to the middle until 8-year-old Margot figures it out and runs to the creepy Goblin police. Wayne takes off, eventually landing in the north woods to hide the secret so no one would ever find it. But the Goblin police are closing in...

Interesting collection by Malerman, but I REALLY wanted to know why the people were buried standing up in the cemetery. WHY, DAMMIT, WHY??????

Overall, I felt kinda meh about this book. Not necessarily bad, but not particularly memorable either. Giving it 2.5/5 Stars.

It should come as no surprise that this book is amazing! Creepy and keeping you on the edge of your seat, Malerman provides short stories/novellas about people and the town of Goblin. Through each story, the reader gets to know the bizarre ongoings of the town. Each of the stories could be built into a full novel of its own, and I'm kinda hoping that happens because I want to know so much more about Goblin.

5/5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Del Rey for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Our full podcast review and interview with Josh Malerman can be found by listening to Genre Junkies podcast. Available on most podcast platforms.

Josh Malerman is one of our favorite authors to review on our show. His perspective on horror, and fear is always unique and refreshing. We challenge any lover of the strange and spooky to not fall in love with Goblin. Malerman has created a rich, dense city of intriguing characters that feels both satisfying, and yet leaves room for expansion.

Goblin is 6 novelettes that blend into one book. None of these pieces felt like “filler”. Each one is different than the last and takes you into unexpected little nightmares. But as always with Malerman, you never sacrifice empathy and development for the sake of scares. We would love to return to this fair city anytime.

A bit uneven, but overall very good. I could have used a more fleshed-out conclusion and thicker connections between the stories, but they were excellent stand-alones. I wanted more at the end, and I hope the author has more to come!

A collection of stories about a rainy town called Goblin from the writer of Bird Box. It was an interesting premise, exploring different aspects of an unusual town filled with unusual people. The different narratives had little connections and details woven throughout that the stories shared, creating a web of intrigue around the town. This wasn't a title I felt strongly about, one way or the other, but not all books need to inspire passionate feelings.

Goblin by Josh Malerman is a collection of short stories which are all connected by being set in the town of Goblin. Malerman is quite a story teller and I enjoyed my time in Goblin. Malerman truly brings the characters and the very town itself to life. I literally read the book in one sitting! I highly recommend it!