Liesl has taken care of her talented violinist brother and her beautiful younger sister and helped her mother run the inn. When her sister disappears, she knows that the Goblin King has her. Liesl decides to go underground to save her sister. She is willing to do anything to free her sister. She ends up trading her life for her sister. She will marry the Goblin King and become the Goblin Queen. This frees her to be her true self. Liesl will go on to finding much she did not know about herself on this path to life underground. What happens to Liesl and the Goblin King?

As I read this novel, I found myself falling into Liesl's life. The descriptions were done so well, I felt as if I was seeing through Liesl.'S eyes. The story however ends without knowing what I wanted to find out. I found that there is a second book to do that. I will have to read it!

Love this one. I kept seeing David Bowie as the Goblin King. I'm anxious for the next one.

Beautiful writing, unique premise and characters. There is a sequel which we will definitely purchase. Should be a hit.

I didn't have time to get to this one, so I won't be reviewing it.

[Warning: May contain spoilers]


I enjoyed this book. It is very much like "Labyrinth" meets "Beauty and the Beast." The premise is a bit too much like "Labyrinth" for me to be entirely comfortable calling this a "unique" book. Goblin King -- thin, blonde, mischievous Goblin King nonetheless -- comes to earth for a bride. A game ensues in which the stakes are as follows: the girl wins, she gets to take her sister and go home, leaving the Goblin King behind forever. The Goblin King wins, he gets to marry the girl. Sound familiar? Yeah. I thought it might.

I was a little turned off by this at first, but the author quickly adds in enough individuality to make the book her own and separate from the "Labyrinth." I don't want to give away any key plot points, so I am not going to go much further in the description of the book.

I will say, however, that the book is very prettily written, and that music is prominently featured throughout. Thankfully, the author writes music well, and it makes the book quite lovely to read, image-wise.

It is listed as a Young Adult fiction book, but I'd say that is not quite the right categorization for this book. The sex scenes are a little too descriptive for YA, and I worry about the poor librarian who is going to get chewed out because a religious mother catches her thirteen year old daughter reading it. Ha.

The plot was okay, if a little overdone, and the pacing was nice; it flowed well. There were no draggy bits, and nothing seemed too rushed. I'm not sure how I feel about the relationship between Liesl (the girl) and the Goblin King, which is, at times, very Beauty and the Beast and at other times, more Joker and Harley Quinn. :-/ I wouldn't say it was the healthiest of young marriages.

Still, overall, it is a solid 3.25-3.5 star book. I recommend it to lovers of romantic fantasy. Not ideal for hardcore fantasy geeks, though.

I really disliked this book to the point of regretting time spent reading it. I thought there would be more goblin-specific description but the author basically substituted “fae” with “goblin.” The grandmother/goblin king relationship was never explained. The main character is practically despised by her father just because she’s a female, and I hated how love and affection were had a dark sinful tint to it even though most of the descriptions were between husband and wife. The story went too slowly and it was hard to get through it.

[Disclaimer: I received a free e-copy of this book from NetGalley for review purposes.]

I enjoyed this enough to want to read the sequel, but not enough to buy copies of my own. I'll probably pick it up from the library so that I can at least get some closure.

This book was well-written, lyrical, and emotional. I loved how the story unfolded, but I do wish there had been a little more ... explanation? It seems like everything is still a mystery to me, but it was still a good read.

My only qualm is that the Goblin King essentially kidnapped Elisabeth. He kidnaps her sister first, then manipulates her into staying in the Underground with him as his wife. She loves him but she doesn't, but she does? I felt like she was manipulated into loving him, like Stockholm syndrome. It kind of bothered me and got in the way of my liking the romance.

There were also a few passages that were lifted directly from Labyrinth. And yes, the book was heavily inspired by Christina Rosetti's The Goblin Market (which I just read for the first time today). I minded but I didn't. If that makes sense.

Overall an interesting romantic fantasy. I wish I could have pictured the Goblin King as someone other than David Bowie, but oh well.

Stunning. For pretty much the entire book I was thinking, 4-stars. Then I reached the last portion of the story and it stripped my breath from me. So enchanting, so beautiful, so heartbreaking. I will admit that the first 50 to 70 pages of the book, I really wasn't sure what to think; if I liked it, didn't like it, what was going on, how the heck do I pronounce these names...but eventually, with a little patience, it started to weave together the most intricate, spellbinding story of forbidden love I have ever read. Perhaps one could view it much like a musical composition, timid at first as the story begins to unfold, solid and constant thorough the middle then a crescendo as we rush towards our ultimate conclusion. I do not read a lot of books with a strong romance element, and this story is definitely all about the romance, but this one touched me deeply. I was surprised by how quickly it turned steamy actually and believe I even blushed once or twice! The love between Elisabeth and her Goblin King is somehow fractious, violent and childish all at the same time. Their connection is so tangible, I felt it in my heart; the ups and downs of their lustful and rough coming together. The musical elements of the story were beautiful - they bring it alive - if this were to be turned into a movie, I believe it would have an absolutely revolutionary soundtrack! Overall, I felt drawn into the story, slowly but surely and once I was in, I was in, entire. I cannot wait to read the next book of the series!

WINTERSONG is beautifully written, but the slow pace and characters didn't grip me. Though, it still hit me in the feelings in the end--even as I tried valiantly to resist. I ended up crying and caring enough to read the sequel SHADOWSONG, which I absolutely adored. So check WINTERSONG out, and you never know what might happen!

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of Wintersong, in exchange for an honest review.

Wintersong had some really great imagery, eerie qualities and other moments of intrigue in the story. By the end, I felt betrayed because I expected more. I hate not giving a book a glowing review.

The initial premise was interesting. I loved how the grandmother was pushed aside like she was crazy, but she knew the danger present in not observing the rituals to protect the family from the goblin king. The grandmother was also the most insightful person into the family dynamic. I actually wish there had been another couple of scenes with her just because I liked the cantankerous old woman. The grandmother had known the Goblin King just like Liesl had as a child, however the old woman had not forgotten him or his power. 

The characters had a nice contrast. Käthe was driven to get away from her home and the people in her life. She didn't identify with music like her other siblings and father. Consequently, she was dismissed. Being pretty just wasn't enough. Liesl was the dependable older sibling, not known for her beauty or even her musical talent, because she wasn't a son. She held the family together, and created an environment where her brother's talent could shine because she understood him. Her father and mother were also a reflection of the wanton, misbehaving Käthe and the dependable, solid Liesl.  The boy in the family, Josef, is expected to be a shining star but is crippled by shyness. I thought it was very sudden for him to be able to move forward when he met the maestros assistant. This turns into a gay love affair between the two young men, though there is nothing explicit.

The tone of the story is magical as the sister walk through the town market. The reader can feel the danger dripping off the page, while Käthe is oblivious. Much like fate, it seems there is nothing to be done. Käthe has to be kidnapped, because Liesl cannot or refuses to remember.

In the underworld, I liked the idea of how the goblin servants were less human and more tree-like. I also liked how a door was unnecessary for them to enter Liesl's room/prison. The banquet where Liesl observes Käthe wilting from the wanton nature of the beasts is poignant. She desperately wants to save her sister, even though she is the sacrifice required to do so.

The love between Liesl and the Goblin King is where the story fell apart. I never felt like they actually experience love. Liesl feels lust for the Goblin King, while he feels he must resist her advances because her fire will be gobbled up more quickly. The sex scenes were very uncomfortable to read because the characters didn't have a connection. It just didn't make sense. Liesl became someone who she wasn't when she married the Goblin King. She was a decent person, but once she tried to save her sister she lost all her values and qualities that I liked. Liesl became the wanton sister, the one whose lack of morals always results in disaster (just like her father and Käthe). She seemed to draw her identity from the Goblin King, which seems like a weak female character to have to be defined solely upon a relationship with a man. (I know that sounds like feminist tripe, but really women are so much more than one relationship.) Even though Liesl became a different person than who she had been as a child, the Goblin King values her and his former humanity is touched to allow/help her to escape. With centuries of background the Goblin King could have had many facets to learn and explore as a reader. With his long life I found it hard to believe he wanted Liesl as a mortal wife. He should have wanted something more. I felt like I was short-changed on his character. 

As one final complaint. There were moments in the writing when the tense changed from past tense to present for one sentence. I found the tense change highly disconcerting. 

I've hesitated on the rating. I wanted to give it two stars based on how it fell apart in the second half, but settled on 2.5 stars because there were some great parts in the beginning. Overall I was dissatisfied and will not read the next book.

First of all, I'd like to thank NetGalley and the publisher for recently sending me a copy of the book in return for an honest review.

This was a very personal story for me. I have vivid memories of middle school where we had to memorize and discuss Goethe's poem 'Erlkönig'. For anyone not familiar with it, get on that. It's beautiful and haunting and dark and romantic; as much as human suffering can be romantic. I loved reading this poem in school and I recited it with gusto. Goethe to me is a genius when it comes to taking scary things and making them feel attainable, relatable, and even something I would want in my life (I'm looking at you, Faust!). The author had a lot to live up to choosing the story of the Erlkönig as her topic.

Well, Jae-Jones took those same sentiments I felt in middle school and put them in this story. And she did it amazingly well! I am very critical of everything related to Germany and I have a soft spot for folklore, especially dark and mystical tales. So, my expectations were high and she met them! Liesl's character was complex, weird, and so very human. Der Erlkönig was everything an antihero should be - brooding, stubborn, handsome, scheming, yet so lovable. I really enjoyed their relationship, driven by music and mutual understanding. It is so special when you meet someone who just gets you for who you are!

Jae-Jones also showed a deep appreciation of weird German stereotypes, random pagan believes, and historically relevant events weaving them in perfectly into the story without it coming off as pretentious. I also have to assume she knows music - playing music, composing music, or just greatly appreciating it. I am probably the opposite of that (so not musical at all!) but yet I could follow Liesl's and her family's passion for it. I was able to understand the process of making music, drawing your inspirations from your surroundings, digging deep to give it emotion and meaning as well as the pain when the one thing you love gets taken away from you. The author really portrayed that beautifully.

Some reviews liken this novel to Labyrinth and don't get me wrong I love David Bowie like the next peculiar girl but I believe this book was truly inspired by Goethe's poem. There was too much German in the story to deny that. Plus, so what, even if the author wrote the story with Labyrinth in mind, she made it her own, and that's what counts.

P.S.: I am most impressed that Jae-Jones was able to believably use many variations of people's first names (Josef, Sep, Sepperl etc - something that is especially common in Bavaria) and many German sayings without it being disruptive to the story.

Somehow the book didn't download on my devices before it was archived. :(

Fantastic read. Well written, with a great plot and characters. I was engrossed through the entirety of the book. I will definitely be reading book 2. I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Netgalley.

This story is amazing. I love the threads of inspiration from Rosetti’s Goblin Market entwined with magic & music from Jae-Jones imagination & soul. It is a story that lives & sings, & I cannot wait to Shadowsong & follow wherever this Pied Piper would care to lead me.

I did enjoy this book. It is different and set in Germany around the turn of the 19th Century. Liesl has heard about the stories of the Goblin King all her life. Her sister gets kidnapped from the Goblin King and Liesl knows she has to save her. Liesl has also been told all her life that the music she creates is not good. With her love of music buried deep inside her will she be able to let it out to save her sister. In some ways you actually root for the Goblin King and other times you want Liesl and her sister to run from him. I have already started the second book as I really want to see where this story ends.

The plot started out beautifully. I have to give a special mention to the prologue of the story because it was enchanting and really set the mood for the story wonderfully. The writing style throughout the entire book was almost lyrical which was very interesting and enjoyable. I loved the first half of the book where Liesl's love for her sister Käthe even takes her to the Underground to confront the Goblin King himself.

As for the characters, Liesl, started out as awesome and realistic and I really was with her when she struggled with sibling jealousy but I did slowly lose interest in her. The Goblin King was my favorite character in the book really. I went back and forth between liking and disliking him all through the book and that made him a really interesting and complex character for me.

Wintersong is the story of Liels and the Gobling King who has loved her since her youth. The story is complex, heart wrenching, and full of intense emotions. As a way to save her sister Kathe from life in the underworld Liels make a sacrifice for love that ends up setting her free to love her self and play her music. Still she longs for her family and life above. Will the Gobling King’s Love be enough to hold her under and save the world from eternal winter? S. Jae-Jones does a marvelous job weaving an enchanting tale of love and sacrifice full of lore and fairy magic. While the pace of the book can be slow at times, sticking with it to the end won’t dissapoint.

What caught my attention first was the beautiful cover! Then when I started reading I was immediately drawn into the world of Liesl, the Goblin King, and their music. It is a fast paced and exciting read! I often felt for the main character and all of her burdens! I am looking forward to reading the next book!!

4.5 stars

Beside her family, music was Elisabeth (Liesl) Vogler's life. As a musician, she use her craft as an escape and also as something to hide behind. When her loved one was threatened, she made a deal with the mysterious Goblin King, but she never understood the degree of sacrifice it would take until she learned it the hard way.

I have a weakness for tormented soul and the Goblin King is one. I love him right from the prologue where I could feel his vulnerability. And while I like his heart, I also like his trickery lol!

Liesl was more of a constant hit and miss for me. I like how she was selfless and how much she was willing to sacrifice. But at the same time her self esteem issue was repetitive and a bit tiring.

Before starting the book I was wondering how I could possibly like a goblin hero because they're supposed to be vile and ugly. But it was also the thing that intrigued me to pick up the book in the first place. I like how the author chose to feature creature that is not traditionally loved.

This book also captured my heart with the premise. There were bits of Greek mythology (which I love) weaved with fairytale and folklore. I love the Underground world and the creatures. However, I felt some part of the book was too slow for my liking.

Wintersong is a story of love and sacrifices. It would appeal to readers looking for an emotion based fantasy.

A good YA story that is maybe a little myth about the Goblin King and his world.
Drama,mystery,and love.