Nine Goblins

This is my first T. Kingfisher book that doesn't contain at least a hint of romance (after masterpieces like [b:Swordheart 42747739 Swordheart T. Kingfisher https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1542983306l/42747739.SX50.jpg 66478946] and [b:Clockwork Boys 36618062 Clockwork Boys (Clocktaur War, #1) T. Kingfisher https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1511019840l/36618062.SY75.jpg 58376790]) but I still loved it. She managed to make me care about what happens to a ragtag band of nine goblins, who cheerfully agree that some of the nicest ways others describe them include stinking, obnoxious, rude, cowardly and lazy (“Goblins have lots of flaws, but few illusions.”). There is lots of low humor, insights into the elf/human/goblin dynamic, and a surprisingly dark turn towards the end that is a strange but effective mix with characters like Blanchett, a goblin who only speaks through his teddy bear and Algol, who desperately wants to adopt a stray kitten. Their capable and exasperated sergeant Nessilka tries to put Algol straight:“Corporal, we're goblins. The scourge of the night! Stealers of children! Marauders of the dark! The terror of...well, fairly terrible anyway....We aren't kitten people!”Never stop writing, Ursula Vernon/T. Kingfisher.