A fun middle grade read. Short chapters, fast-paced writing, and lovable characters make this a great read

A quick quirky read. I’m sure children will enjoy reading this, it’s fast paced and has a host of interesting and unusual characters.

Thanks to NetGalley for my review copy.

Review to be posted on GR!
First I would like to thank the publishers and Netgalley.

Now. This is a fun middle grade with interesting characters and a cool premise. I sped through the first chapters and was enjoying the story and the characters who felt very real and promising when the plot started to get thicker and tone down the story.

The later half was much harder to read because the plot with the rider felt so jammed and forced into the book it got me not wanting to finish it for so long.

Still a fun premise with several interesting and engaging characters.

A highly entertaining story that made me laugh and kept me hooked till the end.
It's a fast read, well written and well thought.
I think it can be loved by kids and adult.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.

Magical story! Seems to be geared to the British market, may need either a glossary for other English speaking children, or edited to other dialects of English (American, Australian, Canadian...). Other that that, it's a fine story and highly entertaining for kids 4th grade up! I'm even sure, teens might enjoin the tale! It's well written, has some illustrations, shortish chapters, Kids will be clamoring for more when it ends all too soon! I love tales like this- original, lots of magic and magical creatures, good problems to solve.... So much fun!

This book has two parallel storylines about a brother and sister finding a book about goblins and an invisible dog. The book becomes a part of the brother and the sister and goblin figure out how to get the book back. In another storyline, an ordinary boy becomes a brave boy and battles wolves. I could not complete this book because I did not understand how the stories link and what the characters wanted. The illustrations also need to be improved, it might encourage readers to read the book.

Siblings Anna and Nils encounter an odd little man and his invisible dog. That chance encounter draws the children into an adventure of epic proportions. The cover and reading level had me thinking this would be a children's fairy tale but as the story took a decidedly sinister turn, I felt it would be better suited to older middle grade readers.

The premise of the tale is that there is a "veil" that separates two worlds. People and creatures can cross over and wreak havoc in the children's world. Anna and Nils are swept up in a quest to put a stop to an evil character that preys on people while dreaming. (Note: the depiction how the villain terrorizes people in the night would definitely be disturbing for younger readers).

While the idea of two worlds and the creatures that inhabit that alternate world, were imaginative, I felt the author plunged the reader into the action with very little background information or explanation. There were twists and turns and plenty of near-escapes and even some good old-fashioned sword fighting, but I wish there had been a bit more development of the characters.

For those looking for a high-adrenaline fantasy this may fit the bill. I would caution parents of younger readers to either pre-read or read the story aloud to provide some reassurances (especially at bedtime). This edgy fairytale could be a good choice for an older reluctant or struggling reader.

Disclaimer: I received a free digital copy of Gribblebob's Book of Unpleasant Goblins from NetGalley for the purpose of review. No other compensation was received.

Wonderful, fast-paced middle grade book that hits all the right marks for a magical adventure. Anna and Nils are fantastic characters and Gribblebob is a very well-developed goblin masquerading as a human. Filled with friendship, family, magic, loyalty, and adventure, this book is sure to be a hit with younger readers.

Thank you NetGalley and Pushkin Press for the opportunity to read an advance reading copy.

A sister and brother realize there is a world beyond the veil when a series of events leads to Nils accidentally having a book insert itself into his body. The book belongs to Robert Gribble, a disguised goblin who is also known as Gribblebob. The goblin is at first irate but then realizes that Anna and Nils might be able to help in the fight against the queen of nightmares.
A little twee but I think readers will enjoy. The world building was quite lovely with snatches of fairly tales which create a base but then adding some other magical touches here and there. This book definitely seems like the start of a series as there is more magic hinted at that we don't necessarily see on page (e.g. the boy whose writings come to life) but it's not overwhelming. The story does build slowly and end fairly quickly but overall a nice start to a series.

Four stars
This book comes out October 6th
ARC kindly provided by Pushkin Press and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Gribblebob's Book of Unpleasant Goblins follows two siblings, Anna and Nils, as they meet a man named Gribblebob (aka Robert Gribble) and other citizens on the opposite side of the "veil."

Yes, the story/setting has been done many a time before, but I loved how David Ashby's writing was so humorous, and exciting to read. This book read really well, and is perfect for kids ages 7 and up. I love how each of the characters had their own personalities, and how the writing created uniqueness for all of them.

I also liked how the story was more prominent than the characters, in most YA/middle grade fantasy novels, the characters can play a bigger feature in the book than the actual story. Although, even with all the different characters introduced and the different personality styles they all had, the reader still keeps most of their focus on the mystery of where the different magic books were.

Even though this book had multiple clichés, it was still very unique in its own way! I absolutely loved this middle grade novel, and I hope you will enjoy it, too. I would love to see a sequel of this book as well!

"She'll turn you up and round five times before breakfast and still not boil your egg."
- Robert Griblle

Also on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3477345442

There's just something about reading a book that transports you to another world...particularly when it's an imaginary world. I enjoyed the concept of being able to break through the veil and getting to know the cast of characters. I struggled a bit at the beginning keeping the different characters and storylines straight, but once I get further into the book the pieces clicked into place for me.

I could definitely see this turning into a series, which my students would love! This book is great for readers age 9-11!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.com.

First line: It probably started that Wednesday afternoon, the one when it rained and the sun shone at the same time and there was that long, echoey tumble of thunder.

Summary: Anna and her brother Nils encounter an interesting character on their way home from school. They soon discover that there is a whole other fantasty world behind "the veil," and they soon become part of the battle of good vs. evil.

Thoughts: I'm not sure if it's just the fact that this is my third middle grade fantasy novel in the last two weeks, but I wasn't overly impressed with the story. It was a fantasy fairy tale story that has been done over and over again. In reading the author notes at the end of the novel, the ARC version was missing the illustrations that accompanied most of the story. That may have helped things since the cover is quite fun.

FYI: It's another British writer, so there is some jargon that took a bit to get used to.

THis book was hilarious and creepy all mixed in at once. I love the style of writing and I think it's a great book. I really love how creative it is and the whole idea of The Veil and magical books! This book is perfect for readers 9-11.

This whimsical hero’s tale provides young middle grade readers with lessons on standing up to bullies, loyalty, and embracing one’s oddities as something to be proud of. The fast paced action & short chapters are sprinkled with silly dialogue and odd characters that will amuse reluctant young readers.

The book has lots of the ingredients needed to make a wonderful, exciting and absorbing read for children -goblins, magic, different worlds and just enough danger to thrill without frightening. It takes a while to get going but once it finds its pace it is full of ideas and the plot continues well throughout the story. It combines humour and adventure whilst binging a sense of the importance of friendship, family, bravery and loyalty, The main characters are well written and the chapters are pitched at the right length in order to carry the story along and to encourage independent reading.

All in all, this was a good adventure story: fast paced, likable characters, interesting world. My big complaint comes down to the climax of the story. It suddenly became very didactic. As an adult, I was immediately taken out of the world and rolled my eyes. Perhaps a young reader of the intended audience will feel differently, but based on my experience, I am doubtful. Still, I loved every other part of this book.

Super quick and fun read! Perfect for a middle grade audience. Kids will love the fun cast of characters.

Gribblebob's Book of Unpleasant Goblins was a quick read, perfect for a tween reader who likes magical elements.

Gribblebob is an aloof goblin expat living in modern England. A chance encounter with two children, a lost book, and a disappearing book lead the characters on an adventure!

The story is fast-paced and told from multiple points of view. Many of the chapters are only a few pages, and I think the fast-paced storytelling will appeal to younger readers.

This book is funny with heart, and I could easily see this turning into a series. I can't wait to gift this to my nephews for Christmas.

It's been a couple of days since I finished this book, and I don't remember a whole lot about it. I remember that there's a pair of siblings, Anna and Nils, that are the main characters and they happen upon a book that a goblin (?) accidentally dropped whilst walking his hungry (and therefore invisible dog). That's everything I remember about the story, and I think that's just the contents of chapter one.

I can't really write anything else, as nothing, I'm guessing, stood out to me as I read.

This was a really fun middle grade read. It’s short chapters will have kids begging for one more before bed. It had me laughing throughout and remind me a bit of Stardust. It’s exciting and funny adventure that keeps you reading. There’s a great message about why a bully bullies.