I got briefly confused, because I thought for a little that this book might be set in the same world as
Goblin Moon. It isn't, although it feels extremely similar, given that they're both set in a fantasy world that is circa the Age of Enlightenment (powdered wigs and patches!) and that they both have goblins.
Only in this world, the Maglore goblins ruled for millennia until in the past thousand years, humans managed to overthrow them. Now, strange things are happening, and the rather rogue-ish Wilrowan Blackheart must save the world by finding an ancient goblin artifact. Oh plot coupons, how I love you.
There are three strands of plot: one involves Will and his wife Lili, one involves a king debating an unwise marriage, and the third involves another king in an insane asylum. I got a little confused midway through, largely because the Will-Lili plot is taking place in the present, while the unwise-marriage plot taking place eight months ago, and the insane king plot taking place two (?) months ago.
This would have been ok, were it not for chapter titles like: "Two weeks later."
Eight months ago and two weeks later? Just two weeks later? Two months ago and two weeks later? What?
Other than that, this was a fairly enjoyable read, with the "man decides he is in love with his wife" trope, which my id greatly approved of. On the other hand, I keep not completely falling for the book because some of it is court intrigue and fantasy of manners, and the other parts are giant epic fantasy to save the world. The tones didn't quite match up for me.
Also, wow did the resolution come quickly. I wanted to know a lot more, like why the goblin creations were so important and how they could cause earthquakes and other natural disasters, but after the plot coupon has been recovered, the book abruptly ends.
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