T. Kingfisher: Nine Goblins (2013), hardcover, 150 pp. Tor Publishing Group.$24.99 USA, $34.99 CAN.
A Tale of Low Fantasy and High Mischief.
This book started out self-published online and has now in 2026, received a hardback edition from Tor. T.Kingfisher is Ursula Vernon, and this story is sort of transitional. Ursula Vernon writes kids' fantasy, but as "T. Kingfisher" writes adult fantasy. Because "arson, murder, and stacking bodies like cordwood are frowned upon" in childrens' books.
So this is sort of a cozy fantasy with some dead bodies and lots of monsters and bones.
Sergeant Nessilka leads a troop of goblin soldiers in the unending war with humans and, well, everybody. Her troop, the Nineteenth Infantry, commonly known as the Whinin' Niners, are not even the best of a bad lot. The humans have pushed the goblins to the ocean edge, and there is literally nowhere left to go. Meanwhile, an elf named Sings-to-Trees, who likes animals more than being elegant, is just trying to take care of all his waifs and strays.
None of them were ready for the wizard, who was just as unready for them.
A certain amount of mayhem occurs, with more humor than might be expected. It's cozy enough that the day is saved.
I like some Kingfisher books more than others. This one is okay.
A Tale of Low Fantasy and High Mischief.
This book started out self-published online and has now in 2026, received a hardback edition from Tor. T.Kingfisher is Ursula Vernon, and this story is sort of transitional. Ursula Vernon writes kids' fantasy, but as "T. Kingfisher" writes adult fantasy. Because "arson, murder, and stacking bodies like cordwood are frowned upon" in childrens' books.
So this is sort of a cozy fantasy with some dead bodies and lots of monsters and bones.
Sergeant Nessilka leads a troop of goblin soldiers in the unending war with humans and, well, everybody. Her troop, the Nineteenth Infantry, commonly known as the Whinin' Niners, are not even the best of a bad lot. The humans have pushed the goblins to the ocean edge, and there is literally nowhere left to go. Meanwhile, an elf named Sings-to-Trees, who likes animals more than being elegant, is just trying to take care of all his waifs and strays.
None of them were ready for the wizard, who was just as unready for them.
A certain amount of mayhem occurs, with more humor than might be expected. It's cozy enough that the day is saved.
I like some Kingfisher books more than others. This one is okay.