Close Kin

Close Kin by Clare B Dunkle

Paperback: 224 pages
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. BYR Paperbacks (December 26, 2006)
ISBN-10: 0805081097

From School Library Journal
Years have passed since the events of The Hollow Kingdom (Holt, 2003), and Kate is happily married to the Goblin King, Marak. As a human who has always thought of goblins as exciting and exotic creatures, her younger sister, Emily, enjoys spending her days with the many goblin children in her care. She has no thought of marriage until she unintentionally rejects the awkward proposal of her best friend, Seylin. Devastated, he decides to leave the kingdom to search for his elf ancestors. Once Emily realizes that she is the cause of his departure, and how much she cares for him, she sets out to find him, accompanied by the curmudgeonly goblin, Ruby. As in the previous book, the different characters discover that appearances do not necessarily reflect inner attributes, but this story delves deeper into examining the xenophobic attitudes held by the goblins, dwarfs, elves, and humans. The narrative draws readers into a multifaceted world of strong, compelling individuals. The final chapters come across more as a group of appendixes with a lot of explanatory information than as a true conclusion. Still, the background detail creates a compelling saga for fantasy fans. For maximum satisfaction, the books need to be read in order.

Book 2 is more the story of Seylin, the goblin who is mostly elf and because of his beauty he is deemed ugly by Goblin standards. Seylin leaves the underground because he believes Emily does not love him and will marry another. He sets out to find his "own people, the elves."

Emily follows him out when she realizes that he was serious when he mentioned marriage but Marak won't let her out to find him without a Goblin to watch over her, so he assigns Ruby, a teacher, who Emily thinks she hates.

Once they are all outside of the caves they all learn their own lessons. Seylin finds some elves and they are not what he believed them to be. Emily discovers that she really doesn't hate Ruby, and Ruby discovers her adoration of humans.

I totally enjoyed this book... almost, as much as book one. I can't help it... Marak was such a great character in book one that it will hold the top spot to this trilogy I am sure. Marak is in book 2 also but not as much of his personality is shown.

I am looking forward to reading book 3.... which I am sure won't take me too long to read either. (which amazes me considering 2 hrs of my evenings are spent at the hospital and the rest is spent watching the Olympics! **go Phelps!!**