Review: For the Love of a Goblin Warrior by Shona Husk

Title: For the Love of a Goblin Warrior {Shadowlands #3}

Published: Sourcebooks January 2013

Synopsis: Centuries ago, Meryn was thought to be utterly lost–all traces of his soul given up to the ravening goblin horde. But with the curse that enslaved him now broken, he must once again learn to walk in the realm of men. Nurse Nadine Gilbert likes working the night shift to avoid her disturbing dreams, but her mysterious new patient looks hauntingly familiar. Meryn knows he doesn’t deserve a second chance, but Nadine brings out his long-buried human side. Telling her the truth about his violent past could destroy their fragile trust. Could she ever believe in the love of a Goblin Warrior?

Status: Read on January 18, 2013 — I own a copy {Courtesy Netgalley}

My Thoughts:

For the Love of a Goblin Warrior could be read as a stand alone as this installment mainly takes place in the modern world, with the Shadowlands only occasionally intruding, but I think the previous two novels, The Goblin King and Kiss of the Goblin Prince provide some contextual depth for the story.

Once a Celtic warrior, Meryn was banished to the Shadowlands for his loyalty to his King. After being forced to witness the murder of his wife and children by the Roman legion, Meryn was unable to find the strength to resist the ‘fade’ and lost his soul to the curse, joining the goblin horde. When the curse shatters, neither Roan nor Dai considered that Meryn’s humanity would be restored until Dai hears his desperate cries and brings him back to the Fixed World. Adjusting to 21st Australia is a struggle for the warrior who is still more goblin than man, but with time and love he will rediscover his humanity, and happiness.

In For the Love of a Goblin Warrior, Husk focuses more on the individual characters of the romantic pairing, Meryn and Nadine, two damaged people who are drawn to each other. Meryn is dealing with feelings of guilt and misplaced shame while struggling to make sense of modern life. He doesn’t believe he deserves a second chance at happiness, but is touched by Nadine’s kindness and compassion.
Nadine is afraid to risk her heart, having effectively been orphaned at a young age when her father was found guilty of murdering her mother, a murder she was thought to have witnessed but repressed.
As they both begin to confront their pasts, they find they are on the same journey – they must both let go of the past in order to move forward and create a future together.

With such focus on introspective, emotional conflict there is very little action in the story, and though that is not exactly a bad thing, I did feel the lack. The pacing is a little awkward at times (for example Meryn is speaking almost perfect English within days) but I wasn’t unduly bothered as the compressed time frame made it necessary.

Overall, I enjoyed being able to read straight through this trilogy, starting with Roan’s story in The Goblin King, moving on to the Kiss of the Goblin Prince featuring Dai and finishing by following Meryn’s journey in For the Love of a Goblin Warrior, which provides closure for this appealing series. I think Husk has left herself the means to return to the series should she wish and I know I will happily return to the Shadowlands again.

Make sure you visit the guest post from Shona Husk for your chance to win For the Love of a Goblin Warrior!