Nine Goblins Review: A Whimsical Fantasy Novella by T. Kingfisher

Every now and then, I come across a short book that completely surprises me—and Nine Goblins is one of them. Originally written by Ursula Vernon in 2013 under the pen name T. Kingfisher, this novella finally received a physical release from Tor in 2026. And with a story like that behind it, I knew I had to check it out.

If you’re looking for a quick fantasy read with heart, humor, and a fresh take on classic creatures, this one might be exactly what you need.

Nine Goblins Summary

The Goblin War doesn’t have a clearly defined beginning, but one thing most people can agree on is this: goblins have a terrible reputation. They’re seen as violent, rude, and dangerous.

But what if that reputation isn’t entirely true?

In Nine Goblins, we follow Sergeant Nessilka and her squad—Nineteenth—as they’re suddenly teleported behind enemy lines during a battle, along with a human wizard. Stranded in a hostile forest filled with elves, trolls, monsters, and humans who would gladly kill them on sight, the group must find a way back home.

With danger around every corner, it’s up to Nessilka to lead her squad to safety. But survival won’t be easy.

What I Liked About Nine Goblins

A Fresh Take on Goblin Lore

One of my favorite things about fantasy is when authors challenge long-standing tropes—and T. Kingfisher does exactly that here.

Goblins are almost always portrayed as villains. Brutal. Mindless. Evil.

But Nine Goblins flips that narrative completely.

Instead of monsters, we get characters who feel… human. They have morals, fears, loyalties, and even a strong reluctance to harm defenseless people. In many ways, they come across as victims—particularly of human expansion and colonialism.

It’s a refreshing perspective and one that makes the story stand out immediately.

Whimsical, Character-Driven Writing

I’ll be honest—the writing style took me a minute to adjust to. It’s whimsical, slightly chaotic at times, and very reflective of the goblins themselves.

But once it clicks, it really works.

Despite being a short novella, the characters feel distinct and memorable. Nessilka is a strong and capable leader, while the rest of the squad brings humor and personality to the story. Even side creatures like ogres are given unexpected depth—portrayed as more docile than you’d typically expect.

A Perfect One-Sitting Read

This is the kind of book you can easily finish in one sitting—and sometimes, that’s exactly what you need.

If you’re trying to hit a reading goal or just want something fast-paced and enjoyable between longer novels, Nine Goblins is a great pick. It proves that a story doesn’t need hundreds of pages to be impactful.

Themes That Stand Out

Challenging Fantasy Tropes

Much like how Tolkien shaped the modern perception of hobbits, fantasy as a genre has long defined goblins as villains.

This novella pushes back on that idea.

It makes you question how much of what we “know” about fantasy creatures is just inherited storytelling—and whether those assumptions are worth challenging.

Morality and Perspective

What really stood out to me is how morally grounded the goblins are. They actively avoid unnecessary violence and show more compassion than many of their supposed “civilized” enemies.

It adds a layer of depth that you don’t always see in shorter fantasy works.

Final Thoughts

Nine Goblins is a fun, thoughtful, and surprisingly meaningful fantasy novella. It’s light, fast-paced, and full of personality—but it also challenges the way we think about some of fantasy’s most familiar creatures.

This was my first T. Kingfisher read, and it definitely won’t be my last.

Lately, I’ve been getting more into novellas, and books like this are exactly why. They deliver everything I love about fantasy—great characters, unique worldbuilding, and engaging storytelling—just in a more compact format.

Should You Read Nine Goblins?

If you:

• Love fantasy with unique twists
• Want a quick, satisfying read
• Enjoy character-driven stories
• Are trying to hit a reading goal

Then yes—this is absolutely worth picking up.

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐

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