Diane Zahler’s Goblin Market is a hauntingly beautiful retelling of Christina Rossetti's classic poem, infused with dark fantasy and themes of loyalty, courage, and sisterly love. The story follows Lizzie, a brave young girl, who must confront the dangerous, magical goblins to save her sister Minka after she falls under their spell.

Zahler’s prose is lyrical and atmospheric, drawing readers into a world both enchanting and sinister. The setting is richly described, evoking the lush but eerie market of the goblins, filled with mysterious allure. As Lizzie navigates this treacherous landscape, her journey becomes an exploration of resilience and sacrifice. Lizzie's determination and the courage she finds within herself provide emotional depth that resonates, making her journey feel grounded even amidst the fantastical elements. Zahler skillfully integrates themes of folklore, courage, and love, appealing to middle-grade readers and anyone who loves a well-crafted, haunting tale.

Overall, Goblin Market is a spellbinding and timeless story, celebrating the power of love, bravery, and self-discovery. Special thanks to NetGalley and to Holiday House for providing an Advanced Reader’s Copy in exchange for an honest review!

I had high hopes for this one and it didn't meet them. There was no goblin market. There was a town market that had a goblin in it, but it wasn't a goblin market. I feel like I had a bait and switch pulled on me,

This story was such an intense read. I read the entire book in a day. It is a pretty fast read, but I just couldn’t put it down! The story centers on two sisters, Lizzie and Minka, who are very different. Lizzie is shy, quiet, and a bit socially awkward. Minka, however, is perky and loves going to sell and the market and be around other people. While at the market one day, Minka meets a new boy named Emil and quickly becomes enchanted by him. He begins to fill her thoughts and mind constantly, and Lizzie becomes worried for her sister. Lizzie discovers that Emil is really a zduszes, a prince of the goblins, and he is trying to lead her sister away from her home and family to follow him to the home of the goblins. If you’ve read my reviews before, you know I love mythology or folklore-based stories. This one does not disappoint! It is based on a Polish tale that I had not heard of before, and it just drew me in so quickly. It felt very similar to Holly Black’s faerie tales- a little dark, slightly scary, and very dangerous. The relationship between Lizzie and Minka is so well-written. The emotions between them really come through as you read their story. This is a great story of sisters, family, and the power of believing in yourself and loving yourself as you are. I would recommend this for anyone who loves a spooky folktale/fairytale, fans of the writing of Holly Black, and anyone else who might be interested in reading tales from a different culture.

You know when you are reading something and you're like... this is familiar and this is also Polish.... just me? Well, I was reading this one and a few minutes in - I was like this is a Polish novel. I researched it and was like - yup I was right. Then as I read a little more, I was like - this feels like something I read before so I googled it. It's a poem.

I really liked this retelling though. Minka and Lizzie are like oil and water, but they love each other so much. So when Minka is seduced by the Goblin Market and falls for a pretty face, Lizzie does all that she can to save her. I love the modern implications and lessons that apply to real life today.

This is a fast-paced fairy tale retelling. I would 100% use this in my classroom: I would compare the original poem to this retelling and have students research the Polish cultural aspects/folklore.

I loved the storytelling.
*The audiobook has music added in that I loved! And the narrator is fantastic!*

Everything isn’t always as it appears… and in this Grimms-esque polish fairytale this warning is not to be taken lightly. Zahler eloquently creates the world of Lizzie and Minka and their treacherous relationship with a zdusze, but not just any goblin - he’s the prince of the goblins and he has his eyes set on Minka. Filled with themes of family, friendship, loyalty, and kindness, Zahler depicts underrepresented characters with diverse personalities in a poignant and terrifying read that left me reaching for the bed covers like a kid again… watch out for the goblins and be wary of any handsome young men that offer you fruit!

Thank you to the publisher and to Netgalley for granting me an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review! Unfortunately, as this book has already been published, I will not share my review on Netgalley at this time.

I finished Goblin Market quite surprised at just how much I enjoyed the setting and atmosphere that's built up throughout the book. It really helps lock you into the storyline and make certain moments in the book really impactful. I also really appreciated the way disability is presented as well.

Kind of a diversion from other Diane Zahler books, this one was a little darker and a little less traditional. This was a spooky read filled with action and some folklore qualities that I think would appeal to some readers and might turn off others. Regardless, the characters, especially our central sister duo, saved this story for me.

I had a lot of hope for this book since I am a huge fan of Christina Rossetti. It definitely didn't disappoint! Very atmospheric, a perfect middle grade for anyone interested in folklore and fairytales.

I am a sucker for anything fairy tale related, and Goblin Market is no exception. A striking look at the lengths you will go to for family and the dangers of straying from the path, I continue to eat up every single thing Diane Zahler puts out

Loved this middle grade retelling of the poem "Goblin Market." To be honest, I will read just about any book that includes a goblin market, so this didn't disappoint! At times it moved a little slow, and I had to put it down and come back to it a few times. I, an adult, enjoyed this book, but I tried reading it to my 7 and 9 year old and they were bored by it, so unsure how well it truly fits for a middle grade audience.

I loved loved loved this! A disabled main character not demonstrated as disabled by her condition, but by the requirements of society! That's what disability is. People close to her helping when society and her experiences clash. Her confronting them when it's important and growing into her own. It even seemed that the "magical cripple" had been managed well.


And then.....
At the very end....
Ableism. Marginalization.

I am so sad. It was such a very good book.

The ending felt a little rushed but the build-up - the characters, the folk lore, the atmosphere - was simply wonderful. A great way to test the folk horror water with younger readers.

I picked this book up on a whim just for a quick break between all the fantasy romance that I have found myself reading lately, and this was a super quick and fun read. I finished it in one sitting, and while it wasn't anything particularly new or special, it was atmospheric and enjoyable. I think that had I read this book when I was a bit younger, I would have liked this a lot more. As it stands now however, I don't really read much outside of adult fantasy genres, and this felt a bit younger than I personally like these days.

I get it that this story is SHORT but the ending definitely suffered as a result and felt way too rushed. I also think that none of that characters were particularly memorable or well rounded. On the other hand, I do think that this story has a nice message about love and the value and importance of family which was surprising and endearing.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

A beautiful children's book of fantasy. A very meaningful message about love between two sisters. I read this Arc to my nephew who was 4 at bedtime and he seemed to also really enjoy this story as much as I did. This is very imaginative and very well written.

Omg, I'm in love with this book! The story was wonderful and I liked the relationship between Lizzie and Minka. I think the writing style was perfect for an YA book and so good, yet terrific. The atmosphere was dark and mysterious and that was what attracted me to continue this story.

3,5⭐️

A very nice novel built over Polish folklore and pretty writing. Perfectly balanced, not too long but neither too short story about two sisters and danger from the forest, waiting in the local market, enchanting with fruits and trinkets. Synaesthesia part of it was really nice, too. I've had a good time during the lecture.

Rating : 4 out of 5
Blurbs :
Lizzie and Minka are sisters, but they’re nothing alike: Minka is outgoing and cheerful, while Lizzie is shy and sensitive. Nothing much ever happens in their sleepy village—there are fields to tend, clothes to mend, and weekly trips to the market, predictable as the turning of the seasons. Lizzie likes it that way. It’s safe. It’s comfortable. She hopes nothing will ever change.

But one day, Minka meets a boy.
A boy who gives her a plum to eat.

He is charming. He is handsome. He tells her that she’s special. He tells her no one understands her like he does—not her parents, not her friends, not even Lizzie. He tells her she should come away with him, into the darkness, into the forest. . . .

Minka has been bewitched and ensnared by a zdusze—a goblin. His plum was poison, his words are poison, and strange things begin to happen. Trees bleed, winds howl, a terrible sickness descends on Minka, and deep in the woods, in a place beyond sunshine, beyond reality, a wedding table has been laid. . . .

To save her sister, Lizzie will have to find courage she never knew she had—courage to confront the impossible—and enter into a world of dreams, danger, and death.

Rich world-building inspired by both Polish folklore and the poetry of Christina Rossetti combines with a tender sister story in this thrilling novel from Diane Zahler.

Thoughts :
Wow! It's a solid great horror middle grade book. I love Lizzie and she's just the best. The magic system and the characters are amazing. I love it! It's rare for me to be ensnared by a middle grade book.
Thank you Netgalley!

Really enjoyed the story, Diane Zahler is going on my 'future consideration' purchase list. I love fantasy retellings and thought this one brought something new to the table.