I was a bit worried about reading this book after seeing friends of mine DNF the book on Goodreads. However, I'm glad to say that the book did work for me. Up to a point. Yes, I have some issues with the book, but that has nothing to do with the rape or any abuse Janneke had to deal with. I know that it's a trigger for some readers. But, in this case (unlike some other books I've read that really got to me), did it not bother me. And, that's because the characters were not developed enough for me to feel for them. And, that is one of the big issues with the big. It has so much potential. it's such an interesting book. And yet, I just wish that we, the readers had gotten a better understanding of the world. Instead, it feels like we are dumped in the middle of a story and now we have to puzzle together where the characters are, who they are and what they are doing through snippets of information. Janneke has been held captive for 100 years? It doesn't feel like it to be honest, especially when it comes to her and Soren. Seriously they have spent 100 years together and now they go from hate to love? What have they been doing for the last 100 years? Not talking?

Anyhow, as I read the book did I reflect over the fact that if the story had begun with Janneke as a child and the events that occurred. Perhaps also from Soren's POV would it have been easier to get to know the characters. I can't even say for sure if I liked Janneke or not. One thing for sure this romance between Soren and Janneke definitely didn't help the matter. It felt so ... off. If it had been shown through the years if we had gotten glimpses of it through the years. Then, it would have been a different matter.

The story has potentials. The writing is good. However, this is a story that could have been more developed. Especially the characters. And, I wanted to know more about this world. Odin was mentioned now and then, so I guess it takes place in a parallel world or something? The interesting thing is this the first book in a new series could have easily been at last a trilogy if the history of the characters had been more explored. When I read fantasy series do I expect to get to know a whole new world and species. There is no need to rush the story.

This has turned out to be quite a long review, but I found that I have a lot of thoughts concerning the story. I liked the book, I had issues with the story. Would I read the next book? Yes, I would, despite all my issues do I want to know what happens next.

I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review! ( )

The notion of becoming what you despise most is one that is so appealing to me. Add in goblins and the threat of reality ending, and I’m sold. White Stag by Kara Barbieri definitely ticks all the boxes for things I wanted when I went into this, though I can readily admit this will not be for everyone. Please be warned, this is a dark fantasy novel. As such, there are cruelties involved that play a big role in the story.

Before touching on the warning bits, let me talk about what I loved. The world-building was really great. I loved how goblins differed from humans and the bits Barbieri added to give them her own twist. The fact that running water affects goblins (not just ghosts and vamps anymore!) and that violence and just razing in general is so ingrained in the essence of a goblin that they can no longer create anything that isn’t meant for destructive purposes is such fantastic little things that really add to the culture and world. The melding of Norse berserkers with goblins was a great touch to flesh out exactly why they’re viewed as monsters. The human world does need fleshing, but considering we haven’t spent any real time there for White Stag, it didn’t matter much.

Pacing was quick but smooth. There was never a moment where I thought okay, this is lagging and taking too long, let’s just get to the point. Every part gets to the point, whether it’s a major plot point or a character development point. At the same time, we’re never left hanging for the sake of moving things along. It was actually really refreshing to read a debut novel that didn’t have tremendous issues with pacing.

The relationships Janneke builds are interesting and feel fully-fleshed. I say interesting because there is something that reminds me of the post I made the previous week asking whether certain aspects of YA romance were creepy. The non-creepy first, Janneke’s friendships first with a young goblin and second with a halfling were incredibly sweet and clever ways at showing Janneke not every goblin is a monster. It helps answer the underlying question throughout the novel, are monsters made or born.

Now, we can get to the creepy part of the relationships and also the warning bits. The creepy part comes with the possible romance between goblin Soren and protagonist Janneke. The major dilemma I’ve faced with this is the Stockholm syndrome aspect of their dynamic. Janneke has been under his service as a thrall for 100 years. The power dynamic in that relationship isn’t on equal footing. But, like so many other “is it creepy” moments in ya fiction, this is something I can overlook because dynamics do change. The second bit that can introduce the creep factor is how long Soren has known Janneke — the first time he met her. That gave me some serious reservations and Barbieri is really smart to reveal this incredibly late in the novel, yet it still gave me pause. I really don’t understand why this was needed unless it plays a bigger part later in the series. It works only to confuse readers that were already on-board with this romance and put off readers that were iffy.

What I’ve seen many people complain about, and it’s a completely valid complaint, is the TRIGGER CONTENT WARNING HERE NOW part which deals with the aftermath of Janneke’s rape that happened prior to the start of the series. It is graphic and it is repeatedly brought up throughout the book. For some, especially those that went into this novel with no forewarning, this can be too much to bear and can definitely feel as though Barbieri is doubling down for shock. However, I never felt this way. I felt that, as a survivor of sexual assault with absolutely no outlet or assistance on mentally coming to terms with what happened, what Janneke experiences throughout the book makes sense. It isn’t overly done or done to shock (if you want to see what that looks like, take a look at the latter seasons of GoT.) It is brought up in story during incredibly appropriate times. When Janneke feels threatened, when she comes into contact with her abuser, when she thinks about her body, she remembers. She is thrown into a PTSD loop, reliving the trauma. It reads as so very real. Now, if Janneke in the second novel never processes what happened and is magically cured of that worry, or if it is still brought up constantly, then I can agree with detractors. But the way it is utilized in this novel definitely makes sense and feels valid. I definitely think readers should be forewarned that this is something in the book and I’m not sure the age rating on amazon is the right one as it mentions an intended age as low as 12…

White Stag by Kara Barbieri is a fantastic debut novel written by an incredibly promising author. I sat down after reading to think about what was wrong with it and how to mark this novel, and realized I didn’t really have anything I could mark it down for. I really enjoyed the story and the world, the pacing was spot on, and I’m truly excited to see what happens next.

// I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this title. // ( )

As a reader who didn't read Kara Barbieri's Wattpad chapters, I got to read this novel fresh without being guided by what I had read before the story was revised. So, I am not sure what has changed and what hasn't. If you read Ms. Barbieri's Wattpad chapters and what I say doesn't go with what you read, I apologize. This is my error, not Ms. Barbieri's.

I wasn't sure what to expect from White Stag, except that it was going to be Scifi/Fantasy. I was fascinated with Janneke's character after reading the publisher's blurb about the book, so I requested an advanced read. I was pleasantly surprised that this book wasn't like so many other fantasies where the premise of the story is the same. Yes, there is the " strong heroine ends up in a mythical land where there are beasts and she wants to go home" premise, however, there is so much more to the story than that. It goes deeper, where segregation between humans and creatures of more depth than we think can live without tearing each other apart. It, to me, was a message of how life can be lived when everyone is different. Did good over evil prevail? You will have to read the book to find out. Did Jenneke's humanity reign over the Goblin's power? Read the book to find out. Can we live together in harmony if we don't find a common thread of value or traits? Read the book to find out.

Just a warning (although I didn't keep my kids from reading at their reading level or believe in banning books from them. However, I know that some of my followers are looking for clean reads,) Ms. Barbieri's book is dark, super dark as there are flashbacks to sexual abuse and death.

Although the recommended reading age is 12 to 18 years old. I am not sure if you really want your twelve-year-old to read it as it holds a clear sexual tension through many chapters and then literary prose & allusion to a sexual relationship in the following chapter lasting about a paragraph long. I would recommend this for an older teen. It truly is no different than say, Divergent or Twilight, although I believe the writing skills level for White Stag is much higher than the previously mentioned books.

I enjoyed this book because Ms. Barbieri's writing painted a picture of the world that Jenneke was living in enough that you could feel the burning of an iron nail, the power stemming for the Permafrost and so many other wonderful sensory filled emotions. I like reading where it's not all telling and it doesn't truly feel like showing but feeling what is happening as if you were in the book.

I give White Stag a 4 out of 5 based on the age level, reading enjoyment and storytelling. ( )

DNF at 28%

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I really, really wanted to like this. Goblins, a snowy setting, action and adventure -- all things I enjoy reading about. However, the story didn't deliver. It might have been my review copy, but there were a lot of inconsistencies that really detracted from the book. Also, Janneke has supposedly been around Soren for a century, but the two acted like total strangers.

“No, I mean, does your kind normally have that really cute nose crinkle when they make certain facial expressions, especially ones of humor or anger?"

I would assume that was something he'd have noticed in their ninety-nine years together, but it was like they were seeing each other for the first time. Additionally, Soren didn't seem like the type to use words like cute. Janneke was also equally surprised by his actions, even though they were things he's been doing forever. Their relationship was unrealistic and it would have been difficult to picture a romance between the two.

Janneke was always angry or feeling guilty about something, but it was hard to tell where those feelings were directed. Herself? The goblins? Humans? She seemed be angry with everyone and everything. Based on what I read, Soren never gave her a reason to hate him. He tried to keep her safe (albeit against her will at times), and was quick to offer comfort and reassurances (as much as a goblin can manage), but she still distrusted his intentions.

I thought the world-building was interesting, and I liked the idea of goblins and The Hunt, but a lot of the story was repetitive and the language was often redundant. It also wasn't believable when Janneke fought Goblins, especially when just showing their power crippled her. It seemed unlikely she'd ever be able to get the upper hand.

In the end, there were just too many things distracting me from the story. I think it's worth mentioning that there is a lot of brutality, detailed accounts of rape and abuse, and psychological torment. Goblins need humans to create (since they're only able to destroy things themselves), and some humans are treated better than others. Janneke's past has influenced her present, and it was often dark and unpleasant.


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“My point is we’re all monsters to someone or something by some definition. It’s the context of the situation that matters.”

Who doesn’t want more golbin stories in their life? White Stag is an excellent story about accepting yourself as you grow and change - not always i the ways you expect. We follow Janneke as she’s forced into the merciless Goblin world after her village is destroyed. When the Goblin King dies, a new and deadly hunt for power begins.

Things I Liked
I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in the story. I loved the goblin lore and the cold, desolite setting of the Permafrost. It added this threatening element to the story that really worked and elevated the threats.

I loved Janneke and Soren together. They have such a rich and complex history, and I enjoyed seeing them grow.

I thought Janneke’s evolution was fantastic. To see her unwillingness and fear change into determination and power was wonderful. She fought being of 2 worlds for so long, but in the end she realized that that was an important part of her that made her special. And I really enjoyed the flashbacks to Janneke’s time in her village - it really showed how she’s changed.

The epilogue was beautifully written. It felt kinda like a prophecy, but it was an excellent set up for the next book and definitely has me intrigued.

Things I Didn’t Like
The beginning of the story had such a cold open I was lost and had to restart the book after 10 pages and really focus. And after that it was much easier to get into but you have to really pay attention in the beginning if you want to know what’s going on. It’s not really a bad thing, but it did give me some trouble.

The middle of the story was super slow to me and my motivation to read dropped considerably. It sorta felt like there was one too many repetitive (in feeling, not execution) action scenes on the hunt that started to blend together.

Even though the middle of the story was weaker for me, I really liked so much of the story and the world. The goblins were fantastic and I loved their nature and abilities. The Permafrost setting was vicious and visceral and the dangers were all very real. Janneke’s story was one of growth, struggle, and defiance. It was so good to see her come into her own and embrace all of who she is. White Stag is an enjoyable fantasy story filled with brutality and vengeance that is easy to get lost in.

Trigger Warning formentions rape and abuse

I received a copy of the book from Wednesday Books in exchange for an honest review. ( )