THE GOBLIN GATE

In this sequel (Goblin Wood, 2003), Makenna and Tobin, having escaped with a group of goblins to the Otherworld, set about building a new community for the goblins. Jeriah, having discovered that the Otherworld will kill his brother, prowls through church headquarters searching for spells to bring him back. Alternating chapters describe Makenna and Tobin’s progress in the Otherworld and Jeriah’s hide-and-seek in the City of Steps. Suspense is almost painful—deteriorating conditions in the Otherworld cut back and forth to the byzantine religious and political conditions Jeriah confronts. The plot is intricate and the back story skillfully integrated, and Jeriah proves a stronger character than was indicated in the first book. His new acquaintances include a strong female clerk and a contrary goblin, who combine to add a mordant humor and sparkle to the increasing darkness of the two worlds. The classic cliffhanger ending promises another sequel—sooner this time, please. Fantasy readers, male and female alike, will gobble this book up, as will fans of Bell’s other books and readers of Herbie Brennan’s Faerie Wars series. (Fantasy. YA)