Summer Reading 2017 Mighty Jack and the Goblin King (Mighty Jack #2)

On sale September 5th - so get your copy!

In this second book of Ben Hatke's update on Jack and the Beanstalk,  Jack is off to rescue his sister Maddy, with the help of their neighbor Lilly. It seems that Maddy has been carried off by an ogre. The monster has taken her up the beanstalk that grew from the strange seeds Maddy bought at the flea market. As Jack and Lilly make their way through the strange land at the top of the stalk they meet all kinds of creatures - some helpful and some not (picture the critters in the movie Labyrinth). Between the ogres that want to put Maddy into some strange machine, a goblin king that wants to marry Lilly, and Jack's odd new friends Tig and Jerry, there is plenty of strangeness on the loose. Where exactly is this place beyond the clouds? Why do the area within it seem connected by the bean stalks? How did the seeds get to the flea market? In the very last spread, we get a glimpse of Zita and other Hatke characters. That illustration and Zita's words that they could use Jack and Lilly's help with "saving the world," seem to promise us further adventures to enjoy.


Once again, Hatke has done an amazing job. The characters from a modern suburban setting mix with the ogres and goblins to create a feeling of magical possibilities. There are laughs and gasps of fear. And as usual in one of Ben's books, we are sad to reach the end and see that we have to wait for the next one. A great read for anyone interested in fractured fairy tales or graphic novels, or simply fans of Ben Hatke's work.

I read an e-book provided by the publisher through NetGalley.