Noggle Stones Book II: The Tragic Empire

"Noggle Stones Book 2 - The Tragic Empire" has the same "flavor" is its predecessor - a tale that is mostly a light-hearted adventure; with some paranormal darkness mixed in for balance. The main star is a Goblin named Bugbear, and his "Illogical Thought" precepts will keep you chuckling. Manchester and Maga are back; so is Riley Ratcatcher. The Ogres play a smaller role, and there are a whole bunch of human and elves ("Aes dana") to get to know. Then there's a way-kewl patchwork creature - part lion, part elephant - named Tembo, who you'll warm to immediately. Finally, if you're a Teddy Roosevelt fan, you're gonna love this. Beyond the entertainment, the book has a serious message about prejudice - both of species and of cosmetic appearance. The ending is satisfying, and the Ultimate Evil is not totally vanquished (indeed, it's not even identified yet), which points to a sequel. That's something to look forward to. 4½ Stars, but read Noggle Stones Book 1 first. Both books are fun reads for YA's and adults alike.