My rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Goodreads rating: 4.06 with 181 ratings (as of 10/4/18)

The first book in a brutally stunning series where a young girl finds herself becoming more monster than human and must uncover dangerous truths about who she is and the place that has become her home.

As the last child in a family of daughters, seventeen-year-old Janneke was raised to be the male heir. While her sisters were becoming wives and mothers, she was taught to hunt… More on Goodreads

200 Word Review

I was provided with a complimentary copy of this book so I could give an honest review. “White Stag” introduces us to Janneke, a seventeen year old girl who is the youngest child in a family of all girls. She is raised to be the family’s “male heir” and is raised as a tomboy who is taught to hunt and fight. When her village is invaded and burned down she is the only survivor. Taken captive by goblins, she must learn to live among them while struggling trying to keep hold of her humanity.

Pulled into a goblin war, Janneke must face beliefs she was taught as a child and try to fit them into her current reality. Are goblins merely monsters? Are they similar to humans? Can they feel emotions? Can they love? Can she love them? Can she love him?

While much of “White Stag” is predictable and follows the typical formula for YA books it is still entertaining and worth reading. There are a few surprises revealed along the way. Janneke is an interesting character who has to deal with growing up and falling in love with the enemy.

“White Stag” is the first novel in the Permafrost series by Kara Barbieri. No publication date is listed on Goodreads for the sequel, “Goblin King”.

Genre: Sci Fi & Fantasy, Young Adult
Print Length: 368 pages
ISBN 1250149584 (ISBN13: 9781250149589)
Publisher: Wednesday Books
Publication Date: January 8, 2019