1 nice girl
2 bad boys
3 tortuous tasks
4 strange ambassadors

After that, it’s hard to keep count. Dozens of elves, hundreds of goblins, legions of demons — all converging on the colourless world ruled by the goblin king. Can Robby and Chris discover the goblin king’s name and rescue Stephen before time runs out?

The goblin king’s eyes narrowed into almond slits. “No, it’s not Rumplestiltzskin.” He drew himself up and scowled. “Why does everyone say that?”

A starlit fantasy for young adults, blended with science fiction and written in numerical literary style, Many-Coloured Realm falls somewhere in between those fabulous Lewises: Lewis Carroll and C.S. Lewis. Expect the unexpected!

Review by Maria Tatham:

This is a complex YA of depth and imagination. Its fantasy realm is entered through a portal in our world, and those who enter find it hard to leave. The plight of Robby and Chris whose friend and brother, Stephen, is imprisoned in the realm of the goblin king, is heightened by the threat of doom (the Shroud) announced against the realm by the demon, Zzael. Racing against time, which is more arbitrary there, the young people and the goblin king must find a way to foil Zzael as well as rescue Stephen.

A flying, talking Penguin, Artemys, and Lady Peddy, the Muse of Tautology, are among the cast of characters; as well as the Queen of Sprites and her consort, Tamarlane. There are wonderful things, like swanships, tons of hobs (hobgoblins) and myriads of high-minded elves, who are less likable and happy than the hobs. In fact, this turnabout is part of the charm and depth. The goblin king is our hero…