Book Review - Faithful Goblin by Cody Darling

Greetings, 

Just over a week ago, I hinted that I had a bit of an interesting review coming, and then reality sank in, and I came down with something crazy: A Super Cold that had me tied to a bed for longer than I like to be, LOL.  

But I'm here today, and this is definitely not the kind of book you might expect me to read, but here we are. I recently finished reading a novella called Faithful Goblin by Cody Darling, and while I didn't quite know what to expect, I am glad I found this novella. You can follow Faithful Goblin's Facebook page here too. Without further ado, here is my review. 

See you in the pages, 

MJE

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Overall Rating: ★★★★

Overall Description:

He died a Christian.

He woke up a goblin.

Matthew awakens in a brutal fantasy world wearing the body of one of its lowest creatures.

A goblin.

Where cruelty is survival and mercy is treated as weakness, Matthew is expected to become exactly what everyone sees when they look at him:

A monster.

Clinging to his faith and a crude wooden cross fashioned with his own hands, he chooses compassion when violence would be easier, sacrifice when survival demands selfishness, and mercy toward those who would fear or kill him on sight.

Faith when no one is watching.

A choice to be a light in the darkness.

Even when darkness seems to be everywhere.

As Matthew is pushed beyond hunger, pain, fear, and loss, his faith begins to affect the world around him in ways even he does not understand.

Somewhere beyond the reach of ordinary eyes, something has begun to notice him.

Unlike anyone or anything, he chooses to live in the world without conforming to it.

Despite the cost to himself.

Matthew may be small.

He may be hated.

He may wear the face of a monster.

But in a world consumed by darkness, even the smallest light can become impossible to ignore.

Faithful Goblin is a Christian fantasy about faith under pressure, unlikely heroism, and one small goblin's refusal to become the monster the world expects him to be.

“For we walk by faith, not by sight.” - 2 Corinthians 5:7

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My Review of this Book:

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live by faith as someone, or something, you are not? I know it’s a bit of an unorthodox question, but Cody Darling explores that idea in his novella, Faithful Goblin. 

This novella is not something I would normally consider reviewing, but the premise behind his story was intriguing to me. When I first saw this novella on social media, I nearly scrolled past it. Something about it made me pause, and I am glad I did.  

This novella offers an unexpected blend of faith-focused storytelling and fantasy, a genre that I also dabble in with my short stories. The story appears to take place in an alternate reality, which adds another layer to the protagonist’s transformation. 

Darling uses a dreamlike writing style that captured my attention from the first page, reinforcing the nature of living by faith in a world that knows nothing of what it truly means to do so. The story creates an atmosphere that feels both imaginative and self-reflective. This atmosphere sets the tone for the entire journey. 

The characters Darling creates genuinely interest me, and several moments carry a depth that I don’t always see in imaginative faith-based fiction. That depth often caused me to reflect on how I would react in the same situations Mattheus endured if I were in his shoes. His internal struggle becomes the driving force of the story and gives readers a reason to stay invested. 

I especially appreciated how vividly the author described the antagonists. Their presence adds depth to the story in a way that blends well with the protagonist’s growth as he learns to accept the reality that he now lives in. On multiple occasions, I felt the heaviness of what Darling’s characters were dealing with, and that speaks to the strength of the overall focus of the story being told. 

Throughout this novella, one thing that stood out to me the most was the descriptive writing. I write about this often in my reviews, and that aspect of the book was one of its strongest elements. The novella's chapters are brief, yet the author vividly paints scenes with clarity and meaningful emotion. 

There is room for this author to grow, and I am excited to see where the second part of this series takes Darling's writing. Some transitions felt abrupt, which made it harder to stay oriented in the story. A little more grounding between scenes would strengthen the flow. Slowing down in those moments will help readers stay anchored in the story because it is a quick read.

As the story came to its end, it arrived quickly and felt like it stopped in the middle of an important moment. A sense of closure would give Part One a stronger emotional landing. Overall, this novella delivers a heartfelt, imaginative experience with memorable characters and a vivid atmosphere.

I look forward to future installments and believe they will stand out even more as Darling continues to cultivate his craft.