The Good, the Bad and the Smug

Christopher Moore blurbs this, the last installment in British author Holt's comic fantasy series, and it will likely appeal to the same core group of fans. The satire flows fast and furious, possibly starting with a media mogul named Mordak (i.e., Murdoch), who is also a goblin. Living beside the goblins are elves, and though they coexist, they haven't really paired up until now. When Mordak buys out elf Effluviel's magazine, his minions make her an offer she can't refuse—to become Mordak's assistant. Eventually the duo set off on a dangerous quest that makes them actual allies. Meanwhile, a Rumpelstiltskin character appears, making all sorts of commentary on the financial industry. When everyone realizes you can spin straw into gold, straw becomes scarce and gold becomes plentiful—where's the balance between getting rich and getting richer? Doubtless many of the jokes will go over teens' heads, but young adults will get enough of them that this won't hamper their enjoyment.