Rating: 
Summary: I've read better--I've read worse...
Review: I was surprised about the previous comments about profanity. I don't recall it bothering me that much. I thought there were some uneven aspects to the pace and plot but overall, it was enjoyable, though certainly not the best x files book. If you're not a fan, then this book will bore you, but even if you are an avid watcher, you might be disappointed in the depictions of Mulder and Scully. However, this is an OK read if you're stuck at an airport or have a long plane flight ahead of you...
Rating:
Summary: Not Bad for the First of Its Kind
Review: Perhaps the greatest obstacle Charles Grant faced in writing this book was how to take Mulder and Scully and transport them from screen to print. On TV the director can show us Mulder cogitating for a couple seconds and then present his latest "out there" theory. Grant has the opportunity to let us inside Mulder's brain, but he also has the responsibility to keep us hooked once we get in there - what if Mulder doesn't think like we think he thinks? What if the story starts dragging? What if there's nothing there? Fortunately, Grant did a pretty good job of it, although Scully occasionally seemed a little flighty.The story, I thought, got off to a bit of a shaky start. With the first two victims being drunks, I was afraid the story was going to be a one-note moral symphony like X-Files: Ground Zero. The good news is that it doesn't. Unfortunately, the story lacks any clear Alien/Supernatural X-File connection. Human chameleons are an interesting story element, but there should at least be a suggestion of the use of "Area 42 Alien Technology (TM)". If we're to accept that it's just military research gone amok, there should be a wide range of chameleon mice, rats, dogs and monkeys. It may be the vogue thing to paint the military as pure evil, but beginning research with human test subjects is more poor science than it is sheer evilness. The book tries to be as sexy as the TV show, but never really generates any heat. Sure we get a shower scene with Scully (let your minds ponder that for a moment, lads), and Dr. Elkhorn has some kissy moments, but although rookie agent Licia Andrews is described sexily, her character never really goes anywhere with it. Not that the novel needs to get smutty, but it seems a conscious decision was made in describing her and nothing (either flirtyness or frigidity) comes of it. And, ladies, you just got a raw deal when Mulder slept in his suit; I feel for you. Maybe it's just that there are just some things you can do on Fox TV that publisher HarperPrism can't. Like any episode of The X-Files we're left with questions at the end of the book. Unfortunately, it doesn't appear we'll ever get answers to them. Pretty much everything that took place at the Jefferson Memorial remained unclear to me throughout the book. The Louisiana connection offered late in the book seemed sketchy to me, especially since it was never backed up from the military side. As this is the first novelization for the series, I can cut the author some slack (hence three stars instead of two). If it seems I expected a bit much of the first outing, it's only because I like(d) the series so much. Grant, in my opinion, certainly did a better job of this than did the author of Ground Zero. When you wear out your Season 9 DVDs and are looking for another adventure before the next theatrical release, this isn't a bad choice. It's not perfect, but it's definitely not worse than any of the more muddled TV episodes.
Rating:
Summary: The first novel based on The X-Files
Review: Published in 1994, Goblins was the very first novel based on The X-Files television series, which at that time was relatively new, original, and growing in popularity. The action, in this case, takes place not long after the X-Files had been shut down and then reopened by the FBI (which basically puts it somewhere in the second season time period). This is a book that has its good points and its bad points. It is not a bad story in and of itself, but it doesn't fully capture the X-Files spirit; its primary weakness is the addition of two unknown agents working beside Mulder and Scully on the case at hand: Hank Webber, a gung-ho agent of the annoying type, and Licia Andrews, a cold and disagreeable person who certainly doesn't seem to be made of FBI material. Webber's association with Mulder's new supervisor Arlen Douglas (who is not Mulder's biggest fan) is used to cast a suspicious backdrop to the story, but this little subplot doesn't go very far. The case that forms the framework of this novel consists of a series of brutal murders by an "invisible man" of sorts - witnesses, none of which are completely trustworthy, report seeing a hand and blade come out of nowhere and then disappear once the deed is done. An old reporter friend asks Mulder to investigate the first murder because the victim was his cousin's boyfriend, but Mulder has no real interest in the matter until Douglas sends him to New Jersey (alongside Scully, Webber, and Andrews) to investigate that very case; they soon meet with unexpected danger. There is basically a lot of running around talking to the locals, working with the local sheriff, and sniffing out the truth of a mysterious Department of Defense project associated with a nearby military base. Mulder comes up with his wild theory, Scully argues against it, etc. - the same drill you typically saw on the television series. Grant's characterization of Mulder and Scully is actually pretty commendable, but the other two agents are simply annoying, unrealistic, and a source of constant frustration for both Mulder and myself. Grant does keep the level of suspense at a nice level throughout the novel, largely by keeping the reader in the dark when it comes to the identity of the "goblin," and I think this makes the story much more entertaining than it would be otherwise. Looking back on the novel as a whole, the plot does hold together, but there are definitely some frayed ends and other imperfections evident in the craftsmanship. Goblins isn't likely to win The X-Files any new fans, but it makes for a fairly interesting diversion for those of us already devoted to the show and its characters.
Rating:
Summary: The first novel based on The X-Files
Review: Published in 1994, Goblins was the very first novel based on The X-Files television series, which at that time was relatively new, original, and growing in popularity. The action, in this case, takes place not long after the X-Files had been shut down and then reopened by the FBI (which basically puts it somewhere in the second season time period). This is a book that has its good points and its bad points. It is not a bad story in and of itself, but it doesn't fully capture the X-Files spirit; its primary weakness is the addition of two unknown agents working beside Mulder and Scully on the case at hand: Hank Webber, a gung-ho agent of the annoying type, and Licia Andrews, a cold and disagreeable person who certainly doesn't seem to be made of FBI material. Webber's association with Mulder's new supervisor Arlen Douglas (who is not Mulder's biggest fan) is used to cast a suspicious backdrop to the story, but this little subplot doesn't go very far. The case that forms the framework of this novel consists of a series of brutal murders by an "invisible man" of sorts - witnesses, none of which are completely trustworthy, report seeing a hand and blade come out of nowhere and then disappear once the deed is done. An old reporter friend asks Mulder to investigate the first murder because the victim was his cousin's boyfriend, but Mulder has no real interest in the matter until Douglas sends him to New Jersey (alongside Scully, Webber, and Andrews) to investigate that very case; they soon meet with unexpected danger. There is basically a lot of running around talking to the locals, working with the local sheriff, and sniffing out the truth of a mysterious Department of Defense project associated with a nearby military base. Mulder comes up with his wild theory, Scully argues against it, etc. - the same drill you typically saw on the television series. Grant's characterization of Mulder and Scully is actually pretty commendable, but the other two agents are simply annoying, unrealistic, and a source of constant frustration for both Mulder and myself. Grant does keep the level of suspense at a nice level throughout the novel, largely by keeping the reader in the dark when it comes to the identity of the "goblin," and I think this makes the story much more entertaining than it would be otherwise. Looking back on the novel as a whole, the plot does hold together, but there are definitely some frayed ends and other imperfections evident in the craftsmanship. Goblins isn't likely to win The X-Files any new fans, but it makes for a fairly interesting diversion for those of us already devoted to the show and its characters.
Rating: 
Summary: Ack. Ackackackackack
Review: Sheesh, not what I've come to expect from an X-Files book. The characters were badly portrayed. (what is it with everyone calling Scully by her first name?). Also I thought there was too much of that one guy hitting on Scully, and Mulder checking girls out. I mean, really. The profanity was kinda bad, but no worse than you hear at my school. The plot line was interesting (human chameleons) but it wasn't really taken anywhere, and the ending didn't explain much. Read WHIRLWIND, it's much better.
Rating: 
Summary: I loved it! My favorite X-Files book yet!
Review: The best x-files knovel I've read (5 times, actually). I would definately reccomend this to x-files fans, or someone who just wants to read a good book.
Rating: 
Summary: the book kept me up all night it was awsome!
Review: the book just keeps u turning pages but when u get to the end u wish there was more to it
Rating:
Summary: Fine holoiday fun! Two very enthusiastic thumbs up!!
Review: The cursing was good. Mulder and Scully were just like on the show so all the other people who wrote bad reviews of this novel are just jealous because they didn't understand it!!
Rating:
Summary: You call this an X-files book?
Review: The main characters were weakly portrayed. They all had bad mouths (The cursing in this book was worse than in the movie) Charles Grant should definetly get a different hobby than writing X-files stories. Maybe he's such a bad writer that they'll let him write a Star Trek novel!
Rating:
Summary: Pretty Good, But Not Great
Review: The story line was great, and very interesting. The only problem was with Scully. First off, Scully was the one who came up with the supernatural idea, and then believed it all when Mulder added on. On the show, she's usually saying something like "Why are we here Mulder?" not "This whole thing is a government conspiracy involving humans who can change their skin color." (That's not actually a real quote, but it's pretty close to what she says.) Second, usually Scully in the show is attacked by the mutant, murderer, alien, government man, monster, curse, whatever. This time she was pretty safe the whole time. Mulder got into the most trouble. Also the cursing got on my nerves. Now for the good points. It was a very interesting story, with a shocking ending. The old woman was hilarious! I was always chuckling, especially with her spray paint. The book is also pretty creepy, and makes you keep looking out your window to make sure the 'Goblins' aren't out there.
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