Reviews

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

ledzephlin's review against another edition

adventurous challenging tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

chocococo's review against another edition

relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? N/A
• Strong character development? N/A
• Loveable characters? N/A
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

2.75

Fairly mid. Listened to the audiobook and all the names and titles got very confusing. Narrator did an excellent job though, really brought the characters to life. The plot is almost non existent. The political intrigue and mystery parts of the story fell flat for me. The stakes never feel all that high, tension gets resolved too quickly and the MC has very little agency. Things just kinda happen to him.
On the plus side, MC is quite relatable and likeable. The world is pretty interesting and I liked learning more about it.
All in all an ok read but nothing I would recommend others or reach for again.

sschelble's review against another edition

emotional lighthearted reflective medium-paced

4.75

beehives's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

raxtrop's review against another edition

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

toya2286's review against another edition

relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

jayrude's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

nkz21752's review against another edition

challenging hopeful slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

beardybot's review

hopeful mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

Maia is the unwanted child of the elven emperor's nth wife. Everyone dies in an awful accident, and suddenly the untrained and uneducated half-goblin finds himself whisked to the seat of power, where he has to plot and politick and survive much more experienced people doing the same. All while investigating the deaths of his family. 

This could be difficult, and it is (assassins!), but Maia is kind, and lucky, and a good judge of character. What's more, he doesn't have the prejudices of the court-bred, and builds bridges (metaphorical and literal) that wouldn't have been possible for his predecessors, nor his challengers.

The one mark against the book is this: There's a fair bit of thee and thou and thine, which works okay for dialogue but I found especially grating when it was Maia's own thoughts. A lovely book in all though.

gorejoyous's review against another edition

challenging mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0