5.16k reviews for:

The Goblin Emperor

Katherine Addison

4.16 AVERAGE

jamclendon's review against another edition

4.25

emotional hopeful medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: No

reserv3's review against another edition

3.5

adventurous mysterious slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

e2mcmahon's review against another edition

4.5

slow-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: No

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Great book — loved the world and the courtly intrigue. The names are complicated, but if you pay attention, context clues really help.

lyssa131330's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous hopeful slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

figgy24_20's review against another edition

5.0

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

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Wonderful story, not really fantasy per se, but a lovely drama

strangesymphony's review

4.5

emotional hopeful reflective fast-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

led's review against another edition

4.25

challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted relaxing slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

easternbookhound's review against another edition

4.5

challenging emotional inspiring sad slow-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

ciolaceum's review against another edition

3.0

challenging tense medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Complicated

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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While I admired a lot about it, I came away feeling a little distant.

Maia is admirable—almost too admirable. I understood his pain, his isolation, the heavy weight of being thrust into power without warning. But I didn’t feel it. There was amazement at how composed and principled he was, but not the emotional connection I usually crave.

The setting and political intrigue were well-delivered, and there’s no denying the author has a command of language and worldbuilding. But for someone who usually enjoys more lighthearted, emotionally resonant fantasy, this felt like the wrong kind of heavy. 

It wasn’t a bad read—it just wasn’t for me.

thayanefabiano's review against another edition

4.0

emotional hopeful lighthearted slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: No