Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
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:
Yes
I had some type of sixth sense gut feeling that I was going to love this book and who doesn't love being right <33
I think it's exactly what I was looking for with fantasy rn-- something that doesn't have world-ending stakes and is more of a cozy(?) political intrigue style story. most of the plot takes place in the court and centers around maia becoming comfortable as emperor, and tbh that is exactly my cup of tea. one of my favorite things was how every time something bad happened, it would be resolved in like five pages and then we'd get chapters of just aftermath lmao, it sounds boring but it worked so so well with this book!!
the world building was also surprisingly intricate for what was originally planned as just a standalone-- all of the names, forms of address, the political tensions, etc etc was so well done and interesting!! there were small bits of dialogue that went over my head tbh, I'd have to read lines a few times sometimes to understand what the characters were getting at. but if I reread this in the future it'll only make it more fun to realize things later on, so I'm not even mad about it T_T
maia as a character was also a big part of why I loved this-- he was just such a good, decent person, and his core issue of just constantly feeling out of his depth was so relatable. this is the first fantasy I've ever read that has actually convinced me the main character doesn't want to be the emperor and given convincing reasons why. every other book that does it, I end up just side-eyeing like 'you'd rather be a peasant working ten hours a day than sitting in your posh castle complaining about your daddy issues??' but maia's concerns felt much more grounded and justified.
also loved the cast of side characters!! idra and his sisters were so endearing, the various lords/witnesses in the court provided all the fun political intrigue, csevet and the norecharei were great ofc <33 I really liked watching maia get closer to his family and genuine friendships in the court, and I loved his character growth!! he started off so lost at the beginning and then had multiple moments later on where I was like okay damn. I would have been intimidated if I was there T_T but I really loved how he never stopped being compassionate and forgiving (to an almost unbelievable extent? but he'd get pissed enough that he didn't come off too much as the golden shining boring hero)
overall I'd say this was just my ideal type of fantasy. I would have liked a little more depth into maia's relationships and would honestly have read another 500 pages of court politics and him building bridges and meeting his people and being a feminist etc etc but I really loved what we did get!! there were certain plot lines I wasn't too thrilled with the investigation of his father's murder mostly bored me I'm sorry T_T celehar (the mc of the sequels fml) was my least favorite main character... I'm honestly sad I have no interest in reading his books T_T but as a whole. so so good <33
I think it's exactly what I was looking for with fantasy rn-- something that doesn't have world-ending stakes and is more of a cozy(?) political intrigue style story. most of the plot takes place in the court and centers around maia becoming comfortable as emperor, and tbh that is exactly my cup of tea.
the world building was also surprisingly intricate for what was originally planned as just a standalone-- all of the names, forms of address, the political tensions, etc etc was so well done and interesting!! there were small bits of dialogue that went over my head tbh, I'd have to read lines a few times sometimes to understand what the characters were getting at. but if I reread this in the future it'll only make it more fun to realize things later on, so I'm not even mad about it T_T
maia as a character was also a big part of why I loved this-- he was just such a good, decent person, and his core issue of just constantly feeling out of his depth was so relatable. this is the first fantasy I've ever read that has actually convinced me the main character doesn't want to be the emperor and given convincing reasons why. every other book that does it, I end up just side-eyeing like 'you'd rather be a peasant working ten hours a day than sitting in your posh castle complaining about your daddy issues??' but maia's concerns felt much more grounded and justified.
also loved the cast of side characters!! idra and his sisters were so endearing, the various lords/witnesses in the court provided all the fun political intrigue, csevet and the norecharei were great ofc <33 I really liked watching maia get closer to his family and genuine friendships in the court, and I loved his character growth!! he started off so lost at the beginning and then had multiple moments later on where I was like okay damn. I would have been intimidated if I was there T_T but I really loved how he never stopped being compassionate and forgiving (to an almost unbelievable extent? but he'd get pissed enough that he didn't come off too much as the golden shining boring hero)
overall I'd say this was just my ideal type of fantasy. I would have liked a little more depth into maia's relationships and would honestly have read another 500 pages of court politics and him
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Intriguing concept - loved how the book threw you into the world just like the young goblin emperor. Although I loved the court intrigue of the writing the level of writing was a bit elementary. Also it was hard for me to disconnect from the fact that the almost 19 year old emperor was so wise in his ways although anxious. Really read like a young adult novel. Slow pace but an easy read.
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
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:
Complicated
Woke up in the middle of the night so I could read some more. I really enjoyed this book!
hopeful
sad
slow-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:
Complicated
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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
I really struggled with the names, titles, and such in the beginning. I feel like the author could've done a better job weaving the in world terms with their regular word counter parts so we could learn them easier.
If you are struggling like me, hang in there. About a quarter of the way through it all clicks and becomes a really nice story.
If you are struggling like me, hang in there. About a quarter of the way through it all clicks and becomes a really nice story.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
First, some preamble: I am a very subjective rater. 90% of my rating is based on whether I liked or disliked a book. A literary masterpiece I forced myself to read will get a low rating, even if I can see the artfulness in the writing. In this case, three stars means exactly what it says in the hypertext. I liked it. Nothing more, nothing less.
I read The Goblin Emperor because it was on the Hugo nominees list, and while it was a good book, it wasn't an outstanding book. One problem is that for all the world building involved, the novel is quite insular. Maia rarely leaves the Elven Court, and while the world finds ways to intrude on his life there, as a reader, I often felt removed from the action. Like Maia, we're forced to rely on letters, half-understood speeches, and hearsay. This is both a perfect way to show what Maia is feeling and an incredibly frustrating position for me as a reader.
Maia is the sole point of view character, so get a lot of time inside his head. He's an incredibly nice individual, but also quite prone to self-doubt, which wears thin by the end of the novel. It's hard to think of any lasting negative consequences brought on by Maia's decisions, and when bad things do happen, it's always someone else who bears the majority of the blame. Some corrupt lord will force the Emperor's hand, and he'll enact justice, but no more. Addison writes the story so that he's often forced to choose between right and wrong, but between two wrongs or two rights.
There are hints that that might change in the future. Other reviewers have mentioned the racial and gendered aspects of the novel, but politics also make up a significant amount of the plot and subplots. Monarchy, Democracy, Capitalism, and Socialism are all in the air. A sequel that breaks away from life at court once in a while could be quite interesting. There are numerous other organizations mentioned within the novel (a clocksmith's guild, a few workers' unions, a handful of different religious orders, a group of scholar/magi). These are all represented at court by individuals called "Witnesses", but it's clear there's more going on behind the scenes. The people I wanted to know more about were the people who were shut out of court life. I know that's the point, but knowing didn't make the reading any more enjoyable.
All-in-all I think it is worth reading, especially if you're a fan of novels that center on "court drama". People who like Philippa Gregory but want to read something less centered on romance would be well sited to this novel. Don't read it if you're in the mood for a novel that's gritty and dark with a jaded, barb-tongued protagonist.
I read The Goblin Emperor because it was on the Hugo nominees list, and while it was a good book, it wasn't an outstanding book. One problem is that for all the world building involved, the novel is quite insular. Maia rarely leaves the Elven Court, and while the world finds ways to intrude on his life there, as a reader, I often felt removed from the action. Like Maia, we're forced to rely on letters, half-understood speeches, and hearsay. This is both a perfect way to show what Maia is feeling and an incredibly frustrating position for me as a reader.
Maia is the sole point of view character, so get a lot of time inside his head. He's an incredibly nice individual, but also quite prone to self-doubt, which wears thin by the end of the novel. It's hard to think of any lasting negative consequences brought on by Maia's decisions, and when bad things do happen, it's always someone else who bears the majority of the blame. Some corrupt lord will force the Emperor's hand, and he'll enact justice, but no more. Addison writes the story so that he's often forced to choose between right and wrong, but between two wrongs or two rights.
There are hints that that might change in the future. Other reviewers have mentioned the racial and gendered aspects of the novel, but politics also make up a significant amount of the plot and subplots. Monarchy, Democracy, Capitalism, and Socialism are all in the air. A sequel that breaks away from life at court once in a while could be quite interesting. There are numerous other organizations mentioned within the novel (a clocksmith's guild, a few workers' unions, a handful of different religious orders, a group of scholar/magi). These are all represented at court by individuals called "Witnesses", but it's clear there's more going on behind the scenes. The people I wanted to know more about were the people who were shut out of court life. I know that's the point, but knowing didn't make the reading any more enjoyable.
All-in-all I think it is worth reading, especially if you're a fan of novels that center on "court drama". People who like Philippa Gregory but want to read something less centered on romance would be well sited to this novel. Don't read it if you're in the mood for a novel that's gritty and dark with a jaded, barb-tongued protagonist.