Reviews

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

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outcolder's review against another edition

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4.0

That was lovely. It was all about making friends!

mmmlysaght's review against another edition

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3.0

An uninspiring update from one of my favorite authors.

It leaned so heavily on its high fantasy elements that it felt like a hollow repetition of genre; the presence of elves and exotic architecture do not a compelling political intrigue make.

Pros:
- the author's signature lushly descriptive prose
- the main character was charming

Cons:
- lack of engaging political intrigue
- linnear, predictable story
- no creative use of its fantastical elements. Instead of being interested, I found myself asking 'why it gotta be elves' and realizing that the fact of elves was the most compelling part of the story

youngthespian42's review against another edition

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3.0

2.5 stars rounding up to 3. I enjoyed the palace intrigue and politicking of this book. I do feel the novel could have been edited down a little bit. It takes about 2/3 of the book for the real plot to build up and the novel is focused mostly on court politics. If you read Sanderson's Well of Ascension and hated that middle Mistborn book, then you will really not find a lot to love in this novel. The ending feels a little rushed and not totally earned with the events of the book as well. I don't think I will be continuing with the series.m

arkyver's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted slow-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

3.75

noahfence2007's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

ravenslanding's review against another edition

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5.0

I dont know how to describe this book or why I love it so much.
Maia is intensely likable.
The language is beautiful and accessible even though I still couldn't tell you what the titles mean.
The world is real enough to touch.
The story is at once slow and deliberate while being engaging and exciting.
And of course we mee tThura Celahar.

I cannot recommend the audio book enough. The narrator does a phenomenal job. Especially in nailing how elves and goblins pronunciation differs in the same names. A tiny world building touch which is observed throughout though only pointed out to the read once a good chunk into the book. Well done, audio book production team.

kathrinpassig's review against another edition

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4.0

Unzynisches Buch ohne Plot, es ist einfach nur erholsam, 500 Seiten lang einem milden Herrscher beim milden Regieren zuzusehen. Auf Papier wäre es weniger erholsam gewesen, denn es kommen ungefähr 821 Personen vor und ich habe bei fast jedem vorkommenden Namen die Suche benutzt. Die Hofintrigen werden genau erklärt, man muss nichts selbst aus Andeutungen erraten. Politisch naja mit grenzwertigem Hautfarbenthema und einer blöden Abschweifung in die Revolutionskritik, aber es ist halt Elfen-Goblin-Feudalismus in einer Art 18. Jahrhundert, da geht es oft noch hässlicher zu, wie im realen 18. Jahrhundert ja auch.