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ginpartini's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
The story reads like a giant river snake: the world is large and dominating, and the prose reads so smoothly that it carries you through tumultuous topics settled like deep waters throughout. While the energy of the story I found to be mostly mild, I was enamored and fulfilled reading every chapter. Nothing felt slow or out of place. Every portion and word felt right. In my opinion this book has one of the cleverest prologues that sets your squarely in the mindset - and challenge - of the protagonist.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Alcohol, Child abuse, Classism, Death of parent, and Death
pvbobrien's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse and Suicide
Moderate: Grief, Blood, Death of parent, Death, Misogyny, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Violence, and Racism
Minor: Homophobia, Miscarriage, Classism, Confinement, Colonisation, Infertility, Alcohol, and War
mal_eficent's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? Yes
5.0
If you enjoy stories that just follow a character through their life in a fantasy world, whether it's full of adventure or not, this will scratch that itch for you in the most satisfying way. I wouldn't consider this a character driven story (Maia doesn't quite have enough agency for his choices to be driving the plot) but it's almost entirely character focussed. Which means unless you're really into the details, this might feel like it the story is slow and meandering–especially as the writing is slightly formal to match the expectations of court life. The narrative warms as Maia finds his place, and if the coldness of the beginning puts you off I'd recommend sticking with it to see the change.
What plot there is isn't hugely complicated or action filled–even when it gets fully into the politics–but it is thorough look. Every aspect of life as an Emperor is considered and addressed, and Maia is the perspective we learn everything about this world through. The world building is excellently paced and explained. Information is there precisely when the story needs it without overwhelming the narrative.
Except the information at the beginning of the book. There's a couple of pages explaining the naming systems, court addresses, and pronunciation (presented as an in world travel guide). Since I started with the audiobook I didn't realise it was there, and was a little confused for the earlier part of the narrative as it introduced a ton of characters with 'the same name' but never explained why. Turns out I was confusing the 'Sir and Madam' of this world for names. So, bear in mind if you're starting audio first you'll be missing some information - and about five pages of chapter 30, which are just missing. The pay off is that the narrator, Kyle McCarley, is fantastic. His accent and cadence suits the formal setting of the world immeasurably, and the voices he gives each character makes them come alive off the page. Even Maia's speaking voice or direct thoughts sound slightly different to plain narration.
If you enjoy works like Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy, Tamora Pierce's Tortall books, Chris Bunch's Dragon Master series, or even Game of Thrones (though this is much 'simpler'), then I'd recommend Goblin Emperor 100%.
What plot there is isn't hugely complicated or action filled–even when it gets fully into the politics–but it is thorough look. Every aspect of life as an Emperor is considered and addressed, and Maia is the perspective we learn everything about this world through. The world building is excellently paced and explained. Information is there precisely when the story needs it without overwhelming the narrative.
Except the information at the beginning of the book. There's a couple of pages explaining the naming systems, court addresses, and pronunciation (presented as an in world travel guide). Since I started with the audiobook I didn't realise it was there, and was a little confused for the earlier part of the narrative as it introduced a ton of characters with 'the same name' but never explained why. Turns out I was confusing the 'Sir and Madam' of this world for names. So, bear in mind if you're starting audio first you'll be missing some information - and about five pages of chapter 30, which are just missing. The pay off is that the narrator, Kyle McCarley, is fantastic. His accent and cadence suits the formal setting of the world immeasurably, and the voices he gives each character makes them come alive off the page. Even Maia's speaking voice or direct thoughts sound slightly different to plain narration.
If you enjoy works like Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy, Tamora Pierce's Tortall books, Chris Bunch's Dragon Master series, or even Game of Thrones (though this is much 'simpler'), then I'd recommend Goblin Emperor 100%.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Grief, Xenophobia, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Classism, Sexism, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
walkie_check's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, and Suicide
Moderate: Kidnapping, Abandonment, Child abuse, Bullying, Racism, Classism, and Death of parent
Minor: Child abuse, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Grief, Kidnapping, Miscarriage, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, Abandonment, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Misogyny, Chronic illness, Forced institutionalization, Homophobia, Classism, Physical abuse, Religious bigotry, Colonisation, and Death
maecave15's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Car accident, Death of parent, Bullying, Classism, and Grief
Minor: Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, and Physical abuse
onironic's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
tense
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
5.0
I listened to this with a mid-quality screen-reader and I had no problems following it, except for some confusion between who was who in a couple minor characters with similar sounding names. Nothing that caused any major problems understanding what was happening, though. I'll admit though, I wasn't sure how I'd feel about it when the very first thing I heard was a five minute list of names, but I am SO glad I stuck it out. I feel like any way I could talk about this book wouldn't do it justice. On the surface, it maybe doesn't sound like it should be as interesting as it is. It's very politics-heavy and takes place nearly entirely in just a few rooms. The story is in the intricacies of the court and politics, and the world-building, all fleshed out by the amazing cast of characters and the slightly unorthodox found family plot that builds throughout the book. Very, very dark things happen, but the purpose of the book isn't to be edgy or to ride realism straight into the ground. It's about people being people, in the worst and best ways. It's hopeful. It's about how important it is to be kind, even when it's hard, and to listen, and to care. I don't regret reading this book at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism, Suicide, Classism, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Murder, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Alcohol
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual harassment, and Violence
istiel's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
relaxing
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? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Bullying
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence, Sexism, Death, Murder, Xenophobia, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Miscarriage, Child death, Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Body shaming, Classism, and Homophobia
booksthatburn's review against another edition
It begins with an ableist and classist comment which was wholly unnecessary, and then didn’t manage to hook me after.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Child death, Death, Racism, Classism, and Ableism
kingcrookback's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
I desperately didn't want this book to end. The satisfaction in watching Maia's journey go from reviled, forgotten son to a young man who's (mostly) found his footing and knows his worth is akin to properly caring for a wound, watching it knit back together, and seeing it finally fade. There's a gentleness and a sweetness to this story that doesn't seem very common in contemporary fantasy stories that purport to veer toward realism. Often, it seems as though "realism" goes hand-in-hand with "gritty" and therefore necessitates graphic physical violence and great emotional tumult. (George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, which I'm also a fan of, comes to mind.) But I think The Goblin Emperor is also fairly realistic in its depiction of monarchy even if in real life I have a generally unfavorable opinion of monarchies. The bureaucracy is tedious, dealing with the egos of the individuals involved is confusing and exhausting, and the unfortunate fact that what one symbolizes takes precedence over who one is, is disheartening. Such is Maia's case. However, this story is far from bleak. The small, everyday acts of kindness and decency aren't any less important for their smallness. In fact, in an environment that discourages and discredits them, such acts feel like something of an active rebellion, real change on a small level. Maia's efforts in suppressing the impulse to behave like his abusive cousin pay off; by the end, he is no longer alone. He has built bridges. He cares and is cared for. One might even imagine that he may be truly loved, at some point in his near future.
Like other readers, I had some difficulty getting used to the way Addison constructed the world's naming conventions and terms of address. I do think that the confusing nature had a purpose, though (outside of worldbuilding). I feel like my sort of floundering at the beginning regarding names, for places as well as people, not only mirrored Maia's feeling of being unmoored when he first arrives at the Untheileineise court, it fostered my attachment to him. Maia is also a fish out of water, but Addison constructed him in such a way that I didn't mind letting him guide the both of us through this new world. He's endearing, and so I liked him enough to sit through the dry minutiae of administration and politics. He's trustworthy and fundamentally honest, and so I trusted that the information filtered through him as a lens was relevant. By the time I'd begun to get a grasp on how the world works, so had he. There's a sweetness to this story that I hadn't anticipated, and I adore it for that.
Like other readers, I had some difficulty getting used to the way Addison constructed the world's naming conventions and terms of address. I do think that the confusing nature had a purpose, though (outside of worldbuilding). I feel like my sort of floundering at the beginning regarding names, for places as well as people, not only mirrored Maia's feeling of being unmoored when he first arrives at the Untheileineise court, it fostered my attachment to him. Maia is also a fish out of water, but Addison constructed him in such a way that I didn't mind letting him guide the both of us through this new world. He's endearing, and so I liked him enough to sit through the dry minutiae of administration and politics. He's trustworthy and fundamentally honest, and so I trusted that the information filtered through him as a lens was relevant. By the time I'd begun to get a grasp on how the world works, so had he. There's a sweetness to this story that I hadn't anticipated, and I adore it for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Classism
starlit_pathways's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Child abuse, Xenophobia, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Confinement, Kidnapping, Terminal illness, War, and Classism
Minor: Torture and Suicide