Reviews

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

loricality's review

inspiring reflective 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

4.75

montahue's review against another edition

SO SLOOOWWWWWW.... A quarter of the book takes place within a 12/24 hour timeframe. Maybe that would be interesting, but it is literally just court meetings with plotless worldbuilding. Did not Finidh.

searobin's review against another edition

informative lighthearted 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

4.0

I enjoyed this a lot, and found it very charming. I did completely gloss over the names, which did not really have any major impact on things (so perhaps there could have been fewer parties involved in everything). This felt like a relatable, and mostly realistic portrayal of what would happen should a sheltered and kindhearted discounted heir suddenly ascend to the throne. I wish that the magic had been a bit more present in the story.

jnb_reads's review against another edition

emotional informative inspiring reflective relaxing 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

5.0

poppiesrising's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated

4.5

pifflish's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective 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? It's complicated

5.0

30something_reads's review against another edition

adventurous challenging funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

4.5

And he knew that if the rest of his life was spent in building bridges, it would be no bad thing.

Maia deserves only good things for the rest of his life.

This is absolutely not a "for everyone" fantasy but I absolutely adored Maia and the story of his unlikely ascension to the throne. He is such a relatable character in that he is thrown into this position of power and feels like he is just fumbling his way through it (but with so much heart and earnestness.)

Addison has created such a rich and vibrant world that is, admittedly at times, a little difficult to keep track of. The existence of a 20+ page "Handbook for Travelers into the Elflands" at the beginning of the text that included sections on Pronunciation, Names, Forms of Address, Emperors, and a list of "Persons, Places, Things, and Gods" was a bit daunting.

I read this in tandem with the audiobook and I highly recommend because it helped tremendously with pronunciation (however, it did nothing to help me remember names and places.)

I am excited to see that there are additional books in this world. I'll absolutely be getting into them! 

l3vy's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

r0sie_the_read3r's review against another edition

challenging inspiring reflective slow-paced

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

3.0

lgaddy's review against another edition

4.0

I found this very satisfying. It's different, a very thick, subdued court intrigue and almost a Jane Austen sort of writing. Following the language and character names was difficult for me and I found myself just skipping the last four syllables of place names lol, but I was very behind the main character.

If you want a slow burn with no gore or spiciness, but instead something thoughtful and wise, this one's for you.