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gooseturnover's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Suicide and Kidnapping
mal_eficent's review against another edition
- 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
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%.
Graphic: Kidnapping, Grief, Xenophobia, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Classism, Sexism, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
saintsunshine's review against another edition
- 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? N/A
3.75
For starters, I had just finished Frank Herbert's Dune and was craving a traditional fantasy novel. I had prided myself on absorbing myself in Herbert's engrossing world and concept, but nothing could have prepared myself for the complexity of Addison's fantasy world. Don't let the middle-grade appearing hardcover fool you, this is an adult fantasy – not in that it's explicit in nature, but I can't imagine this was written for anyone without a fully formed adult brain.
Despite the story being small in scope, Addison's level of world building is incredible – sometimes to my own detriment. Maybe it's because I took breaks between reading, but I was often lost while reading. There are a many different characters, places, and fantastical concepts that fly by and not even the index helped much with. Political intrigue is the backbone of this book. While there was a murder involved, the book is almost entirely absent of mystery or suspense, save for the attempts on the protagonists' own life.
That leads me to Maia, the novels titular goblin protagonist. I adored Maia and genuinely enjoyed watching him grow as a character. Still, it was sometimes hard to empathize with his struggles when so much was happening around him, and he didn't make many notable connections until the end of the book.
Speaking of which, this book is tagged with 'LGBTQ+' which is almost a lie. I was convinced in having saw this that Maia would eventually fall for Czevet or Cala (I swear there are hints towards the former) but no such relationship developed. This is not to say I'm angry this didn't play out, but I don't think off-handed comments about same-sex lovers warrant this tag. It's entirely deceiving.
Anyway. I'm satisfied with my time with this book. Perhaps I'm just an idiot to understand much of what was happening, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I must also mention that I read along to the audiobook narrated by Kyle McCarley, who has an amazing voice and range of voice talent – his performance truly elevated my experience with this book and I wish this guy could narrate everything I read!
Miss Addison you better stop writing side novels and finish this series!!
Graphic: Self harm and Suicide
Moderate: Grief, Murder, Kidnapping, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Minor: War, Fatphobia, and Sexual violence
briely's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexism
Minor: Racism, Self harm, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, and Homophobia
walkie_check's review against another edition
- 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
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
- 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
Moderate: Death, Car accident, Death of parent, Bullying, Classism, and Grief
Minor: Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, and Physical abuse
alexalily's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Physical abuse, Abandonment, Death of parent, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Suicide, Xenophobia, Confinement, Grief, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Bullying, Child abuse, and Death
Minor: Terminal illness, Alcohol, Blood, and Homophobia
heygarrett's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Suicide and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death
Minor: Death of parent and Sexism
ladythana's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Death of parent, Suicide, and Death
Moderate: Racism, Violence, Kidnapping, Child abuse, and Murder
starlit_pathways's review against another edition
- 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
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