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lbarsk's review
5.0
THIS BOOK WAS SO MUCH FUN! If you're not into High Fantasy I wouldn't necessarily recommend it, as it is definitely... Very High Fantasy with its own language, complex worldbuilding, etc. that you're basically just thrown into with naught but an encyclopedia and grammar guide in the back. (Which I PERSONALLY found very interesting! But not everyone does.)
However, if you like court intrigue, character growth, hints of found family where one can find a family as an emperor of a vast nation, a story told in vignettes that show the passage of time, lots of braided hair, and reforming problematic empires through kindness and open-mindedness, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU! I had a really, really good time reading it.
ETA October 14, 2023: this book holds up and is so beloved to me!!!!!!!!
However, if you like court intrigue, character growth, hints of found family where one can find a family as an emperor of a vast nation, a story told in vignettes that show the passage of time, lots of braided hair, and reforming problematic empires through kindness and open-mindedness, THIS BOOK IS FOR YOU! I had a really, really good time reading it.
ETA October 14, 2023: this book holds up and is so beloved to me!!!!!!!!
hannahhbic's review against another edition
5.0
Early contender for fave of 2021. The overarching theme of this book is "eventually things will be okay again" and a secondary theme is "you can still have good relationships, even if they look different than what people expect". There is kindness in unexpected places from unexpected people. I eat this kind of stuff up with a spoon.
CWs for past child abuse, parental death, and ritual death by suicide (this last one is brief and can very easily be skipped). There's a lot of jargon that takes some getting used to, and there's quite a lot of the Royal We. If it still sounds like something you can get behind, try out the audiobook!
CWs for past child abuse, parental death, and ritual death by suicide (this last one is brief and can very easily be skipped). There's a lot of jargon that takes some getting used to, and there's quite a lot of the Royal We. If it still sounds like something you can get behind, try out the audiobook!
b00kdragon's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
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
josafenna's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
celinbean's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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? No
4.75
Maia trying so hard to stay kind in a world that was rarely ever kind to him hit me right in the chest ngl
this is the kind of cozy fantasy i like. im not even sure if this can be categorized as cozy fantasy but it felt cozy to me. Maybe low stakes? There was a lot of political intrigue and with the kind of complicated names i was struggling to follow along (maybe that was just because of the audiobook bc i barely ever knew who was involved in these intrigues until i had more context or the narrator started talking in the certain cadence that only that character spoke in. also shoutout to the narrator while we are at it that really helped lol)
despite being confused for a lot of the political intrigue plot reading this felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket and getting to explore this world through maias eyes and seeing him change things up with his kindness
anyway can’t wait to jump into the adjacent two books about calahan? Idk how to write any of the names lol the witness of the dead. i feel like she’s gonna expand this world a lot more in those also i heard ppl describe it as a cozy gay detective story so im ready
this is the kind of cozy fantasy i like. im not even sure if this can be categorized as cozy fantasy but it felt cozy to me. Maybe low stakes? There was a lot of political intrigue and with the kind of complicated names i was struggling to follow along (maybe that was just because of the audiobook bc i barely ever knew who was involved in these intrigues until i had more context or the narrator started talking in the certain cadence that only that character spoke in. also shoutout to the narrator while we are at it that really helped lol)
despite being confused for a lot of the political intrigue plot reading this felt like being wrapped in a warm blanket and getting to explore this world through maias eyes and seeing him change things up with his kindness
anyway can’t wait to jump into the adjacent two books about calahan? Idk how to write any of the names lol the witness of the dead. i feel like she’s gonna expand this world a lot more in those also i heard ppl describe it as a cozy gay detective story so im ready
rwatkins's review
4.0
I really liked it. Overall: 3.5/5 (18/25)
This is a slow-paced court intrigue focused on characterization and themes. If you like court politics or getting to know a single character really well, then give this book a read. If you enjoy heavier themes such as racism, sexism, progressivism vs conservatism, and violence vs forgiveness, this may be a good pick for you. Worldbuilding, steampunk elements and action are all light, so it won't be for everyone.
Minor Spoilers Below:
Plot: 3.5/5
Maia, a goblin ignorant of court politics, is slated to become the next emperor after an accident takes out many in the royal succession. The story follows him as he struggles to understand court politics before he is dethroned. The plot slowly unfolds and much of the interactions will appear to be mundane. These mostly payoff later, so stick with it and you will be rewarded. I am not the target audience for court intrigue and I struggled getting through, until reaching those payoffs and then I was so pleasantly surprised. It took until near the end for me to appreciate and like the main plot.
Setting: 1/5
I want imaginative fantasy worlds with creative locations that spur the imagination in my fantasy settings. This is a court drama. Most of this book takes place solely in the elven court, including the palace and a few other places. There isn't a lot of description of setting (besides robes, jewelry and ears) in this book. Addison leaves it to the reader to imagine what an airship might look like, even the palace itself. What is included of other locations is mostly through exposition, not interaction. The court of elves and begrudgingly goblins is complex, with its own terms for titles, positions, customs and religion. But I wasn't interested to learn more about any of them. The magic system is not explained or explored much. I didn't like the world-building at all.
Characters: 5/5
Maia is unprepared for this new world, wallowing in a stew of anger, anxiety and feeling inadequate. He is lonely, depressed, embarrassed, confused with moments of clarity, joy and bravery. Maia runs the gamut of human emotion, good and bad, and his vulnerabilities are fully exposed to the reader. His journey to find what type of emperor he should be, what rules and customs to follow or break, is intriguing to watch. A highlight of this book and it was amazing.
Style: 3.5/5
The pacing is gruelingly slow, with many interactions between characters that appear irrelevant to the plot. The last half of the book finally brings these boring parts together into conflict and resolution in rewarding ways.
There are many unfamiliar "elven" terms and names being used, and they detracted from the story as I struggled to remember what or to whom they referred to.
Maia has exposition dumps in his head as he often thinks about the history of the world unprovoked.
Despite the early pacing issues, strange language, and poor use of exposition, it is Addison's writing style that kept me soldiering on until the good parts arrived. There were so many things brought up that seemed so pointless, but I was lured to the end wondering if these would payoff or if I would be superbly disappointed that I kept reading. Also, the characterization and inner turmoil of Maia drew me in, wanting to know the poor goblins' fate. I was left wondering until the end if this would be a tragedy or if Maia would find his way. I ended up liking the writing style regardless of flaws.
Themes: 5/5
I'm a sucker for great themes and this book has them. The spectrum of negative emotions are examined in this book in varying degrees. Politics relevant to the world today are braved to be discussed. Compassion vs Vengeance is a major undertaking and done with delicate hands. There are so many heavy themes and human emotions (through a goblin no less) prodded and poked at in this book. Amazing job.
This is a slow-paced court intrigue focused on characterization and themes. If you like court politics or getting to know a single character really well, then give this book a read. If you enjoy heavier themes such as racism, sexism, progressivism vs conservatism, and violence vs forgiveness, this may be a good pick for you. Worldbuilding, steampunk elements and action are all light, so it won't be for everyone.
Minor Spoilers Below:
Plot: 3.5/5
Maia, a goblin ignorant of court politics, is slated to become the next emperor after an accident takes out many in the royal succession. The story follows him as he struggles to understand court politics before he is dethroned. The plot slowly unfolds and much of the interactions will appear to be mundane. These mostly payoff later, so stick with it and you will be rewarded. I am not the target audience for court intrigue and I struggled getting through, until reaching those payoffs and then I was so pleasantly surprised. It took until near the end for me to appreciate and like the main plot.
Setting: 1/5
I want imaginative fantasy worlds with creative locations that spur the imagination in my fantasy settings. This is a court drama. Most of this book takes place solely in the elven court, including the palace and a few other places. There isn't a lot of description of setting (besides robes, jewelry and ears) in this book. Addison leaves it to the reader to imagine what an airship might look like, even the palace itself. What is included of other locations is mostly through exposition, not interaction. The court of elves and begrudgingly goblins is complex, with its own terms for titles, positions, customs and religion. But I wasn't interested to learn more about any of them. The magic system is not explained or explored much. I didn't like the world-building at all.
Characters: 5/5
Maia is unprepared for this new world, wallowing in a stew of anger, anxiety and feeling inadequate. He is lonely, depressed, embarrassed, confused with moments of clarity, joy and bravery. Maia runs the gamut of human emotion, good and bad, and his vulnerabilities are fully exposed to the reader. His journey to find what type of emperor he should be, what rules and customs to follow or break, is intriguing to watch. A highlight of this book and it was amazing.
Style: 3.5/5
The pacing is gruelingly slow, with many interactions between characters that appear irrelevant to the plot. The last half of the book finally brings these boring parts together into conflict and resolution in rewarding ways.
There are many unfamiliar "elven" terms and names being used, and they detracted from the story as I struggled to remember what or to whom they referred to.
Maia has exposition dumps in his head as he often thinks about the history of the world unprovoked.
Despite the early pacing issues, strange language, and poor use of exposition, it is Addison's writing style that kept me soldiering on until the good parts arrived. There were so many things brought up that seemed so pointless, but I was lured to the end wondering if these would payoff or if I would be superbly disappointed that I kept reading. Also, the characterization and inner turmoil of Maia drew me in, wanting to know the poor goblins' fate. I was left wondering until the end if this would be a tragedy or if Maia would find his way. I ended up liking the writing style regardless of flaws.
Themes: 5/5
I'm a sucker for great themes and this book has them. The spectrum of negative emotions are examined in this book in varying degrees. Politics relevant to the world today are braved to be discussed. Compassion vs Vengeance is a major undertaking and done with delicate hands. There are so many heavy themes and human emotions (through a goblin no less) prodded and poked at in this book. Amazing job.
gardens_and_dragons's review
The names of the elves and goblins were very complicated to learn, and there was a lot of characters, people to know, political entities, religious figures etc.
While it is written very well line by line, I think it was a bit too dry for my tastes. I don’t think I could make it through more of the book, because I’d be lost.
While it is written very well line by line, I think it was a bit too dry for my tastes. I don’t think I could make it through more of the book, because I’d be lost.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Death
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Racism, and Classism
Minor: Homophobia
katieinca's review
3.0
Well written and often engaging, but just felt too didactic to me.
It moves along nicely despite the fact that 80% of it is basically the emperor taking meetings, and despite ALL THE CUMBERSOME NAMES (tip: there's a helpful appendix in the back about name structure and form of address that I would have loved to know about BEFORE I finished the book, plus a name glossary, but that has spoilers). And the characters are complex. And the world is well thought out. But it reads too much like Addison set out to write an instruction manual for leadership rather than having a story to tell, and I found Maia's ability to effectively combat racism, sexism, AND homophobia to be too optimistically pat.
But maybe all you people giving it five star reviews raised my expectations too high.
It moves along nicely despite the fact that 80% of it is basically the emperor taking meetings, and despite ALL THE CUMBERSOME NAMES (tip: there's a helpful appendix in the back about name structure and form of address that I would have loved to know about BEFORE I finished the book, plus a name glossary, but that has spoilers). And the characters are complex. And the world is well thought out. But it reads too much like Addison set out to write an instruction manual for leadership rather than having a story to tell, and I found Maia's ability to effectively combat racism, sexism, AND homophobia to be too optimistically pat.
But maybe all you people giving it five star reviews raised my expectations too high.
brendalovesbooks's review
Nope. Can't do it. From the very start, I didn't think this book would work for me, but there were so very many good reviews that I pressed on. And I still didn't like it, and thought it was boring. Then I read more in the discussion on the Sword and Laser book group, and saw people say that if you don't like the beginning, you won't like the rest because it gets even more slow. So at 80 pages in I'm going to cut my losses. This is just not my thing.
irisjune's review
emotional
hopeful
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? Yes
4.5
Touching and hopeful without being too sappy