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skyeuqx's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
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
4.75
king (literally)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism
Moderate: Sexual harassment
Minor: Death of parent
ethuiliel's review
challenging
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Colonisation, Death of parent, Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Suicide, and Violence
Minor: Misogyny and Racism
emcat591's review
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- 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
3.25
There is next to no plot in this book. The plot can be boiled down to court intrigue, miffed feelings, and a public works project. Until around 60%, that is, when something very action-y suddenly happens, and then it goes back to the way it was before. That said, if you enjoy books with a lot of internal monologue and conversations between characters, I don't think it will bother you much.
I liked this book, but I did have several issues with it. The names are long and unpronounceable; ignore the pronunciation advice given and just plow through, butchering as you see fit, because there are so many that you will drive yourself crazy otherwise. Additionally, the large volume of long and confusing names made it somewhat hard to keep them straight. If something wasn't mentioned for a while, I found myself struggling to remember what it was without context clues.
On top of that, there is a significant amount of very clunky formal language - thee's and thou's, etc. It is most present in the beginning, but never fully goes away.
My biggest issue, though, was the way that hurt feelings would suddenly pop up in conversations and then disappear. Maybe it was just going over my head, but sometimes emotions seemed to come out of nowhere. In one example, Maia is glaring at Csevet in one paragraph and then laughing with him on the next page. I didn't really get that and found it off-putting and confusing when characters would have strong emotional reactions seemingly at random.
Somewhat related is the issue that a lot of the characters kind of blurred together. Don't get me started on the various Lords of the Corazhas, but besides that, there were certain characters that Maia apparently had an emotional attachment to without me realizing it. Dazhis comes to mind - Maia mentions that he liked Dazhis after something unfortunate happens, and it came as a surprise to me because I didn't remember that being mentioned or indicated at all.
Slightly spoiler-y nitpicks:
The whole thing about the emperor not being able to have friends seemed arbitrary and forced, as Maia himself realized in the end, and the sabotage plot moved too slow without enough advancements and then basically got solved in a letter. I don't know.
The book ends on a hopeful note, which was nice. Overall, it was not my favorite. I found myself wishing that I was reading a book where stuff happened and was somewhat reluctant to pick it up each night, but once I settled in and started reading, I was engaged and it was enjoyable enough.
I liked this book, but I did have several issues with it. The names are long and unpronounceable; ignore the pronunciation advice given and just plow through, butchering as you see fit, because there are so many that you will drive yourself crazy otherwise. Additionally, the large volume of long and confusing names made it somewhat hard to keep them straight. If something wasn't mentioned for a while, I found myself struggling to remember what it was without context clues.
On top of that, there is a significant amount of very clunky formal language - thee's and thou's, etc. It is most present in the beginning, but never fully goes away.
My biggest issue, though, was the way that hurt feelings would suddenly pop up in conversations and then disappear. Maybe it was just going over my head, but sometimes emotions seemed to come out of nowhere. In one example, Maia is glaring at Csevet in one paragraph and then laughing with him on the next page. I didn't really get that and found it off-putting and confusing when characters would have strong emotional reactions seemingly at random.
Somewhat related is the issue that a lot of the characters kind of blurred together. Don't get me started on the various Lords of the Corazhas, but besides that, there were certain characters that Maia apparently had an emotional attachment to without me realizing it. Dazhis comes to mind - Maia mentions that he liked Dazhis after something unfortunate happens, and it came as a surprise to me because I didn't remember that being mentioned or indicated at all.
Slightly spoiler-y nitpicks:
The book ends on a hopeful note, which was nice. Overall, it was not my favorite. I found myself wishing that I was reading a book where stuff happened and was somewhat reluctant to pick it up each night, but once I settled in and started reading, I was engaged and it was enjoyable enough.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny and Suicide
Moderate: Homophobia and Racism
xandry's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Violence, Death of parent, Suicide, Racism, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, and Murder
Minor: Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Sexual violence, and Miscarriage
hybridtulips's review
emotional
hopeful
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
Truly the fantasy court drama of my dreams. Cannot recommend this book enough!
I'm usually not a huge fan of steampunk, but the theme is light enough and handled well enough for me to actually enjoy it. A first time for everything!
I'm usually not a huge fan of steampunk, but the theme is light enough and handled well enough for me to actually enjoy it. A first time for everything!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Suicide, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Racism, Alcoholism, Violence, Death, Child abuse, Terminal illness, and Misogyny
Minor: Alcoholism, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Homophobia, War, and Infertility
The while book is themed around moderate to mild racism towards (darker skinned) goblins within the (lighter skinned) elven society, externally from other characters, and internalized by the main character.michmoo's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Love my boy Maya - he deserves all of the hugs and blankets.
100% one of my favourites for this year and quite possibly of all time. I will definitely be seeking out the companion novels to keep exploring this world.
Also, my goodness, just let him be friends with his guards! Please for the love of god, etiquette be damned, my child is lonely!
100% one of my favourites for this year and quite possibly of all time. I will definitely be seeking out the companion novels to keep exploring this world.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Classism, Violence, Murder, Death of parent, Child abuse, Abandonment, and Death
Minor: Racism, War, Misogyny, and Alcohol
fictionandflora's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
relaxing
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? It's complicated
5.0
A new all time fav!
Watching Maia grow both as a person and as an emperor had me glued to the page. The depictions, of race, class, and gender were interesting and nuanced insofar as someone in his position is able. His struggles dealing with the prejudices of his subjects, his own trauma, and the responsibilities of rulership all on the landscape of a hostile court had me rooting for him every step of the way. Maia's struggles and triumphs felt personal in a way that had me aching with loneliness and giggling with joy.
The way the Addison was able to weave in the history of this world throughout the story was engaging. Every character, even the most minor, felt distinct in a way rarely found. The interactions between them fleshed out the world and story more than simple descriptions ever could and their progression through out was something to look forward to. Truly this felt like a peak into a small section of an expansive world.
It's rare for me to want to re-read a book as soon as I put it down but The Goblin Emperor is one such book. Everything about its works so harmoniously and the read flowed so easily that its has me wanting to experience it again and again.
I highly recommend this to fans of coming of age, cozy fantasy, and character driven books.
Watching Maia grow both as a person and as an emperor had me glued to the page. The depictions, of race, class, and gender were interesting and nuanced insofar as someone in his position is able. His struggles dealing with the prejudices of his subjects, his own trauma, and the responsibilities of rulership all on the landscape of a hostile court had me rooting for him every step of the way. Maia's struggles and triumphs felt personal in a way that had me aching with loneliness and giggling with joy.
The way the Addison was able to weave in the history of this world throughout the story was engaging. Every character, even the most minor, felt distinct in a way rarely found. The interactions between them fleshed out the world and story more than simple descriptions ever could and their progression through out was something to look forward to. Truly this felt like a peak into a small section of an expansive world.
It's rare for me to want to re-read a book as soon as I put it down but The Goblin Emperor is one such book. Everything about its works so harmoniously and the read flowed so easily that its has me wanting to experience it again and again.
I highly recommend this to fans of coming of age, cozy fantasy, and character driven books.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism and Sexism
vivivi's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
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
This is my second time reading the book! It was a long enough gap between my first read and now that I forgot the details of the plot, but I remember loving it. Now that I've read it again, I'm so happy I didn't remember much, so that I could enjoy it again anew.
AND THERE ARE SEQUELS NOW!! 😍
Maia is such a cinnamon roll. He's so sweet. I love how he's a half goblin but he still became a good emperor. There are quite a lot of nods to interesting topics in the story that I didn't recognize / see during my first read, but I appreciate them very much. I love the worldbuilding, especially the societal portion of it.
The political intrigue is excellent. We see him grow into his role. I guess this is considered a cozy fantasy. There's a murder mystery, but rather than the typical storyline where the emperor commands an investigator to look into it and you follow the case and find clues, you're looking in from the outside from the emperor's POV. Love it!
AND THERE ARE SEQUELS NOW!! 😍
Maia is such a cinnamon roll. He's so sweet. I love how he's a half goblin but he still became a good emperor. There are quite a lot of nods to interesting topics in the story that I didn't recognize / see during my first read, but I appreciate them very much. I love the worldbuilding, especially the societal portion of it.
The political intrigue is excellent. We see him grow into his role. I guess this is considered a cozy fantasy. There's a murder mystery, but rather than the typical storyline where the emperor commands an investigator to look into it and you follow the case and find clues, you're looking in from the outside from the emperor's POV. Love it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, and Child abuse
Moderate: Death of parent and Violence
Minor: Racism
katie_thompson's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Death, Grief, Murder, Racial slurs, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Bullying, Child abuse, Racism, and War
Moderate: Physical abuse, Confinement, and Cursing
Minor: Abortion
glittergoblin13's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
I truly enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down! It was deeply emotional and made me feel, which is absolutely what I look for in books. I personally didn't take any issue with the pacing or the characterization. I found both to my liking.
This is not a story of grand battles or action and I found that extremely refreshing. Maia is not brash, loud, or aggressive. He is soft, thoughtful, uncertain, and lonely, trying desperately not to lose himself entirely in learning to become emperor. I love that about him because it feels extremely fitting for someone who survived abandonment and physical and emotional abuse. Maia isn't angry, even: he wants to be kind because he doesn't want anyone to feel the way he's felt. I am a sucker for that kind of narrative. <3
My only complaint is tiny, in the grand scheme of things: the naming conventions in this novel are annoying. Not annoying enough to take anything off the rating, but enough that I have to mention it. I ended up ignoring the conventions altogether and just pronouncing everything the way I thought they might be. It didn't matter too much, after all.
This is not a story of grand battles or action and I found that extremely refreshing. Maia is not brash, loud, or aggressive. He is soft, thoughtful, uncertain, and lonely, trying desperately not to lose himself entirely in learning to become emperor. I love that about him because it feels extremely fitting for someone who survived abandonment and physical and emotional abuse. Maia isn't angry, even: he wants to be kind because he doesn't want anyone to feel the way he's felt. I am a sucker for that kind of narrative. <3
My only complaint is tiny, in the grand scheme of things: the naming conventions in this novel are annoying. Not annoying enough to take anything off the rating, but enough that I have to mention it. I ended up ignoring the conventions altogether and just pronouncing everything the way I thought they might be. It didn't matter too much, after all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racial slurs, Child abuse, Abandonment, Sexual harassment, Racism, Death of parent, Grief, and Misogyny