About
Rereading one of my very favourite fantasy novels - which feels unique in how it foregrounds overcoming abuse and difficulty by simply being a good person. I'm also experimenting with the readalong feature. I would love it if you'd join me, whether you're reading for the first time or rereading. I've tried to write interesting questions as the chapter forums.
Because the 'field notes' are at the beginning of some editions and the end of others, the percentages might not match. I've unlocked the forums so you can handle your own progress. Please beware of spoilers!
Forums
A Handbook for Travelers in the Elflands + A Listing of Persons, Places, Things and Gods
These two sections probably represent my least favourite thing about The Goblin Emperor. The names and formal thee/thou are hard to wrap my head around, but I promise it's worth it! Are you feeling intimidated? Did you actually read the whole list?
1 News Comes to Edonomee
What a way to start a novel! But amidst this huge thunderclap of news, what did you think of the relationship between Maia and Setheris?
2 The Radiance of Cairado
Do you think Maia's going to be a good emperor?
3 The Alcethmeret
There's a lot of court intrigue going on in this chapter, but also a whole lot of new characters! Which are you most interested in?
4 The Funeral at the Ulimeire
5 The Emperor's Household
We're starting to gather plot threads: resistance to Maia's rule from his father's former employees; the marriage question; Maia's surviving family he's never even met. What are you most keen to find out more about?
6 The Widow Empress
We're learning a little about goblin culture, and how it's different from elfin culture. What do you feel about either one (or both)?
7 The Tomb of the Empress Chenelo
8 The Coronation of Edrehasivar VII
Maia is officially emperor! What do you think will happen next?
9 The Report of the Witnesses for the Wisdom of Choharo
Finding out that the Emperor's death was intentional is another big thunderclap of news, but how are you finding the pace of the novel generally?
10 The Witness for the Dead
If the hints at a witness for the dead's career interest you, you might like to know that Katherine Addison's written a whole book about it: https://app.thestorygraph.com/books/02a31a2a-271b-4143-afa3-6f4fe2ce736d
11 The Funeral and the Wake
More new characters, both potential allies and potential enemies. Who do you think Maia should try to spend more time with?
12 The Princess and the Witness
Oof, this chapter is so painful. Do you think Cala's in the right?
13 Bargaining
I've heard The Goblin Emperor described as 'the opposite of grimdark' because, despite all Maia's struggles and troubles, there's so obviously hope. Are you feeling hopeful?
15 The Problem of Setheris
That's quite a decision from Maia! What do you think the consequences might be?
16 News from Barizhan
So Maia has to plan to assess ladies for marriage potential, to host his goblin grandfather at court AND to celebrate his birthday. Which one will cause the most problems?
17 Dinner with the Goblin Ambassador
Well! The marriage question was sorted out awfully quickly. How do you feel about the fact we haven't even met Csethiro Ceredin yet (and nor has Maia)? What do you think she might be like?
18 Varenchibel's Legacies
At last we meet Maia's bride-to-be! What do you think of her?
19 Thara Celehar's Grief
A short one. Were Maia's feelings about what we would recognise as LGBT what you were expecting?
20 The Proposal of the Clocksmiths of Zhaö
Another short chapter. What do you think these achieve?
21 Mer Celehar Goes North
22 The Bridge over the Upazhera
Maia's learning! What other problems might be solved if he stopped trying to please people?
23 The Opposition of the Court
My, my, my this is a big juicy chapter! So much going on, from Maia getting a chance to see the social life of his advisors to an unexpected attempt at a coup. Did you see it coming?
24 The Revethvoran
What about Maia do you think prompted the Adremaza to invite him into the Ulimeire?
25 Matters of the Aftermath
What do you wish would happen to those who plotted against Maia?
26 The Clocksmiths and the Corazhas
We're over 3/4s of the way through the book. What kind of ending would you find satisfying?
27 The Great Avar Arrives
Did you find the Avar's answer satisfactory?
28 A Letter from Mer Celehar
What do you think of Curneisei politics?
29 A Ball and a Deathbed
Another sad chapter, but a bit of light in the form of Csethiro. We're a good way through the book now! Who is winning out as your favourite character?
30 The Nineteenth Birthday of Edrehasivar VII and the Winternight Ball
Another jam-packed chapter! Did you see it coming?
31 A Conspiracy Unearthed
32 Shulivar, Bralchenar, and Narchanezhen
Three impossible names! But what do you think of Shulivar's point?
33 The Great Avar Departs
We're rattling towards the end now, but... what do you think the end will be? What threads are left to wrap-up?
34 Building Bridges
Behold, the power of friendship! Have you read any other fantasy novels so heavily concerned with building platonic relationships?
35 The Bridge over the Istandaärtha
That's the end! What did you think overall?
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