You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.

Readalong

The Goblin Emperor

Hosted by chalkletters
10 Mar 25 - 10 Jun 25
6 participants

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?
10 comments

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?
4 comments

2 The Radiance of Cairado

Do you think Maia's going to be a good emperor?
2 comments

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?
6 comments

4 The Funeral at the Ulimeire

1 comment

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?
3 comments

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)?
2 comments

7 The Tomb of the Empress Chenelo

1 comment

8 The Coronation of Edrehasivar VII

Maia is officially emperor! What do you think will happen next?
2 comments

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?
2 comments

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
3 comments

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?
1 comment

12 The Princess and the Witness

Oof, this chapter is so painful. Do you think Cala's in the right?
2 comments

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?
3 comments

14 Min Nedaö Vechin

7 comments

15 The Problem of Setheris

That's quite a decision from Maia! What do you think the consequences might be?
4 comments

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? 
1 comment

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?
3 comments

18 Varenchibel's Legacies

At last we meet Maia's bride-to-be! What do you think of her?
1 comment

19 Thara Celehar's Grief

A short one. Were Maia's feelings about what we would recognise as LGBT what you were expecting?
0 comments

20 The Proposal of the Clocksmiths of Zhaö

Another short chapter. What do you think these achieve?
0 comments

21 Mer Celehar Goes North

1 comment

22 The Bridge over the Upazhera

Maia's learning! What other problems might be solved if he stopped trying to please people?
3 comments

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?
2 comments

24 The Revethvoran

What about Maia do you think prompted the Adremaza to invite him into the Ulimeire?
3 comments

25 Matters of the Aftermath

 What do you wish would happen to those who plotted against Maia?
2 comments

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? 
1 comment

27 The Great Avar Arrives

Did you find the Avar's answer satisfactory?
1 comment

28 A Letter from Mer Celehar

What do you think of Curneisei politics?
2 comments

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?
3 comments

30 The Nineteenth Birthday of Edrehasivar VII and the Winternight Ball

Another jam-packed chapter! Did you see it coming?
3 comments

31 A Conspiracy Unearthed

0 comments

32 Shulivar, Bralchenar, and Narchanezhen

Three impossible names! But what do you think of Shulivar's point?
0 comments

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?
0 comments

34 Building Bridges

Behold, the power of friendship! Have you read any other fantasy novels so heavily concerned with building platonic relationships?
2 comments

35 The Bridge over the Istandaärtha

That's the end! What did you think overall?
1 comment