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A review by deadendreads
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
5.0
We weren't sure what to expect when our book club selected The Goblin Emperor as its monthly read but we are grateful for having read it and see how long we can keep up the use of the formal 'we' in the review.
The book opens on the youngest, half-goblin son of the emperor, relegated to a derelict country estate under the tutelage of a cousin that scorns him and far from the circles of high society that revolve around his emperor father. After a most tragic airship accident, our fair hero finds himself catapulted into a role he was not born for and a court rife with intrigue and split in twain between welcoming arms of a select few of his servants and courtiers and and the gentry that see him as an upstart and a threat. We found the novel made intricate work of the intrigue and ennui of court life and to wrap that around Maia's development as emperor and his coming of age was a breath of fresh air. While we found the conspiracies and coup attempts became a bit predictable at time, these were forgivable for what glimpses we were allowed of Maia unpacking the abuse, neglect, and poverty of his upbringing at Edonomee, which we found most cathartic in dealing with the similarities of our own upbringing. We look forward to the sequel that has been confirmed so we can follow the prosperous reign of Edrehasivar Zhas, Seventh of His Name, and see what new journeys the Untheileneise Court holds.
The book opens on the youngest, half-goblin son of the emperor, relegated to a derelict country estate under the tutelage of a cousin that scorns him and far from the circles of high society that revolve around his emperor father. After a most tragic airship accident, our fair hero finds himself catapulted into a role he was not born for and a court rife with intrigue and split in twain between welcoming arms of a select few of his servants and courtiers and and the gentry that see him as an upstart and a threat. We found the novel made intricate work of the intrigue and ennui of court life and to wrap that around Maia's development as emperor and his coming of age was a breath of fresh air. While we found the conspiracies and coup attempts became a bit predictable at time, these were forgivable for what glimpses we were allowed of Maia unpacking the abuse, neglect, and poverty of his upbringing at Edonomee, which we found most cathartic in dealing with the similarities of our own upbringing. We look forward to the sequel that has been confirmed so we can follow the prosperous reign of Edrehasivar Zhas, Seventh of His Name, and see what new journeys the Untheileneise Court holds.