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A review by kingcrookback
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
I desperately didn't want this book to end. The satisfaction in watching Maia's journey go from reviled, forgotten son to a young man who's (mostly) found his footing and knows his worth is akin to properly caring for a wound, watching it knit back together, and seeing it finally fade. There's a gentleness and a sweetness to this story that doesn't seem very common in contemporary fantasy stories that purport to veer toward realism. Often, it seems as though "realism" goes hand-in-hand with "gritty" and therefore necessitates graphic physical violence and great emotional tumult. (George R. R. Martin's A Song of Ice and Fire series, which I'm also a fan of, comes to mind.) But I think The Goblin Emperor is also fairly realistic in its depiction of monarchy even if in real life I have a generally unfavorable opinion of monarchies. The bureaucracy is tedious, dealing with the egos of the individuals involved is confusing and exhausting, and the unfortunate fact that what one symbolizes takes precedence over who one is, is disheartening. Such is Maia's case. However, this story is far from bleak. The small, everyday acts of kindness and decency aren't any less important for their smallness. In fact, in an environment that discourages and discredits them, such acts feel like something of an active rebellion, real change on a small level. Maia's efforts in suppressing the impulse to behave like his abusive cousin pay off; by the end, he is no longer alone. He has built bridges. He cares and is cared for. One might even imagine that he may be truly loved, at some point in his near future.
Like other readers, I had some difficulty getting used to the way Addison constructed the world's naming conventions and terms of address. I do think that the confusing nature had a purpose, though (outside of worldbuilding). I feel like my sort of floundering at the beginning regarding names, for places as well as people, not only mirrored Maia's feeling of being unmoored when he first arrives at the Untheileineise court, it fostered my attachment to him. Maia is also a fish out of water, but Addison constructed him in such a way that I didn't mind letting him guide the both of us through this new world. He's endearing, and so I liked him enough to sit through the dry minutiae of administration and politics. He's trustworthy and fundamentally honest, and so I trusted that the information filtered through him as a lens was relevant. By the time I'd begun to get a grasp on how the world works, so had he. There's a sweetness to this story that I hadn't anticipated, and I adore it for that.
Like other readers, I had some difficulty getting used to the way Addison constructed the world's naming conventions and terms of address. I do think that the confusing nature had a purpose, though (outside of worldbuilding). I feel like my sort of floundering at the beginning regarding names, for places as well as people, not only mirrored Maia's feeling of being unmoored when he first arrives at the Untheileineise court, it fostered my attachment to him. Maia is also a fish out of water, but Addison constructed him in such a way that I didn't mind letting him guide the both of us through this new world. He's endearing, and so I liked him enough to sit through the dry minutiae of administration and politics. He's trustworthy and fundamentally honest, and so I trusted that the information filtered through him as a lens was relevant. By the time I'd begun to get a grasp on how the world works, so had he. There's a sweetness to this story that I hadn't anticipated, and I adore it for that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Suicide, Physical abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse
Minor: Homophobia, Sexual assault, and Classism