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rachaels198's review against another edition
slow-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
3.0
a_chickletz's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book. A part of me thinks that I could enjoy this book, if it was what I wanted it to be. Court drama/intrigue I *do* like... but not like how it was done in this book.
It was like the most fun/interesting parts of the book was at the beginning and the end. Everything else in the middle was so bland and unimportant. It could be seen as important in the terms of setting up character, but seriously, it was not doing it for me.
Also, with all the strange names - and the overabundance of them - I lost track on who was related to who and how many times I was looking in the back to the character list.
SO, in my eyes, I'm giving it a two star rating.
It was like the most fun/interesting parts of the book was at the beginning and the end. Everything else in the middle was so bland and unimportant. It could be seen as important in the terms of setting up character, but seriously, it was not doing it for me.
Also, with all the strange names - and the overabundance of them - I lost track on who was related to who and how many times I was looking in the back to the character list.
SO, in my eyes, I'm giving it a two star rating.
crownlullaby's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
mybooksarenovel's review against another edition
4.0
A slow paced fantasy where the plot takes its time.
I love how Maia transformed from an abused and neglected son of the Emperor to being the one to rule. I love how his experiences made him kind, wary, humble, and just.
Such an original story. I liked it a lot.
I love how Maia transformed from an abused and neglected son of the Emperor to being the one to rule. I love how his experiences made him kind, wary, humble, and just.
Such an original story. I liked it a lot.
lavendermarch's review against another edition
3.0
I have parts of The Goblin Emperor that I really enjoyed, such as the deftly woven court politics, the deeply flawed, imperfect, and yet endearing main character and his growth throughout the novel, and the general subtle characterization beyond Maia himself.
However, I'm not sure how to rate the book. The speech style of the characters, while certainly well-thought out in terms of what it was going for, felt almost like reading another language for a while at the beginning. Having to get used to not only the world building but also the very specific speech styles was a bit much (and also probably shows that I haven't read hard fantasy in a while, haha). In all seriousness, I did find it a bit hard to get used to, and it made the book, at 450 pages, feel more like 600.
The other thing that felt a bit odd to me was that while there clearly was some magic at play, it was quite subtle. While the book obviously takes place in a fictional empire with steampunk elements, the fantasy aspects (sorry, the elf/goblin stuff didn't really feel very fantastical with how it was executed) weren't prevalent enough for me. As mentioned at the start of my review, the court intrigue is excellently done, but as a fantasy novel, while the main character didn't need to be casting spells himself, it would have been nice to see more magic in use, even just subtly in every day life, rather than relegated to a few specific characters in a few small parts of the book. Even the whole elf/goblin stuff didn't feel very fantastical, with no particular traits like enhanced speed, strength, longer lives, or anything like that - just physical appearances.
Despite my grievances, I did enjoy reading this book and think that it was worth the read for the court intrigue and characterization alone. While the fantasy elements could have been stronger, and the writing style slightly smoother, this was a decent read and I would recommend it if you go in knowing what to expect. 3 stars.
However, I'm not sure how to rate the book. The speech style of the characters, while certainly well-thought out in terms of what it was going for, felt almost like reading another language for a while at the beginning. Having to get used to not only the world building but also the very specific speech styles was a bit much (and also probably shows that I haven't read hard fantasy in a while, haha). In all seriousness, I did find it a bit hard to get used to, and it made the book, at 450 pages, feel more like 600.
The other thing that felt a bit odd to me was that while there clearly was some magic at play, it was quite subtle. While the book obviously takes place in a fictional empire with steampunk elements, the fantasy aspects (sorry, the elf/goblin stuff didn't really feel very fantastical with how it was executed) weren't prevalent enough for me. As mentioned at the start of my review, the court intrigue is excellently done, but as a fantasy novel, while the main character didn't need to be casting spells himself, it would have been nice to see more magic in use, even just subtly in every day life, rather than relegated to a few specific characters in a few small parts of the book. Even the whole elf/goblin stuff didn't feel very fantastical, with no particular traits like enhanced speed, strength, longer lives, or anything like that - just physical appearances.
Despite my grievances, I did enjoy reading this book and think that it was worth the read for the court intrigue and characterization alone. While the fantasy elements could have been stronger, and the writing style slightly smoother, this was a decent read and I would recommend it if you go in knowing what to expect. 3 stars.
aqc19's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-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? No
4.0
camdev4's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
tense
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
4.0
The naming conventions and title of nobility got a bit confusing
thisjaelynn's review against another edition
4.0
I don't usually read court dramas or political intrigue, so there were elements of this book that were occasionally hard to follow, complicated even more by the author's Elven terminology and the array of similar names and repeated titles. However, despite that, I really enjoyed the story. Although occasionally frustrating in his naivety, Maia was a very likeable main character, surrounded by other likeable side characters, and the author managed to hold my interested even as I occasionally lost track of aspects of the plot among all the different threads and players (though that is also on me because I am TERRIBLE at keeping track of names at the best of times).
ljripple's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
hollywest's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25