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A review by maises
The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
slow-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
“Thou art emperor, as Setheris told thee. And at this juncture, truly, thou canst be emperor or thou canst be dead. Which dost thou prefer?”
This is probably my very first “court intrigue” heavy novel as of yet. While at the start it was easy to get bogged down by a lot of the world-building, I thought there was payoff a quarter into the book, once things begun clicking. I’m reminded a bit of Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea big but quiet world possibly just because I expected a lot more war and violence coming into a story about a monarchy. But avoiding the task of a war plot really does save the more subtle and domestic issues of Maia’s court. I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would, maybe because I only seriously had to focus on what the inner workings of Emperor Edrehasivar’s daily life was like. Which isn’t even to say it was boring—TWO coups in a month!
I enjoyed how Maia’s growth as an emperor didn’t compromise his compassion for people. It’s just refreshing sometimes to follow a protagonist who still had insecurities and faults but whose morals were unfailing. Maia was so likeable in a Ghibli boy character kind of way, if I can be silly here. His rise into “the Bridge-Builder” was gradual and maybe even predictable, but that doesn’t take away the satisfaction of it.
Maia was just such a good kid. I was pretty protective of him and his nohecharei and Csevet at certain points and am glad everyone—including Idra and his little sisters—got well-wrapped endings. If there’s one critique I did have with everything was just Chancellor Chazares/Shevean and also even Tethimar’s coup/assassination attempts just felt a bit weak and non-threatening, considering those were the biggest immediate troubles Maia faced as emperor all through the story. Also kinda wish we could’ve seen Maia’s wedding to Csethiro, but narratively I know it wouldn’t make too much of a difference. I don’t know how to squeeze this in here but the Great Avar is also my favorite type of old grandpa. We (formal) had fun.
This is probably my very first “court intrigue” heavy novel as of yet. While at the start it was easy to get bogged down by a lot of the world-building, I thought there was payoff a quarter into the book, once things begun clicking. I’m reminded a bit of Ursula K. Le Guin’s Earthsea big but quiet world possibly just because I expected a lot more war and violence coming into a story about a monarchy. But avoiding the task of a war plot really does save the more subtle and domestic issues of Maia’s court. I enjoyed this way more than I thought I would, maybe because I only seriously had to focus on what the inner workings of Emperor Edrehasivar’s daily life was like. Which isn’t even to say it was boring—TWO coups in a month!
I enjoyed how Maia’s growth as an emperor didn’t compromise his compassion for people. It’s just refreshing sometimes to follow a protagonist who still had insecurities and faults but whose morals were unfailing. Maia was so likeable in a Ghibli boy character kind of way, if I can be silly here. His rise into “the Bridge-Builder” was gradual and maybe even predictable, but that doesn’t take away the satisfaction of it.
Maia was just such a good kid. I was pretty protective of him and his nohecharei and Csevet at certain points and am glad everyone—including Idra and his little sisters—got well-wrapped endings. If there’s one critique I did have with everything was just Chancellor Chazares/Shevean and also even Tethimar’s coup/assassination attempts just felt a bit weak and non-threatening, considering those were the biggest immediate troubles Maia faced as emperor all through the story. Also kinda wish we could’ve seen Maia’s wedding to Csethiro, but narratively I know it wouldn’t make too much of a difference. I don’t know how to squeeze this in here but the Great Avar is also my favorite type of old grandpa. We (formal) had fun.