The Goblin Emperor
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4.5 • 409 Ratings
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- $11.99
Publisher Description
A lush tale of deadly court intrigue and a modern classic of fantasy by Locus award winner and Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award finalist Katherine Addison
Unbound Worlds 100 Best Fantasy Novels of All Time
A Best Fantasy Novel of the Decade Pick for BookRiot
"Striking."—The New York Times
The youngest, half-goblin son of the Emperor has lived his entire life in exile, distant from the Imperial Court and the deadly intrigue that suffuses it. But when his father and three half brothers in line for the throne are killed in an "accident," he has no choice but to take his place as the only surviving rightful heir.
Entirely unschooled in the art of court politics, he has no friends, no advisors, and the sure knowledge that whoever assassinated his father and brothers could make an attempt on his life at any moment.
Surrounded by sycophants eager to curry favor with the naïve new emperor, and overwhelmed by the burdens of his new life, he can trust nobody. Amid the swirl of plots to depose him, offers of arranged marriages, and the specter of the unknown conspirators who lurk in the shadows, he must quickly adjust to life as the Goblin Emperor. All the while, he is alone, and trying to find even a single friend . . . and hoping for the possibility of romance, yet also vigilant against the unseen enemies that threaten him, lest he lose his throne–or his life.
At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Ambitious and meticulously executed worldbuilding brings an animated dazzle to this exceptional assemblage of character studies and complex encounters, while the expressive evocation of its youthful protagonist's shyness and insecurity adds an affecting authenticity to the steampunk-infused fantasy setting. Crafted with a preternatural deftness, the elf kingdom of Ethuveraz is a multilayered masterwork. Its density of arcana, language, ritual, and protocol staggers the long-exiled 18-year-old half-goblin heir, Maia Drazhar, when he is thrust onto the imperial throne after his distant father and more favored brothers are assassinated by an act of airship sabotage. Facing ridicule, racism, and outright hostility, Maia nonetheless stumblingly shoulders the burden, his own outcast status becoming his greatest strength. Acts of kindness and empathy begin to earn him the acceptance, if not outright affection, of his courtiers and the populace. Less a novel than a series of anecdotes, this stalwart endeavor, which is fantasist Sarah Monette's first work under the Addison name, is carried by the strength of atmosphere and Maia's resonant good-heartedness. Readers will hope for many more tales of Ethuveraz.
Customer Reviews
Enjoyable and uplifting
I normally am bored with court intrigue and much prefer lots of action, however, this story is very engrossing. It is rare to find a hero so admirable. He is not without flaws but his honor and integrity are exemplary. It was a joy to watch him learn and grow and succeed. I want more.
No plot, but still enjoyable
The Goblin Emperor tells the story of a young man who, on page 2, realizes he has suddenly become an Emperor - much to the chagrin of those who would prefer to take power for themselves. Throughout the course of the book, he learns to believe in himself, overcome his earlier traumas, and make lifelong friendships. And… that’s pretty much it.
There are a dizzying number of characters in the story, many with their own subplots and schemes. There are investigations into deep conspiracies. There are tensions about the role of the church or of modern thinking in the running of the empire. But most of these issues are window dressing. The various conspiracies essentially crumble under their own weight, with the only agency of our protagonist (the emperor) being to trust a couple of people early in the book. The major plot points in the book are easily telegraphed and generally resolved by others, with the protagonist mostly acting solely as a witness.
Ultimately, the book’s focus is on relationships: the challenges of being thrust into a daunting role, the challenges of making sincere connections in an environment of scheming, the challenges of finding a moment of privacy at all. In this, the book succeeds - we see the world through our protagonist’s eyes, with all of the confusion that entails. There is real growth here, and the prose is entertaining and inviting (if at times unnecessarily verbose).
Overall, I find that the lack of strong plot or agency caused The Goblin Emperor to sputter out by the end. But I’m still fond of the characters and of the emphasis placed on their emotions. I don’t regret reading The Goblin Emperor, but I have a hard time recommending it.
Amazing
This book is so good I’m actually a little upset that there is no sequel, the main character is the most compelling thing about the book which is saying something cause the story is very engaging. To not have a sequel is a crime