The Goblin Emperor - Katherine Addison

The Goblin Emperor

By Katherine Addison

  • Release Date: 2014-04-01
  • Genre: Fantasy
4.5 Score: 4.5 (From 372 Ratings)

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.

Reviews

  • Amazing

    5
    By ACautiousDescent
    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

  • Fantastic

    5
    By Timótheos
    Beautifully written story about suddenly being thrust into power, grappling with one’s childhood trauma, and the desire to be better than those who came before you. Author pays such close attention to detail and is impressively consistent. This is world building at its finest! I hope this book isn’t the last we see of Maia, or the intriguing members of his house, court and empire.

  • The Goblin Emporer

    5
    By Ukko Kotila
    I read almost any type of literature you might care to name. Fantasy is often fairly shallow and the characters not well presented or developed. This author surprised me with the quality of her work. I will read more of it.

  • Excellent

    2
    By Jankjay
    If you liked Lord Valentine’s Castle by Robert Silverberg, you’ll enjoy The Goblin Emperor. Yes, there’s intrigue, but it’s about identity, responsibility, and growing into one’s powers more than the palace ins and outs. The names are unwieldy, but Addison is kind enough to keep reminding her readers of the relationships, so that helps some. The writing is quite good, plotting tight and quick, and the characters fully formed. It’s an excellent read, overall. Highly recommended.

  • Dissapointing award winner

    2
    By kpfoley
    Unfortunately, in recent years it has become a recurring problem that winning a major book award (The Goblin Emperor won a Locus award, and was a finalist for the Hugo, Nebula and World Fantasy awards) is not a reliable indication that the book in question is worth your time reading. Although Addison’s prose is elegant, the book completely lacks a plot that will hold anyone’s interest for long. “Court intrigue” is apparently code for "repetitively dull". The very few major events in the main character’s life are predictable and not remotely edge-of-your-seat interesting. And the rediculously convoluted nomenclature for individual and place names keeps one in a constant state of confusion about who/what is going on. Other major events, where a construction project or a marriage, never actually happen by the end of the novel (please, don’t let there be a sequel!). Although there are some themes that are approriate to a young adult audience, I doubt many will be staying up late to finish this labored and dull tome.

  • Absolutely Magical.

    5
    By Mvividv
    Heartwarming, intricate, fascinating, fun, and highly sympathetic— I’m so sad this book is over!!

  • Court Intrigue

    5
    By Lierrasione
    If your favorite part about asoiaf or GOT life is court intrigue then this is for you.

  • I had no clue what to expect but political intrigue in the Goblin Emperor

    5
    By RoadrunnerReader
    I read reviews which excoriated this book as utterly boring. I think it’s rather like Inside Out where the external plot is very simple (a girl moves to San Francisco) but the inner journey is very rich. He has to transform from a secluded boy who lives in the hinterlands under the cruel thumb of a distant relative into the emperor of a kingdom that does not love him. I loved how his mother played a part in many decisions. It was a fun book to read. I’m looking at Melusine and other books by the same author now.

  • Excellent

    5
    By theappleofadam
    I usually don't enjoy court intrigue, but this book may make a convert of me. It is exquisitely written, the world building is sublime, and the character dialog wholly believable. I read it in only two sittings and am so sad it isn't a series. The only issue is the names, which are like the opposite of Hawaiian, all consonants. I didn't even bother pronouncing them in my head as I read through.

  • A Good Yarn, But ...

    4
    By Citizenstat
    This is an enjoyable novel - good plot, good character development, sufficient action and plenty of suspense, but the names. The names!! I couldn't readily decipher the pronunciation without stopping the story line. It came to the point where I stopped trying to learn the names and relied on visually recognizable letter patterns above the level of pronunciation. It's a good thing I knew the emperor as Maia. If it had been some thing like 'Bfptzlk,' I would have despaired.

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