Ratings203
Average rating4.2
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 sons 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.
Featured Series
2 primary books4 released booksThe Goblin Emperor is a 4-book series with 2 primary works first released in 2014 with contributions by Katherine Addison.
Featured Prompt
28 booksYour favorite cozy fantasy, low stakes story that made you feel content or warm and fuzzy
Featured Prompt
2,708 booksWhen you think back on every book you've ever read, what are some of your favorites? These can be from any time of your life – books that resonated with you as a kid, ones that shaped your personal...
Reviews with the most likes.
My new favorite book. I've learned something important about myself and other people from reading it and various reviews. When someone says “Maia, yuck! He's just too nice. I hate him.” That person – don't trust them one inch. Maia is the person I want to be. Addison does an amazing job of revealing the personal struggles of a real person who intends to be good and do the right thing. It is not an easy attempt, not dull and static, but a fluid and difficult grind.
I listened to the audiobook read by Kyle McCarley, and I will never know if I love the book more for the writing or for his perfect voice. I do not normally listen to books, but I am so glad I did this time.
My favorite book of all time, and I do not say that lightly. Maia is the fourth, forgotten son of the emperor and never expects to be on the throne. A tragedy changes that and throws Maia headfirst into a world of Court. My favorite aspect of this book is the kindness that Maia clings to despite the difficulty of his circumstances.
Also, yes, there are way too many names and they all look the same but there is a very thorough list of persons in the beginning and the rest of the book more than makes up for it.
Don't let the stereotypical long, complicated fantasy names deter you. This book is pretty special.
Re-read. It was 4 stars for me before but I enjoyed it quite a bit more this time, so 5 stars. The main character is a wholesome, good person – a truly good one, one of very few I've come across in fantasy.