The Goblin Emperor
by Katherine Addison
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. *
Reviewed by Erin Elizabeth Whitaker - Student Success Librarian for Information Literacy
Before I cracked open The Goblin Emperor, it had been a long time since I picked up a fantasy novel. Though I love world-building and the minutia of different cultures, most fantasy novels are only small parts of daunting series, sometimes twenty-odd books long. This is one of the beauties of The Goblin Emperor—until this year’s publication of Witness for the Dead, it was a standalone piece. However, that’s also one of its drawbacks. There’s a lot of world-building, obscure naming conventions, and an entire pantheon of deities packed into this singular volume. At times, the slew of titles, political and familial connections, and use of the majestic plural can feel overwhelming, but the reward for sticking with it is immense.
Maia, the main character in this coming-of-age novel, is singularly delightful. His cloistered upbringing allows him to see the royal life with unique perspectives and offer oftentimes comical descriptions of esoteric and archaic practices. His goblin heritage also offers opportunities for new alliances and new customs to bring fresh life to the court. There’s also a healthy dose of whodunit as Maia and the rest of the cast attempt to determine who murdered his family…and who may be out to get him.
Watching Maia grow, form friendships, and suss out a murderer over the course of The Goblin Emperor is a reading experience I won’t soon forget!
You can find this book in the Hodges Library Leisure Reading Collection found in the Miles Reading Room on the first floor. Check it out and let us know what you think of the book! Make sure to tag your responses on social media with #utksharedshelf so we can see what you think!
* Book Description and image provided by Goodreads
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