The Goblin Emperor (2015)

[Maija]

This is one of my favourite books I've read this year, sharing the spot with Leckie's Ancillary Justice and Hobb's The Mad Ship. I very much agree with the protagonist's characterization and the warm and understated tone being the strongest parts of the book. Maia is the best new character I've encountered this year. Also, court intrigue fantasy is my jam.

There are a lot of titles and honorifics used for the nobles in this book, and it can get confusing since one character can be referenced in many different ways. But it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the story, instead it made me feel like I was there learning this stuff with the protagonist. And it made me want to reread the book, 'cause I would be better at keeping all the people straight in my head the second time.

[MusicalTati]

I actually DNF'd this book about 73% of the way through. It wasn't for me. I found it tedious & the few parts that I enjoyed where too far between parts that just bored me. While I found Maia likable, he wasn't enough to keep me interested when put up against the rest of the story. I am in the great monitory on this, however. Many of the readers love this story. Hopefully you do too.

[Matt]

The Goblin Emperor wasn't the best written book I've read this year, but it may be my favorite anyway. I was just captivated by the story the whole way through. I already want to reread it, which is very rare for me.

[Paul]

I loved Maia, the character. If we were voting on the best character, Maia would win, hands down. However, I thought the actual political intrigue aspects were too simplistic.

[Derek]

I'm only a little more than 100 pages in and really loving it so far. The court intrigue has proven to be very entertaining. I don't know if I love the names or titles or even some of the stylistic choices made here.

I am a little worries that the cold hearted characters will get old or that the intirgue will become dull, but it has been a really enjoyable first bit for me.

[Krazyaboutbooks]

I loved Maia, he was such a likeable character. The book was an easy read and throughout I was routing for Maia, this was surprising to me as I had tried listening to the audiobook( which was terrible) and couldn't finish it. I'm really glad for the read along otherwise I wouldn't have given this book another chance.

[David]

I also liked Maia, but how could you not. I really enjoyed the book, but for the life of me I can't put the reason into words. I guess it is just a feel good book. Things start out bad and just keep getting better with a few steps back as it goes. My only real problem with the book is all the names and spellings. I just finished the book and can tell you and spell the emperors name, after that I am a blank. There are a ton of non-characters and places that I let go in and back out.

[Kitty G Books]

So I just finished this book this morning and I have to say it was a fun read (although not the best book I'd ever read). I liked seeing the politics, but equally the over-complication of names and places did seem a little unnecessary to me at times. I liked seeing Maia as he was a good solid character throughout and his progression in learning his role and the expectations to be placed on him was convincing.

Overall it was a likeable read, but nothing overly revolutionary or exciting for me sadly. It had some good moments, but as a whole it just kind of plodded on. There were some small ups and downs, and it was interesting enough to keep me reading, but nothing shocking or amazing.

I will say I did like the steampunk elements, I do wish they'd been explored a lot further though or that the main character of Maia travelled more.

Oh, I also liked Csevet(?) the Secretary as he was just awesome :D