The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison

The Goblin Emperor (The Goblin Emperor, #1)

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 favour with the naive 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 spectre 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 smartflutist661 on

5 of 5 stars

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It is occasionally nice to consider that there may be more good than evil in the world. This is a book about a powerful man who is deeply concerned both with what is right and what is good. A tale of court intrigue with culture masterfully crafted out of sparse description, with a strong Chinese influence and flavors of Japan and Russia, my only complaint is that it’s over.

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Reading updates

  • Started reading
  • 1 January, 2020: Finished reading
  • 1 January, 2020: Reviewed