After an unexpected tragedy, Maia, the youngest son of the emperor, takes his throne. He grew up far from the court and has no idea who anyone is or how he should behave.

While trying to piece together the proper etiquette, he also has to be aware of those who want to depose him for their own various reasons.

Will Maia survive to become the emperor he is destined to be?

“The Elflands have been ruled by the family Drazh for more than two thousand years, although it must be confessed that the continuity of this dynasty is in some ways a politic fiction due to strategic adoptions by the emperors of their chosen heirs.” pg 11, ebook

Adding to his woes, Maia’s mother was a goblin and he little resembles the court he rules over. This is another hurdle he has to overcome and it threatens his sense of belonging at every turn.

The genius of The Goblin Emperor is in the world Katherine Addison has created. She has crafted a multi-layered system of address and factions for her fictional realm.

That being said, sometimes these intricacies get in the way of the story. I found myself tripping over unfamiliar words and occasionally forgetting who was who in the crowded court of the Goblin Emperor.

I enjoyed Maia’s efforts to embrace his heritage and his struggles to rule over his realm. Most of the action of this book takes place in meetings, which were interesting for the greater part of the book.

Recommended for fantasy readers who enjoy mammoth world building and a slow burning plot.

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