The Goblin Emperor

By: Katherine Addison

Narrated by: Kyle McCarley

The Goblin Emperor is a vividly imagined fantasy of court intrigue and dark magics in a steampunk-inflected world, by a brilliant young talent, 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.

Katherine Addison's The Goblin Emperor is an exciting fantasy novel, set against the pageantry and color of a fascinating, unique world.

Within THE CHRONICLES OF OSRETH

The Goblin Emperor

The Cemeteries of Amalo trilogy

The Witness for the Dead

The Grief of Stones

The Tomb of Dragons

A Macmillan Audio production from Tor Books

©2022 Katherine Addison (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Challenging, invigorating, and unique. If courtly intrigue is your wine of choice, The Goblin Emperor is the headiest vintage I've come across in years.” (Scott Lynch, best-selling author of The Lies of Locke Lamora)

“I enjoyed The Goblin Emperor a great deal. I was sucked right into her world of goblins, elves, and airships, and was anxious to the very end to find out how Maia, the unwanted halfblood son of the Emperor, who finds himself unexpectedly on the throne, learns to navigate the intrigues and danger of the imperial court. An engrossing read!” (Kristen Britain, New York Times best-selling author of Blackveil)

Compelling, nuanced story with wonderful narration

If you are looking for classic fantasy or an action-packed story, then this isn't it. What it is, though, is a beautifully told story of a compelling character navigating extraordinary circumstances. The plot is rich, and the characterization is intimate and nuanced. The names can be difficult to follow, but, if you let the narrative move forward, the context either becomes clear or you find that recognizing a particular character is not required. By the end, you have run the gauntlet with Maia to arrive at a wholly satisfying and enjoyable conclusion.

The narration is simply wonderful in all respects. In particular, the voices are distinct and consistent, which helps immensely with keeping the characters straight.

Just okay

I'm sure there are people who enjoy this style of story but its not for me. While it's clearly well written the abundance of invented but unexplained words, cultural references, and locations create a pretty but uneventful story.

Great story.Great Performance.

Such an amazing story. However in chapter 15 at 23:18 there's a bit of an overlap in audio.

The names of people and places are the challenge

I enjoyed the story of the unexpected rise to emperor and the impact that has on one psyche and morals. the narration helped differentiate the characters. it was the names of people and places that made me have to rewind an
nd listen again so I could keep them straight. I admire someone who can create a new world using created words.

Thought provoking

I was hesitant to proceeding, once I began listening, but as the plot line developed I found myself captivated by the subtle evolution of engaging in social etiquette and human compassion that is an essential algorithm for one to consider when deducing the intertwined nature of “larger picture”.

A pleasant surprise

Not as action-y as the books I'm used to, yet it kept my attention the whole time. Couldn’t put it down. Great story for political intrigue, and the problems nobles face when trying to run a kingdom.

Uplifting and beautifully written

I wasn’t sure about this book. It was so highly rated but seemed to be about nothing but court intrigue in a world with complex names. Nonetheless I gave it a try and I was rewarded. It’s comforting and inspiring. If you’re looking for a thoughtful and inclusive story about growth and forgiveness I highly recommend this book.

The Growth of Maya was spectacular

i loved listening to Maya's journey throughout the book. He is a likeable protagonist thrust into an awkward situation and deals with it in a relatable way

Marvellous story

The characters are deeply and charmingly engaging. The world building is complex, thoughtful, and fascinating. I’ve listened to this several times and gone on to her other books. I love it.

This is an incredible read, 10/10 recommend!

I absolutely loved everything about this book. Sarah Monette beautifully weaves social intrigue, and the human experience into a fantastical world full of relatable, moving characters. I just read it again a month after the first read through. I enjoy it so much and found much that I had missed the first read through. A delight, go read this book!