The Goblin Emperor

You wouldn't think a court intrigue novel that starts with an airship explosion and follows a brand new emperor as he tries to consolidate power could be classified as "cozy", and yet. Much of this book is about how said goblin wrestles with how to continue to be a good person even when given near absolute power. He's trying so hard, and it's so very difficult to handle power ethically. And this poor cinnamon bun slowly manages to change the tenor of his court by repeatedly choosing the right thing, even when it's excruciatingly difficult. It's a balm to the… show more.

I read The Goblin Emperor based on a recommendation with the caveat “it might not be your sort of book,” and was drawn into a compelling story, in an intricate world, focused on a misfit character devoting all of his energy into actually fitting in, and rising to the challenge of a role he never expected or wanted.

As it turns out, exactly my sort of book. At every turn Katharine Addison led me up to an obvious turn of the plot, and then side-stepped, one deceptive twist after another in a tale light on action and full of life. 

My editor wrote to me a few years ago (mostly all-caps and !!!s) about a book called The Goblin Emperor, and had I read it, and didn’t she think I’d adore it? She was so convincing that I ordered a copy from my favorite indie bookstore right away and read it in a sitting. I almost cried when I realized Addison had written only one other book at that point—until a friend told me she was also the author Sarah Monette. I spent the next month reading everything in her oeuvre. But none I adored with my whole body… show more.

Sometimes I’m in the mood for complex world building. The hero has been given a raw deal. He manages to go from rags to riches and not lose his head...literally. He navigates entrenched politics with grace and overcomes his lack of skills with self education. He also builds relationships with all classes of people that earn him the name of bridge maker. He’s an excellent example of blooming where you’re planted.