The Goblin Emperor

By: Katherine Addison

Narrated by: Kyle McCarley

Brought to you by Penguin.

"Challenging, invigorating, and unique." - Scott Lynch, bestselling author of The Lies of Locke Lamora

Maia, 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.

© Katherine Addison 2021 (P) Penguin Audio and Rebellion Publishing 2021

Parts missing from Chapter 30

This is one of my favorite books and I’ve listened to the original audiobook [perhaps] way too many times over the past decade. I figured the new version would simply tweak the performance as it relates to the character in the spinoff books (I believe that’s true but there are also slightly different pronunciations as it turned out, probably to match those other books as well). I only gave it a try because it’s longer and I love spending time with these characters in this world, so imagine my surprise that there were parts missing. In chapter 30, a whole section towards the end is skipped where the visiting captain talks about who he saw talking to whom and when Maia goes to see Idra and his sisters. I checked the kindle version in case that had been removed from the text, but it’s still there. (There are a couple of instances earlier on where you can hear bits of audio in the background that shouldn’t be there, I forgave it that but just to say there might’ve been some editing issues.)

For anyone reading the book for the first time, the story is about Maia’s transition from being the relegated son of the emperor to becoming the emperor himself after a tragic event. There is inevitably external turmoil, but you spend your time entirely with Maia as he navigates his new world and reckons with his trauma and his duty and what joy he can find. The narration is masterful, still one of the best I’ve listened to, just may have to go back to the original.

Great listening

Enjoyable story with very likeable main character. Interesting combination of court politics, solving a crime and most of all power of being kind.

Such is the way of political machinations …

Listened at the recommendation of my bookseller friend Ron, once I got used to the narrators pronunciations and the complex names and locations it was an enjoyable listen. A faithful mirroring of modern politics in my opinion.

What happens to the 4th son

Names and titles are confusing, so download the free sample of the book including the glossary.

Boring

I made several attempts at listening to this book and i found it incredibly boring. i just wanted to scream at the protagonist to get up and do something. Didn't finish it.