The Goblin Emperor – Katherine Addison

Not all fantasy needs a sword to draw blood. The Goblin Emperor wins you over with kindness, competence, and court etiquette sharp enough to cut. Maia, an overlooked half-goblin suddenly thrust onto the imperial throne, is gentle in a place that rewards cruelty — and somehow that becomes his superpower.

This is “political fantasy” without the grim aftertaste: letters, councils, airship engineers, and a young ruler learning when to listen, when to forgive, and when to quietly say no. The intrigue hums, but the heart is what glows — friendship found in unlikely places, dignity offered instead of demanded, and a protagonist who refuses to harden just to survive.

Addison’s prose is elegant and immersive (yes, the names are long; yes, you’ll adjust), and the world feels lived-in: manners, titles, and technology all clicking together like a beautiful clock. By the end, you don’t just root for Maia — you want to be the kind of person he believes you can be.

Rating: 👑🕊️📜🏛️💖 (5/5)