I just ran across your video. I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy the book. I am currently reading it for perhaps the 4th time. I agree the names can be cumbersome, but like the main character, you learn as you go and it becomes easier. I like the book because, while it has critical moments of action, you are well established in the point of view of the main character. He has a calm, rationale manner, and this is felt by the reader. I also like that the World is not explained, but you get pieces explained along the way which allows it to unfold. I was more disappointed the 2nd book in the series wasn’t about the emperor anymore. But I’m also now a fan of those books, too. Anyway, best of luck in your reading! We all have our own favorite stories. This is one of mine, and I will no doubt be re-reading it for years to come.
@@CMS63 sorry for the delay! Sometimes I don’t see comments on my app but I do on desktop 🤷🏽♀️ Re the book, it’s ok! Not everything is going to work. I’m genuinely really happy it worked for you, it sounds like you found a story that really resonated.
I found it very dry and all of the problems get solved so "neatly" that it is just boring. Nor do any of the fantasy or magical elements really play any role in the story - I can't remember a single thing about it other than the existence of goblins and elves, etc. I guess it's supposed to have that "cozy" feeling of nearly everything being solved by diplomacy which is a nice concept but it was just so dull.
It's hard to read for about the first 40-50% of it. There is a lot of weird names, a weird goblin way of speaking, and a feeling of redundancy where you think that nothing truly interesting will ever happen. I didn't try to look in the Glossary. There were a lot of "family tree" characters that yeah, pretty much you read their weird goblin name once or twice, and never again. I put it down for about a month, read other stuff, then came back and finished it. It wasn't as bad once I returned to it. I didn't feel as annoyed the 2nd half. The aspect of being in a daily court routine is semi-interesting, but would be more interesting (or prove how boring it really is) in the context of historical fiction. It's a sort of quirky cartoonish type of politics in relation to something that one would take seriously politically. Really the much shorter court scenes in plenty of other fantasy is enough for me to get what I need to out of that setting.
Interesting that you didn't feel as annoyed when you came back to it. Maybe I'll give it a go in a couple of months time. Agreed that the court routine stuff would be more interesting if it had some additional context. Some actual stakes would have been good too.
this book is divisive as are her other books. lol I've been a fan of the goblin emperor since it was published in 2014. Bummer it didn't hit. Sometimes books don't
I think Matt's fantasy book review had a very similar take on this book as well, so I never bothered to pick it up, despite a few other reviewers singing its praises.
I agree, I didn't have that great a time with this either. I think I gave it a two or three by the end because it managed to come together enough for me to consider it an okay but forgettable experience - I don't remember what this one's about other than the basic premise, lol. Funnily enough, my sister who likes the series convinced me to give the 2nd book a shot, and I've read it and the sequels since because they focus on an entirely different MC with a much narrower cast and focus, who's essentially an amateur detective. This is basically an unrelated standalone compared to the sequels. Those have been a better time so far. It's still not top tier or anything, but I've read a lot of things that I've enjoyed less. Even with the shift, I'd say don't bother reading on.
Hmmm interesting that the others book worked better for you. It sounds like it's still quite mid though, so whilst I have the books, I probably won't pick them up.
@@bookswithzara yea, that's for the best. You're not missing anything really. I've mainly continued to read it because it irks me to leave something incomplete.
I am excited to hear it. Like I sad I love the book. . 😅 I have no Idea why they changed it as the glossery used to be book's appendix [much better] .... for that moment of confusion.... . I comment as I listen...So, why does one need to be reminded? You are reading you are paying atention... Only reason, as I see it, is if one reads multiple books at the same time...then yes I will need it too. . 10% in and I was having so so much fun with trying to keep up with who is who.🧐🙀 I haven't had a book that made me work in a long time... . "so many threads" and " not given a nudge who matters"....to that I can say, as I see it, we are following Maya and that problem is the one or many that he is facing ... . What others equally unplesant book of yours? . "Hard work" for certain series/autors/books but gladly done...which one? Just so I can pick to read and compare. I am curious really ☺️ . I would have liked a short spoiler-y rant...but do see one can use time for reading other plesant book instead talking about a disapointment. Thanks for the video.
It's totally ok that we disagree :) as for authors that I'm happy to 'work hard' for: R Scott Bakker and Gene Wolfe are the two immediate ones that come to mind. BUT, as I mentioned in the video, these are huge worlds with multiple books.
I think the childhood abuse might be why the main character (Maia) is bad at picking up cues,, and he's been socially isolated all his life so part of his character development was trying to be more social and open to others (I dont remember the exact details its been three years since I read it.) I quite liked that kind of character, but like you, I thought it had very poor politics, so I was very, very bored. I made it through 90 percent and skim read the rest. What did you think about the prose btw? I remember it being quite antique and old-fashioned, like the author purposefully made it that way but it didn't really click with me. Unrelated question - Have you read any books by Han Kang? Asking this since she recently won the Nobel Prize for literature ❤ I really liked Vegetarian, and really want to read her other works
Similar to you, I also quite like that character type but I felt no warmth towards this character despite this. So bizarre! You're right, the prose is quite old-fashioned. I think it matched what she was going for but I didn't enjoy it. As for Han Kang, I haven't yet but I own Human Acts and The Vegetarian! I'm planning to read the former next month. Really excited as her stuff seems like it would gel with me. So, watch this space!
Ooooh dang, I knew this was a divisive book but everything you said made me quite certain it would not be an Esmay book either lol. Sounds like very fair criticism, this story seems slightly obnoxious hahah
![THE GOBLIN EMPEROR Review [Spoiler Free]](/img/1.gif)
I just ran across your video. I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy the book. I am currently reading it for perhaps the 4th time. I agree the names can be cumbersome, but like the main character, you learn as you go and it becomes easier. I like the book because, while it has critical moments of action, you are well established in the point of view of the main character. He has a calm, rationale manner, and this is felt by the reader. I also like that the World is not explained, but you get pieces explained along the way which allows it to unfold. I was more disappointed the 2nd book in the series wasn’t about the emperor anymore. But I’m also now a fan of those books, too. Anyway, best of luck in your reading! We all have our own favorite stories. This is one of mine, and I will no doubt be re-reading it for years to come.
@@CMS63 sorry for the delay! Sometimes I don’t see comments on my app but I do on desktop 🤷🏽♀️
Re the book, it’s ok! Not everything is going to work. I’m genuinely really happy it worked for you, it sounds like you found a story that really resonated.
I found it very dry and all of the problems get solved so "neatly" that it is just boring. Nor do any of the fantasy or magical elements really play any role in the story - I can't remember a single thing about it other than the existence of goblins and elves, etc. I guess it's supposed to have that "cozy" feeling of nearly everything being solved by diplomacy which is a nice concept but it was just so dull.
Agree with everything you’ve said! It is a very forgettable book.
It's hard to read for about the first 40-50% of it. There is a lot of weird names, a weird goblin way of speaking, and a feeling of redundancy where you think that nothing truly interesting will ever happen. I didn't try to look in the Glossary. There were a lot of "family tree" characters that yeah, pretty much you read their weird goblin name once or twice, and never again. I put it down for about a month, read other stuff, then came back and finished it. It wasn't as bad once I returned to it. I didn't feel as annoyed the 2nd half.
The aspect of being in a daily court routine is semi-interesting, but would be more interesting (or prove how boring it really is) in the context of historical fiction. It's a sort of quirky cartoonish type of politics in relation to something that one would take seriously politically. Really the much shorter court scenes in plenty of other fantasy is enough for me to get what I need to out of that setting.
Interesting that you didn't feel as annoyed when you came back to it. Maybe I'll give it a go in a couple of months time.
Agreed that the court routine stuff would be more interesting if it had some additional context. Some actual stakes would have been good too.
this book is divisive as are her other books. lol I've been a fan of the goblin emperor since it was published in 2014. Bummer it didn't hit. Sometimes books don't
Totally fair! It's ok that we don't agree :) I think I will stay away from her other books for now.
I think Matt's fantasy book review had a very similar take on this book as well, so I never bothered to pick it up, despite a few other reviewers singing its praises.
Definitely worth a miss!
I agree, I didn't have that great a time with this either. I think I gave it a two or three by the end because it managed to come together enough for me to consider it an okay but forgettable experience - I don't remember what this one's about other than the basic premise, lol.
Funnily enough, my sister who likes the series convinced me to give the 2nd book a shot, and I've read it and the sequels since because they focus on an entirely different MC with a much narrower cast and focus, who's essentially an amateur detective. This is basically an unrelated standalone compared to the sequels. Those have been a better time so far. It's still not top tier or anything, but I've read a lot of things that I've enjoyed less. Even with the shift, I'd say don't bother reading on.
Hmmm interesting that the others book worked better for you. It sounds like it's still quite mid though, so whilst I have the books, I probably won't pick them up.
@@bookswithzara yea, that's for the best. You're not missing anything really. I've mainly continued to read it because it irks me to leave something incomplete.
It's on my backburner lol. October reads will take precedence.I rarely DNF. Just take my time over months.
So you’ve ‘quiet quit'? haha. I commend you for pushing on.
I am excited to hear it. Like I sad I love the book.
.
😅 I have no Idea why they changed it as the glossery used to be book's appendix [much better] .... for that moment of confusion....
.
I comment as I listen...So, why does one need to be reminded? You are reading you are paying atention...
Only reason, as I see it, is if one reads multiple books at the same time...then yes I will need it too.
.
10% in and I was having so so much fun with trying to keep up with who is who.🧐🙀 I haven't had a book that made me work in a long time...
.
"so many threads" and " not given a nudge who matters"....to that I can say, as I see it, we are following Maya and that problem is the one or many that he is facing ...
.
What others equally unplesant book of yours?
.
"Hard work" for certain series/autors/books but gladly done...which one? Just so I can pick to read and compare. I am curious really ☺️
.
I would have liked a short spoiler-y rant...but do see one can use time for reading other plesant book instead talking about a disapointment.
Thanks for the video.
It's totally ok that we disagree :) as for authors that I'm happy to 'work hard' for: R Scott Bakker and Gene Wolfe are the two immediate ones that come to mind. BUT, as I mentioned in the video, these are huge worlds with multiple books.
@@bookswithzara I was thinking the same thats why my coment. I do like this review. I think I will give R.S. Bakker a try. Thanks for tipps.
Oh, that's too bad. But you've spared the rest of us 😂
😂😂😂
I think the childhood abuse might be why the main character (Maia) is bad at picking up cues,, and he's been socially isolated all his life so part of his character development was trying to be more social and open to others (I dont remember the exact details its been three years since I read it.) I quite liked that kind of character, but like you, I thought it had very poor politics, so I was very, very bored. I made it through 90 percent and skim read the rest. What did you think about the prose btw? I remember it being quite antique and old-fashioned, like the author purposefully made it that way but it didn't really click with me.
Unrelated question - Have you read any books by Han Kang? Asking this since she recently won the Nobel Prize for literature ❤ I really liked Vegetarian, and really want to read her other works
Similar to you, I also quite like that character type but I felt no warmth towards this character despite this. So bizarre! You're right, the prose is quite old-fashioned. I think it matched what she was going for but I didn't enjoy it.
As for Han Kang, I haven't yet but I own Human Acts and The Vegetarian! I'm planning to read the former next month. Really excited as her stuff seems like it would gel with me. So, watch this space!
Always heard mixed opinions on this one. Helps I was never interested 😂
Hahahaha
Definitely a book I disliked…I also DNF 😅
Seems to be a common thread in this comment section!
But how did you really feel, Zara?
Lol
Ooooh dang, I knew this was a divisive book but everything you said made me quite certain it would not be an Esmay book either lol. Sounds like very fair criticism, this story seems slightly obnoxious hahah
I think you'd find it so annoying. Definitely one I recommend you stay away from.
Oh noooo!! This has been in l on my list but i guess it's coming off now. If Matt likes it I'll add it back. 😅
I don't think you'd like it, Penny. I think Matt might be quiet quitting it hahaha (just kidding).
ZARA , you have a discord ?
I do, only for Patreons though.