The Goblin Emperor

Maia , the half-goblin, half-elvish youngest son of the Emperor, is awakened in exile by his abusive guardian, Setheris , to news that will upend his life: his father and all other heirs have died in an airship crash. Suddenly, Maia is the last legitimate heir to the throne of the Elflands. The message is delivered with little compassion, and Maia, unprepared and isolated, is thrust into a world of power, expectation, and danger. The chapter sets the tone for Maia's journey: a boy shaped by neglect and cruelty, forced to step into a role he never wanted, and already surrounded by those who wou

Theme 1: Awakening to Catastrophe

This thread running through The Goblin Emperor gives the story its emotional weight. Katherine Addison weaves it into the narrative with skill, ensuring that the reader feels the stakes as deeply as the characters do.

Theme 2: The Unwanted Heir

This thread running through The Goblin Emperor gives the story its emotional weight. Katherine Addison weaves it into the narrative with skill, ensuring that the reader feels the stakes as deeply as the characters do.

Theme 3: Into the Lion's Den

This thread running through The Goblin Emperor gives the story its emotional weight. Katherine Addison weaves it into the narrative with skill, ensuring that the reader feels the stakes as deeply as the characters do.

What Readers Say About The Goblin Emperor

The Goblin Emperor has resonated with readers for its emotional honesty and vivid storytelling. Many describe finishing it in a single sitting — drawn forward by Katherine Addison's prose and an almost desperate need to know how it ends.

A Passage Worth Sitting With

"Awakening to Catastrophe" — Katherine Addison, The Goblin Emperor

About the Author

Katherine Addison is the author of The Goblin Emperor. Known for emotionally resonant storytelling, their work has found devoted readers across the globe.