The Goblin Emperor

Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. The Goblin Emperor is often described as a “fantasy of manners,” focusing on court politics rather than epic battles. How did you find this different from more traditional fantasy novels, like J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Rings? Did the focus on court drama and etiquette make the story more or less engaging for you?

2. The novel features a complex system of names and formal language that the reader must learn alongside Maia. Did you find this aspect of the world-building immersive, or did it feel like an obstacle as you were reading?

3. What was the most memorable relationship for you in a story so focused on political procedure, and why did it stand out?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Maia is thrust into a role he feels completely unprepared for, struggling with self-doubt and the weight of new responsibilities. Can you relate through a time in your life when you were given a responsibility you felt unready to handle? What did you learn from that experience?

2. The story suggests that small acts of kindness, like Maia attending the commoners’ funeral, can have significant power. Do you find this to be true in your own community or workplace?

3. Throughout the novel, Maia feels like an outsider due to his multiracial heritage. Have you ever been in a situation where you felt like you didn’t belong? What helped you find your footing?

4. Csevet Aisava and Lord Berenar offer Maia crucial mentorship when he is most isolated. What role has mentorship played in your own personal or professional growth?

5. The court’s rigid etiquette often prevents genuine connection, forcing characters to hide their true feelings. When have you found formal rules or social expectations to be a barrier to open communication?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The guide connects the prejudice Maia faces to real-world issues of multiracial identity and systemic bigotry. In what ways does the goblin and elf dynamic effectively explore these complex themes? Where, if at all, do you feel the fantasy setting simplifies them?

2. What does the novel’s contrast between the hereditary nobility and the innovative Clocksmiths’ Guild suggest about the tension between aristocracy and meritocracy?

3. Thara Celehar’s tragic backstory involves a justice system that led to his lover’s execution. What commentary does the book offer on the conflict between institutional law and personal morality?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The story is told from a third-person limited perspective, keeping the narrative closely tied to Maia’s thoughts and feelings of disorientation. In what ways did this narrative choice shape your understanding of the Untheileneise Court and its intricate politics?

2. How does the symbol of the bridge evolve from a personal philosophy for Maia to a literal and metaphorical goal for his entire reign?

3. Airships represent both progress and the fragility of power. What does the fate of the Wisdom of Choharo symbolize about Varenechibel’s fallen regime?

4. What is the function of the court’s elaborate system of formal language in the narrative? Does it serve primarily as an obstacle for Maia, a world-building device, or a tool for characterization?

5. The story presents several antagonists, from the personal cruelty of Setheris to the political ambition of Sheveän. Which antagonist did you find most effective, and what did their opposition reveal about Maia’s character?

6. For those who have read Katherine Addison’s The Witness for the Dead, how did your perception of Thara Celehar change after seeing him as a main character in that novel? For those who haven’t, what role does his quiet integrity play in a court defined by cynical maneuvering?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Maia’s decision to choose the cat-serpent signet is a key moment of self-acceptance. If you were to design a personal signet that represents your own heritage, values, or life experiences, what symbols would you choose to include?

2. The story concludes with Maia beginning his reign as “Edrehasivar the Bridge-Builder.” Imagine an epilogue to the novel, 20 years later. What major projects has Emperor Maia implemented, and what new nickname might the public have given him?

3. You’ve just been appointed to Maia’s Corazhas council. What is the first piece of advice you would give him for navigating the court’s challenges and building a more just empire?