From the moment he is woken in the middle of the night with the news of his father’s death, Maia spares very few thoughts for himself. He considers his awkwardness, his loneliness, and the path he has to follow, but he never hesitates to make the right decision. He often forfeits sleep, comfort, or peace of mind to do the right thing. Despite his many fears (being alone, doing the wrong thing, being judged, being ignorant, or being excluded – just to name a few of them), Maia is courageous enough to stick to his principles and to the morals his mother instilled in him at an incredibly young age. It is both admirable and inspiring.

One of the best things about reading is when a book completely blindsides you, evoking an emotional reaction you weren’t expecting. I thought I was (fairly) emotionally stable, but The Goblin Emperor reduced me to a sobbing mess on more than one occasion with Maia’s gentle, unassuming kindness. It was exactly what I didn’t know I needed. Books don’t just expand your awareness of the world; they also help you to learn more about yourself, allowing for genuine self-reflection and growth – if you’re paying attention.

The abrupt ending with no potential for a satisfactory conclusion is the only reason this isn’t a five-star rating for me. The next book in the series moves on to different characters within the same world, so this is pretty much a standalone. However, it felt like Maia was just starting to figure things out and I want so much more from (and about) him!