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#Elves
review
Ruthiella
The Goblin Emperor | Katherine Addison
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Pickpick

#Roll100 September pick

Thanks @Bookworm54 for the tip to go the audio route. The narration/performance by Kyle McCarley was excellent!

I enjoyed this “Cinderfella” story only it‘s a half goblin emperor and there‘s not exactly a princess charming at the end. But it is ultimately a heartfelt and heartwarming fantasy. The reader can‘t help but root for Maia, the rejected son of the elf emperor who is unexpectedly thrust on the throne at 19.

willaful One of the books I love so much I've read it in print and listened to the audio. 7h
27 likes1 comment
review
Robotswithpersonality
Nine Goblins | T. Kingfisher
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Pickpick

Bit of whiplash from the tone shift, but I did love the story that was told.
Not sure how much of this is really a spoiler, but covering the themes involved does mean talking about the plot.

The nine goblins truly define 'ragtag bunch':
The 'whining Nineteenth' division of the Goblin army consisting of long-suffering leader Nisilka, the female goblin sergeant; 1/?

Robotswithpersonality 2/? Murray, the genius inventor in the mix, hampering the usual odds of goblin inventions creating mass casualties by being actually good at it; new recruit twins, Mishkin and Mushkin who complete each other's sentences; Algol, who makes a regular event of ostentatious desertment including clothing removal, Blanchette, who takes advice from the teddy bear affixed to his helmet ever since the incident with head trauma, and all involved agree the 2d
Robotswithpersonality 3/? teddy bear affixed to his helmet ever since the incident with head trauma, and all involved agree the bear's judgement is preferable; Weasel, the shy, stuttering gender indeterminate one who's good with a slingshot, Thumper as muscle; and Gloober who's only role throughout the narrative is to be admonished not to insert his finger or anything else in various parts of his person. 2d
Robotswithpersonality 4/? Yeah, they're a little gross which appears to be a natural outgrowth of goblin habits from a human reader perspective, but it also quickly becomes clear the violence exhibited in conflict is a necessary part of the ongoing war, and not something that comes as second nature to the group. 2d
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Robotswithpersonality 5/? Separately we're introduced to Sings to Trees, an elf, and naturally a babe, but a bit more down to earth than the himbo variety his looks and kindness to animals might otherwise suggest. He ends up characterized as a black sheep among his own kind as he doesn't just love the pretty, delicate, nicely smelling animals, but gives shelter, care and rehabilitation to any animal, domestic or mythic that needs his help, regardless of biting, oozing, 2d
Robotswithpersonality 6/? pilfered sandwiches, or trashed living quarters and wardrobe.

A magical snafu transports Nisilka's bunch into the same neck of the woods as Sings to Trees, and just having those meet each other would have been enough story for me, but Kingfisher has more she wanted to say.
While we have adorable moments with Algol and newly rescued Wiggles the kitten, as well as Sings to Trees and the troll Frogsnoggler,
2d
Robotswithpersonality 7/? it also becomes clear as Nisilka's group navigates the land between their unexpected portal journey and Sings to Trees' cabin that something sinister is going on that's leaving a community abandoned and portions of the forest silent.

While the goblins' introduction covers the woefully familiar territory of one people encroaching on the native lands of another resulting in prolonged war, and the uselessness of military bureaucracy,
2d
Robotswithpersonality 8/? the mistaken journey via panicked wizard establishes the lore that wizardry is endemic to some humans, and is akin to a range of mental health conditions with varying power levels and abilities that they cannot automatically understand or navigate that can hamper their connection to the people around them, and may even present a danger to themselves or others, identifying a need for support and structure that is not always met in a community, 2d
Robotswithpersonality 9/? that some decide they'll find in the army.
In the course of uncovering the mystery, the reader is exposed to just how tragic an end can result from unchecked power/unmanaged health concerns without anyone to understand or guide.
Sings to Trees is a one-elf argument for animal welfare, and his hen-mounting, crowing hen is a sparkly bit of a challenge to gender normativity.
2d
Robotswithpersonality 10/? The stumble between species, goblins and elves and humans, to identify gender at first sight in the groups they initially see as other also makes me happy - let's normalize not deciding you know someone else's gender identity as soon as you clap eyes on them! And obviously, tensions and prejudices between groups thanks to a history of conflicting interests is a given human analogy present in most settings with fantasy races. 2d
Robotswithpersonality 11/? The hope for better relations in the future without requiring a big torrid romance to draw people together, this works for me.
I think the shift from: 'bodily function humour-agents of chaos -they mean well' goblins who really don't want to fight a war wandering into 'cozy but lonely' elf property and being able to communicate and accept best intentions on both sides to;
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Robotswithpersonality 12/? 'this is the terrible human cost of young people without support acting out and your war isn't helping, even though apparently volunteering to fight in it provides structure to some who need it' felt pretty jarring, even if Kingfisher was true to her group of characters throughout. 2d
Robotswithpersonality 13/? I'm glad it was a novella, though I can't help but wonder if the transition would have been smoothed out if more time was taken to establish the human/wizard side of things. 2d
Robotswithpersonality 14/14 I did this audio only, so if my spelling is off for any character names, that's why! Did this at regular 1x speed with a bunch of chores and it was the perfect accompaniment. Kudos to Johnathan Johns for navigating that many character voices and keeping them distinct.

⚠️Animal abuse, animal death, child death, ableism? (not sure how neurodivergent readers may receive the analogies present in this text)
(edited) 2d
11 likes13 comments
review
SpeculativeFemale
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Pickpick

I sometimes find it hard to review a book this far into a series.

For those familiar with the series: this book continues to follow our beloved protagonist as she tries to keep Cincinnati's supernatural community from going off the rails again.

Full of Harrison's signature wit, unique characters, and stunning world building, I'd call this another strong entry in the series.

If you enjoy urban fantasy, at all, I highly recommend The Hollows!

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CanteringWithSavvi
Keeper of the Lost Cities | Shannon Messenger
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“I would rather be punished for making the right decision than live with the guilt of making the wrong one for the rest of my life.”
-Shannon Messenger (Keeper of the Lost Cities)

review
Jari-chan
Elf Defence | Lisa Henry, Sarah Honey
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Pickpick

Yes, alright, the plot may be ridiculous and the jokes are all dirty, but that's why I enjoyed it so much. I just need a good laugh every now and then, especially now in 2025. And the audiobook is so well done, I love Benji's voice, it's just so fitting. And who doesn't love anarchist elfes?

Deblovestoread Laughing is so important! 2w
MemoirsForMe Love books that make us laugh out loud! 😄👍🏻 2w
34 likes3 comments
review
TorryK
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this series. It was a cozy fantasy set between Ireland and a fantasy world, both of which jump off the page. The characters and their banter are so fun to follow. There‘s a little spice and some adventure thrown in to keep the plot moving, though overall I enjoyed it most for the joy of the characters ❤️

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Teresereading
Kingdoms of Elfin | Sylvia Townsend Warner
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Bookwomble This is one of my favourite books! 😊❤️🧚📖🧚❤️ 1mo
Eggs Perfect 👌🏼 1mo
25 likes2 comments
review
Imagen_leigh
Seared | Bethany Adams
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Pickpick

🥰 This book might just be my absolute favorite from the series. The worry and anxiety of Ralan is how I feel I live my day to day life. I felt like I was seen and understood reading his story. It resonates with me on such a level that when we get to his happy scenes I feel extremely giddy and excited. I have felt this happy from the ending of a book as I do today. I adore Ralan‘s energy and attitude, how great a father he is to young Eri, and

Imagen_leigh and most definitely how he treats his souldbonded Cora. 🩷

So many things happened in the world of the Moranaians in this book. It only keeps getting better with each new book. Being able to switch to a different view point of someone in the story for each book is amazing. You still get to see the continuation of the lives of those you‘ve read about in the previous books,
1mo
Imagen_leigh but you also get to know other characters on a deeper level. I love it so much! What a great way to start my day today 😄 1mo
4 likes2 comments
review
Enchanted_Bibliophile
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Pickpick

This one started out excruciating slow. And to be honest it felt that nothing really happens for the biggest part of the book.
But then when things do start to happen... O boy!

I suspected the big twist from the very first preminision made way back in the first book, but that was also one of the reasons I wanted to continue the series.
This will be an epic ride I want to continue until the very end.

40 likes3 comments
review
Imagen_leigh
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Pickpick

Delbin and Inona don‘t have as big a story as the rest, but the work they do together in such a short amount of time will greatly alter the evil plans of the bad guy 😆 I wish I had some more time with them, oh well!

I also really enjoyed the short story at the end of this book. It was really good and I would love to see it expanded upon in its own book(s)📕