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The Chronicles of Osreth #1.1
The Orb of Cairado
Set in the world of The Goblin Emperor, The Orb of Cairado offers an unlikely hero in historian Ulcetha Zhorvena.
Five years ago, Ulcetha was studying at the University of Cairado, working his way toward becoming a scholar first-class in the Department of History. Then a prize artifact disappeared and Ulcetha, deftly framed, was kicked out. Now he works for a crooked importer, using his knowledge of elven history to write provenances for the fake artifacts Salathgarad sells.
When the airship Wisdom of Choharo explodes, killing the emperor and three of his four sons, it takes with it Ulcetha's best friend, Mara Lilana. But Mara leaves behind a puzzle--the one thing Ulcetha can't resist. And the puzzle leads Ulcetha back to the Department of History... and maybe the chance to clear his name.
Five years ago, Ulcetha was studying at the University of Cairado, working his way toward becoming a scholar first-class in the Department of History. Then a prize artifact disappeared and Ulcetha, deftly framed, was kicked out. Now he works for a crooked importer, using his knowledge of elven history to write provenances for the fake artifacts Salathgarad sells.
When the airship Wisdom of Choharo explodes, killing the emperor and three of his four sons, it takes with it Ulcetha's best friend, Mara Lilana. But Mara leaves behind a puzzle--the one thing Ulcetha can't resist. And the puzzle leads Ulcetha back to the Department of History... and maybe the chance to clear his name.
120 pages, Hardcover
First published January 31, 2025
80 people are currently reading
1601 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Addison
18 books3,674 followersA pseudonym of Sarah Monette. Both Sarah and Katherine are on Twitter as @pennyvixen. Katherine reviews nonfiction. Sarah reviews fiction. Fair warning: I read very little fiction these days.
Sarah/Katherine was born and raised in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, one of the three secret cities of the Manhattan Project.
She got her B.A. from Case Western Reserve University, her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Despite being summa cum laude, none of her degrees is of the slightest use to her in either her day job or her writing, which she feels is an object lesson for us all.
She currently lives near Madison, Wisconsin.
Sarah/Katherine was born and raised in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, one of the three secret cities of the Manhattan Project.
She got her B.A. from Case Western Reserve University, her M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Despite being summa cum laude, none of her degrees is of the slightest use to her in either her day job or her writing, which she feels is an object lesson for us all.
She currently lives near Madison, Wisconsin.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 140 reviews
January 11, 2025
Remember how Maia Drazhar got to be Edrehasivar VII, the Goblin Emperor, when the airship Wisdom of Choharo blew up? The pilot of that airship, Mara Lilana, had a best friend, and that grieving best friend, Ulcetha Zhorneva, is the protagonist here.
Ulcetha is a historian, booted from the university in disgrace because he's believed to have stolen an artifact called the Orish Veltavan, itself in turn a clue to the whereabouts of the Orb of the title. And now Mara has left him a bequest, also a clue -- to the whereabouts of the Orish Veltavan. Which in turn leads to another mystery, a murder this time.
So look: that little bit of scene-setting probably makes it clear that The Orb of Cairado is best enjoyed if you're already familiar with the Goblin Emperor world, so you can laugh out loud at a line like "it became steadily less likely that Edrehasivar VII would start his reign with a purge" and enjoy the blink-and-you'll-miss-it reference to every Addison fan's favorite Sad Gay, Thara Celehar. All of which having been said, we GE-world fans love these books in large part for the fundamental decency of their protagonists; thanks to their goodness, they succeed in certain important ways, but they all pay a price, as well. Maia does, Thara does, and Ulcetha does as well.
I could have used some more relationship development -- I'll skip the spoiler explaining which one(s) and why, but I'm dinging half a star there, and rounding up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for the ARC.
Ulcetha is a historian, booted from the university in disgrace because he's believed to have stolen an artifact called the Orish Veltavan, itself in turn a clue to the whereabouts of the Orb of the title. And now Mara has left him a bequest, also a clue -- to the whereabouts of the Orish Veltavan. Which in turn leads to another mystery, a murder this time.
So look: that little bit of scene-setting probably makes it clear that The Orb of Cairado is best enjoyed if you're already familiar with the Goblin Emperor world, so you can laugh out loud at a line like "it became steadily less likely that Edrehasivar VII would start his reign with a purge" and enjoy the blink-and-you'll-miss-it reference to every Addison fan's favorite Sad Gay, Thara Celehar. All of which having been said, we GE-world fans love these books in large part for the fundamental decency of their protagonists; thanks to their goodness, they succeed in certain important ways, but they all pay a price, as well. Maia does, Thara does, and Ulcetha does as well.
I could have used some more relationship development -- I'll skip the spoiler explaining which one(s) and why, but I'm dinging half a star there, and rounding up.
Thanks to NetGalley and Subterranean Press for the ARC.
January 8, 2025
A slow, academic, cozy. I want to say it's a mystery, but Katherine Addison is, as always, crafting something that is all her own outside of genre boundaries.
I'm not sure if I would recommend it as an entry point to this fantasy world. However, I would wholeheartedly recommend it to people who have already read something else in this fantasy world. It's got the same charm. The story itself is entirely a standalone.
Thanks to Netgalley and Subterranean Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I'm not sure if I would recommend it as an entry point to this fantasy world. However, I would wholeheartedly recommend it to people who have already read something else in this fantasy world. It's got the same charm. The story itself is entirely a standalone.
Thanks to Netgalley and Subterranean Press for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
February 10, 2025
The Orb of Cairado wasn’t on my reading list for this month, solely because I didn’t know it existed. It came out at the end of January (2025) and I’d completely managed to miss all mentions of it beforehand whilst waiting for The Tomb of Dragons to be published in March. It’s book 1.1 in The Chronicles of Osreth series, aka The Goblin Emperor world, a novella that takes place at the same time as the first book.
The explosion of airship Wisdom of Choharo that kills the emperor at the beginning of The Goblin Emperor also kills its captain Mara Lilana, the best friend since their childhood of Ulcetha Zhorvena. His widow finds a random map in an envelope addressed to Ulcetha, who after a brief bemusement realises it’s the first clue of a mystery.
Ulcetha is a former historian second class at the University of Cairado, but he was accused of stealing a priceless artefact and was thrown out of academia. Mara’s clues lead him to where the artefact had been hiding all these years, which only leads to another puzzle: how did Mara know it’s there when he’s not an academic nor knows anyone in academia.
Ulcetha also faces the dilemma of returning the artefact so that he’s not accused of stealing it again. The historian first class he contacts is very helpful though. The artefact is a map to The Orb of Cairado, a relic of great importance, and together they travel to unearth it and a treasure buried with it. As a reward, Ulcetha gets his academic position back.
But the original mystery won’t leave him alone. Who stole the artefact in the first place? Because it could only have been one of his fellow historians. Finding the answer changes his life forever.
This was an amazing novella in a sense that events that could’ve easily filled a full-length book took place during nine chapters and about a hundred pages, effortlessly and without rushing. It has a satisfying three act structure, and nothing was lacking, information or descriptions. The mystery was perhaps easily solved, once Ulcetha put his mind to it, and key witnesses didn’t waste anyone’s time by denying knowledge, but even that came across as the way it should be. And while the thief was easy to guess, I for one didn’t foresee the answer to how Mara had known about it.
Ulcetha was like all the main characters in this series, an underdog trodden by life, but kind, resilient, and just (even if he worked as a forger). In a world of elves and goblins, it would’ve been nice to know which one he was (or I missed the clues), but in the end it was more important to know that he wasn’t an aristocrat like the other historians, the reason they so willingly believed he was the thief. The ending sets him on a new path. Maybe we encounter him later again. I would like that.
The explosion of airship Wisdom of Choharo that kills the emperor at the beginning of The Goblin Emperor also kills its captain Mara Lilana, the best friend since their childhood of Ulcetha Zhorvena. His widow finds a random map in an envelope addressed to Ulcetha, who after a brief bemusement realises it’s the first clue of a mystery.
Ulcetha is a former historian second class at the University of Cairado, but he was accused of stealing a priceless artefact and was thrown out of academia. Mara’s clues lead him to where the artefact had been hiding all these years, which only leads to another puzzle: how did Mara know it’s there when he’s not an academic nor knows anyone in academia.
Ulcetha also faces the dilemma of returning the artefact so that he’s not accused of stealing it again. The historian first class he contacts is very helpful though. The artefact is a map to The Orb of Cairado, a relic of great importance, and together they travel to unearth it and a treasure buried with it. As a reward, Ulcetha gets his academic position back.
But the original mystery won’t leave him alone. Who stole the artefact in the first place? Because it could only have been one of his fellow historians. Finding the answer changes his life forever.
This was an amazing novella in a sense that events that could’ve easily filled a full-length book took place during nine chapters and about a hundred pages, effortlessly and without rushing. It has a satisfying three act structure, and nothing was lacking, information or descriptions. The mystery was perhaps easily solved, once Ulcetha put his mind to it, and key witnesses didn’t waste anyone’s time by denying knowledge, but even that came across as the way it should be. And while the thief was easy to guess, I for one didn’t foresee the answer to how Mara had known about it.
Ulcetha was like all the main characters in this series, an underdog trodden by life, but kind, resilient, and just (even if he worked as a forger). In a world of elves and goblins, it would’ve been nice to know which one he was (or I missed the clues), but in the end it was more important to know that he wasn’t an aristocrat like the other historians, the reason they so willingly believed he was the thief. The ending sets him on a new path. Maybe we encounter him later again. I would like that.
February 4, 2025
I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
I really love this series, and this was another great installment. I can see where some people might find all the names, and the dates, and events confusing, especially since you are kind of dropped into it without a whole lot of explanation. I sort of love that about this series. It makes me feel like I have been immersed in a fully realized world, and I like learning as I go along. There is so much to think abut, and I love how many little things tie into the other books in this series, and the world as a whole.
The plot is well paced, and it feels like a lot happens in a short amount of time. For a novella the author blended fantasy, mystery, and adventure, and it was just my cup of tea. The characters are well developed, complex, and fully realized. Not just the main character, but the secondary, and incidental characters as well.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this character fits into the larger plot of the series, and I am really looking forward to seeing how everything develops from here. A new favorite story from my favorite author. Couldn't put it down.
I really love this series, and this was another great installment. I can see where some people might find all the names, and the dates, and events confusing, especially since you are kind of dropped into it without a whole lot of explanation. I sort of love that about this series. It makes me feel like I have been immersed in a fully realized world, and I like learning as I go along. There is so much to think abut, and I love how many little things tie into the other books in this series, and the world as a whole.
The plot is well paced, and it feels like a lot happens in a short amount of time. For a novella the author blended fantasy, mystery, and adventure, and it was just my cup of tea. The characters are well developed, complex, and fully realized. Not just the main character, but the secondary, and incidental characters as well.
I'm looking forward to seeing how this character fits into the larger plot of the series, and I am really looking forward to seeing how everything develops from here. A new favorite story from my favorite author. Couldn't put it down.
November 27, 2024
When I get a new book in this series I just want to lie in bed and marinate in it.
This is such a short book, but as always, is so engrossing. They usually feature a mystery of some sort, which is not solved through fast paced action, but through introspection and reasoning. The characters are surprising in their depth and the reader comes away with empathy for their inner struggles.
This novella (or is it a short story?) is the same as the full length books in the series. I don’t want to go into too much detail because with a short story you run the very real risk of spoiling something and that would be truly egregious. If you couldn’t tell yet, I absolutely adore all of the books by this author and she is coming out with a new full length novel early next year. This will just keep me going until then. Maybe.
This is such a short book, but as always, is so engrossing. They usually feature a mystery of some sort, which is not solved through fast paced action, but through introspection and reasoning. The characters are surprising in their depth and the reader comes away with empathy for their inner struggles.
This novella (or is it a short story?) is the same as the full length books in the series. I don’t want to go into too much detail because with a short story you run the very real risk of spoiling something and that would be truly egregious. If you couldn’t tell yet, I absolutely adore all of the books by this author and she is coming out with a new full length novel early next year. This will just keep me going until then. Maybe.
December 1, 2025
A true scholar at work
The Orb of Cairado is a short novella set in Katherine Addison's Osreth -- in the Goodreads reckoning it is number 1.1 in the Chronicles of Osreth. That is, it takes place shortly after (or perhaps contemporaneous with) The Goblin Emperor.
Ulcetha Zhorvena is a failed scholar in Cairado, making a living from petty crime. He works for a shopkeeper who sells fake elven artifacts. The people who buy these artifacts want to know that they're genuine. Ulcetha writes fake provenances for these forged artifacts.
Ulcetha was forced into this business when he was kicked out of the university for the theft of a famous artifact, a work of jewelry called the Orish Veltavan. There was never any proof that Ulcetha stole it -- indeed, there could not be, since he was innocent. He obviously knows that, and since we're inside his head, we know it, too.
The story begins with an event that is also important in The Goblin Emperor -- the explosion of an airship. Ulcetha's best friend dies in the explosion. It transpires that his best friend left him a puzzle, whose solution leads him to the hiding place of the Orish Veltavan.
The Orish Veltavan is, it transpires, a kind of treasure map -- a very cryptic one -- leading to a much more famous jewel that's been lost for centuries, the Orb of Cairado after which the story is named.
The Chronicles of Osreth have in common that they are centered on smart, kind heroes -- people you can really like and even admire. Ulcetha is not quite as admirable as Maia the Goblin Emperor, or Celehar, The Witness for the Dead of novels 2-4. But he is still a good guy, and I quite enjoyed the story.
Blog review.
The Orb of Cairado is a short novella set in Katherine Addison's Osreth -- in the Goodreads reckoning it is number 1.1 in the Chronicles of Osreth. That is, it takes place shortly after (or perhaps contemporaneous with) The Goblin Emperor.
Ulcetha Zhorvena is a failed scholar in Cairado, making a living from petty crime. He works for a shopkeeper who sells fake elven artifacts. The people who buy these artifacts want to know that they're genuine. Ulcetha writes fake provenances for these forged artifacts.
Ulcetha was forced into this business when he was kicked out of the university for the theft of a famous artifact, a work of jewelry called the Orish Veltavan. There was never any proof that Ulcetha stole it -- indeed, there could not be, since he was innocent. He obviously knows that, and since we're inside his head, we know it, too.
The story begins with an event that is also important in The Goblin Emperor -- the explosion of an airship. Ulcetha's best friend dies in the explosion. It transpires that his best friend left him a puzzle, whose solution leads him to the hiding place of the Orish Veltavan.
The Orish Veltavan is, it transpires, a kind of treasure map -- a very cryptic one -- leading to a much more famous jewel that's been lost for centuries, the Orb of Cairado after which the story is named.
The Chronicles of Osreth have in common that they are centered on smart, kind heroes -- people you can really like and even admire. Ulcetha is not quite as admirable as Maia the Goblin Emperor, or Celehar, The Witness for the Dead of novels 2-4. But he is still a good guy, and I quite enjoyed the story.
Blog review.
December 2, 2024
Katherine Addison does a good job with her prose and the world building itself, however, where The Emperor Goblin shined was in its rare touching moments of finding trust in the sea of piranhas, The Orb of Cairado, I feel, wasn't able to accomplish the same thing as deftly, largely because this novella is too short.
It's a short and sweet mystery novella, about a missing historical relic, The Orb of Cairado, and, while it was nice to recover the artifact in this Emperor Goblin-adjacent world, it just came about too quickly--too linearly. Follow one clue, which successfully leads to the next, which leads to a puzzle, which we can solve right then and there, then go to the next...it was just all too tidy, therefore the suspense never had a chance build up.
I think if you're into Addison's writing, however, and you're likely in the mood for a mellower fantasy setting rather than something more high-octane, action-packed, this might be a good fit. If you're in the mood to explore the world of The Emperor Goblin a bit further, then perhaps you'll like this story too.
Thank you NetGalley and SubPress for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It's a short and sweet mystery novella, about a missing historical relic, The Orb of Cairado, and, while it was nice to recover the artifact in this Emperor Goblin-adjacent world, it just came about too quickly--too linearly. Follow one clue, which successfully leads to the next, which leads to a puzzle, which we can solve right then and there, then go to the next...it was just all too tidy, therefore the suspense never had a chance build up.
I think if you're into Addison's writing, however, and you're likely in the mood for a mellower fantasy setting rather than something more high-octane, action-packed, this might be a good fit. If you're in the mood to explore the world of The Emperor Goblin a bit further, then perhaps you'll like this story too.
Thank you NetGalley and SubPress for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 7, 2025
I love the world that Katherine Addison created in The Goblin Emperor, and I will happily read anything she publishes in this universe.
The Orb of Cairado is a smaller (literally by length and metaphorically by focus) story of a disgraced scholar who receives a very curious posthumous bequest after a friend is killed aboard Wisdom of Choharo.
This airship disaster also happens to play a pivotal role in The Goblin Emperor's story and sets in motion The Cemetaries of Amalo which feature Thara Celehar, a witness for the dead.
Rather than courts and leaders or graveyards and murder victims, this story focuses on the competitive world of academia. Addison writes its nuances well.
I liked Ulcetha, our protagonist, and was invested in his journey. I am also very curious about the maza, and would welcome a story that explores magic and those who wield it.
If I have one complaint, it's that this special edition does not include an updated map and the story refers to several locations I could not find in the existing maps published online. A reference guide to past princes of the region and a timeline would also help. The names do get a little confusing.
All in all, a satisfying read. I hope Addison continues to write in this expansive world.
The Orb of Cairado is a smaller (literally by length and metaphorically by focus) story of a disgraced scholar who receives a very curious posthumous bequest after a friend is killed aboard Wisdom of Choharo.
This airship disaster also happens to play a pivotal role in The Goblin Emperor's story and sets in motion The Cemetaries of Amalo which feature Thara Celehar, a witness for the dead.
Rather than courts and leaders or graveyards and murder victims, this story focuses on the competitive world of academia. Addison writes its nuances well.
I liked Ulcetha, our protagonist, and was invested in his journey. I am also very curious about the maza, and would welcome a story that explores magic and those who wield it.
If I have one complaint, it's that this special edition does not include an updated map and the story refers to several locations I could not find in the existing maps published online. A reference guide to past princes of the region and a timeline would also help. The names do get a little confusing.
All in all, a satisfying read. I hope Addison continues to write in this expansive world.
March 22, 2025
I feel like the plot could have been handled better, but then this is a novella and there’s only so much you can do if you’re keeping it shorter. Still an interesting addition to this world and worth the read as an Addison fan.
June 24, 2025
A clever, short, academic fantasy mystery involving three lost artifacts and a murder. You can read this as a standalone if you're willing to power through the terminology and naming conventions without The Goblin Emperor's glossary.
March 30, 2025
I’ll admit—I’m a massive fan of The Goblin Emperor series, and Katherine Addison’s Orb of Cairado is a richly imagined novella set immediately after its events. The story introduces an unlikely hero in historian Ulcetha Zhorvena. Just five years ago, Ulcetha was diligently studying at the University of Cairado, on track to become a first-class scholar in the Department of History. Then a prized artifact mysteriously vanished, and Ulcetha, expertly framed for the theft, was expelled. Now, he finds himself working for a crooked importer, using his deep knowledge of elven history to create forged provenances for fake artifacts sold by Salathgarad. When the airship Wisdom of Choharo explodes—killing the emperor, three of his four sons, and Ulcetha’s best friend, Mara Lilana—Mara leaves behind a tantalizing puzzle that Ulcetha simply cannot ignore. That puzzle ultimately leads him back to the Department of History, and perhaps, to a chance to clear his name.
World-Building and Atmosphere
One of the novella’s greatest strengths is its immersive world-building. Addison crafts a fantasy realm where every landscape, tradition, and political nuance feels meticulously designed. The vivid descriptions create an atmosphere that is both enchanting and endearing, drawing readers deeply into this intricate universe.
Character Development and Narrative
At the heart of Orb of Cairado lies its character-driven narrative. Ulcetha’s journey is marked by moral dilemmas, internal conflicts, and gradual transformation, exploring themes of duty versus personal desire. Addison skillfully delves into the complexities of power and ambition, showing how the allure of the orb challenges each character’s convictions.
Pacing and Storytelling
The narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace, favoring introspection and atmospheric detail over constant action. This measured approach allows for an in-depth exploration of themes and a slow burn of tension that steadily builds as the mystery of the orb deepens. However, this same pacing might not suit everyone. Readers seeking immediate thrills or a fast-paced adventure may find parts of the novella a bit sluggish. Still, if you appreciate a narrative that rewards patience with richly layered storytelling, the deliberate pace is a welcome aspect of the experience.
Conclusion
Overall, Orb of Cairado is a compelling addition to Addison’s universe, distinguished by its evocative prose, deep world-building, and introspective character arcs. While its measured pace and occasional underdevelopment of secondary characters may not appeal to all, those who relish a slow-burn narrative filled with symbolic depth and intricate lore will find this novella highly rewarding. Katherine Addison has crafted a tale that not only entertains but also enriches the series for devoted fans.
World-Building and Atmosphere
One of the novella’s greatest strengths is its immersive world-building. Addison crafts a fantasy realm where every landscape, tradition, and political nuance feels meticulously designed. The vivid descriptions create an atmosphere that is both enchanting and endearing, drawing readers deeply into this intricate universe.
Character Development and Narrative
At the heart of Orb of Cairado lies its character-driven narrative. Ulcetha’s journey is marked by moral dilemmas, internal conflicts, and gradual transformation, exploring themes of duty versus personal desire. Addison skillfully delves into the complexities of power and ambition, showing how the allure of the orb challenges each character’s convictions.
Pacing and Storytelling
The narrative unfolds at a deliberate pace, favoring introspection and atmospheric detail over constant action. This measured approach allows for an in-depth exploration of themes and a slow burn of tension that steadily builds as the mystery of the orb deepens. However, this same pacing might not suit everyone. Readers seeking immediate thrills or a fast-paced adventure may find parts of the novella a bit sluggish. Still, if you appreciate a narrative that rewards patience with richly layered storytelling, the deliberate pace is a welcome aspect of the experience.
Conclusion
Overall, Orb of Cairado is a compelling addition to Addison’s universe, distinguished by its evocative prose, deep world-building, and introspective character arcs. While its measured pace and occasional underdevelopment of secondary characters may not appeal to all, those who relish a slow-burn narrative filled with symbolic depth and intricate lore will find this novella highly rewarding. Katherine Addison has crafted a tale that not only entertains but also enriches the series for devoted fans.
July 29, 2025
A very readable little novella in the same world and time as The Goblin Emperor, featuring a character whose life is affected very differently by the emperor's assassination. Ulcetha Zhorevna, a disgraced scholar accused of stealing a historical artifact, loses his best friend Mara in the same crash. Mara, it seems, was a man of secrets whose last act is to leave Ulcetha a trail - but to what, it's not immediately clear.
Certainly worth a read if you like Addison's rich worlds and unassuming protagonists. Ulcetha is not Thara (though there's a side character, a Witness for the Dead, who brings him to mind), and he has lost his way at the start of the novella. It's a pleasure to watch him rediscover it.
Would a full novel have had more emotional impact? Probably. I don't particularly feel the need to own The Orb of Cairado, but I enjoyed my time with it.
Certainly worth a read if you like Addison's rich worlds and unassuming protagonists. Ulcetha is not Thara (though there's a side character, a Witness for the Dead, who brings him to mind), and he has lost his way at the start of the novella. It's a pleasure to watch him rediscover it.
Would a full novel have had more emotional impact? Probably. I don't particularly feel the need to own The Orb of Cairado, but I enjoyed my time with it.
May 26, 2025
I adore the world of "The Goblin Emperor," but I only accidentally found out about this little book, and then had to hunt down a hard copy of it to complete my collection. This one, taking place immediately after the event that starts GE, is not about court politics, and is not the detective novels of my beloved Thara Celahar's "Cemeteries of Amalo" series, but instead gives us more a taste of academia, with a mystery, a treasure hunt, and more. Hopepunk as all of Addison's books in this world are, I only would have wished that this had more time to develop, as my only complaint is that it's a wee little book and too short (but that's just my greed to read more in this world).
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March 28, 2025Novela je vrlo šokantna u poređenju sa matičnim serijalom jer je glavni elf strejt i čak ima čvrstih dokaza da je spolno opštio sa ženskom osobom suprotnog pola više od jednom. Toliko nedvosmislenosti i direktnosti u odnosima između likova nije bilo u prethodna tri romana. Van toga ovo je priča o doktorima društvenih nauka koji zabadaju jedan drugom noževe u leđa, što stvarno što u prenesenom značenju, dakle tale as old as time. Nije dobro mesto za ulazak u serijal, morate redom.
December 13, 2024
This was a lovely little novella set in the world of the Goblin Emperor shortly after the events of the novel. Katherine Addison has a knack at writing sad characters with good hearts. The world building is great and I'm even more excited to read the next Witness for the Dead novel. Fans of the series will definitely want to read this.
November 19, 2024
Addison has such a talent for letting us peak into interesting sections of her world and play around in them. Very different from The Goblin Emperor and the Witness for the Dead books, it nevertheless plays with the same sense of aspirational fantasy, where our heroes are just trying their best.
August 7, 2025
Katherine Addison does sad bedraggled man solving mystery very well, what can I say.
January 31, 2025
A witness for the dead is clearly an excellent person to know, or so it has been shown in ALL the books in The Chronicles of Osreth series that began oh-so-excellently in The Goblin Emperor.
The world of The Goblin Emperor is one that MANY readers, including this one, have been reluctant to leave behind, which led to The Cemeteries of Amalo Trilogy that began with the captivating story The Witness for the Dead, continued with The Grief of Stones and concludes with the upcoming The Tomb of Dragons.
But I suspect I’m not alone in STILL not wanting to let this world go, which may explain the existence of this novella, set in that same marvelous world but not directly part of either The Goblin Emperor or The Cemeteries of Amalo – even though it does kick off from the same starting point.
Howsomever, where the original story started big, and where the chronicles of The Cemeteries of Amalo eventually become big, empire shaking stories, (in spite of any wish or desire on the part of their protagonist), the story in The Orb of Cairado starts small and remains that way.
Not that the events of the story are not of the utmost importance to its protagonist, the disgraced scholar Ulcetha Zhorvena.
Ulcetha has hit the proverbial ‘slough of despond’ and can’t find a way to climb out. He was expelled from the University of Cairado five years previously after being accused of stealing an incredibly precious historical artifact. Which he didn’t. But logic dictates that whoever was the real thief, they are someone with considerably more rank and privilege than Ulcetha would ever have had even before his disgrace.
I’m not saying he’s innocent, because he’s certainly not innocent of wrongdoing now. But he’s got to eat and pay the rent, and the only decent paying job for someone with his education is writing fake provenances for equally fake artifacts. He hates his job, he particularly hates his boss, but needs must as the saying goes.
His best friend has just died, collateral damage in the accident that kicked off events in The Goblin Emperor. And left Ulcetha just the sort of puzzle that they both loved. And a puzzle box that opens to reveal the very artifact that Ulcetha was accused of stealing. Which he didn’t.
But revealing that he’s found it after all these years is not actually going to help his case – and he knows it. He needs to find a scholar in good standing who will actually listen to him and not just turn him over to the police.
What he finds is a much bigger treasure – as well as a much larger mystery – than he ever hoped to find. Or despaired of finding. Or both. Definitely both.
Escape Rating A-: First and foremost, this was definitely a case of the right book at the right time. I ADORED The Goblin Emperor, and I’m extremely fond of The Cemeteries of Amalo with its blend of cozy mystery and fantasy, its continued exploration of a fascinating world, and its oh-so-competent but extremely self-effacing protagonist in the person of Thane Celehar.
Thane and Ulcetha would get along like a house on fire (and possibly also set one considering their combined bad luck) if they could manage to get over their mutual shyness to discover just how much they have in common. Which certainly made it easy to slip right back into this world and follow Ulcetha around as he finds himself in intrigue up to his neck, caught between his desperate hope that he might be reinstated if not vindicated even as he figures out that the facts don’t quite add up to the resolution he was hoping for.
It was oh-so-easy to feel for Ulcetha and get caught up in his struggle. He’s doing the best he can with the hand he’s been dealt – even though that hand is utterly shitty and it’s not his fault. Not that he doesn’t want reinstatement, but that he knows it’s not realistic to expect it and that the odds are stacked against him.
He does remind me very much of Thane Celehar from The Witness for the Dead. He’s doing his best. He’s dogged in his determination to get the job done even when it’s boring or he hates it. He’s pragmatic about his situation even if he’s shaking in his boots on the inside.
And he doesn’t shy away from asking hard questions even though he knows the answers or going to upset his personal applecart all over again. Which is where that comment about witnesses for the dead being extremely helpful people to know. Because Ulcetha eventually figures out that he is in possession of a terrible secret that no one wants revealed, and that he and it will be swept under the rug, again, if he is the one to bring it to light.
However, if a witness for the dead brings it forward, it will be believed. Witnesses for the dead take an oath to their god that they will always tell the truth. They cannot lie, even on pain of death, or they will lose their gift. So Ulcetha goes to the witness for the dead in this case, knowing that the truth they will reveal will have consequences for him, but also that it will finally be KNOWN and that’s enough.
I liked Ulcetha because he’s trying to do the right thing, even when he’s doing it either bass-ackwards or completely underhandedly or both. It was fun to follow him because he provided yet a different perspective on a world that I STILL miss rather a lot. (That book hangover was TRULY epic and clearly ongoing.)
This novella-length treat of a book is a terrific addition both to a fantastic series and to the marvelous trend of fantasy (and SF) mysteries, whether cozy or not so much. I’m very, VERY happy I picked this up and if you have as fond memories of The Goblin Emperor as I do you will too. If the above is true, and you haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading The Cemeteries of Amalo, there’s plenty of time to read the first two books, The Witness for the Dead and The Grief of Stones, before the marvelous conclusion, The Tomb of Dragons, comes out in March!
Originally published at Reading Reality
The world of The Goblin Emperor is one that MANY readers, including this one, have been reluctant to leave behind, which led to The Cemeteries of Amalo Trilogy that began with the captivating story The Witness for the Dead, continued with The Grief of Stones and concludes with the upcoming The Tomb of Dragons.
But I suspect I’m not alone in STILL not wanting to let this world go, which may explain the existence of this novella, set in that same marvelous world but not directly part of either The Goblin Emperor or The Cemeteries of Amalo – even though it does kick off from the same starting point.
Howsomever, where the original story started big, and where the chronicles of The Cemeteries of Amalo eventually become big, empire shaking stories, (in spite of any wish or desire on the part of their protagonist), the story in The Orb of Cairado starts small and remains that way.
Not that the events of the story are not of the utmost importance to its protagonist, the disgraced scholar Ulcetha Zhorvena.
Ulcetha has hit the proverbial ‘slough of despond’ and can’t find a way to climb out. He was expelled from the University of Cairado five years previously after being accused of stealing an incredibly precious historical artifact. Which he didn’t. But logic dictates that whoever was the real thief, they are someone with considerably more rank and privilege than Ulcetha would ever have had even before his disgrace.
I’m not saying he’s innocent, because he’s certainly not innocent of wrongdoing now. But he’s got to eat and pay the rent, and the only decent paying job for someone with his education is writing fake provenances for equally fake artifacts. He hates his job, he particularly hates his boss, but needs must as the saying goes.
His best friend has just died, collateral damage in the accident that kicked off events in The Goblin Emperor. And left Ulcetha just the sort of puzzle that they both loved. And a puzzle box that opens to reveal the very artifact that Ulcetha was accused of stealing. Which he didn’t.
But revealing that he’s found it after all these years is not actually going to help his case – and he knows it. He needs to find a scholar in good standing who will actually listen to him and not just turn him over to the police.
What he finds is a much bigger treasure – as well as a much larger mystery – than he ever hoped to find. Or despaired of finding. Or both. Definitely both.
Escape Rating A-: First and foremost, this was definitely a case of the right book at the right time. I ADORED The Goblin Emperor, and I’m extremely fond of The Cemeteries of Amalo with its blend of cozy mystery and fantasy, its continued exploration of a fascinating world, and its oh-so-competent but extremely self-effacing protagonist in the person of Thane Celehar.
Thane and Ulcetha would get along like a house on fire (and possibly also set one considering their combined bad luck) if they could manage to get over their mutual shyness to discover just how much they have in common. Which certainly made it easy to slip right back into this world and follow Ulcetha around as he finds himself in intrigue up to his neck, caught between his desperate hope that he might be reinstated if not vindicated even as he figures out that the facts don’t quite add up to the resolution he was hoping for.
It was oh-so-easy to feel for Ulcetha and get caught up in his struggle. He’s doing the best he can with the hand he’s been dealt – even though that hand is utterly shitty and it’s not his fault. Not that he doesn’t want reinstatement, but that he knows it’s not realistic to expect it and that the odds are stacked against him.
He does remind me very much of Thane Celehar from The Witness for the Dead. He’s doing his best. He’s dogged in his determination to get the job done even when it’s boring or he hates it. He’s pragmatic about his situation even if he’s shaking in his boots on the inside.
And he doesn’t shy away from asking hard questions even though he knows the answers or going to upset his personal applecart all over again. Which is where that comment about witnesses for the dead being extremely helpful people to know. Because Ulcetha eventually figures out that he is in possession of a terrible secret that no one wants revealed, and that he and it will be swept under the rug, again, if he is the one to bring it to light.
However, if a witness for the dead brings it forward, it will be believed. Witnesses for the dead take an oath to their god that they will always tell the truth. They cannot lie, even on pain of death, or they will lose their gift. So Ulcetha goes to the witness for the dead in this case, knowing that the truth they will reveal will have consequences for him, but also that it will finally be KNOWN and that’s enough.
I liked Ulcetha because he’s trying to do the right thing, even when he’s doing it either bass-ackwards or completely underhandedly or both. It was fun to follow him because he provided yet a different perspective on a world that I STILL miss rather a lot. (That book hangover was TRULY epic and clearly ongoing.)
This novella-length treat of a book is a terrific addition both to a fantastic series and to the marvelous trend of fantasy (and SF) mysteries, whether cozy or not so much. I’m very, VERY happy I picked this up and if you have as fond memories of The Goblin Emperor as I do you will too. If the above is true, and you haven’t yet had the pleasure of reading The Cemeteries of Amalo, there’s plenty of time to read the first two books, The Witness for the Dead and The Grief of Stones, before the marvelous conclusion, The Tomb of Dragons, comes out in March!
Originally published at Reading Reality
December 27, 2024
A short mystery novella taking place during the events of The Goblin Emperor, I found this a fun and enjoyable read that made me excited to get back into this world in anticipation for the third book in the Cemeteries of Amalo. A fairly quick and easy read, this book focuses on a disgraced historian named Ulcetha accused of stealing an artifact, unable to continue his scholarship when unable to clear his name. With the crashing of the Emperor’s airship - and his friend who was the pilot - he’s left mysterious clues that lead him into an investigation with more twists than he ever saw coming.
I found this novella to be fun and entertaining, but I would consider the way this book is written to be more on par with the offshoot series starring Thara Celehar, as opposed to the political court intrigue present in the Goblin Emperor. While this novella is short, and the pieces to the puzzle come together fairly quickly, I enjoyed Ulcetha’s investigation and think he would greatly get along with Thara, if the two were to ever meet. (Forgive me if this character has come up before, but if so I don't remember him - it’s been a while since I’ve read these books.) Both Thara and Ulcetha work to uncover the truth behind the investigation - even when everyone else is against them, and doing so would cause them more strife than anything else. I appreciated his determination to uncover the full mystery, even when the consequences would not benefit him.
All in all, I found this to be a nice appetizer to getting myself back into the world of the Goblin Emperor, and any fan of the series who likes mysteries and investigations I believe would find this to be a fun read. While the events taking place in TGE are present in the background of this book, I don’t believe you need to be overly familiar - or remember them too closely - to understand the timeline in this book. While taking place in the same universe, much like the Cemeteries of Amalo series, this book focuses on our main character as he tries to live the life the world has dealt him, and get to the bottom of the mystery that has landed in his lap.
A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Subterranean Press for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I found this novella to be fun and entertaining, but I would consider the way this book is written to be more on par with the offshoot series starring Thara Celehar, as opposed to the political court intrigue present in the Goblin Emperor. While this novella is short, and the pieces to the puzzle come together fairly quickly, I enjoyed Ulcetha’s investigation and think he would greatly get along with Thara, if the two were to ever meet. (Forgive me if this character has come up before, but if so I don't remember him - it’s been a while since I’ve read these books.) Both Thara and Ulcetha work to uncover the truth behind the investigation - even when everyone else is against them, and doing so would cause them more strife than anything else. I appreciated his determination to uncover the full mystery, even when the consequences would not benefit him.
All in all, I found this to be a nice appetizer to getting myself back into the world of the Goblin Emperor, and any fan of the series who likes mysteries and investigations I believe would find this to be a fun read. While the events taking place in TGE are present in the background of this book, I don’t believe you need to be overly familiar - or remember them too closely - to understand the timeline in this book. While taking place in the same universe, much like the Cemeteries of Amalo series, this book focuses on our main character as he tries to live the life the world has dealt him, and get to the bottom of the mystery that has landed in his lap.
A huge thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Subterranean Press for providing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 29, 2024
Free ARC received from Subterranean Press via NetGalley in exchange for a fair review. Publish date 31 January 2025.
I've been a longtime fan of Katherine Addison's, and I was excited to see there was a new novella coming out set in the Goblin Emperor universe. In The Orb of Cairado, Ulcetha Zhorvena, a thoroughly disgraced ex-university scholar, receives a mysterious letter after a close friend dies in an explosion. The letter leads Ulcetha on an investigation which encompasses a long-lost secret, ruthless departmental politics, and the eponymous Orb of Cairado.
The novella is fully a standalone, with few to no references to previous novels set in the universe. However, the rich depth of the worldbuilding—including the complex system of forms of address, the switch between formal and informal grammar in dialogue, and a fair bit of terminology—gets less explanation here than in The Goblin Emperor. Personally, I love the complexity. The incorporation of ear body language alone is fascinating, and the conlang Addison uses for names is lovely (Sinzharo, Salathgarad, Trenivar, Csecoro...) However, without the appendix that was included in The Goblin Emperor, new readers entering the universe with this novella might find themselves a little lost.
Ulcetha himself is a delight. His rather rakish introduction, as he climbs out a woman's window to avoid her irate father, implies a dissolute failed younger son persona that we gradually learn is not accurate. He's a scholar to the core, and he hates his job forging artifact provenances because he doesn't think it's ethical. I also enjoyed the little glimpses we got of him working on his thesis. (And in fact, he was in the woman's room in the first place because she was covertly letting him into the family's private archives.) The two driving elements of the story are Ulcetha's scholarly tendencies, and Ulcetha's grief for his dearest friend, who has left him with the uncomfortable legacy of an ugly tangle of secrets.
A lovely little fantasy mystery with exquisite worldbuilding. A must-read for fans of The Goblin Emperor, but if the premise sounds appealing, new readers might be better off starting with The Goblin Emperor rather than jumping in here.
I've been a longtime fan of Katherine Addison's, and I was excited to see there was a new novella coming out set in the Goblin Emperor universe. In The Orb of Cairado, Ulcetha Zhorvena, a thoroughly disgraced ex-university scholar, receives a mysterious letter after a close friend dies in an explosion. The letter leads Ulcetha on an investigation which encompasses a long-lost secret, ruthless departmental politics, and the eponymous Orb of Cairado.
The novella is fully a standalone, with few to no references to previous novels set in the universe. However, the rich depth of the worldbuilding—including the complex system of forms of address, the switch between formal and informal grammar in dialogue, and a fair bit of terminology—gets less explanation here than in The Goblin Emperor. Personally, I love the complexity. The incorporation of ear body language alone is fascinating, and the conlang Addison uses for names is lovely (Sinzharo, Salathgarad, Trenivar, Csecoro...) However, without the appendix that was included in The Goblin Emperor, new readers entering the universe with this novella might find themselves a little lost.
Ulcetha himself is a delight. His rather rakish introduction, as he climbs out a woman's window to avoid her irate father, implies a dissolute failed younger son persona that we gradually learn is not accurate. He's a scholar to the core, and he hates his job forging artifact provenances because he doesn't think it's ethical. I also enjoyed the little glimpses we got of him working on his thesis. (And in fact, he was in the woman's room in the first place because she was covertly letting him into the family's private archives.) The two driving elements of the story are Ulcetha's scholarly tendencies, and Ulcetha's grief for his dearest friend, who has left him with the uncomfortable legacy of an ugly tangle of secrets.
A lovely little fantasy mystery with exquisite worldbuilding. A must-read for fans of The Goblin Emperor, but if the premise sounds appealing, new readers might be better off starting with The Goblin Emperor rather than jumping in here.
March 25, 2025
Maybe "The Orb of Cairado" doesn't really need to exist, but I'm glad it does--I'll take any foray into this world that I'm given. It's a murder mystery, which seems almost like a requirement for Goblin Emperor stories at this point, but also has elements of an Indiana Jones-esque pulp archaeological adventure story, with secret passages and booby-trapped catacombs, that sort of thing. Absolutely so much fun, especially when the characters overreact, blame their caution on a love of pulp adventure, then immediately find their fears justified when a hidden blade schwings down at them.
I was surprised that sex, while certainly not central to the story was present at all here. Previous stories, about Maia (the Goblin Emperor) or Thara (the Witness for the Dead) barely touched on the subject at all. Neither character is ace, but as emperor, Maia has basically no leeway for extramarital sex or romance, and any sex he does eventually have will be for heir-begetting purposes only (and watched over by his sworn bodyguards, the idea of which does not exactly get him in the mood). In Thara's case, he's a gay man in a homophobic society, so while he's not strictly closeted, he is extremely cautious about his affairs and has more or less resigned himself to a life without romantic love. But in "The Orb of Cairado," the first scene is literally our protagonist fleeing out his lover's bedroom window to escape her father's wrath. Again, sex is not central to the plot or even a driving force of the story, but I was intrigued to see a side of this world where sex for pleasure is not completely out of the question.
As a novella, there's a lot crammed into "The Orb of Cairado," to the point where the pacing at times felt rushed and I wished there was more space to breathe. This was especially true of the worldbuilding--the main character is a historian, but after some basic explanation of what he studies, it quickly delves into obscure historical lore that I didn't have enough grounding in to adequately follow. But the fast pacing wasn't enough to dampen my enjoyment of the story. All it ultimately meant was that I was left wanting more, which is honestly always the case with these books. I definitely recommend that any fans of "The Goblin Emperor" or "The Witness for the Dead" check this one out.
I was surprised that sex, while certainly not central to the story was present at all here. Previous stories, about Maia (the Goblin Emperor) or Thara (the Witness for the Dead) barely touched on the subject at all. Neither character is ace, but as emperor, Maia has basically no leeway for extramarital sex or romance, and any sex he does eventually have will be for heir-begetting purposes only (and watched over by his sworn bodyguards, the idea of which does not exactly get him in the mood). In Thara's case, he's a gay man in a homophobic society, so while he's not strictly closeted, he is extremely cautious about his affairs and has more or less resigned himself to a life without romantic love. But in "The Orb of Cairado," the first scene is literally our protagonist fleeing out his lover's bedroom window to escape her father's wrath. Again, sex is not central to the plot or even a driving force of the story, but I was intrigued to see a side of this world where sex for pleasure is not completely out of the question.
As a novella, there's a lot crammed into "The Orb of Cairado," to the point where the pacing at times felt rushed and I wished there was more space to breathe. This was especially true of the worldbuilding--the main character is a historian, but after some basic explanation of what he studies, it quickly delves into obscure historical lore that I didn't have enough grounding in to adequately follow. But the fast pacing wasn't enough to dampen my enjoyment of the story. All it ultimately meant was that I was left wanting more, which is honestly always the case with these books. I definitely recommend that any fans of "The Goblin Emperor" or "The Witness for the Dead" check this one out.
November 8, 2024
I could read about this world forever. This is a short, satisfying mystery/character study focused on university life, taking place alongside events in The Goblin Emperor but with no overlap that I noticed (although it’s been a while so I may have missed something). Zhoravar is interesting as far as he goes but I would have liked more backstory about this shopkeepers son turned scholar, it feels like there’s a story hiding there. As always I love how lived in the world feels. I am sometimes confused but it’s the confusion of a strange city rather than the confusion caused by bad writing.
(Thanks to Subterranean for approving my arc request on Netgalley)
(Thanks to Subterranean for approving my arc request on Netgalley)
February 9, 2025
New content in The Goblin Emperor universe will always be first on my list of things to read!
This novella follows Ulcetha, a disgraced scholar. All he wants is to clear his name, but when his friend dies in the wreck of the Wisdom of Choharo, he becomes embroiled in what turns out to be an archaeological treasure heist and murder mystery. Somehow, most things in TGE verse turn out to be a murder mystery.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this little story. It's satisfying and explores some new corners in this world, which I will be happy to revisit as many times as I'm allowed.
This novella follows Ulcetha, a disgraced scholar. All he wants is to clear his name, but when his friend dies in the wreck of the Wisdom of Choharo, he becomes embroiled in what turns out to be an archaeological treasure heist and murder mystery. Somehow, most things in TGE verse turn out to be a murder mystery.
Overall, I very much enjoyed this little story. It's satisfying and explores some new corners in this world, which I will be happy to revisit as many times as I'm allowed.
April 7, 2025
I guess I'll read anything set in this world; the worldbuilding itself is the main selling point for me. The bleakness of the world, its social issues, its politics... All very compelling for me.
Not to mention the characters. Flawed and imperfect, yet loveable (or not).
It even makes me read a mystery, of all the genres, and enjoy it. How did this happen??
Not to mention the characters. Flawed and imperfect, yet loveable (or not).
It even makes me read a mystery, of all the genres, and enjoy it. How did this happen??
May 13, 2025
não foi um mistério super complexo e cheio de reviravoltas, mas gostei da história, o protagonista foi interessante e o enredo meio que serviu como um estudo de personagem dele, foi um livro meio melancólico, mas muito gostoso de ler
“Does telling yourself that actually work?”
“It takes practice,” said Min Mirineth. “But it is the truth.”
“Does telling yourself that actually work?”
“It takes practice,” said Min Mirineth. “But it is the truth.”
November 21, 2024
2025
Fantasy
Review: This was very well written within a short temporal existence. The characters have great depth and there is constant movement to satisfy the questing heart.
Too bad this is not a full-length novel. As it is, I can only give it a max of three stars. Rules are rules....
I received this ARC for an honest review.
3.0/5
Fantasy
Review: This was very well written within a short temporal existence. The characters have great depth and there is constant movement to satisfy the questing heart.
Too bad this is not a full-length novel. As it is, I can only give it a max of three stars. Rules are rules....
I received this ARC for an honest review.
3.0/5
January 27, 2025
Well this left me wanting more!
Ulcetha Zhorvena’s friend Mara Lilana has died in an airship crash, along with the Emperor and three of his sons.
Mara left a puzzle for his disgraced, scholar friend. Zhorvena has ended up writing false provenances for fake antiques.
Zhorvena has been accused of stealing an artifact, the Orish Veltavan. He didn’t. He was framed, but of course no one believed him
As Zhorvena follows the clues from his friend who’d enjoyed puzzles, he realizes that the way back to scholarship might be within his grasp. What he didn’t count on is tripping over the body of an Orb obsessed academic who’s been missing for some years. That takes his exploration of the underground caves he’s following up on in quite a challenging direction.
A fascinating fantasy about academic rivalry, obsession and more.
I found myself wanting to accompany Zhorvena into his future.
Another brilliant piece of writing from Katherine Addison.
A Subterranean ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Ulcetha Zhorvena’s friend Mara Lilana has died in an airship crash, along with the Emperor and three of his sons.
Mara left a puzzle for his disgraced, scholar friend. Zhorvena has ended up writing false provenances for fake antiques.
Zhorvena has been accused of stealing an artifact, the Orish Veltavan. He didn’t. He was framed, but of course no one believed him
As Zhorvena follows the clues from his friend who’d enjoyed puzzles, he realizes that the way back to scholarship might be within his grasp. What he didn’t count on is tripping over the body of an Orb obsessed academic who’s been missing for some years. That takes his exploration of the underground caves he’s following up on in quite a challenging direction.
A fascinating fantasy about academic rivalry, obsession and more.
I found myself wanting to accompany Zhorvena into his future.
Another brilliant piece of writing from Katherine Addison.
A Subterranean ARC via NetGalley.
Many thanks to the author and publisher.
Read
February 20, 2025Addison does it again! There's something about this world she writes that feels deeply lived in and true. And she has a knack for selecting characters who feel very real and make me want to know more about them long after the book is over.
June 15, 2025
very nice but i wish it were a full-length novel bc as soon as i started caring about the characters and the plot the story was over. i hope addison writes more in this world, it has really grown on me since the goblin emperor😌
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