#18 The Goblin Emperor by Sarah Monette

This was a book nominated for about every award. It was nominated for the Nebula Award for Best Novel of 2014, the 2015 Hugo Award for Best Novel and the 2015 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel, and won the 2015 Locus Award for Best Fantasy Novel.

I found it different, a new twist on the genre. The book is politics and political maneuvering. It is about tolerance and hate. It is also a look inside the elves and elven community. Likewise, it is so well written, I found myself immersed in that world.

Maia is born as the son of the elven emperor and a goblin princess. The marriage was arranged for peace between the two kingdoms. As one of the many wives of the emperor, she is tossed aside because of her race. He spent his time with his other wives. When his mother passes, he is moved to an estate far from the capital to be forgotten and ignored.

When an accident occurs in an airship with the King and his sons on board that kills them all Maia suddenly finds himself Emperor. In a world where he is hated for being half goblin. He is also foreign to the ways of the court and the world he suddenly finds himself.

He finds a conspiracy to kill his father, and rule. Then has to find a wife, and make his way through the twisted world that is politics. It is not a deep read, but thoroughly fun and enjoyable .