8 Books Like Katherine Addison's The Goblin Emperor

Twenty-two years have passed since Kellas, once Captain of the legendary Black Wolves, lost everything. After the King he swore to protect was murdered, Kellas was left disgraced and the Wolves disbanded. Living as an exile, Kellas avoids all politics and bloodshed. 

He never expects Marshal Dannarah, sister to the dead King, to come to him and beg for his help. She wants the Black Wolves to reunite and guard her nephew, the new King, from suffering the same fate as his father.

Tyhe Doranen have ruled over the kingdom of Lur for centuries, using magic that has allowed them to keep a stranglehold over the land they first arrived in as refugees. To keep Lur safe, the native Olken inhabitants agreed to abandon their own magic. Magic is now forbidden to their kind, and anyone who breaks this law are executed. Asher works in the royal stables and befriends Prince Gar. He's unaware of the Olken prophecy that says an Innocent Mage will save Lur from destruction…

The power of magic is declining in Sabria. Science is replacing sorcery. A new renaissance is about to unfold, but with that comes a major and potentially bloody political shakeup. Portier de Savin-Duplais once dreamed of being a great mage, but now he works as a librarian at Sabria’s last Collegia Magica. He expected a quiet life of academia but then someone tried to kill the king. Now, Portier has been tasked with finding the attempted assassin. Doing so will throw him headfirst into the realms of unholy magic and an all-consuming war.

Cliopher Mdang is the personal secretary of the Last Emperor of Astandalas, the Lord of Rising Stars. He is fiercely loyal to his lord, a man who is weighed down by the responsibilities of his title. Cliopher has spent more time with the Emperor of Astandalas than any other person, but he has never called him by his real name, nor has he even touched him or initiated a conversation. His job is to serve. So, when he asks his Emperor, the Sun-on-Earth, if he wants to go away to remote Vangavaye-ve for a holiday, he knows it's a terrible idea. The mere invitation could have seen Cliopher executed for blasphemy. But then the Emperor says yes…

Stephen is a paladin tormented by grief following the death of his god. He spends his days knitting socks and working as a bodyguard, eagerly awaiting for the day he can finally be of proper use. Whilst foraging for flowers, perfumer Grace finds herself chased by goons. The pair meet and then witness a failed assassination attempt. Now, they must work together to survive and figure out why everyone suddenly wants to kill them. 

Mahit Dzmare is an ambassador for the small mining station she calls home. She is sent to the heart of the Teixcalaan empire to take over her replacement who recently died. But his death wasn't an accident, and nobody wants to tell her what actually happened. Mahit must find out the truth because she's surely the next to die. She also must navigate the tumultuous and backstabbing backrooms of Teixcalaan politics to save her home from being further consumed by the Empire.

The Empire of Masks has conquered Baru Cormorant's home island. They will colonize every corner of it, erasing the locals' history and customs to be replaced with an invader's culture. Baru wants revenge, and she's ready to play the long game to get it. She joins the enemy's side and enrols in the Masquerade, where she becomes one of the invaders sent to bring order to Aurdwynn. This is a deadly place where anyone who tries to take them on dies horribly. Baru will need to untangle this land’s intricate web of treachery. It's dirty work. She's a traitor, but it's all in the service of something good. That's what she keeps telling herself...

The King's scholar, the magus, believes he has made an incredible discovery. An ancient treasure has lain undiscovered for centuries, hidden away from undeserving eyes. But he thinks he has found its location. To attain it for his king, he needs a skilled thief. From the King's prisons, he chooses Gen, a pickpocket and criminal of immense renown. They make an auspicious pair and neither can quite trust the other, but together they must work to attain what many believe is impossible.