The Orb of Cairado

By: Katherine Addison

Narrated by: Zehra Jane Naqvi

Set in the world of Hugo, Nebula, and World Fantasy Award nominee 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.

©2025 Sarah Monette (P)2026 Tantor Media

Interesting short story!

Short and swwt There are small details in the petformance and story conclusion I didn't like, but well worth my credit. :)

Good short story but more predictable than expected

I was hoping for something as extraordinary as “The Goblin Emperor” seeing it is the same setting. The writing is still very good but the story doesn’t have the same strong bones. It is quite short even abrupt—not like the expansive feel of the earlier work. The mystery aspect isn’t as strong as I would have liked. Solid but not a stand out.

Great story

I really enjoyed the story but the reader is very difficult to understand at times.