If, ten or so hours in, you enjoy endless talk about how many stones, food, and wood planks you have, then maybe this book if for you. There are great moments in this book, and the perspective from a goblin protagonist is fresh and interesting.
I’m not new to books like these, so I’m use to authors reading of stats. It’s a balance between giving the listener information they want, and not being overly annoying about it. I would say the author hits that balance maybe half of the time. There are definitely some moments where I’m going “why?!” and, unfortunately, this bleeds into the city building.
I understand the need for a slow build up of the city. It makes it that more precious, and when under threat, tense. However, I don’t need to hear about how you need 10 more wood or 30 more food for this building or that worker for multiple chapters. It gets old. I hope it gets somewhat automated in the second book.
I can see this becoming a strong series if the author can stop writing so much about resource management, and more about what I really liked about this book. It’s a thought provoking concept, in a interesting world, with a plot that brings tension and the occasional laughter.
7/10