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sylk's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
ismemestar's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Delightful take on character development and exploration. This is part of a larger universe of books, but it's the first one I've read, so I can tell there are elements or characters that hit differently if you already have read those other books. The world is vivid and three dimensional, and it feels like we're only scratching the surface of it but there's so much more to explore. Each of the characters have different perspectives and points of understanding and connection and deep divisions that feel less fated than intensely human. Can't wait to read more.
lesserjoke's review against another edition
4.0
In the backstory to The Hands of the Emperor and the rest of author Victoria Goddard's sprawling Nine Worlds fantasy saga, the Red Company was a roving band of friends whose infamous exploits have long since passed into legend. This prequel is the start of a new subseries documenting the early adventures of those folk heroes directly, although so far, it is every bit as cozy and low-stakes as the writer's typical output. The main characters Jullanar and Damian are still shy teenagers at this stage, two outsiders who find comfort in one another and their growing platonic bond. (She's led by circumstances to travel far from her familiar life; he's there at her destination to teach her the local language and otherwise help her fit in.)
The plot is pretty light and character-driven -- around a third of the text is devoted solely to the heroine's placid journey from one realm to the next -- but Goddard's rich cultural worldbuilding and sense of personality make even the slower moments shine. And the story gets a serious jolt in its final quarter, when a certain figure named Fitzroy the Poet bursts onto the scene with all the manic cluelessness of a freshly-regenerated Time Lord. We don't get much of him here, but it's already clear how he's igniting the wanderlust in his new companions that will result in their future glory. For readers who know more of his own later deeds, it's particularly terrific to see the contrast with his wild youth and better understand the conflicts that must linger in his heart when he grows up to be a reasonably-responsible adult.
But most of this book isn't about the runaway bard at all, nor is that absence felt in the narrative before his arrival. It's instead about the neurodivergent young swordsman who has trouble with social cues but hones his body to be a perfect weapon, and the scholar whose poor test results can't encompass the bravery and inquisitive spirit that lead her to walk out of the only world she's ever known. It's above all a gentle read, where the most emotional beat is the girl's discovery that her tutor whom others think to be of lower intelligence is merely farsighted in a land without the technology to produce corrective lenses. When she's able to provide him with that disability aid to finally see his surroundings clearly, he becomes capable of even more astonishing feats.
As a novel it's a bit oddly-shaped, with a lot left unresolved at the end, and I can't quite decide whether it would be a good launching point for anyone just starting the Nine Worlds sequence. But personally, I've rather enjoyed the feeling of sinking back into Goddard's writing once again. I'll give this volume three-and-a-half stars rounded up, and hope that the forthcoming sequels keep these vagabonds so delightful even as they age.
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The plot is pretty light and character-driven -- around a third of the text is devoted solely to the heroine's placid journey from one realm to the next -- but Goddard's rich cultural worldbuilding and sense of personality make even the slower moments shine. And the story gets a serious jolt in its final quarter, when a certain figure named Fitzroy the Poet bursts onto the scene with all the manic cluelessness of a freshly-regenerated Time Lord. We don't get much of him here, but it's already clear how he's igniting the wanderlust in his new companions that will result in their future glory. For readers who know more of his own later deeds, it's particularly terrific to see the contrast with his wild youth and better understand the conflicts that must linger in his heart when he grows up to be a reasonably-responsible adult.
But most of this book isn't about the runaway bard at all, nor is that absence felt in the narrative before his arrival. It's instead about the neurodivergent young swordsman who has trouble with social cues but hones his body to be a perfect weapon, and the scholar whose poor test results can't encompass the bravery and inquisitive spirit that lead her to walk out of the only world she's ever known. It's above all a gentle read, where the most emotional beat is the girl's discovery that her tutor whom others think to be of lower intelligence is merely farsighted in a land without the technology to produce corrective lenses. When she's able to provide him with that disability aid to finally see his surroundings clearly, he becomes capable of even more astonishing feats.
As a novel it's a bit oddly-shaped, with a lot left unresolved at the end, and I can't quite decide whether it would be a good launching point for anyone just starting the Nine Worlds sequence. But personally, I've rather enjoyed the feeling of sinking back into Goddard's writing once again. I'll give this volume three-and-a-half stars rounded up, and hope that the forthcoming sequels keep these vagabonds so delightful even as they age.
Like this review?
--Throw me a quick one-time donation here!
https://ko-fi.com/lesserjoke
--Subscribe here to support my writing and weigh in on what I read next!
https://patreon.com/lesserjoke
--Follow along on Goodreads here!
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6288479-joe-kessler
--Or click here to browse through all my reviews!
https://lesserjoke.home.blog
starfallz's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
chelleanne's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
I came across this book with no prior experience of the Victoria Goddard or the world I which this book is set.
I enjoyed the characters and their story. However, without the broader context that comes from reading the other series this fell a little flat. It felt as though I was missing the point of the story. I’m keen to explore the other books to get get a better feel.
I enjoyed the characters and their story. However, without the broader context that comes from reading the other series this fell a little flat. It felt as though I was missing the point of the story. I’m keen to explore the other books to get get a better feel.
sashas_books's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Here we are, back in the Nine Worlds! These are the beginnings of the famous Red Company (or rather, its first tentative baby steps). This is a story in which not very much happens… and at the same time it is so full of emotions, poignancy, longing, people trying to be good to each other. It’s just lovely.
I finally got to meet Damian, who was only mentioned in other books. It was a happy meeting. Damian is neurodiverse! He is genius swordsman, a sword fighting geek, he has an amazing visual memory, is badass, he is awesome. It’s just that he is sixteen and has no idea how awesome he really is. Knowing that you are different and just wanting to belong is difficult.
Oh, and here is young Jullanar! It’s delicious, being the reader who knows what the butterfly struggling in the cocoon will look like. She is uncertain what to do with her life, unmoored. Those university entrance exams did not go that well, so she is to take a veeery long journey to her university. Do I smell adventure? Things don’t go as planned (of course), so Jullanar gets a mission. I loved the description of her journey, the experience of leaving the Empire of Astandalas (while there still was such a thing) for a different world, and coming to see her Aunt Maude. And then it just so happens that several people decide that it would be good for Damian to have someone new to talk to, while Jullanar can have lessons in local language and customs. (Me: giggle-giggle-giggle.) The way Damian interprets his promise to keep Jullanar safe is… chef’s kiss!
The mingling of Damian/Jullanar POV’s in the rest of the book is wonderful and so well done!
“Yes, he could take her to the quiet places. He would wait and make sure she was what he thought before he took her to his secret places, but she had looked at the water and the land and the light on the water and the fragrance of the purple irises rising up and blushed for their beauty, and Damian was so, so glad…”
“She wasn’t sure she could describe the quiet beauty of the place Damian had taken her to, or the care with which he had positioned her hand on the sword, her feet on the ground, her arms in the air. He had corrected her pronunciation and frowned thoughtfully at her and acted out motion words, and she was tired and footsore and her arms were aching, but she had held a sword for the first time and, secretly, adored it.”
Damian’s family not understanding him and feeling exasperated is very sad and upsetting. The scene where they finally talk things out is very well done. And how awesome is Jullanar, really? She observes. She thinks. She wonders. She realizes what causes one of Damian’s problems and comes up with a solution - it broke my heart, but in a good way.
About 70% into the book, Jullanar and Damian meet Fitzroy... in the same way as some other characters in The Return of Fitzroy Angursell Oh my, is this a trend? This was so lovely that I had to turn off my kindle immediately, to savour. Aaand they start having adventures! It is a delight that almost made me cry. Young Fitzroy is another butterfly struggling out of its cocoon… It’s touching and beautiful.
“Shall we be friends until the end of time, Jullanar?” “Oh, and beyond, most certainly,” Jullanar replied, giggling...”
The ending is quite perfect. Where is the next book in *this* series? What do you mean there isn’t one yet? I’ll be waiting… (I’ll just read other things by Victoria Goddard in the meantime.)
I finally got to meet Damian, who was only mentioned in other books. It was a happy meeting. Damian is neurodiverse! He is genius swordsman, a sword fighting geek, he has an amazing visual memory, is badass, he is awesome. It’s just that he is sixteen and has no idea how awesome he really is. Knowing that you are different and just wanting to belong is difficult.
Oh, and here is young Jullanar! It’s delicious, being the reader who knows what the butterfly struggling in the cocoon will look like. She is uncertain what to do with her life, unmoored. Those university entrance exams did not go that well, so she is to take a veeery long journey to her university. Do I smell adventure? Things don’t go as planned (of course), so Jullanar gets a mission. I loved the description of her journey, the experience of leaving the Empire of Astandalas (while there still was such a thing) for a different world, and coming to see her Aunt Maude. And then it just so happens that several people decide that it would be good for Damian to have someone new to talk to, while Jullanar can have lessons in local language and customs. (Me: giggle-giggle-giggle.) The way Damian interprets his promise to keep Jullanar safe is… chef’s kiss!
The mingling of Damian/Jullanar POV’s in the rest of the book is wonderful and so well done!
“Yes, he could take her to the quiet places. He would wait and make sure she was what he thought before he took her to his secret places, but she had looked at the water and the land and the light on the water and the fragrance of the purple irises rising up and blushed for their beauty, and Damian was so, so glad…”
“She wasn’t sure she could describe the quiet beauty of the place Damian had taken her to, or the care with which he had positioned her hand on the sword, her feet on the ground, her arms in the air. He had corrected her pronunciation and frowned thoughtfully at her and acted out motion words, and she was tired and footsore and her arms were aching, but she had held a sword for the first time and, secretly, adored it.”
Damian’s family not understanding him and feeling exasperated is very sad and upsetting. The scene where they finally talk things out is very well done. And how awesome is Jullanar, really? She observes. She thinks. She wonders. She realizes what causes one of Damian’s problems and comes up with a solution - it broke my heart, but in a good way.
About 70% into the book, Jullanar and Damian meet Fitzroy... in the same way as some other characters in The Return of Fitzroy Angursell Oh my, is this a trend? This was so lovely that I had to turn off my kindle immediately, to savour. Aaand they start having adventures! It is a delight that almost made me cry. Young Fitzroy is another butterfly struggling out of its cocoon… It’s touching and beautiful.
“Shall we be friends until the end of time, Jullanar?” “Oh, and beyond, most certainly,” Jullanar replied, giggling...”
The ending is quite perfect. Where is the next book in *this* series? What do you mean there isn’t one yet? I’ll be waiting… (I’ll just read other things by Victoria Goddard in the meantime.)