It's a short story. Ok as some extra information on Fitzroy Angursell, but other than that I don't see the point. ( )

This novella finds an unnamed young man (though readers will recognize the Emperor Artorin/Fitzroy Angursell prior to his being either) stuck in a tower at the edge of the world who discovers a shiny object and discovers the freedom to be himself.

This doesn't really stand alone, but is a lovely look at part of the back story of a beloved character. ( )

The lovely details in the very first pages might feel almost pastoral, unless you know why the young man is in the tower. And you do - this being a prequel short story featuring a beloved character from Lays of the Hearth-Fire. Here is a “knowing what you know” kind of story to wrap around you for a while.

“What you name yourself you are.”

He read this over several times before it occurred to him he didn’t know what his own given name was.”

This is a story of a beginning of liberation and self-discovery, of having agency for the first time in your life, of finding your true name.

I love Victoria Goddard’s gentle humour.

“The poems might be clear on the need to take supplies, but left it up to his imagination what the supplies consisted of, and the young man felt that the slippers would come in handy at some point or other in the mysterious future opening before him.”

Going back to the Nine Worlds universe for thirty pages or so was a lovely way to spend a lazy morning.
( )

A young man finds the key to a freedom he didn't know existed.
Re-reading it inspires harsh feelings about the Empire of Astandalas and, well empires and imperialism in general. ( )

I'm really enjoying all these little back stories to the Hands of the Emperor -- definitely read that first, but this story is part of a wonderful box of chocolates that give you glimpses into the past. I think it's a really lovely form of storytelling, and I appreciate that Goddard is not (so far) trying to go back and write the epic of the Red Company, in extreme and linear detail -- they are much more effective as a startling and legendary folk company when encountered in small extraordinary doses. Lovely. ( )