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4.47 AVERAGE
4.47 AVERAGE
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The Book of All Books.
Victoria Goddard took me by the hand and gently spoonfed me 1400 pages of everything I'd never known I needed... and somehow it's not enough? I'd go back for seconds? I'd fight the empire for Cliopher Mdang?? Help???
Victoria Goddard took me by the hand and gently spoonfed me 1400 pages of everything I'd never known I needed... and somehow it's not enough? I'd go back for seconds? I'd fight the empire for Cliopher Mdang?? Help???
emotional
inspiring
reflective
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
I adore this book. This was a re-read, and I couldn’t put it down. I adore Kip and His Radiancy and their relationship. I really appreciate all the different complex relationships between characters, especially between Kip and his friends and family. It shows how even small miscommunications can spiral into something much bigger and harder to surmount, but also how to resolve them for the better.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Xenophobia
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
relaxing
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
I wanted to love this, I really did. And I did for the first half-- what a wonderful, gentle character-focused work about a THE SIGN OF THE DRAGON-esque kind leader who truly means to do good in the world. Politics, culture, identity, revolution, all interwoven in a very satisfying story of kidness and slice-of-life nothingness.
Unfortunately, it became too much nothingness. Our Kip here is so accomplished that there seems to be no real conflict or character development left to be done. The plot also, unfortunately, keeps getting more and more repetitive as it goes on-- constantly Kip needs to remind people who he is in a grandiose speech, or gets upset at someone offending him and explains why in a very detailed manner, or explains to his family why he feels wronged by them, and we're reminded at all times of how amazing and clever he is. This also has one of my least favourite tropes, one I first acquired a distaste for as a kid in the prehistorical EARTH'S CHILDREN series, where the protagonist seems to invent and fix a great many important things that it just seems completely unrealistic.
I still enjoyed reading it, but was saddened to almost hate it by the end. I'd still like to give the rest of the series a try, because THE BONE HARP was truly something else, but it's with some reservations I now intend to try the others.
Unfortunately, it became too much nothingness. Our Kip here is so accomplished that there seems to be no real conflict or character development left to be done. The plot also, unfortunately, keeps getting more and more repetitive as it goes on-- constantly Kip needs to remind people who he is in a grandiose speech, or gets upset at someone offending him and explains why in a very detailed manner, or explains to his family why he feels wronged by them, and we're reminded at all times of how amazing and clever he is. This also has one of my least favourite tropes, one I first acquired a distaste for as a kid in the prehistorical EARTH'S CHILDREN series, where the protagonist seems to invent and fix a great many important things that it just seems completely unrealistic.
I still enjoyed reading it, but was saddened to almost hate it by the end. I'd still like to give the rest of the series a try, because THE BONE HARP was truly something else, but it's with some reservations I now intend to try the others.
hopeful
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:
Complicated
I adored the characters. I loved the first part and just getting thrown into the world. However, the last section got repetitive and oddly seemed to have a bit of an exposition dump at the end. This book would have been a five-star book for me with better editing.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
My cousin has been begging me to read this book for what feels like forever, but is probably closer to a year (which is, in my opinion, not too shabby on my part). This conflation of time feels most symbolically apt for this book.
Before I start, I feel the need to set the expectations. There are two things of utmost import to take from my review: I loved it, and I don't think it's for everyone. I will start with the latter point, because I think it's important that the right people get into this book, as they have so far.
Before I start, I feel the need to set the expectations. There are two things of utmost import to take from my review: I loved it, and I don't think it's for everyone. I will start with the latter point, because I think it's important that the right people get into this book, as they have so far.
WARNINGS
(🚨) Genre. The Hands of the Emperor is a high fantasy. Oh, I'm sure you knew this already, but not all high fantasies are built equally. And this book is, in its world and setting, if not in essence, a high fantasy to the full meaning of the word. If anyone recommends this to you as a foray into high fantasy, they're setting you up for failure, for more reasons than one. In all high fantasies, there is an element of confusion - the world is new, and complicated, and different from our own, and the main characters are born and bred in it. They will not explain to you, dear reader, how their world operates. So it's always, to a degree, up to the reader to infer, read between the lines, and connect the dots. But there are certainly much easier high fantasies than this one.
You will not understand this world immediately. You will not understand this world even a hundred, or two hundred, or three hundred pages in. Even a thousand pages aren't enough to clarify and elucidate this world in its entirety. Sure, you will understand the basics, you will understand the core elements and foundations. But you will still have questions, questions of what was and what is and what will be and why. And it won't be for lack of trying, or lack of interest, or lack of attention. This is, ultimately, by design. This world is extremely complicated, nuanced, and layered (and everything has two, three, sometimes thousands of different names), and Goddard clearly sees it beyond this one installment. Not only that, but it's geared toward re-reading and cross-reading (with the many other books in this universe). The experience is not meant to be easily digestible, but I am certain those who open back the first page a second time essentially read an entirely new book, armed with their newfound knowledge. And I will say I understand the urge to re-read it.
(🚨) Pacing. Not only is the world extremely complicated, but the pace is very slow! This is not an epic fight, and it's certainly not a sprint. It's a slow crawl up a hill, with gradual, constant progress in small increments. The journey, as is the scenery as you climb—and certainly at the peak—is absolutely beautiful, but it takes time and there isn't much "action" to speak of. Which I know is just not everyone's thing.
(🚨) Length. Not only is it complicated and slow — it's also gigantic! If I had encountered this book in the wild (i.e. the bookstore) I would've never picked it up in sheer intimidation. When I found out how long this book was (for my cousin had forgotten to mention, and I forgot to check, and so it wasn't until I was already some 80 pages in that I realize that the kindle percentages were not making sense and realized that I had, in fact, committed to more than I had realized) the "is it ever this serious?" TikTok sound began playing in my head. And you know what? Yes, sometimes it is this serious. Because as I was reading, I kept observing the book critically, trying to see if there was a natural pausing point that Goddard could've utilized to make this more palatable. And I found none. Ultimately, nowhere in the book felt like a good stopping point, and so it makes sense that it never did stop (until it did, of course). But, goodness, do I understand the fear of venturing into a 1000+ page-long tale.
So these are the three warnings: it's complicated, it's slow, and it's long. But. But. It's also bloody fantastic.
You will not understand this world immediately. You will not understand this world even a hundred, or two hundred, or three hundred pages in. Even a thousand pages aren't enough to clarify and elucidate this world in its entirety. Sure, you will understand the basics, you will understand the core elements and foundations. But you will still have questions, questions of what was and what is and what will be and why. And it won't be for lack of trying, or lack of interest, or lack of attention. This is, ultimately, by design. This world is extremely complicated, nuanced, and layered (and everything has two, three, sometimes thousands of different names), and Goddard clearly sees it beyond this one installment. Not only that, but it's geared toward re-reading and cross-reading (with the many other books in this universe). The experience is not meant to be easily digestible, but I am certain those who open back the first page a second time essentially read an entirely new book, armed with their newfound knowledge. And I will say I understand the urge to re-read it.
(🚨) Pacing. Not only is the world extremely complicated, but the pace is very slow! This is not an epic fight, and it's certainly not a sprint. It's a slow crawl up a hill, with gradual, constant progress in small increments. The journey, as is the scenery as you climb—and certainly at the peak—is absolutely beautiful, but it takes time and there isn't much "action" to speak of. Which I know is just not everyone's thing.
(🚨) Length. Not only is it complicated and slow — it's also gigantic! If I had encountered this book in the wild (i.e. the bookstore) I would've never picked it up in sheer intimidation. When I found out how long this book was (for my cousin had forgotten to mention, and I forgot to check, and so it wasn't until I was already some 80 pages in that I realize that the kindle percentages were not making sense and realized that I had, in fact, committed to more than I had realized) the "is it ever this serious?" TikTok sound began playing in my head. And you know what? Yes, sometimes it is this serious. Because as I was reading, I kept observing the book critically, trying to see if there was a natural pausing point that Goddard could've utilized to make this more palatable. And I found none. Ultimately, nowhere in the book felt like a good stopping point, and so it makes sense that it never did stop (until it did, of course). But, goodness, do I understand the fear of venturing into a 1000+ page-long tale.
So these are the three warnings: it's complicated, it's slow, and it's long. But. But. It's also bloody fantastic.
ONE OF THE MOST UNIQUE READING EXPERIENCES OF MY LIFE
This book is one of the most unique reading experiences I've ever had, for all that it is also achingly familiar. It examines love, friendship, and family; duty and passion; and the way one can be torn between them.
(+) Kip. The Hands of the Emperor is a character piece, centering around Cliopher "Kip" Mdang. Kip is an islander who climbed his way into one of the most important and influential positions in the world government, not that you get that sense from how his family behaves. And... he uses his powers... for good? To rehabilitate and revolutionize the government? To turn what all of us would consider as idealistic nonsense (for, in our world, none of this seems feasible) into actual reality? Are we seeing this man? This man is my precious child, and none of you should dare hurt him. Speaking of hurting him... Kip, darling, my love, my beloved... What do you mean by "you're fine"? What do you meannnnn. You're so far from fine, it's laughable. You're highly functional, I'll give you that. More functional than 99.99% of the world, in fact. Your level of competency & efficiency, coupled with your firm beliefs and uncorruptible nature, could sustain a country. Has, in fact, done so. But fine? That's delusion speaking. And while you did delulu your way into a selulu in as far as the government is concerned, we need to have a chat about your mental well-being. Just saying. Anyway, I think it's clear that I adore this character.
(+) His Radiancy. A man of many titles, His Radiancy (affectionately and mischievously referred to as HR in the fandom) is the titular emperor. And let me tell you... I felt for this character from the bottom of my heart. Here is a man (and he is a man, goddamn it, and not an infallible deity!) with the literal weight of the world (or five) on his shoulders. And for all that he's supposed to be the most powerful man in the world, he is also the most restricted and restrained. He is tired. So very, very tired. It has settled past his bones, sinking into his very soul. He and Kip make quite the pair because the level of being not fine between them is almost equal. Maybe this is one of those cases where two minuses make a plus, because their camaraderie and love for one another are, perhaps, the only reasons these two have made it thus far. But something has to change. One of the best parts of this novel was watching this mighty yet broken man begin to find himself again. Watching him amble and stumble over invisible boundaries and rules of propriety. Watching him begin to hope again.
"Weren't you listening?" Cliopher said. "He wants to be human."
(+) A tale of good emperors and loyal servants. It has occurred to me that I don't often read of good Emperors in Western novels. The emperor is often the antagonist the heroes have to beat, and even if they eventually ascend in his stead, we rarely see what happens after that occasion. It's somewhat more frequent to encounter good emperors and loyal servants in East Asian novels, but even then, the emphasis is rarely on the weariness, sacrifices, and weight of the position. There is often the "loyal servant" character in those stories, and they're competent and efficient - but that's all there is to them. Their whole character begins and ends with being the "loyal servant." Not so much here.
First, our emperor appears to be, on all accounts, a good emperor. Someone who puts his duty first, even if he risks losing his self because of it; someone who listens to his advisors and doesn't discriminate; someone who values humanity and forgiveness over upholding ancient prohibitions; someone who, in fact, abhors the institution he is the figurehead of, and takes steps to limit it so that in the future it can slowly be dissolved, even as he acknowledges that in order to maintain stability in a world still experiencing the shockwaves of an apocalyptic event he cannot just outright destroy it.
Then, there are our "loyal servants"—and there are many, for an emperor like this inspires loyalty and adoration, especially among the "commoners" who see him time and time again put their best interest above those of the aristocracy. These men and women are not reduced to the stereotype of "loyal servants." They have a personality and a story; they are good, but flawed, people. They have their own ambitions and desires. It's honestly fascinating to see such a nuanced depiction of a royal household.
(+) A complex and nuanced cast of characters. While Kip is our POV character (albeit in 3rd person perspective), he is far from the only compelling character in this narrative. In fact, this is one of the fuller casts I've come across - both in terms of the number of characters and the level of exploration of each character. In many books I've come across, there is a sense of compromise. If the author wants to explore characters in depth, we will usually get a smaller cast. If the author wants an extensive world, then we'll have a broad, but shallow, crew. And don't get me wrong - I think it's an understandable compromise. But I didn't get this sense of compromise here. His Radiancy is definitely one of the standout characters, but he's not the only one. We have Ser Rhodin, Conju, and Commander Omo. We have Bertie and the rest of Kip's childhood friends. We have the secretariat and Kip's family, numerous though they may be. And all of them feel like actual people.
(+) Friendship. One of the most beautiful explorations in this book is the various relationships between characters, with Kip being our conduit to many of them—but not always part of them. Kip's friendship with HR's closest advisors is honestly heartwarming. I find this group of grown men kind of adorable. They find companionship, friendship and solace in each other, brought together by their love of their lord, but bound by bonds of affection and appreciation. Then there is their relationships with HR himself. The constant battle between subject and friend. The never ending dance around what can or cannot be done, can or cannot be said, should or should not be broached. All underlined by love and worry. They have made a family with each other, unconventional though it may be at first glance. Then there are the fragile, tentative friendships between Kip and his homeland. Childhood friendships strained by years of distance and things left unsaid; by miscommunication and misunderstanding. To say I was furious with Kip's friends is an understatement. Oh, don't get me wrong. Kip is not a perfect character, and his flaws come to the forefront with anything dealing with the Vangavaye-ve. But... can you blame a man for no longer trying after every word, every gesture signals disinterest and disdain? When every important, heartfelt conversation in his regard apparently happened about him and not to him? I certainly can't.
(+) Family. Family is probably the greatest source of conflict in this novel. Kip is an islander... but one who left. And for all that his giant family loves him, for all that their greatest tales and legends revolve around people who left and returned bringing with them great gifts, they have never forgiven him that. God, how frustrating it was to read! To know, to sense, Kip's fierce love for his family and homeland, and watch as they disregard or disparage his achievements and successes. They saw him as nothing more than "cousin Kip," when this is a man who has done more than any other man (on par with the emperor!) for the entire world, the Vangavaye-ve included. It was especially frustrating when they learn things that should clue them in—to Kip's position, importance, and power—yet somehow, entirely misunderstand or disregard them. How could you have never asked? It can be said that, as far as Kip is concerned, his true journey in this book is the slow, agonizing process of bridging together his family and his duty/passion/calling. To bridge the gap wrought by physical and mental distance. Even when it seems utterly impossible to do so.
"A cousin for every occasion,"
(+) Love. My god, this book is about fierce, burning love. Between friends, between family members, between subjects and the emperor. Especially between HR and Kip. This novel is not a romance, but it may have been the most romantic book I have read in an age. Few characters have loved so deeply and so ferociously as Cliopher Mdang. Few have crossed literal and figurative oceans in the name of that love. Few have refused to give it a name.
(+) ✨Shipping galore ✨ - I was 3% into the book when I wondered, aloud and to my cousin, if Kip was aware he was in love with his lord. It seems to me quite clear he is the only one unaware of this fact — by choice. The amount of times we see him literally force himself to discard a thought regarding his Lord, what he means to him, and maybe... no, never mind. But everyone else appears clued in; deny it though he may. And my god, do I ship these two characters. Do I pray that they do, in fact, end up together because I don't know I have ever read of such longing and devotion. Cliopher Mdang will literally claw his own heart out for his lord, and he deserves some personal happiness, damnit! Not to mention, I don't feel it's one-sided. Everyone knows how much the emperor cherishes Cliopher Mdang. The man talks about Kip all the time. He calls him "our" and "my dear Kip" and "our most beloved servant." He met the family, and he personally championed for them to see Kip for who he is and not for who they perceived him to be when he left. To say I ship them is a mild understatement.
Now we're entering the range of things that I had mixed feelings about.
(-/+) Domina Black.
(-/+) Grand Speeches. Cliopher Mdang deals in words. He is a master of words, though he may be unaware of how much he can inspire. As such, there are many, many grand speeches in this novel. And they're quite grand. Some might even say, "Pop off, queen!" However, I definitely also had moments where I went "this speech is going on for 10 pages." And I don't know that any speech really needs 10 pages, inspiring though it may be.
(-/+) Repeated Conversation. This book does another interesting thing that I appreciated, even as on occasion it tired me. In most books, after a character reveals a story or important piece of information about themselves, you rarely experience it again. By this, I mean, even if it is told again, it would usually fade to black or be summarized as "he told them about his journey to the..." Goddard doesn't do that. We hear the same story told multiple times, to multiple different people, for multiple different reasons. And while it definitely adds significantly to the word count, it was also fascinating. We get to see what remains and what changes, based on the person. We get to see how it is framed, based on who is listening. And sometimes, we get to feel like we're beating our heads against the wall, just as Kip surely does, when something has to be repeated over and over again for people to finally listen and understand. Which is another thing I appreciated, frustrated though I was for Kip. Just like in real life, just because you had The Conversation once, doesn't mean it sinks in. Doesn't mean things change. Even conversations that are clearly meant to be Turning Points turn out to be just a small pivot in a much longer journey before we get where we need to be.
Overall, I greatly enjoyed this novel. I technically devoured the last 700 pages of it in two days' time LOL.
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
If I could give this book a thousand stars I would.