Reviews

I wanted to dip my toes in the water of this series because it fits my theme to a tee. What I got was a splash of everything ... like sticking your head underwater in the Great Barrier Reef - and this burst of colorful creatures comes up and caresses your boring land-accustomed eyes.

Adventure in the future! I can smell it on these few short pages. Adventure, Culture and growth make me want to grab the series and go on a journey with these characters.

Plot/Storyline/Themes:
Vangavaye-ve is a beautiful.world. There are gorgeous lagoons, canals, pools, the sea, an archipelago of islanda, sea mythology, storytellers, deep community ties and soo much gorgeous blue-green lushness.

Two Sentences, A Scene or less - Characters:
Kip is 13 in this story and on a journey to learn with his Great relatives who are Tana. He is ambitious but his ambition is nestled between seeking fame, prestige accolades and helping the communities on the groups of islands and larger city. He is very driven and feels like he let Buro Tuvo down by not being able to get a Flame Pearl. Kip is hard on himseld.

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Scene:

Obsidian for Efela-ko Rite of Passage/Challenge/Trial:

Kip's first night on Mama Ituri. Don't worry kid - I can barely empty my mind either.🤣

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Quotes:
🖤 “The tanà was not the chief or the paramount chief, the saying went, but when the tanà spoke, the chiefs listened.” (The power of the Tana)
🖤 “The Nga Named the Stars, and were the great navigators.
The Mdangs Held the Fire, and held the community together.” (Beautiful worldbuilding)
🖤 “Buru Tovo had told him he had to go back to the city so he didn’t forget all the modern ways, but Kip had grown up with them, and he wanted the old ways.” (I feel like Kip is a key character in the qctual series)

Favorite/Curious/Ludicrous/Unique Concepts:
■ Tana, Tana-tai
■Lays of the Wide Seas
■Flame Pearls
■ Vou'a and Ani Sea God (in-world) mythology
■Walking The Ring: Sailing The Islands
■Mama Ituri and Mama Ituri's Son

StoryGraph Challenge: 1800 Books by 2025
Challenge Prompt: 150 Short Stories by 2025

storm7's review

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adventurous hopeful lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

laraloops's review

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adventurous emotional inspiring 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

4.75

A cute little blurb with Kip and his beginnings with Tovu - I really enjoyed reading a small little flashback basically, especially with the context of The Hands of the Emperor.

accidentalspaceexplorer's review

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4.0

A nice short little novelette in the HOTE universe - I didn't find it integral but it was nice to spend a little time with the characters again.

welgan's review

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adventurous emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

A short story in the universe of The Hands of the Emperor, telling a specific event of young Cliopher's life as the thirteen years old Kip.

Very interesting to know his way of thinking as a teenager and his opinion about becoming tana. I'm glad I learned more about how he got his efela ko too.
Other than that it was a nice short story to complete a reading of The hands of the Emperor.

geekmom's review

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emotional hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

A delightful short story about young Kip.

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