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The Red Company #1
Derring-Do for Beginners
Friends by chance--or is it fate? Damian Raske and Jullanar Thistlethwaite are about as different as can be. Damian is a young swordsman, dreaming of being the best in the world, hardly aware of what lies beyond the outskirts of his city, let alone that there is a great empire on the other side of the horizon.
Jullanar is a gently-raised young woman from deep inside the Empire of Astandalas, aware that there are worlds beyond its sway but hardly daring to dream she'd ever see outside of her own country, let alone beyond the empire's borders. And yet they both dream of friendship, of adventure, of what else there might be. And it's Jullanar whose exam results turn out to matter in a way no one could expect. The first book of The Red Company, because even the greatest of folk heroes have to start somewhere.
Jullanar is a gently-raised young woman from deep inside the Empire of Astandalas, aware that there are worlds beyond its sway but hardly daring to dream she'd ever see outside of her own country, let alone beyond the empire's borders. And yet they both dream of friendship, of adventure, of what else there might be. And it's Jullanar whose exam results turn out to matter in a way no one could expect. The first book of The Red Company, because even the greatest of folk heroes have to start somewhere.
385 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 16, 2023
44 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
About the author
Victoria Goddard
43 books776 followersI walked across England in 2013, fulfilling a long-held dream. I'm currently the sexton of an Anglican church in Nova Scotia, which means I am keeper of the keys and opener of doors (and shutter-off of alarms). I have a PhD in medieval studies from the University of Toronto, looking at poetry and philosophy in the works of Dante and Boethius -- both the poetry and the philosophy come into my stories a great deal (and occasionally the Dante and the Boethius).
I like writing about the ordinary lives of magical people on the other side of the looking glass ... and the extraordinary deeds of ordinary folk, too. Three of my favourite authors are Patricia McKillip (especially 'The Riddle-Master of Hed' trilogy and 'The Bell at Sealy Head'), Connie Willis ('Bellwether' and 'To Say Nothing of the Dog,' which latter would make my top-ten books on a desert island), and Lois McMaster Bujold ('The Curse of Chalion' and its sequels).
I like writing about the ordinary lives of magical people on the other side of the looking glass ... and the extraordinary deeds of ordinary folk, too. Three of my favourite authors are Patricia McKillip (especially 'The Riddle-Master of Hed' trilogy and 'The Bell at Sealy Head'), Connie Willis ('Bellwether' and 'To Say Nothing of the Dog,' which latter would make my top-ten books on a desert island), and Lois McMaster Bujold ('The Curse of Chalion' and its sequels).
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December 17, 2024This is a prologue to an existing series/world although TBH about 3/4 of the book reads like the prologue to itself, especially the heroine's incredibly long journey to get to the place where, eventually, the plot starts. This author writes very long and likes leisurely character work and world building, which are all very well done but I need a lot more plot. I am not in tune with the zeitgeist, I know. Chacun a son gout.
April 17, 2023
Did I begin reading this book within fifteen minutes of the author releasing it on her website? Yes, yes I did. (That was ten or so hours ago; today has been MARVELOUS.) I've been excited for this novel for ages and it was a wonderful gift to finally be able to read it. But I shall try to review it in a way that is not entirely dependent on my love for this entire series. Otherwise I would just be shrieking delightedly.
This was a story of young people figuring out their own way in the world, struggling to fit in, learning for the first time what it means to have a real friend. It was at times achingly tender, delightfully funny, heartbreakingly sweet... Goddard's fantasy and cultural worldbuilding is really wonderful, and the lands and worlds we see here are described in rich detail. Goddard writes deliciously complex and nuanced characters, and our main two characters, Damian and Jullanar, are easy to love. Their friendship is unconventional and honest and just, fundamentally kind? I loved them. So much. I can't wait to reread, and reread again, and wait eagerly for more of their adventures together.
I can't not mention that my reading was much enriched by knowing a good something about the future lives of the main characters, but I do think this story stands well on its own. I will end this review as I always do for Victoria Goddard books and beg everyone who likes cozy-ish fantasy and/or breathtakingly phenomenal character-focused storytelling to go read her. Just, please. Do it for yourself. Start here, start elsewhere, doesn't matter, it's all wonderful. ❤️
This was a story of young people figuring out their own way in the world, struggling to fit in, learning for the first time what it means to have a real friend. It was at times achingly tender, delightfully funny, heartbreakingly sweet... Goddard's fantasy and cultural worldbuilding is really wonderful, and the lands and worlds we see here are described in rich detail. Goddard writes deliciously complex and nuanced characters, and our main two characters, Damian and Jullanar, are easy to love. Their friendship is unconventional and honest and just, fundamentally kind? I loved them. So much. I can't wait to reread, and reread again, and wait eagerly for more of their adventures together.
I can't not mention that my reading was much enriched by knowing a good something about the future lives of the main characters, but I do think this story stands well on its own. I will end this review as I always do for Victoria Goddard books and beg everyone who likes cozy-ish fantasy and/or breathtakingly phenomenal character-focused storytelling to go read her. Just, please. Do it for yourself. Start here, start elsewhere, doesn't matter, it's all wonderful. ❤️
May 29, 2023
For the first time, I didn't love everything from the first sentence on. It took me a chapter or two, before I was convinced that Damian is not a generic boring hero. (He's not, but he kinda looks like one for a little bit.) But then I did start to like him, and then Jullanar appeared, and their friendship is something so special... And, of course, when Fitzroy falls from the sky with his "Doctor Who just after he regenerated" and "Rapunzel just after she escaped her tower" energy, everything changes...
Every time I read a bit more about Fitzroy before or after makes me think back to HOTE and my heart breaks a little. I knew he was - say "imprisoned," just to avoid spoilers - but seeing him so happy here makes me remember how terribly quiet he is in his prison and I just want to cry.
I was a bit hesitant about actuall stories about the Red Company, because, see, I loved that we hear about those good old legendary days just in little bits and pieces here and there: it makes those times seem so much more epic. I was OK with never visiting this part of the story... Well, now I'm not. I need more.
Every time I read a bit more about Fitzroy before or after makes me think back to HOTE and my heart breaks a little. I knew he was - say "imprisoned," just to avoid spoilers - but seeing him so happy here makes me remember how terribly quiet he is in his prison and I just want to cry.
I was a bit hesitant about actuall stories about the Red Company, because, see, I loved that we hear about those good old legendary days just in little bits and pieces here and there: it makes those times seem so much more epic. I was OK with never visiting this part of the story... Well, now I'm not. I need more.
April 6, 2024
The Red Company is a subject in many of Victoria Goddard's series. If you have read other of Goddard's books related to The Hands of the Emperor At the Feet of the Sun, you have been introduced to characters of The Red Company. The Return of Fitzroy Angursell is another. "Derring-Do for Beginners" actually starts a new series that is totally about The Red Company. Here we are introduced to the early members of The Company and their development. In chronological time, we meet Fitzroy, Damian and Jullanar for the very first time. It is fun in a way, because we know these characters as older, developed people. Jullanar, the female bad ass with knife and sword. In "Derring-Do" she is just a beginner. Play on words.
So, that leaves me with this one thought. The Lays are one series. Greenwing & Dart is another series. Now we have book one of The Red Company. Series number three. None of the series have been completed. Will Victoria Goddard ever complete a series? :)
These are fun reads.
So, that leaves me with this one thought. The Lays are one series. Greenwing & Dart is another series. Now we have book one of The Red Company. Series number three. None of the series have been completed. Will Victoria Goddard ever complete a series? :)
These are fun reads.
April 18, 2023
They're just babies 😍😭
April 19, 2023
I wish this got further into the story, but I love baby Jullanar and I basically screamed when Fitzroy appeared.
I have so many questions about how Damian gets from here to the Ysthar books though.
This gets extra points for having the friendship of 3 older women be the key to everything.
I have so many questions about how Damian gets from here to the Ysthar books though.
This gets extra points for having the friendship of 3 older women be the key to everything.
August 16, 2023
brb, just reading all the books and stories that Victoria Goddard has even written
September 29, 2025
While this is marked as “Book 1” of this series, really I think it means much more if read after other stories in this world.
I didn’t have a very strong feeling of the Red Company, although they appear later and their adventures are mentioned lots. I loved seeing these humble beginnings though, with Damian and Julinar. The book slowly introduces them in their late teens, figuring themselves out and becoming friends, outcasts both. They are far from the legends they would become, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them - Julinar, uncertain about whether she would ever find something to be great at, Damian feeling so far removed from people due to his lack of understanding.
The book ambles (sometimes a bit too) slowly until the final third, when Fitzroy makes an entrance. He’s so much fun, and ups wonder by levels by his personality and magic, both,
I didn’t have a very strong feeling of the Red Company, although they appear later and their adventures are mentioned lots. I loved seeing these humble beginnings though, with Damian and Julinar. The book slowly introduces them in their late teens, figuring themselves out and becoming friends, outcasts both. They are far from the legends they would become, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading about them - Julinar, uncertain about whether she would ever find something to be great at, Damian feeling so far removed from people due to his lack of understanding.
The book ambles (sometimes a bit too) slowly until the final third, when Fitzroy makes an entrance. He’s so much fun, and ups wonder by levels by his personality and magic, both,
July 29, 2024
Damian and Jullanar are now I think my very favourite of Goddard’s characters: so compelling, so well rendered, so distinct and yet well suited, growing and changing and yet clearly themselves— fantastic!! I just wish this book had found a way to also have a PLOT. The final scene is sweet and not a bad place to end, really, except that it also defers any real “outcome”. The more Goddard I read, the more I enjoy each book while also being frustrated that the superb characters and world building are not matched by an equivalent skill with plotting. It feels like she’s trying to leave threads for future books, but at the expense of any individual book being narratively “whole”.
November 4, 2025
God the glasses realisation made me cry, this was so beautifully built and written
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 21, 2024
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.
August 27, 2023
Overall this was a fun, cute read and I'm interested to see if this author improves with future books, but, in my opinion, this book really struggled with pacing. There was a lot of time where not a whole lot was happening (but the world building was good). And then 70% of the way through the book, a new major character arrived out of the blue and totally changed the feel of the book. It just didn't flow smoothly for me. And, unfortunately, this book really needed a better proofreader, too. In the last little bit that I just finished reading (less than 20 pages), I came across both "There was a man along the bar that Damian whom was trying to keep an eye on," and "Jullanar stared wide-eyed at him and say anything." This book was chock full of errors like that.
July 12, 2023
Good blend of plot and characters. It is nice to see some relatively low stakes in this world for once.
January 5, 2025
I'm really loving how great Goddard is at writing young adults. They're clearly not children, but they also lack the surety and direction that many older people would have in the same situations they're in because of the lack of life experience.
Both Jullanar and Damian were really charming in their own ways, and while opposite in many ways, the same in the important, fundamental ones. It's something I recognize from some of my own friendships, the one that last. The sheer vulnerability of this book hit me in the gut.
Both Jullanar and Damian are vastly misunderstood at the start of the story and, by the end of it, have addressed some of that (Damian!) or started admitting to herself that maybe she just wants something different for herself than her family does (Jullanar). It's beautiful and the storyline about Damian's difficulties had me in tears.
Definitely one of my new favorites!
Both Jullanar and Damian were really charming in their own ways, and while opposite in many ways, the same in the important, fundamental ones. It's something I recognize from some of my own friendships, the one that last. The sheer vulnerability of this book hit me in the gut.
Both Jullanar and Damian are vastly misunderstood at the start of the story and, by the end of it, have addressed some of that (Damian!) or started admitting to herself that maybe she just wants something different for herself than her family does (Jullanar). It's beautiful and the storyline about Damian's difficulties had me in tears.
Definitely one of my new favorites!
November 7, 2023
catch me filling out three new adoption papers
August 22, 2024
eu quase chorei no trabalho lendo o acontecimento mais simples do mundo, mas teve tanta construção por trás, que meu deus, victoria goddard, ninguém escreve personagens como você
tem um título de capítulo que é "in which jullanar learns of serendipity" e isso é a tese toda do livro basicamente, como acontecimentos fora de nosso controle mudam a vida pra sempre, pois se não fosse a jullanar indo pra além da borda ela não teria conhecido o damiam e os dois não teriam conhecido o fitzroy e nunca existiria a red company
e simplesmente amei tudo desse livro, principalmente o fato que é sobre amizade, pois jullanar e damian nunca tiveram amigos de verdade e os dois foram os primeiros amigos um do outro 😭 e eles foram os primeiros amigos do fitzroy 😭😭😭
adorei ver a jullanar antes de ser a JULLANAR, mas reconhecer os traços da personalidade dela que nunca mudaram e nossa, amei tanto ter o POV do damian, não sabia o que esperar e não estava esperando esse querido (e fiquei com uma vontade absurda de reler till human voices wakes us, pois DAMIAN como assim?!)
quero muito the red company 2, principalmente para conhecer os outros membros que só sabemos de nome
"Damian shivered, but it was—it was good, wasn’t it, to share something so precious and private? It was not a weakness, no more than loving the beauties of the reed-plains and the wild things was."
tem um título de capítulo que é "in which jullanar learns of serendipity" e isso é a tese toda do livro basicamente, como acontecimentos fora de nosso controle mudam a vida pra sempre, pois se não fosse a jullanar indo pra além da borda ela não teria conhecido o damiam e os dois não teriam conhecido o fitzroy e nunca existiria a red company
e simplesmente amei tudo desse livro, principalmente o fato que é sobre amizade, pois jullanar e damian nunca tiveram amigos de verdade e os dois foram os primeiros amigos um do outro 😭 e eles foram os primeiros amigos do fitzroy 😭😭😭
adorei ver a jullanar antes de ser a JULLANAR, mas reconhecer os traços da personalidade dela que nunca mudaram e nossa, amei tanto ter o POV do damian, não sabia o que esperar e não estava esperando esse querido (e fiquei com uma vontade absurda de reler till human voices wakes us, pois DAMIAN como assim?!)
quero muito the red company 2, principalmente para conhecer os outros membros que só sabemos de nome
"Damian shivered, but it was—it was good, wasn’t it, to share something so precious and private? It was not a weakness, no more than loving the beauties of the reed-plains and the wild things was."
January 27, 2024
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/6...
--Or click here to browse through all my reviews!
https://lesserjoke.home.blog
August 30, 2023
Love, love, love this. I am so happy that my delight in The Hands of the Emperor was replicated here.
This isn't really a plot driven book. But the characters are so well realized it's wonderful to see them interact with each other and grow.
Looks like I'm going to have to track down everything Goddard has written.
This isn't really a plot driven book. But the characters are so well realized it's wonderful to see them interact with each other and grow.
Looks like I'm going to have to track down everything Goddard has written.
October 18, 2023
Delightful adventures, but too many loose ends
Victoria Goddard has written a book full of strangeness and delight, with the story of a young woman who ventures far beyond her home, and in doing so— in seeking adventure at all— beyond the bounds of the propriety of the culture in which she’d been raised.
She becomes the student of a young man whose only interest is the sword, who has trained his mind and body to become the best swordsman in the world. Bad with people, his love is of nature and swordsmanship, so when asked to tutor the young woman in the local language, he teaches her to handle a sword as well, and to sit so silently that birds and animals don’t notice her presence.
And all is well, until a third young person drops in…
My only problem with the book is that it’s the beginning of a series, but there aren’t as yet any sequels. There are too many things left unresolved, too many questions raised but unanswered. The second book is supposed to appear in 2024.
Recommended, with that caveat.
Victoria Goddard has written a book full of strangeness and delight, with the story of a young woman who ventures far beyond her home, and in doing so— in seeking adventure at all— beyond the bounds of the propriety of the culture in which she’d been raised.
She becomes the student of a young man whose only interest is the sword, who has trained his mind and body to become the best swordsman in the world. Bad with people, his love is of nature and swordsmanship, so when asked to tutor the young woman in the local language, he teaches her to handle a sword as well, and to sit so silently that birds and animals don’t notice her presence.
And all is well, until a third young person drops in…
My only problem with the book is that it’s the beginning of a series, but there aren’t as yet any sequels. There are too many things left unresolved, too many questions raised but unanswered. The second book is supposed to appear in 2024.
Recommended, with that caveat.
March 17, 2024
A ponderously slow start really picks up about halfway through this engaging backstory, and as usual, things really start to sizzle when Fitzroy finally makes his entrance.
June 28, 2024
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 do 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 do 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.)
October 18, 2024
Set in the same universe as most of Goddard's fantasy, this book introduces two of the characters back before the start of their famous adventures. It opens with a lengthy section from the perspective of one of the pair, a young man who stuggles except with swordsmanship, then moves to the second of the pair, a young woman who has a mishap during an exam. This first stretch of the book entertained me well. Once the two met up, I found this a delight. Moving and sweet with a generous dollop of appreciation for the natural world. Both main characters and most of the supporting cast are goodhearted, gentle people. [Well, except for the swordplay, but even that is comparatively gentle.]
Four out of five derring stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
Four out of five derring stars.
About my reviews: I try to review every book I read, including those that I don't end up enjoying. The reviews are not scholarly, but just indicate my reaction as a reader, reading being my addiction. I am miserly with 5-star reviews; 4 stars means I liked a book very much; 3 stars means I liked it; 2 stars means I didn't like it (though often the 2-star books are very popular with other readers and/or are by authors whose other work I've loved).
August 4, 2025
8.5/10
Really fun and heartwarming story following a swordsman past the time of swords, and a kind young woman who wants very badly to be his friend.
I really enjoyed this and I especially enjoyed how the family slowly began to pull together. Damien was a fascinating character, and Jules was also very nice although I did feel like she didn’t actually have much reason to be persecuted as she was. The kind and responsible mothers were either full characters, if a little meddling.
I did think that Damien’s plot line didn’t quite make sense fully. It seems like they were baiting him having a learning disability which ended up just being visual disability that had tied into him being socially inept and callous in a way that didn’t seem practical. They also made him unrealistically strong, and there was a scene where he lat raised two grown ass men and then felt shame for struggling with it.
The ending was so so but I think that you’re meant to read other books first. I’ll check out some more books in the series then see how that changes my opinion.
Really fun and heartwarming story following a swordsman past the time of swords, and a kind young woman who wants very badly to be his friend.
I really enjoyed this and I especially enjoyed how the family slowly began to pull together. Damien was a fascinating character, and Jules was also very nice although I did feel like she didn’t actually have much reason to be persecuted as she was. The kind and responsible mothers were either full characters, if a little meddling.
I did think that Damien’s plot line didn’t quite make sense fully. It seems like they were baiting him having a learning disability which ended up just being visual disability that had tied into him being socially inept and callous in a way that didn’t seem practical. They also made him unrealistically strong, and there was a scene where he lat raised two grown ass men and then felt shame for struggling with it.
The ending was so so but I think that you’re meant to read other books first. I’ll check out some more books in the series then see how that changes my opinion.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 24, 2024
This is so unique because it’s almost a companion novella but it’s a full length novel and yet it FEELS like a companion novella. I spent so long searching for book 2 only to realize book 2 doesn’t exist, they’re all set after the Fall and we don’t get to hang out with these characters as teenagers anymore. Which is DEVASTATING.
I don’t think this would make a whole lot of sense without having read both The Hands of the Emperor and The Tower at the Edge of the World. But having read both of those: this absolutely crushed my soul. Seeing Fitzroy’s childlike joy and wonder in the world, knowing full well where he’s going to end up spending the majority of his life, and seeing his delight in his friends knowing full well how rare friendship will be for him, was crushing.
Onwards I go to the Return of Fitzroy and then the Feet of the Sun and I’m begging Victoria Goddard to please just let Fitzroy be happy PLEASE
I don’t think this would make a whole lot of sense without having read both The Hands of the Emperor and The Tower at the Edge of the World. But having read both of those: this absolutely crushed my soul. Seeing Fitzroy’s childlike joy and wonder in the world, knowing full well where he’s going to end up spending the majority of his life, and seeing his delight in his friends knowing full well how rare friendship will be for him, was crushing.
Onwards I go to the Return of Fitzroy and then the Feet of the Sun and I’m begging Victoria Goddard to please just let Fitzroy be happy PLEASE
July 15, 2023
Wow, this book completely captivated my imagination from start to finish! The author's brilliant storytelling skills painted vivid landscapes and brought the characters to life in such a compelling way. The plot was masterfully crafted. But what truly resonated with me was the profound emotional depth of the narrative. It's rare to find a book that engages both the mind and the heart so effortlessly. Highly recommended for anyone seeking an unforgettable literary journey!
So first thing's first Damian is a young swordsman and Jullanar is a young woman with a dream. We see how the group came together, which is almost secondary to the overall story about two very different young people trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives. Like her other stories, it's beautifully written, with a colorful cast of characters exploring some locales in much larger, sprawling world.
So first thing's first Damian is a young swordsman and Jullanar is a young woman with a dream. We see how the group came together, which is almost secondary to the overall story about two very different young people trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives. Like her other stories, it's beautifully written, with a colorful cast of characters exploring some locales in much larger, sprawling world.
Read
November 22, 2023I was surprised when this book ended. It seemed like it was setting itself up, and it is not at all obvious which book I should read next.
The author has a bunch of books with 9 Worlds connected to each other. We have a couple of protagonists in different worlds. One is in an empire who is preparing to go to a lesser university after barely passing her tests. But that university is closed for the season sho she delivers a package to her aunt who's in a different "world".
People believe in magic, but we don't really see it until the third character shows up, and maybe not then. The 2nd "world" doesn't have removable type nor eyeglasses. But it does have the 2nd protagonist who is a great swordsman and a bouncer and is though of as being dumb.
Enjoyable characters and an environment I want to learn more of.
The author has a bunch of books with 9 Worlds connected to each other. We have a couple of protagonists in different worlds. One is in an empire who is preparing to go to a lesser university after barely passing her tests. But that university is closed for the season sho she delivers a package to her aunt who's in a different "world".
People believe in magic, but we don't really see it until the third character shows up, and maybe not then. The 2nd "world" doesn't have removable type nor eyeglasses. But it does have the 2nd protagonist who is a great swordsman and a bouncer and is though of as being dumb.
Enjoyable characters and an environment I want to learn more of.
June 11, 2023
If you like Victoria's other work, you'll probably enjoy this one. Misfit characters becoming found family. This is the first time we really meet Damian, who was not at all what I expected, but still the greatest (incipient) swordsman in the land. Jullanar is not yet the confident older lady we have seen in later books, but is the charming girl ready for adventure that others remembered her as. Probably a good place to jump in also if you want to start reading some of her books, the worldbuilding here gets explained about as well as in the other stories. Cozy fantasy!
July 20, 2023
Everyone should read Victoria Goddard. Her stories are all loving, cozy, adventurous, exciting and just all around delightful. Once you start reading these books (all of her stories live in a connected universe of worlds, magic, relationships, people, etc) you will want to explore it to the edges. Luckily the author has written novellas, novels, epics... an appropriately-sized story for whatever your needs are.
This story in particular is about the beginning of her "Red Company", a group of adventurers who roam through my imagination and most of the rest of the related books. It's a lovely introduction to these characters and it is just what you hope for - a serendipitous picaresque full of lovely people and lovingly described environments for them to exist within.
This story in particular is about the beginning of her "Red Company", a group of adventurers who roam through my imagination and most of the rest of the related books. It's a lovely introduction to these characters and it is just what you hope for - a serendipitous picaresque full of lovely people and lovingly described environments for them to exist within.
September 30, 2024
This was fine. It felt really low stakes - partly because it's a prequal, so we literally know what happens to Jullanar. It's also a bit tricky for me, because my memory isn't all that, and there are three series in this universe that contain Jullanar and it's gotten a bit confusing. Anyway, that's a me problem. It just felt like she was wandering around being a bit gormless for the first 2/3rds of the book. An then things start getting interesting and it ends. I'm looking forward to the next book.
December 7, 2025
Nothing awful happened in this book. It was delightful.
I don't think it would work as well as a first book of this sprawling series. Slow start, which anyone who's made it through The Hands of the Emperor shouldn't choke upon. It worked for me because I'd already become attached to Jullinar in the later-set Greenwing & Dart subseries, so was primed to be curious about her past. So I still rec Stargazy Pie and its immediate sequels as the easiest on-ramp to Goddard's interconnected fantasy world.
Ta, L.
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