Tower of Winter

by Will Wight

***What follows is a small collection of short stories set in the universe of the Traveler’s Gate Trilogy, which begins in the novel House of Blades. If you have not read House of Blades, or its sequel, The Crimson Vault, then you will not understand the stories in this collection.***

In the first story, Tower of Winter, Traveler Donia Sarkis comes face-to-face with the ancient powers hidden within Helgard's mysterious sixteenth floor.

The second story, The Feathered Plains, follows Denner Weeks in his attempts to avoid assassinating a fifteen-year-old Avernus Traveler who has seen the future.

Finally, The Crystal Fields is a retelling of an ancient legend that Lirial Travelers have passed down for generations.

***This collection is intended to give fans of the Traveler's Gate Trilogy a look into the Travelers and Territories that didn't quite make it into the novels. If you're happy with the amount of world-building in the novels, and you'd rather wait until you can find out what happens to Simon, that's perfectly fine! City of Light is coming in early 2014.***

Genres: Fantasy, Short Stories, Fiction, Epic Fantasy, Adventure, Anthologies

57 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 21, 2013

Reviews

[Shreyas · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Tower of Winter' (The Traveler's Gate Chronicles - Collection #1) by Will Wight.



1) 'Tower of Winter' (The Traveler's Gate Chronicles #1): 2.5/5.

2) 'The Feathered Plains' (The Traveler's Gate Chronicles #2): 3.0/5.

3) 'The Crystal Fields' (The Traveler's Gate Chronicles #1): 4.5/5.



Overall Rating for the Short Story Collection: 6.75/10.

[Tzurky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a rating for all the short stories, I read them together and there are more than 3, so I don’t know where else to put them. Each story deals with a different territory and it’s functioning and philosophy. They’re good flavor text for the books and some of the stories are really moving. I liked Helgard and Ragnarus best and of course Tartarus, because we stan 😁 some of the characters in the books come up and are used to great effect here, though I won’t say who and how. I’d recommend reading them since were probably not getting more of the world soon and it is really nicely crafted.

[HM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read the Traveler's Gate trilogy 3 times over now and only just learned about these short stories. Will Wight has created an intricate and finely detailed world, and I'm thrilled to see that these stories exist. Even more so because the stories are framed as insight into the Elysian virtues while simultaneously giving insight into the territories.

[Vijay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good short stories.

[Alexandre · Rating 4 out of 5]

These stories were good, especially the last one. Great message.

[Ashlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun addition to the trilogy

[Dave Ricchiazzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

These three stories are fun and attention-grabbing. They add a certain depth to the Traveler's Gate universe, recognizing that even if you're not Simon, Leah, or one of the other characters in the main series, you've got your own problems.

Each story is framed with a snippet from an Elysian book, which adds texture and is a nice touch.

All three stories are good, but the Helgard and Lirial stories are the standouts here. The Lirial tale does a wonderful job of looking at the differences between wisdom and intelligence, playing on people's assumptions about what makes a person "smart", not only giving us a fun folktale, but showing us how Lirial travelers may see the world.

The story in Helgard has a great moment between a noble's son with no discernable magical talent and the Helgard Traveler escorting him. It really brings to light how people with magical talent view the non-magical and vice-versa. It has to really do something to your self-esteem to be surrounded by people who can pretty much perform miracles, especially members of your own family. Plus, it made me realize that anyone who matters in the main series has access to a Territory.

[Nick DD · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick dip back into the world of Traveler's Gate with 3 short stories. While I enjoyed the stories (the first 2 more than the last) - I was a bit dismayed to be presented with some new questions - and I fear that the author may not be writing more from this series to answer them. Also, I felt like the stories never really came to a satisfying conclusion. They instead, for better or worse, leave you wondering (painfully) what happens next?! I'm ecstatic to have another window through which to peer into these worlds, but I fear that this taste has only made me desperately yearn for more.

Please tell me more full length novels are on the way? Yes? Please?

In the mean time - off to the Gardens of Mist.

[motioneffector · Rating 4 out of 5]

In some respects, these three novella entries into the Traveler's Gate world are better than the actual novels (which /are/ good). Across the three, they detail an individual Territory's traveler, and an experience within said Territory that builds the worlds of them and shows the virtues/vices/powers of that Territory... for each of the core territories. The sum of the three is a short novel of pure, unadulterated worldbuilding, and the most Sandersonian I've seen Wight get thus far. These were /very/ good reads - so long as one's already read the core trilogy

[Christy Beal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful for readers trying to understand some of the other territories. Three short stories from three territories. Short and enjoyable.

[James Kidd · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am loving the main series, and these were short stories providing further detail and info on the world. Just felt rather unsatisfying if I am honest.

[Kyle Dollar · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick read that gives a nice slice of background information for the ongoing trilogy. Moving on to collection #2

[Robert Guy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's short but some good tales, I didn't realize this was just a collection when I first read it and thought this was the series - jumped to book two of the series next - no wonder I'm so confused.