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Tuyo #8
Marag
A Tuyo-World Prequel Standalone Novel
Sinowa inGara cherished his first wife. But now, with his people heading for trouble, he needs the high standing he would gain from marrying again. The best choice would be a singer -- preferably an inKarano singer. Only one inKarano singer is Marag inKarano.
For ten winters, Marag has turned aside every warrior and every poet who has approached her. She knows she will become one of the foremost singers of all the tribes. She knows whomever she marries will gain great standing through that marriage. Her choice is important — too important to leave to chance. For all these winters, Marag has asked the gods to send her a sign when the right man comes to sit by her fire and ask for her favor.
The gods have never sent her that sign.
This winter, Sinowa catches Marag’s attention the moment he arrives at the Convocation grounds, far to the east of inGara lands. But almost at the same moment, a different problem compels her attention — and his.
Wolves have been singing in the mountains since the Convocation began, bringing good luck and showing the favor of the gods. But now some mysterious curse has come upon the wolves … and that ill luck may be spreading, carried from the mountains on a bitter wind. As the curse intensifies, even the strength of a warrior and the deep understanding of a singer may be hard-pressed to turn the ill luck away from the gathered people and the world.
Sinowa inGara cherished his first wife. But now, with his people heading for trouble, he needs the high standing he would gain from marrying again. The best choice would be a singer -- preferably an inKarano singer. Only one inKarano singer is Marag inKarano.
For ten winters, Marag has turned aside every warrior and every poet who has approached her. She knows she will become one of the foremost singers of all the tribes. She knows whomever she marries will gain great standing through that marriage. Her choice is important — too important to leave to chance. For all these winters, Marag has asked the gods to send her a sign when the right man comes to sit by her fire and ask for her favor.
The gods have never sent her that sign.
This winter, Sinowa catches Marag’s attention the moment he arrives at the Convocation grounds, far to the east of inGara lands. But almost at the same moment, a different problem compels her attention — and his.
Wolves have been singing in the mountains since the Convocation began, bringing good luck and showing the favor of the gods. But now some mysterious curse has come upon the wolves … and that ill luck may be spreading, carried from the mountains on a bitter wind. As the curse intensifies, even the strength of a warrior and the deep understanding of a singer may be hard-pressed to turn the ill luck away from the gathered people and the world.
332 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2024
18 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Neumeier
56 books578 followersRachel Neumeier started writing fiction to relax when she was a graduate student and needed a hobby unrelated to her research. Prior to selling her first fantasy novel, she had published only a few articles in venues such as The American Journal of Botany. However, finding that her interests did not lie in research, Rachel left academia and began to let her hobbies take over her life instead.
She now raises and shows dogs, gardens, cooks, and occasionally finds time to read. She works part-time for a tutoring program, though she tutors far more students in Math and Chemistry than in English Composition.
She now raises and shows dogs, gardens, cooks, and occasionally finds time to read. She works part-time for a tutoring program, though she tutors far more students in Math and Chemistry than in English Composition.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
April 4, 2024
Anything in the “Tuyo” series is an auto-buy for me at this point, whether it’s part of the main story arc (so far, “Tuyo,” “Tarashana,” and “Tasmakat”) or one of the numerous side stories or novellas. Actually, I might enjoy the side stories even more than the main arc, because of how they dig into little slices of such a fascinating world and are so concerned with the small, seemingly-inconsequential actions of normal people and how those efforts combine to affect the world, for good or ill. It’s such a refreshing break from standard epic fantasy stories, concerned with the fates of nations, continents or entire worlds, to take some time in a story where the personal stakes are no less high, but the entire universe doesn’t hang in the balance.
“Marag” is a prequel book, the story of how the parents of the main arc’s central characters, Ryo, met, established a bond of mutual trust and respect, and married. The problem with prequels is that by design, you already know how the story ends, and that knowledge can remove some of the urgency or tension. The way to combat this is to ensure that the journey is still compelling even when you know the eventual destination. Sometimes this doesn’t work, as in the Star Wars prequel trilogy—you already know Anakin Skywalker will become Darth Vader, but what should have been an exploration of a good person’s fall to evil is hampered by poor storytelling and some really lousy writing. Fortunately, “Marag” succeeds in navigating this trap: it is simultaneously a love story, a study of two characters and how they relate to each other and to their culture, and an adventurous mystery when it becomes clear that something supernaturally bad is going on nearby.
Sinowa and Marag are familiar side characters from previous “Tuyo” books. Here we see them younger and before they are quite as established as leaders of their people. Sinowa is a strong warrior, with pride verging on arrogance, unmarried after his first wife’s untimely death. Marag is a gifted young singer who has avoided marriage past the usual point for an Ugaro woman, to the point where her unmarried status has begun to hinder her social standing. It’s easy to draw a line between who they are in this book and who they become in later books; all the seeds are there for them to overcome their initial problems and grow into respected leaders. They each have their own challenges, which they face together in as much a way as the social structure of the Ugaro tribes allow: Sinowa gets involved in another tribe’s difficulties rearing their young men to behave properly, while Marag is instrumental in easing a mysterious curse of ill luck that has taken root nearby. The scene of the curse finally lifting nearly brought me to tears, not quite as much as a similar scene in “Tano” (one that also involved Marag!) but just about. It was just some beautiful, evocative writing.
One of the things I find most interesting about Ugaro culture in these books is how it is so focused on nature and nurture. For a quote-unquote “savage” society, it is extremely focused on proper, respectful behavior, with an emphasis on everyone staying strictly within the bounds of propriety, based on community role, gender, age, and social standing. But a person’s nature is equally important, as is being able to read people. Sinowa is particularly good at recognizing that not everyone is suited for every task; his storyline’s conflict arises from another person who is not adept at that recognition. The book’s final scene shows Ryo as an infant, along with some foreshadowing of the new path he will forge among both his people and the neighboring Lau, and to both his parents’ credit they realize that this is what may be best for everyone.
This is definitely not the book anyone new to the series should start with, but it’s a real treat for those who stick with the series. “Tano” is still my favorite and probably will be for a while, at least until another Tano book comes out, but “Marag” is a lovely, insightful, and moving story and I enjoyed every bit of it.
“Marag” is a prequel book, the story of how the parents of the main arc’s central characters, Ryo, met, established a bond of mutual trust and respect, and married. The problem with prequels is that by design, you already know how the story ends, and that knowledge can remove some of the urgency or tension. The way to combat this is to ensure that the journey is still compelling even when you know the eventual destination. Sometimes this doesn’t work, as in the Star Wars prequel trilogy—you already know Anakin Skywalker will become Darth Vader, but what should have been an exploration of a good person’s fall to evil is hampered by poor storytelling and some really lousy writing. Fortunately, “Marag” succeeds in navigating this trap: it is simultaneously a love story, a study of two characters and how they relate to each other and to their culture, and an adventurous mystery when it becomes clear that something supernaturally bad is going on nearby.
Sinowa and Marag are familiar side characters from previous “Tuyo” books. Here we see them younger and before they are quite as established as leaders of their people. Sinowa is a strong warrior, with pride verging on arrogance, unmarried after his first wife’s untimely death. Marag is a gifted young singer who has avoided marriage past the usual point for an Ugaro woman, to the point where her unmarried status has begun to hinder her social standing. It’s easy to draw a line between who they are in this book and who they become in later books; all the seeds are there for them to overcome their initial problems and grow into respected leaders. They each have their own challenges, which they face together in as much a way as the social structure of the Ugaro tribes allow: Sinowa gets involved in another tribe’s difficulties rearing their young men to behave properly, while Marag is instrumental in easing a mysterious curse of ill luck that has taken root nearby. The scene of the curse finally lifting nearly brought me to tears, not quite as much as a similar scene in “Tano” (one that also involved Marag!) but just about. It was just some beautiful, evocative writing.
One of the things I find most interesting about Ugaro culture in these books is how it is so focused on nature and nurture. For a quote-unquote “savage” society, it is extremely focused on proper, respectful behavior, with an emphasis on everyone staying strictly within the bounds of propriety, based on community role, gender, age, and social standing. But a person’s nature is equally important, as is being able to read people. Sinowa is particularly good at recognizing that not everyone is suited for every task; his storyline’s conflict arises from another person who is not adept at that recognition. The book’s final scene shows Ryo as an infant, along with some foreshadowing of the new path he will forge among both his people and the neighboring Lau, and to both his parents’ credit they realize that this is what may be best for everyone.
This is definitely not the book anyone new to the series should start with, but it’s a real treat for those who stick with the series. “Tano” is still my favorite and probably will be for a while, at least until another Tano book comes out, but “Marag” is a lovely, insightful, and moving story and I enjoyed every bit of it.
August 23, 2024
After book seven, "Tasmakat," in this Tuyo series, everything is optional. I liken these spin offs Neumeier is writing to encores.
"Marag" is the mother of Ryo, our hero in the three main Tuyo books. This encore explains how she meets Ryo's father and comes into her own as a 'Singer.' The Singers in Tuyo are in touch with the spirits of the land. They see and hear things other can only guess at. Their voices can speak to the gods, should the gods be willing. The spirits Marag must battle are evil. Was it their fault these spirits shed darkness over the land. Neumeier excels in writing folklore.
A fun tale. Yet one more Rachel Neumeier has published. Off I go to it.
"Marag" is the mother of Ryo, our hero in the three main Tuyo books. This encore explains how she meets Ryo's father and comes into her own as a 'Singer.' The Singers in Tuyo are in touch with the spirits of the land. They see and hear things other can only guess at. Their voices can speak to the gods, should the gods be willing. The spirits Marag must battle are evil. Was it their fault these spirits shed darkness over the land. Neumeier excels in writing folklore.
A fun tale. Yet one more Rachel Neumeier has published. Off I go to it.
July 23, 2025
Glorious, heartfelt and beautiful
Rachel Neumeier is an extraordinary writer - to keep the world building moving through a series this long, and never miss a beat is exceptional. To write deeply moving stories even when, as with this one, we start having some idea of the end, is exceptional. To craft a world of depth and subtlety but with absolute coherence, is exceptional. And to write with grace and beauty in the sentences so that it’s worth coming back to for more than one read - is a delight.
Totally recommended. I’d say start at the beginning with TUYO, but actually, you could start with this one and it would work just as well.
Rachel Neumeier is an extraordinary writer - to keep the world building moving through a series this long, and never miss a beat is exceptional. To write deeply moving stories even when, as with this one, we start having some idea of the end, is exceptional. To craft a world of depth and subtlety but with absolute coherence, is exceptional. And to write with grace and beauty in the sentences so that it’s worth coming back to for more than one read - is a delight.
Totally recommended. I’d say start at the beginning with TUYO, but actually, you could start with this one and it would work just as well.
April 27, 2024
This one has been out longer than I usually let a Neumeier book sit before reading it but I’m still somewhat reeling from Tasmakat last year and the Tuyo world has such a huge part of my heart that I have to make sure to read new installments when I’m sure I can bear them haha!
This was a darling story. I love these “low stakes” entries into the world. Not everything has to be potentially the end of the world. Sometimes a spirit is caught on the top of a pass and a handful of people must clear the problem in a way where no one gets permanently hurt and that’s lovely. All of Marag’s thoughts about this problem being small beneath the sky were so restful. Also!!!!!!! Baby Ryo!!!!!!!!!
This was a darling story. I love these “low stakes” entries into the world. Not everything has to be potentially the end of the world. Sometimes a spirit is caught on the top of a pass and a handful of people must clear the problem in a way where no one gets permanently hurt and that’s lovely. All of Marag’s thoughts about this problem being small beneath the sky were so restful. Also!!!!!!! Baby Ryo!!!!!!!!!
April 17, 2024
Many of the Tuyo spinoff novellas are about things the reader would not have even thought to think about but are nevertheless fascinating. Here too, I had absolutely no curiosity about how Ryo’s parents met - and of course one chapter in i was completely hooked.
The story has interesting echoes of the inTasiyo, answering some questions of how a tribe can go bad and what happens when it does. There’s also some more details about the original ingara/intasiyo conflict, what the other tribes think of it, and how sinowa thinks of it with the distance of a few years. Young Marag and Sinowa are delightfully young and arrogant and very much themselves. Exactly how you would think they might be as young people.
Marag’s courtship from her point of view is fascinating, as we have not yet seen a courtship from the woman’s point of view and never a view of the full ugaro dating scene from someone who didn’t already have a love interest in mind.
The dual pov is a first! it’s very fun to see the same events through both characters eyes, as Marag and Siniwa carefully observe and analyze each other.
The exploration of Sinowa’s character is very interesting. He did not seem a particularly complicated character previously, but through Marag’s considering gaze, aspects of his personality come to light in interesting ways. Her observation that he sometimes makes bad decisions but is never morally wrong is a very interesting distinction and fits perfectly with what we know of him so far.
From Sinowa’s view, seeing his own analysis of his decisions, his uncertainty and deliberations, is very interesting. We have seen him from the outside, with the end result of seemingly very confident decisions, but we’ve never seen the inner workings of his mind and how he gets to those decisions, which of course is not as straightforward as it looks. It is also very interesting to see the traits that have clearly been passed on to Ryo. Some traits that had seemed to be general Ugaro traits, now seem to be more a particular inheritance from his father. Understanding Sinowa better gives a greater dimension to the rest of Ryo’s story.
The obsessive way Sinowa can’t let go of what he views as important is amusingly reminiscent of Suelen’s inability to resist giving people unrequested medical advice. Sinowa similarly can’t resist giving advice about honor even if it is none of his business, because he takes it as seriously as Suelen takes his medical practice.
There is also more development of the ill luck/cursed land concept that came up at the end of Tano. This is the first time we have seen from the view of a singer, and there is a lot more exploration of the fantastical aspects of the world. We’ve seen Marag heal a place of ill luck before in Tano, but it seemed abstract and, well, possibly a psycho-somatic sort of extension of “real” events. It wasn’t really clear how much was folklore and how much was actual metaphysics. Now we see it through Marag’s eyes, and it is very much real. We see the actual bad luck as a magical infestation, and we see the consequences of it. So this is an interesting expansion of this aspect of the world.
also, adorable toddler Ryo!!! With a very cool foreshadowing of his future.
i was wondering about whether we would see the tarashana man Marag references meeting in Tarashana. He does not materialize, but i wonder if he is related to the aftermath of the events of this book.
There was a very gripping and interesting plot alongside the development of the main characters relationship, which worked very well together. Overall one of my new favorites of the series (though that’s true of pretty much every new installment lol) and left me with a serious book hangover
The story has interesting echoes of the inTasiyo, answering some questions of how a tribe can go bad and what happens when it does. There’s also some more details about the original ingara/intasiyo conflict, what the other tribes think of it, and how sinowa thinks of it with the distance of a few years. Young Marag and Sinowa are delightfully young and arrogant and very much themselves. Exactly how you would think they might be as young people.
Marag’s courtship from her point of view is fascinating, as we have not yet seen a courtship from the woman’s point of view and never a view of the full ugaro dating scene from someone who didn’t already have a love interest in mind.
The dual pov is a first! it’s very fun to see the same events through both characters eyes, as Marag and Siniwa carefully observe and analyze each other.
The exploration of Sinowa’s character is very interesting. He did not seem a particularly complicated character previously, but through Marag’s considering gaze, aspects of his personality come to light in interesting ways. Her observation that he sometimes makes bad decisions but is never morally wrong is a very interesting distinction and fits perfectly with what we know of him so far.
From Sinowa’s view, seeing his own analysis of his decisions, his uncertainty and deliberations, is very interesting. We have seen him from the outside, with the end result of seemingly very confident decisions, but we’ve never seen the inner workings of his mind and how he gets to those decisions, which of course is not as straightforward as it looks. It is also very interesting to see the traits that have clearly been passed on to Ryo. Some traits that had seemed to be general Ugaro traits, now seem to be more a particular inheritance from his father. Understanding Sinowa better gives a greater dimension to the rest of Ryo’s story.
The obsessive way Sinowa can’t let go of what he views as important is amusingly reminiscent of Suelen’s inability to resist giving people unrequested medical advice. Sinowa similarly can’t resist giving advice about honor even if it is none of his business, because he takes it as seriously as Suelen takes his medical practice.
There is also more development of the ill luck/cursed land concept that came up at the end of Tano. This is the first time we have seen from the view of a singer, and there is a lot more exploration of the fantastical aspects of the world. We’ve seen Marag heal a place of ill luck before in Tano, but it seemed abstract and, well, possibly a psycho-somatic sort of extension of “real” events. It wasn’t really clear how much was folklore and how much was actual metaphysics. Now we see it through Marag’s eyes, and it is very much real. We see the actual bad luck as a magical infestation, and we see the consequences of it. So this is an interesting expansion of this aspect of the world.
also, adorable toddler Ryo!!! With a very cool foreshadowing of his future.
i was wondering about whether we would see the tarashana man Marag references meeting in Tarashana. He does not materialize, but i wonder if he is related to the aftermath of the events of this book.
There was a very gripping and interesting plot alongside the development of the main characters relationship, which worked very well together. Overall one of my new favorites of the series (though that’s true of pretty much every new installment lol) and left me with a serious book hangover
March 22, 2024
Love this prequel story about how Sinowa and Marag meet and become convinced that they should marry.
The story centers on repairing the bad outcomes caused by group of people who have not behaved properly according to Ugaro societal rules. I really like the redemption aspect of it -- we have no one in the story who is so evil/bad that they cannot take correction and learn the right way.
The Ugaro culture is very reflective; it seems very common to think on what you have done and what mistakes you have made and what you should do better next time.
I love love Sinowa saying "Every mistake you have ever made lies in the past. This is the day you face now. Put your attention to this day and this moment, not to anything that lies behind you or before you."
The story centers on repairing the bad outcomes caused by group of people who have not behaved properly according to Ugaro societal rules. I really like the redemption aspect of it -- we have no one in the story who is so evil/bad that they cannot take correction and learn the right way.
The Ugaro culture is very reflective; it seems very common to think on what you have done and what mistakes you have made and what you should do better next time.
I love love Sinowa saying "Every mistake you have ever made lies in the past. This is the day you face now. Put your attention to this day and this moment, not to anything that lies behind you or before you."
March 17, 2024
Very good. Recommend. This book is a prequel, but the story is completely self contained. It did not feel in anyway crimped or limited by the Tuyo books.
ETA:
Something occurred to me last night as I was lying in bed waiting to sleep.
The Ugaro have womens' business and mens' business. Girls and women (and their business) are monitored by the women in the tribe, the boys and men and their business, by the men. I'm quite used to this, and did not think anything of it, because that's how it's done (kind of) amoung the indigenous people in Australia.
In this story, various nomadic tribes are meeting for their Convocation, with their king.
The story is told for Sinowa and Marag's points of view. Sinowa identifies as a father above and before everything else. He is forceful dominant, and ambitious. He lives and breathes fatherhood, how to be a good father, actively being a good father, and extending that sense of fatherhood out and around him in the community. Fatherhood is not about just his own sons, it applies to all sons. Fatherhood for him is about taking responsibility for shepherding boys/adolescent boys/young men/men up to be good responsible adults including then becoming good fathers themselves. Fatherhood extends to taking responsibility for doing what he can to ensure other men are also good fathers.
In Sinowa's worldview, if a man is not a good father, he would be actively harmful in any leadership role in a tribe. A leader is automatically a role model, so how he comports himself and treats others automatically spreads to those around him. His desire to be the leader of his tribe is an extension of his identity as a father. (Which is really how to be an adult Ugaro man).
Fatherhood for Sinowa includes continuously monitoring all the men around him, and where they are younger, correcting them where needed. This includes making it clear what they did correctly, and wrongly, why, and how to do it better next time. Then the mistakes/wrong actions are in the past. By extension, if he sees someone being a bad father, he has a sense of responsibility to do something about it.
So in this story, we get to see how the tribes negotiate their personal politics/tribal politics and how they intertwine, and how mens' business and womens' business cross each other, and intertwine, and how all these people negotiate their jurisdictions, including the king.
I'm in my 50s. I don't think I have ever read a book before where the (very interesting) narrative is from the point of view of someone whose whole life is about being a father pretty much 24 hours a day.
Marag was an engrossing and enjoyable read.
ETA:
Something occurred to me last night as I was lying in bed waiting to sleep.
The Ugaro have womens' business and mens' business. Girls and women (and their business) are monitored by the women in the tribe, the boys and men and their business, by the men. I'm quite used to this, and did not think anything of it, because that's how it's done (kind of) amoung the indigenous people in Australia.
In this story, various nomadic tribes are meeting for their Convocation, with their king.
The story is told for Sinowa and Marag's points of view. Sinowa identifies as a father above and before everything else. He is forceful dominant, and ambitious. He lives and breathes fatherhood, how to be a good father, actively being a good father, and extending that sense of fatherhood out and around him in the community. Fatherhood is not about just his own sons, it applies to all sons. Fatherhood for him is about taking responsibility for shepherding boys/adolescent boys/young men/men up to be good responsible adults including then becoming good fathers themselves. Fatherhood extends to taking responsibility for doing what he can to ensure other men are also good fathers.
In Sinowa's worldview, if a man is not a good father, he would be actively harmful in any leadership role in a tribe. A leader is automatically a role model, so how he comports himself and treats others automatically spreads to those around him. His desire to be the leader of his tribe is an extension of his identity as a father. (Which is really how to be an adult Ugaro man).
Fatherhood for Sinowa includes continuously monitoring all the men around him, and where they are younger, correcting them where needed. This includes making it clear what they did correctly, and wrongly, why, and how to do it better next time. Then the mistakes/wrong actions are in the past. By extension, if he sees someone being a bad father, he has a sense of responsibility to do something about it.
So in this story, we get to see how the tribes negotiate their personal politics/tribal politics and how they intertwine, and how mens' business and womens' business cross each other, and intertwine, and how all these people negotiate their jurisdictions, including the king.
I'm in my 50s. I don't think I have ever read a book before where the (very interesting) narrative is from the point of view of someone whose whole life is about being a father pretty much 24 hours a day.
Marag was an engrossing and enjoyable read.
September 21, 2024
To what I'm sure is everyone's everlasting shock, surprise, incredulity, etc. this was great.
This is the flashback story of Ryo's mother and father getting together, and it's very interesting. It was a second marriage for his father after becoming a widower, and a first for his (much younger) mother. I really liked seeing Marag's point of view as she carefully considered everything, and Sinowa's as he crashed through every problem like an extremely confident wrecking ball. He was known by everyone as That Guy With The Unmitigated Gall. Marag was like, Hm. Don't know if this is wise. Compels me though. And you know what? I respect that.
The central problems of the plot were 1) mysterious curse possessing people and 2) tribe with weak morals badly managing their youth. This latter issue is a classic of the genre, and called back (forward?) to Ryo's adopting Tano. The former issue is one we haven't seen before, and I still don't really know what was happening, though it lent a nice spooky atmosphere of suspense to the story. And an author's note in the back hints that the angry spirit will be explained eventually, so that's something to look forward to.
This is the flashback story of Ryo's mother and father getting together, and it's very interesting. It was a second marriage for his father after becoming a widower, and a first for his (much younger) mother. I really liked seeing Marag's point of view as she carefully considered everything, and Sinowa's as he crashed through every problem like an extremely confident wrecking ball. He was known by everyone as That Guy With The Unmitigated Gall. Marag was like, Hm. Don't know if this is wise. Compels me though. And you know what? I respect that.
The central problems of the plot were 1) mysterious curse possessing people and 2) tribe with weak morals badly managing their youth. This latter issue is a classic of the genre, and called back (forward?) to Ryo's adopting Tano. The former issue is one we haven't seen before, and I still don't really know what was happening, though it lent a nice spooky atmosphere of suspense to the story. And an author's note in the back hints that the angry spirit will be explained eventually, so that's something to look forward to.
December 22, 2024
Am I enjoying this series enough to read the "how the main character's parents met?" story as the eighth book? Apparently!
Neumeier wrote that this started as a little bit of a "How I met your mother?" and became a novel when she wasn't looking. You can tell, but I appreciate it.
There's an essay somewhere about the Ugaro (and the Lau, but to less degree) and tochacha - the obligation to rebuke. Because the whole point of the story is that we have to be able to say things to one another when we do something wrong, either accidentally or intentionally. We have to be able to confront or confess or we don't have a society. The whole point of the Ugaro is that life is hard and you have to be able to talk to one another about doing things right. Consistently in this story, problems develop when people in power cannot hear critique. And I feel like there has to be an answer beyond fighting each other, although, honestly, that seems to be working so far.
I can't believe I only have one book left.
Neumeier wrote that this started as a little bit of a "How I met your mother?" and became a novel when she wasn't looking. You can tell, but I appreciate it.
There's an essay somewhere about the Ugaro (and the Lau, but to less degree) and tochacha - the obligation to rebuke. Because the whole point of the story is that we have to be able to say things to one another when we do something wrong, either accidentally or intentionally. We have to be able to confront or confess or we don't have a society. The whole point of the Ugaro is that life is hard and you have to be able to talk to one another about doing things right. Consistently in this story, problems develop when people in power cannot hear critique. And I feel like there has to be an answer beyond fighting each other, although, honestly, that seems to be working so far.
I can't believe I only have one book left.
April 26, 2024
#8 in the Tuyo series.
This one is a prequel to the main series. We follow along with the alternating viewpoints of Ryo's parents from the time before they first met and before they were leaders of the inGara tribe. I always liked Ryo's parents, so this was an auto-buy for me.
Sinowa and Marag both attend the Convocation, which is sort of a huge town meeting of all of the Ugaro tribes. Disaster strikes one of the tribes in particular, starting with the unexplained deaths of several wolves and continues with the sudden violent insanity gripping random warriors. Sinowa and Marag join together to determine the cause of- and the remedy for- the catastrophe.
This one could very well work as a standalone. The story ended on a satisfactory note, particularly with a certain bouncing baby Ugaro. The author stated in her Note that there may be more stories featuring these two, and I hope that's true.
I think most fans of the main series would enjoy this!
This one is a prequel to the main series. We follow along with the alternating viewpoints of Ryo's parents from the time before they first met and before they were leaders of the inGara tribe. I always liked Ryo's parents, so this was an auto-buy for me.
Sinowa and Marag both attend the Convocation, which is sort of a huge town meeting of all of the Ugaro tribes. Disaster strikes one of the tribes in particular, starting with the unexplained deaths of several wolves and continues with the sudden violent insanity gripping random warriors. Sinowa and Marag join together to determine the cause of- and the remedy for- the catastrophe.
This one could very well work as a standalone. The story ended on a satisfactory note, particularly with a certain bouncing baby Ugaro. The author stated in her Note that there may be more stories featuring these two, and I hope that's true.
I think most fans of the main series would enjoy this!
February 25, 2025
This prequel gave me some good insights into Ryo's parents. I enjoyed getting to know them better and learning the story of how they got to know each other and why they chose to get married. Their personalities are well developed, especially Sinowa's; it was easy to see how well-suited he is to leadership.
I highlighted this quote from Sinowa that I love: "Every mistake you have ever made lies in the past. This is the day you face now. Put your attention to this day and this moment, not to anything that lies behind you or before you." Great advice for anyone!
It was fun to get yet another angle on life and culture in the Winter Country. I'm sad that this will be my last visit to that world for a while, since I've now read the entire series. But I hear there are more books coming, so I will wait for and look forward to those!
I highlighted this quote from Sinowa that I love: "Every mistake you have ever made lies in the past. This is the day you face now. Put your attention to this day and this moment, not to anything that lies behind you or before you." Great advice for anyone!
It was fun to get yet another angle on life and culture in the Winter Country. I'm sad that this will be my last visit to that world for a while, since I've now read the entire series. But I hear there are more books coming, so I will wait for and look forward to those!
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July 11, 2024With several previous books in the Tuyo series, Marag gives us a chance to learn some backstory about Ryo’s parents. This seems like a good point to do so. They’ve obviously had a great influence on his upbringing, and I was curious how earlier lives had shaped them.
The plot is fairly straightforward, with (not too surprisingly) more emphasis on interpersonal relationships. We also get to see religious and cultural practices more closely, given Marag’s position as a Singer. As with the other books in the series, the tension level is quite low and comfortable.
As this is a prequel, I don’t think you need to read the other books first. Though if you don’t, you might find the story a bit slight.
The plot is fairly straightforward, with (not too surprisingly) more emphasis on interpersonal relationships. We also get to see religious and cultural practices more closely, given Marag’s position as a Singer. As with the other books in the series, the tension level is quite low and comfortable.
As this is a prequel, I don’t think you need to read the other books first. Though if you don’t, you might find the story a bit slight.
April 3, 2024
If you've read Tuyo, you'll want to read this story about Ryo's delightfully stubborn parents getting together. But this would also work as a standalone, and as an introduction to the world of the Winter Country.
The Ugaro are a fascinating society and this story is a deep dive into how they govern themselves, how men and women interact, and how the Winter Country's magic works. I loved seeing things from a singer's POV.
But mostly I loved getting to know Sinowa and Marag's very forceful personalities, and I love how they come to respect each other.
The Ugaro are a fascinating society and this story is a deep dive into how they govern themselves, how men and women interact, and how the Winter Country's magic works. I loved seeing things from a singer's POV.
But mostly I loved getting to know Sinowa and Marag's very forceful personalities, and I love how they come to respect each other.
June 9, 2024
Perfect. We see the world from different perspective, the characters at their best with strong personalities, the dilemmas they face and how far they are willing to go to do the right thing. The whole Ugaro culture is just so incredibly selfless, everyone means so well, there is so much honor and mutual care...its such a beautiful world to read. Yes, things can and do go wrong too, but the overall attitude of the main characters is so so noble, it's an absolute treat to read.
Read this immediately when it came out, in one day.
Read this immediately when it came out, in one day.
April 3, 2024
Wonderful series, happy to have more
This story made me feel peaceful. It was clear how this society worked and why it did so. In our world there are so many choices we can become confused. These people are interdependent and recognize this. Our egos can lead us to forget how much we all need each other. So this story is a gift to open our minds and hearts. You will care for these characters and they will not disappoint you.
This story made me feel peaceful. It was clear how this society worked and why it did so. In our world there are so many choices we can become confused. These people are interdependent and recognize this. Our egos can lead us to forget how much we all need each other. So this story is a gift to open our minds and hearts. You will care for these characters and they will not disappoint you.
April 9, 2024
I have read and reread all the Tuyo books more than twice, every time I read Ms Neumeier books I decide the book or series I'm reading is my favorite. I loved reading Marag because it deepens my understanding of Tuyo's world and magic system. Also the characters POVs help me see into how deep their feelings run under their stoicism. After finishing Marag I began rereading the series again in preparation for Rihasi release.
March 2, 2024
I enjoyed this much more than I expected to—I’m always wary of “prequels” about characters we have already met, and the Winter Country is less interesting to me than the Summer Country. But Marag had a distinctive character and we met her at an interesting crossroads in her life, plus there was an exciting plot. The creeping dread and in a landscape turned ominous was especially well-done.
August 20, 2025
The courtship of Sinowa and Marag bears no resemblance to any fairytale courtship, but it rings more true and authentic. I loved this glimpse into the history of Ryo's father and mother. Seeing how they learned to see each other and to hold each other in high regard is edifying. Reading this, I can see how Ryo grew up to become the man that he is in Tasmakat.
April 6, 2024
Bought this as a reward for finishing writing a first draft. Prequel to the Tuyo series. I enjoyed reading about Ryo's parents meeting and the magical menace that they faced. Only trouble is, now I want to reread Tuyo again...
April 15, 2024
Superb world-building
One of my favorite three books in this series. Fills in lots of blanks in history and culture of the Winter Lands. I read this book through and then immediately started it again, because the characters and story line are so interesting.
One of my favorite three books in this series. Fills in lots of blanks in history and culture of the Winter Lands. I read this book through and then immediately started it again, because the characters and story line are so interesting.
May 4, 2024
A different kind of romance.
Romance unfolds in a slow and purposeful way as Sinowa attempts to prove his worthiness as a husband to the prominent Singer Marag.
Their shared endeavors to protect their lands and people from a curse draw them closer together.
Romance unfolds in a slow and purposeful way as Sinowa attempts to prove his worthiness as a husband to the prominent Singer Marag.
Their shared endeavors to protect their lands and people from a curse draw them closer together.
July 14, 2024
Solid but not standout member of the Tuyo series. I enjoyed learning more about the backstory of the relations between people we see in the main trilogy, and it was fun to see the clear connections between Ryo and his father. Satisfying!
August 17, 2024
I had put this book off because I don’t like to read other characters’ stories if they precede the main character of the series, but this was worth it. It was different enough that it didn’t tie too closely to the other stories.
December 30, 2025
I had previously not read this novel because I thought I didn't really have any interest in reading about how Ryo's mother decided to marry his father. Very foolish of me, because it's a great story, the only bad bit about it was now I've very definitely run out of Tuyo series books to read.
April 21, 2024
Extraordinary tale
If you haven't read Tuyo yet this is a good place to start. Wonderful world building, great character development and a good story.
If you haven't read Tuyo yet this is a good place to start. Wonderful world building, great character development and a good story.
October 14, 2024
my bad that I didn't realize it was a prequel. that helps.
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