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Innkeeper's World
Return: An Innkeeper's World Story
Every adventure has a beginning and every truly great adventure has an ending.
In 1993 Peter S. Beagle, author of the beloved classic, The Last Unicorn, took an old song lyric of his and spun it into the Locus Award-winning fantasy The Innkeeper's Song, an enchanting tale of three powerful women, each with a secret past, a stable boy, and an innkeeper who set in motion a series of events that bring them face to face with the forces of magic and the workings of fate.
Four years later Beagle took us back to their world in the World Fantasy Award nominated story collection, Giant Bones, and in the novella 'Lal and Soukyan' continued the adventures of two of his most-loved characters. In the decade that followed, Beagle touched on their world in powerful stories like 'Quarry,' 'Chandail,' 'Barrens Dance,' and 'What Tune the Enchantress Plays.'
Now, after a hiatus of six years, he comes back to the story of Soukyan (once known as Nyateneri) in Return. Return is a major new fantasy novella in which Soukyan turns to face the evil he has fled for most of his adult life, finally confronting the powerful forces that both made him and that have tried so tirelessly to destroy him. The end of the adventure is nearly here....
In 1993 Peter S. Beagle, author of the beloved classic, The Last Unicorn, took an old song lyric of his and spun it into the Locus Award-winning fantasy The Innkeeper's Song, an enchanting tale of three powerful women, each with a secret past, a stable boy, and an innkeeper who set in motion a series of events that bring them face to face with the forces of magic and the workings of fate.
Four years later Beagle took us back to their world in the World Fantasy Award nominated story collection, Giant Bones, and in the novella 'Lal and Soukyan' continued the adventures of two of his most-loved characters. In the decade that followed, Beagle touched on their world in powerful stories like 'Quarry,' 'Chandail,' 'Barrens Dance,' and 'What Tune the Enchantress Plays.'
Now, after a hiatus of six years, he comes back to the story of Soukyan (once known as Nyateneri) in Return. Return is a major new fantasy novella in which Soukyan turns to face the evil he has fled for most of his adult life, finally confronting the powerful forces that both made him and that have tried so tirelessly to destroy him. The end of the adventure is nearly here....
101 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
13 people are currently reading
343 people want to read
About the author
Peter S. Beagle
224 books3,819 followersPeter Soyer Beagle (born April 20, 1939) is an American fantasist and author of novels, nonfiction, and screenplays. He is also a talented guitarist and folk singer. He wrote his first novel, A Fine and Private Place , when he was only 19 years old. Today he is best known as the author of The Last Unicorn, which routinely polls as one of the top ten fantasy novels of all time, and at least two of his other books (A Fine and Private Place and I See By My Outfit) are considered modern classics.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
February 7, 2017
Return
I went in not expecting much. I did not love The Last Unicorn's sequel and was afraid this would be a similar experience after the wonderful Innkeeper's Song. But it was a interesting and beautiful conclusion to Soukyan's time with the order and subsequent life on the run from its hunters. It also gave me at least a bit of insight in how Lal's trick against the third hunter in the Innkeeper's Song worked so well.
I went in not expecting much. I did not love The Last Unicorn's sequel and was afraid this would be a similar experience after the wonderful Innkeeper's Song. But it was a interesting and beautiful conclusion to Soukyan's time with the order and subsequent life on the run from its hunters. It also gave me at least a bit of insight in how Lal's trick against the third hunter in the Innkeeper's Song worked so well.
March 23, 2016
Kind of scary and sad. It was good to get another Innkeepers' world story.
June 22, 2020
The first thing to point out is that ‘Return’ is a sequel to Beagle’s 1991 novel ‘The Innkeeper’s Song’ so it might be an idea to read that before this. That said, I have not read ‘The Innkeeper’s Song’ and yet ‘Return’ was perfectly comprehensible. True, characters were mentioned who featured in that novel and some of them appear here but this work stands alone quite well. Though easily confused, I was not. The second thing to mention is that this is a novella only a hundred pages long. I point this out just in case someone doesn’t spot it in the small print.
Our first-person narrator, Soukyan, is being tracked by three Hunters who are trained assassins. Hunters have been trying to kill him for the past twenty years, ever since he escaped from that place and survived. This attack is different and the outcome makes him decide to return, hence the title, to the monastic style house that he left so long ago. The constant referral to it as that place I found mildly annoying but only because the infantile parts of the British press forever refer to that dress, one worn by Liz Hurley, and have used the italicised ‘that’ for several other celebrity things. This is hardly Peter S. Beagle’s fault. It’s not Liz Hurley’s neither, I hasten to add.
Peter S. Beagle is just about my favourite writer since I read one of his collections a while back. His prose is understated and elegant, his characters are solid and three-dimensional. Best of all, he usually tells a story, as opposed to some moody events with an inconclusive ending, and this is a good one with a few neat twists. Our hero gets in dire straits and there are great secrets to be uncovered. Tension is maintained and the conclusion is satisfying.
There are some elegant writers of fantasy who seem not at all bothered by the notion of a strong plot. There are strong plotters who write what is called workmanlike prose and I have nothing against them. A writer does what he can with the tools nature gave him. However, when you get the combination of both in one author the works are of higher quality, as here, I will rush to locate The Innkeeper’s Song so I can finish the story backwards.
Eamonn Murphy
This review first appeared at https://www.sfcrowsnest.info/
Our first-person narrator, Soukyan, is being tracked by three Hunters who are trained assassins. Hunters have been trying to kill him for the past twenty years, ever since he escaped from that place and survived. This attack is different and the outcome makes him decide to return, hence the title, to the monastic style house that he left so long ago. The constant referral to it as that place I found mildly annoying but only because the infantile parts of the British press forever refer to that dress, one worn by Liz Hurley, and have used the italicised ‘that’ for several other celebrity things. This is hardly Peter S. Beagle’s fault. It’s not Liz Hurley’s neither, I hasten to add.
Peter S. Beagle is just about my favourite writer since I read one of his collections a while back. His prose is understated and elegant, his characters are solid and three-dimensional. Best of all, he usually tells a story, as opposed to some moody events with an inconclusive ending, and this is a good one with a few neat twists. Our hero gets in dire straits and there are great secrets to be uncovered. Tension is maintained and the conclusion is satisfying.
There are some elegant writers of fantasy who seem not at all bothered by the notion of a strong plot. There are strong plotters who write what is called workmanlike prose and I have nothing against them. A writer does what he can with the tools nature gave him. However, when you get the combination of both in one author the works are of higher quality, as here, I will rush to locate The Innkeeper’s Song so I can finish the story backwards.
Eamonn Murphy
This review first appeared at https://www.sfcrowsnest.info/
July 28, 2025
**
After an unusual ending to an encounter with his regular Hunters, Soukyan has finally had enough. He decides to return to that place, to put an end to his long escape, one way or another.
Sometimes things are more ominous because they are mysterious, and shining a light on the matter robs it of that. Such is the case here, as, very disappointingly the Hunters turn out to be- Contrarily, there's also not much insight about how the order operates, or their hinted at darker purpose.
This takes place a few years after The Innkeeper's Song (despite the ending seeming that Soukyan was headed right off to complete this task). Unfortunately, Soukyan isn't any more interesting here than he was previously, especially since his long-time companion, the charmingly unique fox, is absent from the story.
Personal history: Purchased. I luckily managed to find a secondhand copy, since at the time it was pretty rare and pricey.
Innkeeper's World:
1. The Innkeeper's Song
2. Giant Bones
3. Quarry (short story)
4. Chandail (short story)
6. What Tune the Enchantress Plays (short story)
7. Great-Grandmother in the Cellar (short story)
After an unusual ending to an encounter with his regular Hunters, Soukyan has finally had enough. He decides to return to that place, to put an end to his long escape, one way or another.
Sometimes things are more ominous because they are mysterious, and shining a light on the matter robs it of that. Such is the case here, as, very disappointingly the Hunters turn out to be- Contrarily, there's also not much insight about how the order operates, or their hinted at darker purpose.
This takes place a few years after The Innkeeper's Song (despite the ending seeming that Soukyan was headed right off to complete this task). Unfortunately, Soukyan isn't any more interesting here than he was previously, especially since his long-time companion, the charmingly unique fox, is absent from the story.
Personal history: Purchased. I luckily managed to find a secondhand copy, since at the time it was pretty rare and pricey.
Innkeeper's World:
1. The Innkeeper's Song
2. Giant Bones
3. Quarry (short story)
4. Chandail (short story)
6. What Tune the Enchantress Plays (short story)
7. Great-Grandmother in the Cellar (short story)
July 30, 2022
Short and satisfying is Peter S. Beagle’s Return. This novella takes place in a familiar setting with an old friend and showcases beautiful prose and an exciting adventure.
Beagle’s Return is a short book starring an old character of his from The Innkeeper’s Song: Nyateneri. Readers of the aforementioned novel will know of this character’s true nature but might remain curious about their shadowy past and this novella sets to explore exactly that. Return has Nyateneri traveling back to a dark place of danger and secrets and there is plenty of action and intrigue to be found.
Beagle’s prose is no less beautiful in this short outing as he describes both wonder and vile in his usual efficient and lyrical style. The book has solid action, magic, and harrowing mysteries that is sure to satisfy fans of The Innkeeper’s Song world.
Beagle’s Return is a short book starring an old character of his from The Innkeeper’s Song: Nyateneri. Readers of the aforementioned novel will know of this character’s true nature but might remain curious about their shadowy past and this novella sets to explore exactly that. Return has Nyateneri traveling back to a dark place of danger and secrets and there is plenty of action and intrigue to be found.
Beagle’s prose is no less beautiful in this short outing as he describes both wonder and vile in his usual efficient and lyrical style. The book has solid action, magic, and harrowing mysteries that is sure to satisfy fans of The Innkeeper’s Song world.
December 4, 2017
Another stellar story from Peter S. Beagle! I enjoyed the chance to return to this world and to see how Soukyan confronted his past. A wonderfully creepy book! Reminded me a bit of Lovecraft, with the escalating mystery and the monstrous reveal about the true nature of the Hunters.
June 14, 2024
I was glad to return to the world of Innkeeper's Song, and get a loose end tied off, but what I loved about the original book was the characters interacting with each other, and this was just one character isolated among enemies, so not as personally satisfying.
June 13, 2020
A tree giving birth to assassins via cocoons??
December 5, 2021
This was an entertaining and page turning short story from the world of Beagle's The Innkeeper's Song, starring Soukyan. My only criticisms are a) too short and b) no Lal.
April 20, 2023
Starts off with leaving the reader wondering what’s going. A little slow to get started but the suspense builds and it was hard to put down once it got going
July 3, 2024
Beagle has beautiful writing, and this was a fun but surprisingly violent story.
December 18, 2010
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.
Return: An Innkeeper's World Story was my first Peter S. Beagle read, but it certainly won't be my last. I've just put his The Innkeeper's Song on my TBR list.
Return is a slim novella (only 104 pages) which tells the story of Soukyan's return to that place where he was raised and from which he's been running for years. He's ready to put an end to those who've been hunting him, but he'll have to face them, and the strange power behind them, before he can be free.
Peter S. Beagle writes lively clear prose that's passionate, beautiful, smart, and occasionally dryly humorous. His plot is purposeful and tight with a hint of mystery and horror. Beagle's characters are intelligent and full of life — even those who are referred to but not seen (I can't wait to meet Lal in The Innkeeper's Song).
Return: An Innkeeper's World Story is exactly my kind of story except that it’s much too short. I am eager to read more in this world, and more Peter Beagle in general!
By the way, this is the third novella that I've received from Subterranean Press this year that has introduced me to a new (for me) author who I'm now expecting to become one of my favorite writers. Sub Press is putting out wonderfully unique titles that are especially appealing to those of us who love excellent fantasy literature. This is not mass market printing, so it's not sold at mass market prices, but Sub Press publishes unique high-quality literary works which often include gorgeous cover and interior art. It's even a joy to get their newsletter in my email inbox because it usually features at least one lovely painting. You can sign up for the newsletter and take a look at their catalog at the Subterranean Press website.
Return: An Innkeeper's World Story was my first Peter S. Beagle read, but it certainly won't be my last. I've just put his The Innkeeper's Song on my TBR list.
Return is a slim novella (only 104 pages) which tells the story of Soukyan's return to that place where he was raised and from which he's been running for years. He's ready to put an end to those who've been hunting him, but he'll have to face them, and the strange power behind them, before he can be free.
Peter S. Beagle writes lively clear prose that's passionate, beautiful, smart, and occasionally dryly humorous. His plot is purposeful and tight with a hint of mystery and horror. Beagle's characters are intelligent and full of life — even those who are referred to but not seen (I can't wait to meet Lal in The Innkeeper's Song).
Return: An Innkeeper's World Story is exactly my kind of story except that it’s much too short. I am eager to read more in this world, and more Peter Beagle in general!
By the way, this is the third novella that I've received from Subterranean Press this year that has introduced me to a new (for me) author who I'm now expecting to become one of my favorite writers. Sub Press is putting out wonderfully unique titles that are especially appealing to those of us who love excellent fantasy literature. This is not mass market printing, so it's not sold at mass market prices, but Sub Press publishes unique high-quality literary works which often include gorgeous cover and interior art. It's even a joy to get their newsletter in my email inbox because it usually features at least one lovely painting. You can sign up for the newsletter and take a look at their catalog at the Subterranean Press website.
February 21, 2011
This was a really quick read, and left me wanting more. Luckily, there are several more stories set in the world of Innkeeper's Song, the out-of-print fantasy classic.
This story follows just Soukyan, the one who relies on a bow and arrow, and the title becomes a double meaning. It's a return to that world, to this character, and also a return to the character's own past, which is alluded to very little in Innkeeper's Song.
The story is inventive and very original, with only hints of magic, as is common in this particular fantasy setting. Though the story takes place in a small corner of the world, we're given more glimpses into how fully-fleshed and thought-out the world is.
I debated strongly about whether this deserved four or five stars, and finally decided on four because of how much this book left me wanting more. It wasn't anything lacking in the story; it has all the elements of a strong, enjoyable story I've come to expect from Peter S. Beagle. But it only made me keenly aware that there's only one book, and one collection of short stories, set in this world.
This story follows just Soukyan, the one who relies on a bow and arrow, and the title becomes a double meaning. It's a return to that world, to this character, and also a return to the character's own past, which is alluded to very little in Innkeeper's Song.
The story is inventive and very original, with only hints of magic, as is common in this particular fantasy setting. Though the story takes place in a small corner of the world, we're given more glimpses into how fully-fleshed and thought-out the world is.
I debated strongly about whether this deserved four or five stars, and finally decided on four because of how much this book left me wanting more. It wasn't anything lacking in the story; it has all the elements of a strong, enjoyable story I've come to expect from Peter S. Beagle. But it only made me keenly aware that there's only one book, and one collection of short stories, set in this world.
October 11, 2010
Though filled with the turns of phraseology that I love, and for which I read Beagle, this was even more dissatisfying than the "Lal and Soukyan" story that was at the heart of Giant Bones. While that tale felt too much like it concentrated on the adopted characters, this one exists well within Soukyan's head, and yet still feels disconnected. To a degree, it ended his storyline (I won't say how), and maybe that's where my dissatisfaction springs. I can understand, due to the open-ended nature of Innkeeper's Song, why people wanted more stories with those characters, and the old Lal and Soukyan in Giant Bones were a good continuation of that open-enededness, tonally. This neatly ties off one part of Soukyan's storyarc, and I'm not sure the Innkeeper's world at large benefits from it. Granted, this is all a gut response from a first read, but it didn't seem to match what Beagle had done with his earlier work on this canvas: too slim, too solitary, and too neat. Sorry.
December 5, 2012
The Return is a follow up novella to the Innkeeper's world. I read a lovely limited edition hardcover, which had (mostly) lovely illustrations. The story focuses on Soukyan's return to the monastary to destroy the hunters who've been trying to assasinate him. It is quite a simple and claustrophobic tale. It definitely focuses more on the action than any feelings or character development. I was expecting a bit more from the story as in Innkeeper's Song there was so much emotion and fear surrounding the monastary. The other slightly disappointing thing was that Soukyan had become entirely too competent. The thing I liked best about him in Innkeeper's Song was that he needed others to help protect him from the assasins, here he was able to defeat them with almost no effort. It was still an enjoyable story though disappointing for the lack of emotion, particularly compared with other stories by the same author.
January 2, 2013
The follow-on novella to "The Innkeeper's Song," this little work tells the story of Soukyan/Nyateneri returning to "that place" where he was raised to confront the Hunters who have been chasing after him for over a decade. What Soukyan doesn't know is the power that drives them and how they are waiting for him to come back.
I wanted to like this and really wanted it to be good, but I was disappointed. It seemed thin in a lot of ways, and read almost like a footnote to me, as though Beagle just scratched this out because it was bothering him and not because he believed in the story. It has its moments and is an easy read, which is why I gave it 3 stars and not 2. But I was disappointed. The flowing, poetic language and imaginative world building that I love in Beagle's works just wasn't there, and I was let down. Not a "bad" work, but far from great.
I wanted to like this and really wanted it to be good, but I was disappointed. It seemed thin in a lot of ways, and read almost like a footnote to me, as though Beagle just scratched this out because it was bothering him and not because he believed in the story. It has its moments and is an easy read, which is why I gave it 3 stars and not 2. But I was disappointed. The flowing, poetic language and imaginative world building that I love in Beagle's works just wasn't there, and I was let down. Not a "bad" work, but far from great.
June 15, 2011
A bit short, but it captures well the mood from the Inkeeper Song novel - melancholic and mysterious, dangerous and lyrical.
A mercenary with extraordinary magical and martial abilities is hunted through the years by teams of death obsessed ninjas and decides he has had enough and wants to find closure. The lone wolf hero and the martial elements, together with a Sholin type monastery made me think this would have worked well as a Kurosawa movie.
The plot and the characters don't have much space to develop, but what there is is good enough to tempt readers who haven't yet tried the original book or other Peter S Beagle stories.
A mercenary with extraordinary magical and martial abilities is hunted through the years by teams of death obsessed ninjas and decides he has had enough and wants to find closure. The lone wolf hero and the martial elements, together with a Sholin type monastery made me think this would have worked well as a Kurosawa movie.
The plot and the characters don't have much space to develop, but what there is is good enough to tempt readers who haven't yet tried the original book or other Peter S Beagle stories.
April 20, 2012
Mr Beagle is in my opinion one of the best modern day fantasy writers alive. His writing style flows itself off the page and into your mind, his tales breed imagination. When I picked up this book I had not yet heard anything about Mr Beagle and was a little sceptical. I need not have been. A great book, even though it is quite short. I followed the story hungrily and afterwards didn't feel as though I'd been let down. Beagle is simply a great world builder, and he knows how to tell a story that might remind one of some other work but is purely all his own.
June 19, 2014
This was a nice novella and a fun read. I always love delving back into the world of The Inn Keeper's Song and it was nice to see more of Soukyan's past in this short novel. However of all the Innkeeper's World series, this one grabs me the least. It was more drab than Peter S. Beagle's other works, which I was not prepared for as he is many things, but I would never have thought to describe his writing as drab. And yet it fits this part of the world and the story perfectly. I recommend this for fans of Peter S. Beagle and the world from The Innkeeper's Song.
February 23, 2011
This is one of the few stories by Peter Beagle that has disappointed. He's usually so reliable yet, this time, it's a slightly mechanical and not very logical fantasy. For me, it's not worth paying the retail price demanded by Subterranean Press. Wait for it to be collected.
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July 11, 2014
Beagle is one of my favourite writers and after re-reading the beautifully crafted The Innkeeper's Song last week, I was hungry for more. Less than 1/3 of the way through Return it became apparent that I would continue to starve. I'm convinced that this novella was ghost-written.
It gets points for being a story that takes place in a Beagle created world, and for mentioning the Fox.
It gets points for being a story that takes place in a Beagle created world, and for mentioning the Fox.
October 3, 2013
Not quite as poetic as Innkeeper's Song, not quite as strange and eerie, not quite as ... well, everything really. It fell just a little bit short of my expectations.
Since I gave Innkeeper's Song 4 stars, and this is not quite as good, I suppose I'll give it a 3.
Since I gave Innkeeper's Song 4 stars, and this is not quite as good, I suppose I'll give it a 3.
October 29, 2016
Not a book
This is not a novel, it's at best a novelette, a long short story,
. Satisfying to know what happened to a character from The Innkeeper's Song, but unsatisfying in its shortness.
This is not a novel, it's at best a novelette, a long short story,
. Satisfying to know what happened to a character from The Innkeeper's Song, but unsatisfying in its shortness.
April 25, 2011
A novella, or even a long story, rather than a novel, but if you loved The Innkeeper's Song, you'll love this. A fine adventure of Soukyan, where luck plays as much of a role as skill or wit.
August 9, 2011
Definitely not what I was expecting, but god damn. I'm VERY glad I read it. What a very nice conclusion to one of my favorite characters!!!
Want to read
July 30, 2012Is it on the Kin.....yeah. Okay, I'm a goner.
October 19, 2014
Very fun to return to the Innkeeper's World!
August 13, 2012
It was great to learn more about Soukian and his mysterious past including the dreaded Hunters. The story is well told and engrossing.
March 2, 2015
The Return
Mr.Beagle continues to be one of the very best writers of fantasy. I hope more tales in The Innkeeper's Song world are written.
Mr.Beagle continues to be one of the very best writers of fantasy. I hope more tales in The Innkeeper's Song world are written.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews