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The Nine Worlds (Recommended Reading Order)
The Tower at the Edge of the World
East of the Sun ... West of Astandalas ... As far away from anywhere as it is possible to be and still be civilized, there is tower. To its east is an endless abyss; to the north and south are grassy dunes haunted only by birds; and to the west is the sea. Far on the other side of the silver horizon is the Empire of Astandalas, which holds together five worlds in a net of magic. It has one inhabitant. Exiled to the tower at sixteen, a nameless young man is content to perform his rituals, read his books of poetry, and fulfil his destiny tending to the magic that anchors the Empire. He has been very carefully trained not to wonder about anything else. One day he finds a key.
62 pages, Paperback
First published November 28, 2014
About the author
Victoria Goddard
48 books867 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
December 13, 2022
A somewhat sad, ultimately hopeful little story providing some background context about a much beloved character from the Nine Worlds series. Knowing what I know about him - 😭
April 28, 2025
"He would not stay in the tower, enchanted into obedience, nor disenchanted and afraid."
The Tower at the Edge of the World establishes the Emperor as an inquisitive free spirit—much like any young boy who fills his head with the feats of epic heroes and the tales of poets. Here, Goddard creates a lot out of very little, giving us readers a glimpse at the heart of the Emperor's character. It is interesting to have a character who at his core opposes the confining order of "schooled magic" become its face of power—one can only wonder how the adventures of our little poet get him to such a point.
I am interested in seeing how Goddard solidifies her perspective on order and authority (and the interplay of those with the importance of tradition) in this world she has created, especially as I prepare to read about the Red Company and conclude with At the Feet of the Sun. Goddard presents the young Emperor as having no qualms about abandoning his duties when they no longer suit his interior disposition, and there is a sense of this internal fire of defiance as the Emperor. I am curious to see how Goddard will reconcile all of these different pieces as I approach the end of my journey with this series.
As a side note: Hooray for the merits of commonplace books!
The Tower at the Edge of the World establishes the Emperor as an inquisitive free spirit—much like any young boy who fills his head with the feats of epic heroes and the tales of poets. Here, Goddard creates a lot out of very little, giving us readers a glimpse at the heart of the Emperor's character. It is interesting to have a character who at his core opposes the confining order of "schooled magic" become its face of power—one can only wonder how the adventures of our little poet get him to such a point.
I am interested in seeing how Goddard solidifies her perspective on order and authority (and the interplay of those with the importance of tradition) in this world she has created, especially as I prepare to read about the Red Company and conclude with At the Feet of the Sun. Goddard presents the young Emperor as having no qualms about abandoning his duties when they no longer suit his interior disposition, and there is a sense of this internal fire of defiance as the Emperor. I am curious to see how Goddard will reconcile all of these different pieces as I approach the end of my journey with this series.
As a side note: Hooray for the merits of commonplace books!
February 5, 2024
Probably not the best place to start with Goddard's work since I lacked context which probably would have made this a lot more enjoyable experience. Nevertheless, this was still pretty enjoyable, the writing wasn't something astounding but I was interested in the protagonist and his fate. I would love to read The Hands of the Emperor but at 1k pages it is a behemoth that terrifies me. Some day...
February 27, 2023
two people could not possibly be built better for each other, my god i am emotional. loved this, more please
January 21, 2025
Oh Fitzroy <3
March 7, 2022
I'm really enjoying all these little back stories to the Hands of the Emperor -- definitely read that first, but this story is part of a wonderful box of chocolates that give you glimpses into the past. I think it's a really lovely form of storytelling, and I appreciate that Goddard is not (so far) trying to go back and write the epic of the Red Company, in extreme and linear detail -- they are much more effective as a startling and legendary folk company when encountered in small extraordinary doses. Lovely.
June 26, 2022
I always want more from short stories and this is no exception! But I also loved seeing the main character before he became who he is in The Hands of the Emperor.
February 2, 2024
This 2014 story was one of the first titles published in author Victoria Goddard's massive Nine Worlds fantasy setting, and is also one of its earliest to take place chronologically. It's relatively short at 62 pages in paperback -- it apparently began as a prologue for the effort that eventually became last year's Derring-Do for Beginners -- but since it's only available as a standalone volume, I figured I would go ahead and review it as such. (It all evens out, as most people's entry into this loose saga is probably The Hands of The Emperor, which weighs in at over 900 pages in hardback itself.)
If you've read Hands and recall a certain character's backstory, you will likely soon recognize the protagonist of this tale, although we find him here as a young man without any sort of name. He lives alone in the titular desolate structure, going about a strange daily routine that appears to function Omelas-like to keep the magic of the Empire functioning even while he is kept apart from its wonders. This carries shades of The Slow Regard of Silent Things to me, and is pleasant to simply observe a person's quiet existence in all its peculiar minutiae. As we watch, the hero drifts around his library and meager living quarters dreaming of adventure, too sheltered to even identify his patent loneliness.
One day, of course, something happens to jolt our Rapunzel from that complacency, but the plot as such maintains its cozy and low-stakes appeal while he undergoes a subtle transformation and grows belatedly curious about the lands and peoples beyond his horizons. By the end, the lad has left his familiar tower and struck out for parts unknown… or partially known to returning readers, I suppose.
These peripheral Nine Worlds books are sometimes hard to review without spoilers, and this one ends with the revelation of a particular piece of continuity that may or may not surprise you, depending on which other volumes you've tackled first. On the other hand, any folks who start their journey here will be able to enjoy a certain element of dramatic irony in Goddard's other works that's only accessible to the rest of us in hindsight or on an eventual reread. Like Discworld, there's really no wrong angle of approach, in my opinion.
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If you've read Hands and recall a certain character's backstory, you will likely soon recognize the protagonist of this tale, although we find him here as a young man without any sort of name. He lives alone in the titular desolate structure, going about a strange daily routine that appears to function Omelas-like to keep the magic of the Empire functioning even while he is kept apart from its wonders. This carries shades of The Slow Regard of Silent Things to me, and is pleasant to simply observe a person's quiet existence in all its peculiar minutiae. As we watch, the hero drifts around his library and meager living quarters dreaming of adventure, too sheltered to even identify his patent loneliness.
One day, of course, something happens to jolt our Rapunzel from that complacency, but the plot as such maintains its cozy and low-stakes appeal while he undergoes a subtle transformation and grows belatedly curious about the lands and peoples beyond his horizons. By the end, the lad has left his familiar tower and struck out for parts unknown… or partially known to returning readers, I suppose.
These peripheral Nine Worlds books are sometimes hard to review without spoilers, and this one ends with the revelation of a particular piece of continuity that may or may not surprise you, depending on which other volumes you've tackled first. On the other hand, any folks who start their journey here will be able to enjoy a certain element of dramatic irony in Goddard's other works that's only accessible to the rest of us in hindsight or on an eventual reread. Like Discworld, there's really no wrong angle of approach, in my opinion.
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
November 25, 2022
I quite liked this one, actually. It filled in some of the emotional/character gaps about the Emperor's bizarre childhood and how it impacted him - I found that really intriguing but kind of underexplored in The Return of Fitzroy Angursell - and also filled in some of the worldbuilding/magic system gaps.
August 17, 2023
Book 23/30 Days Challenge (2) (Im so so so so behind)
I just love this world, I added the entire Nine World series to my read rn asap tbr
I just love this world, I added the entire Nine World series to my read rn asap tbr
January 2, 2025
A very charming read, yet chilling once the main character realizes what was done to him. Excellent writing!
September 28, 2021
Basically functions as a short prequel to the rest of Goddard's Nine Worlds books. Fun and interesting for what it is; provides some significant spoilers for Hands of the Emperor (even though it's set decades beforehand), but also provides some additional back story, so pick your poison on whether you want to read this first or not.
May 10, 2022
I was bogged down in The Hands of the Emperor and wondered if this would help -- and it helped immensely, I am now loving Hands, and I also enjoyed this one very much. I really like that Goddard is just writing the things that she wants to write, and she does a very good job inside the mind of this novella's protagonist; she clearly spent the time to think about what he would take for granted and how he understands the world, so that the opening up of his vision felt natural and engaging. It may be another six months before I finish Hands, but that is entirely because I am enjoying it so much that I am reading it slowly so it will last.
August 21, 2021
Unlike some reviewers, I felt this story worked well as a stand-alone. I haven't read any other books set in this world or about this character, and I was able to understand everything just fine. The author is very detailed, so you do have to be patient for the first third or so, as she sets the stage. I honestly could have used a little less detail in places, since it made the pacing drag a bit. However, the writing was of excellent quality, and I really loved the unfolding plot arc. There were exciting scenes, poignant moments, and a satisfying conclusion. I definitely want to read more in this series.
July 20, 2020
I am glad I read this after "The Hands of The Emperor".
This short story is a nice introduction to the language and style of Goddard's writing. I have read 4 of the Greenwing and Dart books who mention this man. This may explain his origins but leaves many adventures untold.
This short story is a nice introduction to the language and style of Goddard's writing. I have read 4 of the Greenwing and Dart books who mention this man. This may explain his origins but leaves many adventures untold.
December 17, 2021
I've been reading my way through Victoria Goddard's books and this story is a fascinating moment that actually creates background and sets in motion so many other tales. I love the richness of the setting and the character who is trying to understand who he is and who he might be.
March 24, 2022
HAVE YOU EVER GOTTEN YOUR HEART RIPPED OUT BY A SINGLE SENTENCE because I just got that for thirty pages.
And at the same time the absolute wonder of this -
Anyway, I'm mainlining the Ysthar/Astandalas stories now because I need more.
And at the same time the absolute wonder of this -
Anyway, I'm mainlining the Ysthar/Astandalas stories now because I need more.
October 25, 2021
the way i shrieked with GLEE at this story’s end…… yeah.
June 28, 2022
A lovely story from this world, my only criticism being I want more.
February 8, 2023
Quick short story but ah, baby Radiancy!
February 23, 2023
This dude cannot be trusted on his own, but love to see that the adoration of fabrics started young
January 22, 2024
(3.5)
May 1, 2023
The lovely details in the very first pages might feel almost pastoral, unless you know why the young man is in the tower. And you do - this being a prequel short story featuring a beloved character from Lays of the Hearth-Fire. Here is a “knowing what you know” kind of story to wrap around you for a while.
“What you name yourself you are.”
He read this over several times before it occurred to him he didn’t know what his own given name was.”
This is a story of a beginning of liberation and self-discovery, of having agency for the first time in your life, of finding your true name.
I love Victoria Goddard’s gentle humour.
“The poems might be clear on the need to take supplies, but left it up to his imagination what the supplies consisted of, and the young man felt that the slippers would come in handy at some point or other in the mysterious future opening before him.”
Going back to the Nine Worlds universe for thirty pages or so was a lovely way to spend a lazy morning.
“What you name yourself you are.”
He read this over several times before it occurred to him he didn’t know what his own given name was.”
This is a story of a beginning of liberation and self-discovery, of having agency for the first time in your life, of finding your true name.
I love Victoria Goddard’s gentle humour.
“The poems might be clear on the need to take supplies, but left it up to his imagination what the supplies consisted of, and the young man felt that the slippers would come in handy at some point or other in the mysterious future opening before him.”
Going back to the Nine Worlds universe for thirty pages or so was a lovely way to spend a lazy morning.
March 31, 2024
What if the kid in the Omelas hole were a wild mage of incredible power and figured out how to free himself? It's a nice premise for a quick read and very sympathetically written. A young man discovering himself and his capabilities in the world.
It'd be an unremarkable pleasant story except this also is the first of Goddard's Nine Worlds stories and a precursor to the excellent The Hands of the Emperor. Reading this early backstory for a major character from those books is quite a surprise and it's funny how in her later books she calls back to so many details written here.
I wouldn't read this story first; I'd read it after the three recent major novels. But it's a nice backfill for some story and character.
It'd be an unremarkable pleasant story except this also is the first of Goddard's Nine Worlds stories and a precursor to the excellent The Hands of the Emperor. Reading this early backstory for a major character from those books is quite a surprise and it's funny how in her later books she calls back to so many details written here.
I wouldn't read this story first; I'd read it after the three recent major novels. But it's a nice backfill for some story and character.
September 3, 2023
A short story about a man who lives alone in a tower and doesn't fully know why, but hasn't really questioned it. The tale explores why he doesn't question and how he might start to, almost through pure chance.
Really enjoyed this, though I think if you haven't read any other book in the series, this is not the one to start with. I would have loved for it to have a clearer, tied-off ending, to make it more of a stand-alone story than scenes from a longer one, but I'm definitely glad I read it!
Now go read Hands of the Emperor! I promise it's great despite how very very long it is.
Really enjoyed this, though I think if you haven't read any other book in the series, this is not the one to start with. I would have loved for it to have a clearer, tied-off ending, to make it more of a stand-alone story than scenes from a longer one, but I'm definitely glad I read it!
Now go read Hands of the Emperor! I promise it's great despite how very very long it is.
January 24, 2024
So poignant to read this after having read The Hands of the Emperor and At the Feet of the Sun. I love Goddard's short stories and the deeper glimpses they allow us into her wonderful characters.
January 14, 2026
2.5 ⭐
I found this book pretty interesting but it didn't really captivate me that much. It was really interesting to read about the Emperor before he became an emperor. It was sad to see him isolated and for him to believe that him being in this situation was his duty to the Empire. It was satisfying to see him break away from those constraints. Finding out his real name and future persona was honestly a surprise because while it was implied in THOTE, I didn't really think that much about it. I'm really intrigued to see more of the Emperor's backstory
I found this book pretty interesting but it didn't really captivate me that much. It was really interesting to read about the Emperor before he became an emperor. It was sad to see him isolated and for him to believe that him being in this situation was his duty to the Empire. It was satisfying to see him break away from those constraints. Finding out his real name and future persona was honestly a surprise because while it was implied in THOTE, I didn't really think that much about it. I'm really intrigued to see more of the Emperor's backstory
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 31, 2021
A nameless young man is locked away in a tower at the end of the world. When a glimmer of gold catches his eye out the window, how much will he be willing to risk in the search for answers?
An interesting short story, well-written and obviously setting up a much broader universe. It does feel fragmentary as a standalone work, but it succeeded in the job of enticing me into wanting to read more. :)
An interesting short story, well-written and obviously setting up a much broader universe. It does feel fragmentary as a standalone work, but it succeeded in the job of enticing me into wanting to read more. :)
November 12, 2023
Lately I've been wanting to reread something - anything - with Fitzroy Angursell, who has quickly became my favourite fictional character. I keep staring at "At the Feet of the Sun," then sighing; no time for a long book these days. This one is really a short story - it took me less than an hour to read. It is an origin story and therefore fascinating. But this very young Fitzroy is barely himself at this point. I'm still going to reread one of the other books really soon. :)
October 20, 2024
This is a delightful novella set in Victoria Goddard's Nine Worlds universe, which gives some background to Hands of the Emperor and the Red Company books. I loved this insight into the unnamed young man of the book's early life, and it had a lot of the idiosyncratic, slow writing style I loved so much in Hands of the Emperor despite its short length. I found myself feeling deeply for the unnamed main character and cheering for his developing character and burgeoning escape from his tower.
I would highly recommend this to fans of Hands of the Emperor, although I am not sure how well it would stand on its own without any prior knowledge of the universe.
I would highly recommend this to fans of Hands of the Emperor, although I am not sure how well it would stand on its own without any prior knowledge of the universe.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews