Nice story. It never reaches the same heartwarming levels as the books, though. Quite frankly, I think Tovo could stand to learn a few things himself. He pretends to be free with his teaching, but he lets Kip figure things out on his own. He recognises that he made mistakes with him, then doesn't say a word about it, and pretty much repeats them. And in the meantime, he looks at everything non-islander thing with condescension. I had a generally good opinion of him before this, but that has now dropped considerably. ( )

Yes, I have read a book by Victoria Goddard again, and I plan to continue to do so.

How wonderful it is to have a Buro Tovo novella! Because he is awesome and I now realize I want to read more of his stories.

I loved Tovo’s long journey. It was magical in all the right ways, especially when Tovo meets the little girl, Tanaea, and tells her stories.

“He was the taná. When he saw a spark of something good, it was his duty to nourish it.”

It was so interesting to see Kip/Cliopher from Tovo’s perspective. There was a lot of love, a lot of wisdom there, but also remembrance of things undone and unsaid, questions Tovo had not asked. We also get to see the emperor and Kip’s other friends through Tovo's eyes, and it's beautiful.

“He glanced across at Kip’s emperor, the sun of his life, who was looking at Kip as if he were the stone upon which the world turned.”

Also, I am impressed. Victoria Goddard can write an amazing 1000-page book, and pack as much beauty and emotion into a 100 pages as into a “regular” full-length novel.
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What a deeply satisfying book -- Buru Tovo's point of view on his journey to the capitol, and a peek into his mind. Beautiful in the lush and carefully paced journey. Beautiful in the renewal of his faith in Kip. I love the extra time learning about the traditions of the wide seas islanders. ( )

Tovo, Cliopher Mdang's mentor confronts his own disappointments and hopes and undertakes a journey almost halfway around the world to learn what his great nephew Kip has become at the center of power. ( )

Oh, lovely. This is Kip's uncle coming to see him - from his point of view. I need to reread Hands of the Emperor (these scenes, at least), to see what Kip thought was going on vs what Buru Tovo thought. A fascinating person and a very enjoyable story.
Reread - I meant to read this during Hands of the Emperor, either just before or just after Kip's view of the same events - but I got caught up in the story and didn't remember it until I was nearly done with Hands. So I read it after. Interesting, and interesting angles. And as usual everyone but Kip knows he's reached the proper point. It's a nice filling out of characters, and setting (the sea train, for instance). ( )