Scan barcode
A review by toggle_fow
Shines Now, and Heretofore by Rachel Neumeier
5.0
This is a companion book in the Tenai series, taking place after the events in the main series and following Kuomat, an outlaw leader with a mysterious past.
From his large role in book 3 of the main series, it was pretty clear he had at one time been something more than just an outlaw. He and Emel share a very similar vibe and Emel, now elevated to a lord in his own right, chooses to capture Kuomat's outlaw band and force them to become members of his guard.
This goes about as well as you might expect.
Emel and Jenna are in this, but only on the edges of the story. We mostly follow Kuomat as he grapples with the new role he's been thrust into, and with the recurrence of a long-ago past that he had tried to bury for good. I didn't care much for the other members of Kuomat's merry band, and I still don't, but I did thoroughly enjoy the dynamic of Kuomat working the politics of the guard and the noble house to accomplish his goals. It was a very Costis story, except that Kuomat is entirely in charge wherever he lands, and Costis is never in charge except accidentally.
The final reveal of Kuomat's former identity took me by surprise. I honestly hadn't made much of an effort to guess, but if I had guessed I don't think I would have guessed correctly. What came after that was very interesting. It did almost seem like the revelation of his former name did change Kuomat as a person, back into his former identity.
As usual, Mitereh is the best to ever do it. Does he ever get TIRED of being the most kind, clever, and selfless human being in the whole country? Of carrying the whole world on his extremely capable shoulders? Of showing up time and time again as the GOAT? I know that he does. The narrative makes it clear. And yet he still continues relentlessly. What a guy.
I kind of liked Kuomat's resentful refusal to become a part of Mitereh's compulsory happy ending. Even though it wouldn't have occurred to me to write it that way and it still doesn't fully make sense to me, it felt right and accurate for him. And then eventually gaining his cooperation by turning his pride against him was a very satisfying choice. I am a bit disappointed not to see Tenai face Kuomat, but it does perhaps feel in character that she just didn't care enough anymore to even bother.
If Neumeier ever does choose to write more in this universe, I can guarantee that I will be SEATED and ready.
From his large role in book 3 of the main series, it was pretty clear he had at one time been something more than just an outlaw. He and Emel share a very similar vibe and Emel, now elevated to a lord in his own right, chooses to capture Kuomat's outlaw band and force them to become members of his guard.
This goes about as well as you might expect.
Emel and Jenna are in this, but only on the edges of the story. We mostly follow Kuomat as he grapples with the new role he's been thrust into, and with the recurrence of a long-ago past that he had tried to bury for good. I didn't care much for the other members of Kuomat's merry band, and I still don't, but I did thoroughly enjoy the dynamic of Kuomat working the politics of the guard and the noble house to accomplish his goals. It was a very Costis story, except that Kuomat is entirely in charge wherever he lands, and Costis is never in charge except accidentally.
The final reveal of Kuomat's former identity took me by surprise. I honestly hadn't made much of an effort to guess, but if I had guessed I don't think I would have guessed correctly. What came after that was very interesting. It did almost seem like the revelation of his former name did change Kuomat as a person, back into his former identity.
As usual, Mitereh is the best to ever do it. Does he ever get TIRED of being the most kind, clever, and selfless human being in the whole country? Of carrying the whole world on his extremely capable shoulders? Of showing up time and time again as the GOAT? I know that he does. The narrative makes it clear. And yet he still continues relentlessly. What a guy.
I kind of liked Kuomat's resentful refusal to become a part of Mitereh's compulsory happy ending. Even though it wouldn't have occurred to me to write it that way and it still doesn't fully make sense to me, it felt right and accurate for him. And then eventually gaining his cooperation by turning his pride against him was a very satisfying choice. I am a bit disappointed not to see Tenai face Kuomat, but it does perhaps feel in character that she just didn't care enough anymore to even bother.
If Neumeier ever does choose to write more in this universe, I can guarantee that I will be SEATED and ready.