I just loved this book. I loved the first one, and I loved where this went -- full hearted into myth, with some of my favorite characters. To me, this was an Ace love story of epic proportions, and a triumph of non-white cultural values. It was glorious seeing Kip come into his own. It was also a delight to see Fitzroy gradually reconciling who he was pre-reign with who he is now. There's a lot of internal work and personal growth going on in these books, so yes, it is repetitive, yes, there are a lot of thinky thoughts and gradual resolutions, but also. Also a crazy mythic set of journeys, beloveds lost and found, weird interconnections, and delightful flights of fancy. Friendship (so many kinds of friendships) at the heart of it. I cried for while when Kip came back and finally stood in front of his community, having accomplished all that he set out to do. I loved that the Red Company wasn't so much in this adventure, but I like the idea of them gradually rejoining the story as well. And I cheered for the peaceful hand over of power to a new generation -- it gives me such hope, that such a thing can even be imagined in our broken and contentious times. ( )

Cliopher continues to 'realize' his dreams and ambitions and bring them into harmony with himself -- I truly do not feel I can say much of anything about what happens without spoiling, but there are some marvels, satisfying reunions and all the rest of it. I will however say that I am not in the least bit clear about what Goddard is driving at vis a vis the relationship between Cliopher and HFR. (His Former Radiancy -- a term I will use to also avoid any spoiling). It makes no sense to me human beings being who and what they are and just seems cruel to HFR who has such a passionate and physical nature and needs. Enough said. There are relationships that exist, a bit like this, bromancey (but usually not so intense). But this one feels unbalanced and, frankly, unfair as is. And who knows, really, where Goddard is intending to end up. Given Cliopher's detachment from his own needs and his physical self and how long it has taken him to get this far, I'll give her the benefit of the doubt. Totally worth reading if you have been enjoying the saga so far. And I will keep on with it, though ready now for a break. ****1/2 ( )

https://tamaranth.blogspot.com/2023/01/2023014-at-feet-of-sun-victoria-goddard.h... ( )

In The Hands of the Emperor we learned of all the worldly accomplishments Clioper Mdang achieved by his heroic passion for detail and persistence to make the world better for its ordinary citizens. In at the Feet of the Sun we watch all his bureaucratic skills achieve mythical heroic feats, including reaching the goals of his innermost self. And he has the best of help.

As this is much closer to a standard quest story than the first book I was not as gobsmacked by it - it is still pretty amazing as a series of adventures and inner - literally - explorations, but I doubt anything will be as outrageously ambitious as making string of bureaucratic reconstitutions as the triumphs of a fantasy (though of course any such must be a fantasy) I mean, out thinking the gods has been done, tricking them too, but completely reworking and redirecting a world wide bureaucracy is the real challenge. ( )