I wasnt sure what to expect with this book #8 of the series. I really liked this series but especially the first 3 books (the last 4 were ok but too slow overall, a little confusing for about half of the set, and generally wasnt as good as the first 3 book set imho). with the hope that some of this book would cover characters from the first 3 books, maybe some of the lore before the first 3 book set started, I was eager to find out. overall I wasnt disappointed, although it didnt delve much into happenings before the first 3 books. it covered mostly stuff in between the 7 books and some character backstory. to me the best of these was kukirut (spelling?) and the final character (the baker Gruder). now that I have Gruder’s back story I understand much better about his role in the 3-world final 4 book set. I have to admit I was thrown for a loop when he took a more prominent role in the final 4 books. but now I get it.

in the end this book is worth it but I kind of wish these “lost backstories” would have been included with the original books (you’ll notice the first 3 book set was much longer than the final 4 book set…40+ hours vs. 20+ for the final 4). perhaps this was partially why? if these were made after the book series was done (I assume they’re done) then disregard this thought. but if these were chopping block material that was cut out of the original 7 books, well, I know it happens usually from the publisher saying to cut stuff…but it’s really a shame if that was the case. glad to have this material but using 1 credit for 1 book when I got 3 or 4 books as the 1st & 2nd set, feels kind blah. not the same value even though it’s still good stuff.