Ahoy there mateys! I originally read this is 2021.  It won the Hugo award that year.  I have read all the books in the series so far and this and book 4 are my favorites.  I listened to this on in audiobook form and sadly I did not like that format.  I think it is because I am not able to savor the writing and imagery as well when I listen to it.  This was no fault of the narrator.  When I reread any of the books in this series, I will read my copies because I can pause and linger on sections as I read.  On this listen, I very much enjoyed again how devious the wife was and how she used fortune telling to her advantage.  Arrr!

****************
Ahoy there matey! This is a story about an Empress as told by a servant named Rabbit to a traveling cleric. This story was evocative and beautifully written. I read this novella last but it was a favorite. I loved the way this unfolded and it had such beautiful imagery. The words vividly drew the world and the characters. The story felt simplistic at times and yet had such layers. I can’t do it justice. I am glad this is the first in a series. Arrr!