The Hands of the Emperor
core novel 2017 The Hands of the Emperor
Record
| First published | 2017 |
|---|---|
| Original language |  EN |
| Work type | novel |
| Canon status | core |
| Reader rating | 4.37 (4,434 ratings, collected 2026-08-26) |
| Page count | 969 |
| First-edition ISBN | 9781988908144 |
Synopsis
The Hands of the Emperor follows Cliopher Mdang, who has spent decades serving as personal secretary to the Last Emperor of Astandalas, a position of immense influence that has nonetheless kept him carefully, deliberately distant from the divine ruler he serves. Cliopher, born far from the imperial court on the remote islands of Vangavaye-ve, has built his career on quiet competence, managing the machinery of empire while rarely allowing himself to be seen as more than a functionary. When Cliopher impulsively invites the Emperor to join him for a holiday at his remote home, he is startled when the invitation is unexpectedly accepted, an unprecedented gesture neither anticipated. As the two travel together far from the court's rigid protocols, their long, carefully bounded relationship begins to shift, setting in motion changes that ripple outward through both their lives and the world around them.
Where it sits
- Universe: The Hands of the Emperor
- Series: not part of a registered series (standalone work within its universe)
- Author: Victoria Goddard
Notes
- The core, largely standalone entry point to the author's wider Nine Worlds setting; the setting's many other connected novels and series are not catalogued (a deliberate scope limitation, logged for a possible later expansion).
Sources
- The Nine Worlds by Victoria Goddard reference wiki, The Hands of the Emperor page
- https://www.victoriagoddard.ca/products/the-hands-of-the-emperor-2
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