I really love Herbert’s descriptions and the lore already, even if i don’t know the terms. I think it’s really neat that he didn’t do a bajillion chapters on worldbuilding and instead dropped the reader in and explained things as was neccessary.

Hi Boundlings!

I enjoyed this book and the forum and noticed also quite a lot of posts stating a sense of confusion - I thought it may help to have a post early on in the forum (spoiler free - all of what I am mentioning is introduced in the very first 15 min/first chapter) to help you along the way if you are feeling that way.

The first character introduced (one of the main characters) is Chih: A non-binary cleric from the Singing Hills Abbey who records history.

They are traveling with Almost Brilliant: A talking hoopoe bird with a perfect memory who is Chih’s companion.

At this point of the book, they have now met with Rabbit: The old woman who was once In-Yo's servant and loyal handmaiden, and who tells the story in the later parts of the book. Chih often addresses Rabbit by "grandmother" (likely a translation for what I imagine is a type of honorific and respect for the elder woman).

This book switches between the two narrators (Chih and Rabbit) and two separate time periods.

I hope this helps and that you enjoy this tale!