getting to know Ser Olmy better...

short plot description: a young Olmy takes a (possible one-way) mission to the planet Lamarckia which has been settled by a group of defectors opening a gateway in the Way. The original plan called for Olmy to observe and then report back but soon he finds it harder and harder not to get involved...

my thoughts: first this is only a prequel in the sense that the novel uses Thistledown, the Way, the gateways to other worlds and Ser Olmy who plays a major role in the first two books as a starting point. The novel could easily have done without this premise. Besides that, quite a good book, good worldbuilding, interesting, not to cliched characters, plot not really highly original (how to humans behave when under pressure) but it keeps the reader engaged.