I knew going into this book that it was going to be an expansion on Rothfuss' earlier story, "The Lightning Tree, so I wasn't too surprised by the retreading of familiar territory. I loved the story in its initial version, as Bast is one of my favorite characters of the series and I enjoy seeing the more domestic, low key adventures that happen to characters when the plot isn't in motion. It's very familiar to The Slow Regard of Silent Things, another Temerant novella, in that it really just follows a single character as they go about their day. Sometimes normal things happen, sometimes fantastic things, but eventually, they all return home at the end of the day, satisfied by a day's events. As a result, some readers looking for a bit of plot may find the book plodding in that way, but I don't count it as a personal slight against the book.

Despite my familiarity of the original story, I was still just as hooked as I was when I first read its predecessor. The overall skeleton was the same, but the sinews that held it all together had slightly altered. In many ways, the story goes a bit deeper. To use the book's terminology, where the "The Lightning Tree" seemed, The Narrow Road Between Desires was. Bast was still his usual, charming, clever self, but we got to see a little further into him. The relationship between him and Rike was sweet in the original story, but here, it was genuinely moving. I think before Rike's feelings were a bit more vague, a bit more subtle. You could get a feel for his situation through context clues, but the story moved on before making anything definite. Now, his pain and fear feel more tangible; how he relates to Bast and reveals his desperation is more emotional. It's a wonderful transfiguration that makes this installment into the series as worthy as any of the main novels.

I think the embrils, a way of fortune telling in this world, are an interesting addition. I can see so many theories being made about what they mean and how they may affect the larger story taking place. It's a neat way of expanding the world in a small way.

Rothfuss referring to Bast as "a good wolf" in the author's note is such a marvelous way of looking at his character. He's beautiful, graceful, with a bit of tooth to him. There's a hint of danger, but also a fierce loyalty and drive to protect what is his. There's cunning and power, patience and resolve, but, ultimately, a creature that's comfortable being exactly what he is. In this novella, we get such a great character study that would have been hard to fit in the main story. Just another benefit of one of these sidepaths hidden just along the road of this adventure.

Really, I don't have a bad thing to say about this book because, well, I am incredibly biased. This series was everything to me as a teen and, as a adult, it still holds a large place in my heart. Would I like the conclusion to the series? Sure. Will anything that comes out of this world delight me in the interim? Historically speaking, yes. I am willing to wait that much longer if it means richer, more meaningful storytelling every time.