Prequels are always tricky because they can never have the same narrative suspense as a sequel. But Beneath the Keep does a good job of telling its own story (and filling in a lot of missing color for the trilogy) and keeping the user engaged. I have this vague impression of the Tearling books as kinda happy and each time I start reading one I'm immediately smacked in the face at how brutal and unforgiving the world is. That isn't a criticism, just interesting how the optimism from the stories is what lingers with me, while the rest of it drops away.