Scan barcode
mqabbadbest's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Sexual assault, Slavery, and Suicidal thoughts
lanna_aud's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, and Trafficking
Moderate: Drug use, Pedophilia, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
maithaalfalasi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
Graphic: Sexual assault
Moderate: Child abuse, Rape, Sexual content, and Slavery
errie's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexism, Slavery, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Blood, Police brutality, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Addiction, Drug use, Infertility, Miscarriage, Sexual violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, Excrement, Abortion, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, and Classism
josiah17's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This is overall just fantastic nautical fantasy with exceptional character writing, as well as complex and entertaining family dynamics. I enjoyed almost every POV for one reason or another. Hobb writes characters that you can root for here, and some that you vehemently despise. I cannot stand Kyle and Torg. Malta really annoyed me even though I understand she's still a kid, I just hope she learns and develops as a character. And I was always rooting for Brashen, Althea, and I really came to sympathize and feel attached to Wintrow. He deserves better, but unfortunately his father is beyond awful.
The additional worldbuilding for the Realm of the Elderlings with the liveships was also very interesting and unique. The idea of a sentient ship bonded through familial blood is amazing, especially because two ships have their own POV's and we get some insight into their perspectives. I'm very curious to learn more about the Rain Wild Traders as well. The relationships they have with the Bingtown traders is interesting, and I hope the sequels explore some of the actual Rain Wild territory. And I have a suspicion about the serpents, but I still don't really know what's going on with them. They're cool though.
Even though the plot was pretty non-existent for most of the book—per usual with Hobb so far—this was surprisingly just addicting to read. The blurb on the cover says "as addictive as morphine," and that's a pretty apt metaphor for my experience. Nautical fantasy just works so well for the visual movie I have running in my brain when reading, and it seems to scratch an itch. Paired with fantastic writing and captivating character dynamics, this is an amazing read. I could see myself bumping it to 5 stars depending on how the trilogy pans out.
Graphic: Physical abuse, Slavery, Toxic relationship, and Trafficking
Moderate: Sexual content and Sexual violence
allcapspyrex's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Slavery and Medical content
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault
backflippinwafflepancakes's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Animal death, Gore, Sexism, Slavery, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug use, Miscarriage, Violence, and Injury/Injury detail
hilwithonel's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
And then I read this.
Robin Hobb's writing is.... perfect????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Graphic: Child abuse, Slavery, and Violence
Moderate: Pedophilia, Sexual assault, Medical trauma, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Sexism
mylord's review against another edition
3.75
on a more serious note, i struggled to get through this book. the beginning was slow, and the daunting page count did not help, but 75% through, surprisingly, i just sped through the entire thing.
i dont know... what to feel yet about this. as slow as it was, a lot happened, idk how hobb managed to fit every single bigotry in every character, but shes done it alright, and the characters are so unlikable to the point where you just have to applaud the narrative and reflect on how every single thing weaves in to one another (evil acts like that and its brilliantly shown).
i was blown away by the politics and commentary on colonialism, and displacement of tradition and roots, especially the multi pov where you can see how different views approach a conflict. see where it all clashes and the reason behind such garish beliefs. though it will never justify it, it doesn't have to because some form of violence exists just because it can.
there are a lot of characters, even more than the farseer trilogy has ever introduced, but hobb has done it again in a way everyone has depth and purpose, even the side characters. i find myself craving every single scene with amber and paragon, i cant wait to see where their story will just take off from here.
though as long as this has been, and as eventful as it is, I just felt like it didn't really end satisfactorily, nor did we have a cliffhanger that would immediately propel me to read the next book, but I will oh, you bet I will. im too neck deep in this world now theres no turning back.
what's not to love about characters desperately trying to escape their fate at any given chance yet failing miserably
Graphic: Misogyny and Slavery
briely's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Emotional abuse, Slavery, Violence, Forced institutionalization, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Bullying, Child abuse, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Animal death, Drug use, Miscarriage, Blood, and Death of parent