andrew_f's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- 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
Robin Hobb knows how to make me love first person, single POV epic fantasy books. The first book in the Tawny man trilogy, we catch up with FitzChivalry now Tom Badgerlock 15 years after the end of The Farseer Trilogy. He is living in the woods with his adopted son, Hap trying to live a quiet life and forget the tumultuous years of his youth. But The Farseer line is in danger and once again, Fitz's fate as catalyst is being swept back into the politics and plots of Buckkeep.
Like the original Farseer and moreso than Liveship Traders, this is a very slow paced book. The plot doesn't really begin until about a third of the way into the novel. For those that love Hobb's writing and character work, the beginning chapters are still a treat as we catch up with Fitz and favorite characters from the original series. But those needing more plot forward books will probably grow frustrated at the snail's pace.
Since the plot isn't revealed until late in the novel, I won't mention it here for spoiler reasons, but the book centers around loyalty, duty, friendship, loneliness, and identity. Each theme is handled with compassion by the author. Though this is a fantasy novel, the emotions of these characters feel real and your heart breaks in empathy. This is why so many praise Hobb's character work and each of these sub-series so far contain some of the best character work in the genre.
I also loved the callbacks to the previous books in the series, though I think the author relied a bit too heavily on summary of the previous novels through dialogue with characters. This may have been necessary at the time since many years had passed between novels, but since I've read these books all in less than 12 months the plots are still fresh in my mind. I also really liked the expansion of the lore and the little backstories and world building at the start of each chapter was interesting.
I don't have much else to say. Beautifully written story and I'm eager to continue the series. The main reason why I'm not rating this full 5 stars is the book did feel more like a setup book and I kind of expected the big emotional moment of the book so I wasn't as deeply impacted by it. But still a very emotional and melancholy book. It's not all doom and gloom, but these characters are probably going to experience even more pain before this series ends.
Like the original Farseer and moreso than Liveship Traders, this is a very slow paced book. The plot doesn't really begin until about a third of the way into the novel. For those that love Hobb's writing and character work, the beginning chapters are still a treat as we catch up with Fitz and favorite characters from the original series. But those needing more plot forward books will probably grow frustrated at the snail's pace.
Since the plot isn't revealed until late in the novel, I won't mention it here for spoiler reasons, but the book centers around loyalty, duty, friendship, loneliness, and identity. Each theme is handled with compassion by the author. Though this is a fantasy novel, the emotions of these characters feel real and your heart breaks in empathy. This is why so many praise Hobb's character work and each of these sub-series so far contain some of the best character work in the genre.
I also loved the callbacks to the previous books in the series, though I think the author relied a bit too heavily on summary of the previous novels through dialogue with characters. This may have been necessary at the time since many years had passed between novels, but since I've read these books all in less than 12 months the plots are still fresh in my mind. I also really liked the expansion of the lore and the little backstories and world building at the start of each chapter was interesting.
I don't have much else to say. Beautifully written story and I'm eager to continue the series. The main reason why I'm not rating this full 5 stars is the book did feel more like a setup book and I kind of expected the big emotional moment of the book so I wasn't as deeply impacted by it. But still a very emotional and melancholy book. It's not all doom and gloom, but these characters are probably going to experience even more pain before this series ends.
charlibirb's review
5.0
Another fabulous Hobb book! Such a relief after several months of reading things that weren't really grabbing my attention. Can't wait to get to the rest of the trilogy! Hobb never disappoints!
Excellent magic systems - not too much, great political structure, fabulous characters, especially the fool! Cried at the end for no reason I'm going to spoil here!
***
2nd read:
Still one of the best series out there, ever. I'll be re-reading this one my whole life.
Excellent magic systems - not too much, great political structure, fabulous characters, especially the fool! Cried at the end for no reason I'm going to spoil here!
***
2nd read:
Still one of the best series out there, ever. I'll be re-reading this one my whole life.
nina_bloodsworn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
relaxing
medium-paced
5.0
misterwonders's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
4.25
Absolutely gutted.
lreay89's review
4.0
It took me a lot longer to read this book then the previous books I have read about the Realm of the Elderlings. I think that is more to do with the fact that I got to saturation point, I had just read too much too quickly and needed a break from reading and the world for a while and was not a reflection on the quality of the story. Also I was missing the characters from the Live Ship series quiet a bit and shifting the reading style back to first person (which is my least favorite way to read a book) was a bit of a shock to my system.
It could have been also that psychologically I didn't want to read about Fitz getting hurt again. The ending of the Farseer Trilogy was nicely squared off with Fitz finally getting to do as he pleased and live to a ripe old age unmolested by fear and sadness so going back to his character and knowing that he was going to have to deal with a whole heap of negative stuff was actually quiet hard for me, even more so because currently I am dealing with some intense personal stuff.
Fitz being put into some uncomfortable positions starts off fairly quickly in this book with visits from the Fool and from Chade, culminating in him going off on another quest this time to bring Prince Dutiful back to Buckkeep.
As usual the characterisation and the descriptions of the world that Fitz and the other characters inhabit is amazing and probably contributed to me needing a little break from reading the story for a bit. I always feel such intense emotion when I am reading [a:Robin Hobb|25307|Robin Hobb|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1397885202p2/25307.jpg] books. My favourite characters where also back, with the Fool taking a more prominent role in this book.
Dutiful is also a fascinating character and someone who I look forward to getting to know more in the rest of the books.
This book isn't as long as some of the other Elderling series books which is great. This book seemed to get to where it was going with less meandering around the houses and the reminders of past events where less obtrusive in this book, but that could also be because I have taken longer to read this book and had a break so the reminders where helpful to refresh my memory rather then being annoying.
I am now intrigued to see Fitz in the role of tutor rather then learner and cant wait to see how his experiences as a child will affect his relationship with Dutiful.
Thank you Robin for another powerful book.
It could have been also that psychologically I didn't want to read about Fitz getting hurt again. The ending of the Farseer Trilogy was nicely squared off with Fitz finally getting to do as he pleased and live to a ripe old age unmolested by fear and sadness so going back to his character and knowing that he was going to have to deal with a whole heap of negative stuff was actually quiet hard for me, even more so because currently I am dealing with some intense personal stuff.
Fitz being put into some uncomfortable positions starts off fairly quickly in this book with visits from the Fool and from Chade, culminating in him going off on another quest this time to bring Prince Dutiful back to Buckkeep.
As usual the characterisation and the descriptions of the world that Fitz and the other characters inhabit is amazing and probably contributed to me needing a little break from reading the story for a bit. I always feel such intense emotion when I am reading [a:Robin Hobb|25307|Robin Hobb|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1397885202p2/25307.jpg] books. My favourite characters where also back, with the Fool taking a more prominent role in this book.
Dutiful is also a fascinating character and someone who I look forward to getting to know more in the rest of the books.
This book isn't as long as some of the other Elderling series books which is great. This book seemed to get to where it was going with less meandering around the houses and the reminders of past events where less obtrusive in this book, but that could also be because I have taken longer to read this book and had a break so the reminders where helpful to refresh my memory rather then being annoying.
Spoiler
My heart absolutely broke when Nighteyes passes away. Robin dealt with this sensitively and I think at a good point in Fitz's story. Like all good things they must come to an end and Nighteyes was given the correct send off without any messing around of could he be dead oh no hes survived - repeat. Fitz's intense grief is also very well dealt with. I miss Nighteyes already but it was definitely a good decision to let him leave the story.Spoiler
I am now intrigued to see Fitz in the role of tutor rather then learner and cant wait to see how his experiences as a child will affect his relationship with Dutiful.
Thank you Robin for another powerful book.
seriuzbiznus's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- 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
3.5
sageyoung's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
5.0
a hundred out of five stars oh my godd fitz <<333