mcosmic's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, War, Blood, Physical abuse, Torture, Child death, Murder, and Death
Minor: Pregnancy
library_of_fairy's review
adventurous
challenging
tense
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
natcommon's review
5.0
I really really enjoyed this book. It did feel slow at some parts but I don’t care. I loved the medieval politics and the way Fitz was trying his hardest to be loyal. He definitely learned a lot in this one. My biggest complaint was the love interest for Fitz but whatever...ugh. I have predictions for what will happen later but I will save that for myself. Otherwise, it was a very solid read.
enbyglitch's review against another edition
5.0
Incredible. Hobb's worldbuilding and narrative continue to be excellent, and her characters are among the most human I have ever read. I also can't believe how much of this book George RR Martin took for inspiration when fleshing out the Starks and the North of Westeros, and that I hadn't heard of this before.
Women don't have the best place in Hobb's world, and characters such as Molly and Patience are kept down pretty harshly at times. On the other hand, Kettricken's story elevates this book to new heights for me. She challenges assumptions fiercely and constantly, just by being who she is and refusing to bow to expectations. Entire books have been written about characters like her, and the fact that her story is only in the backdrop here leaves me in awe of Hobb's ability.
I couldn't help but wonder while reading whether this would be the close to the perfect novel if only Fitz and Celerity's genders were swapped. It's a line of thought I'll certainly carry with me into book three.
Once again, I have to mention the biggest flaw in this series: The title and cover art truly beg to be brushed aside as the most generic fantasy, while the quality of content in these books easily rivals ASoIaF and the Kingkiller Chronicle in my opinion.
Women don't have the best place in Hobb's world, and characters such as Molly and Patience are kept down pretty harshly at times. On the other hand, Kettricken's story elevates this book to new heights for me. She challenges assumptions fiercely and constantly, just by being who she is and refusing to bow to expectations. Entire books have been written about characters like her, and the fact that her story is only in the backdrop here leaves me in awe of Hobb's ability.
I couldn't help but wonder while reading whether this would be the close to the perfect novel if only Fitz and Celerity's genders were swapped. It's a line of thought I'll certainly carry with me into book three.
Once again, I have to mention the biggest flaw in this series: The title and cover art truly beg to be brushed aside as the most generic fantasy, while the quality of content in these books easily rivals ASoIaF and the Kingkiller Chronicle in my opinion.
johnm's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- 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
5.0
kaitlyn_wren's review against another edition
4.0
loved:
- the scene where kettricken united and subdued the mob that was going to hunt forged ones. she’s so brave and brilliant and all around such a lovable character.
- every appearance of the fool. SO cleverly written.
mehhhhh:
- fitz’s relationship with molly is the WORST. i’m sure that’s the intention, but painful to read regardless.
- fitz himself. he just gets on my nerves so bad.
i had hoped that there would be some answers to some of the questions that i have from the first book (eg. what was the purpose of the fool’s “fat suffices” riddle, who was the old lady from the mountains that called fitz “keppet”, and how and why are the raiders forging people?)
i have high hopes for the last book in the trilogy, i’ve heard such good things and i expect all will be wrapped up nicely.
- the scene where kettricken united and subdued the mob that was going to hunt forged ones. she’s so brave and brilliant and all around such a lovable character.
- every appearance of the fool. SO cleverly written.
mehhhhh:
- fitz’s relationship with molly is the WORST. i’m sure that’s the intention, but painful to read regardless.
- fitz himself. he just gets on my nerves so bad.
i had hoped that there would be some answers to some of the questions that i have from the first book (eg. what was the purpose of the fool’s “fat suffices” riddle, who was the old lady from the mountains that called fitz “keppet”, and how and why are the raiders forging people?)
i have high hopes for the last book in the trilogy, i’ve heard such good things and i expect all will be wrapped up nicely.
aeonarin's review against another edition
Everyone said it's better than the first one, so I tried.
It wasn't.
I gave up on this boring, dull, time-bending piece of lies in the middle of the book.
I liked the Fool. That's about it.
It wasn't.
I gave up on this boring, dull, time-bending piece of lies in the middle of the book.
I liked the Fool. That's about it.
megabyte117's review against another edition
2.0
As brilliantly paced and written as the first book was, this sequel is an immeasurable disappointment. Overly long and repetitive, the author seems to twist into pretzels to justify the antagonist’s continued success at the expense of every other character. All the other characters suffer from an inexplicable loss in intelligence and agency to ensure the conflict of the story can make it to a third book. Unfortunately it feels like the promise of the first book was wasted here, and I will not be continuing with this series.
jurdek's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- 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
4.75