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mcmillan's review
4.0
I love Robin Hobb, and was very excited to see a book from her that was under 800 pages. This novella takes place long before FitzChivalry Farseer, of the Farseer Trilogy and beyond, was ever born. It tells of the story of the origins around society's attitude towards The Wit, a telepathic magic that allows humans to communicate and bond with animals, and why some people with the magic now refer to themselves as Piebalds. It's considered a dirty, low magic in the current books, but it wasn't always that way.
Not quite as gripping as her main novels, which would be impossible without the depth you get in those giant trilogies, but it's an interesting and tragic story that takes place in Buckkeep. I've said it before, but I just love Robin Hobb's writing. She can make you care about her characters like no other, even when they aren't people who necessarily demand sympathy from the reader.
I would read The Farseer Trilogy before moving on to this, as I think it's worth having knowledge of the world already. The Tawny Man books do refer to this legend, although having detailed knowledge of the story isn't needed (this was written ten years after the last book of that trilogy), so it could really be read before or after. It's a quick read, though, and an interesting story, so I'd recommend picking it up if you're a fan of the series.
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Not quite as gripping as her main novels, which would be impossible without the depth you get in those giant trilogies, but it's an interesting and tragic story that takes place in Buckkeep. I've said it before, but I just love Robin Hobb's writing. She can make you care about her characters like no other, even when they aren't people who necessarily demand sympathy from the reader.
I would read The Farseer Trilogy before moving on to this, as I think it's worth having knowledge of the world already. The Tawny Man books do refer to this legend, although having detailed knowledge of the story isn't needed (this was written ten years after the last book of that trilogy), so it could really be read before or after. It's a quick read, though, and an interesting story, so I'd recommend picking it up if you're a fan of the series.
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drewdisp's review against another edition
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
ikiaika's review against another edition
4.0
Reading this in 2025 is kind of scary, I'm not gonna lie. Hits a little too close to home in our current political climate.
imfhd's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shinke's review against another edition
3.0
I liked learning the backstory of the prince and why the wit is hated but as I read the Assassin's Apprentice years ago I wasn't as invested in the characters.
phiakillstorm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
kittyg's review
5.0
This is a collection of two novellas, both set in the Realm of the Elderlings but based many, many years before the storyline of Fitz and other Fareseer character we know and love. You could certainly start with these books and they wouldn't spoil anything for you, and I would say they're a great place to 'try out' Hobb. However, I will say if you have read the other books in the Realm of the Elderlings then some of the things Hobb mentions within this will resonate a lot with you and enchant you (as they did for me).
As always I believe that Hobb's writing style is fab. She's brilliant at drawing you in and making you connect to the characters who are narrating or part of the story, and this was no exception. We have two storues, the first, The Wilful Princess, focuses on Felicity and her companionship with the Princess Caution (of the Farseers). Felicity is from a simple family and yet she becomes firm friends with the baby Princess and stays by her through her life. They go through much and more together, and you follow their bond and the problems that Caution (not a good representation of her name) sets up for Felicity and herself.
The second story is also narrated by Felicity but is a retelling of a story told to her by Redbird, and this is following the next generation of Farseer, The Piebald Prince. If you've read the later Farseer, Tawny Man and Fitz and the Fool books then you'll no doubt recognise the name of the Piebald Prince. this is his story and shows just why he became famous and his tale was passed down through the generations all across the Realm of the Elderlings.
On the whole, both of these were short, to the point, but brimming with all the magic of the Elderling world and it hinted at all the extra to come. I adore these characters and this world, and I really enjoyed re-immersing myself with this (although I am sad again that there's not a lot more for me to immediately read). 5*s overall, I just love Hobb :)
As always I believe that Hobb's writing style is fab. She's brilliant at drawing you in and making you connect to the characters who are narrating or part of the story, and this was no exception. We have two storues, the first, The Wilful Princess, focuses on Felicity and her companionship with the Princess Caution (of the Farseers). Felicity is from a simple family and yet she becomes firm friends with the baby Princess and stays by her through her life. They go through much and more together, and you follow their bond and the problems that Caution (not a good representation of her name) sets up for Felicity and herself.
The second story is also narrated by Felicity but is a retelling of a story told to her by Redbird, and this is following the next generation of Farseer, The Piebald Prince. If you've read the later Farseer, Tawny Man and Fitz and the Fool books then you'll no doubt recognise the name of the Piebald Prince. this is his story and shows just why he became famous and his tale was passed down through the generations all across the Realm of the Elderlings.
On the whole, both of these were short, to the point, but brimming with all the magic of the Elderling world and it hinted at all the extra to come. I adore these characters and this world, and I really enjoyed re-immersing myself with this (although I am sad again that there's not a lot more for me to immediately read). 5*s overall, I just love Hobb :)