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manjala's review against another edition
4.0
Vastly different from the Farseer trilogy , but I fell right in yet again. I don't know what it is about these books, but I feel like Robin Hobbs stuff just "clicks" with me, for the most part.
I say for the most part, because there were some minor annoyances I had with the writing choices in this one. I will give them the benefit of doubt though, since I know this is the first book in the series and some things may make more sense after I finish the trilogy in its entirety.
This was, by all means, a (many)character-driven story. Robin Hobb really didn't shy away from writing about any cruelties our characters went through, and I liked that. Some characters I wanted to go through much more shit than others though.. *coughs* Others did not get any thing I thought they deserved. It will be a fun ride to see where all the character arcs will be going in the next books.
I'm personally really curious to find out how the stories will be connected to the first trilogy, since it all takes place in the same realm after all.
I say for the most part, because there were some minor annoyances I had with the writing choices in this one. I will give them the benefit of doubt though, since I know this is the first book in the series and some things may make more sense after I finish the trilogy in its entirety.
This was, by all means, a (many)character-driven story. Robin Hobb really didn't shy away from writing about any cruelties our characters went through, and I liked that. Some characters I wanted to go through much more shit than others though.. *coughs* Others did not get any thing I thought they deserved. It will be a fun ride to see where all the character arcs will be going in the next books.
I'm personally really curious to find out how the stories will be connected to the first trilogy, since it all takes place in the same realm after all.
tifftastic87's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warning: blood, injury description, slavery, misogyny, violence, child abuse, emotional abuse, death of a parent, death and murder . . . and Kyle
Althea Vestrit’s father is ill, her family’s live ship is about to quicken, her brother-in-law imagines what it will be like when he is captain, a pirate is desperate to become king, the serpents look for their future, and a priest in training questions his future.
So, I made a joke in the content warnings but I couldn’t help it. Kyle is the worst human in this story, in many stories. Robin Hobb has a fantastic ability to write villains that are incredibly human and not just a caricature of evil. I thought my loathing couldn’t deepen anymore until I saw what his way of parenting had done to his daughter and then I loathed them both with every fiber of my being. This story has so many parts and watching them come together has been such an experience. I dislike a lot of these characters, but I need to know what is going to happen to them!
I am incredibly serious when I say that I feel my hatred of Kyle in my bones. The way he has raised his children is chilling and how he treats Keffria, his wife, made me rage for her so much. Keffria on the other hand, some moments I want to slap her and others I feel like she needs a hug. Ronica is definitely my favorite character, I love a stoic matriarch and the moments in her POV are amazing. The character growth in Althea has been fantastic and is so well earned.
All of that being said there so many POVs in this book that I wasn't sure I would like it, but I settled into it really really well. There are at least 10 POVs throughout but no head hopping, which is nice at least. I am immediately jumping into the next book and I usually have to give myself a couple of weeks between epic high fantasy like this so that is saying something.
I am incredibly serious when I say that I feel my hatred of Kyle in my bones. The way he has raised his children is chilling and how he treats Keffria, his wife, made me rage for her so much. Keffria on the other hand, some moments I want to slap her and others I feel like she needs a hug. Ronica is definitely my favorite character, I love a stoic matriarch and the moments in her POV are amazing. The character growth in Althea has been fantastic and is so well earned.
All of that being said there so many POVs in this book that I wasn't sure I would like it, but I settled into it really really well. There are at least 10 POVs throughout but no head hopping, which is nice at least. I am immediately jumping into the next book and I usually have to give myself a couple of weeks between epic high fantasy like this so that is saying something.
beeword's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
viporras's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
lizard_sarah_96's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
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
brookealdridge's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
sade's review against another edition
5.0
It will never cease to amaze me how writers can take words, spin it and make you care about characters that exist only in books, make you care about the words these characters utter, how because of words on a page, you're rooting for a character to be better, stronger, braver. It's awe inspiring and just amazing.
Robin Hobb is one of those writers that weaves magic with her words. and it's curious, it's not like her books at least the few i've read have an insane amount of gore or are especially grim. but somehow she's captures the essence of a character so thoroughly. You can feel the selfishness of Malta, the apathy that dictated Keffria life, the strength that was Ronica Vestrit, the confusion peppered with shadows of strength, wisdom and the occasional dose of stupidity that was Wintrow, the stinking mess of insecurity that was Kyle Haven, the fire cracker that was Althea Vestrit and the ships, gosh the ships.....
I did feel sometimes descriptions ran a tad too long but having read the Farseer trilogy, i've come to recognise that as signature Hobb story telling..
All in all a truly delightful book that does not disappoint.
vinnydee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
lvaughn87's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
lizziaha's review against another edition
3.75
okay the age gap relationships are starting to get weird. Robin, what’s going on there?? I feel like this book is just an exercise in “hindsight is 20/20.” You can see the characters making the wrong decisions and you just want to stop them. And let me tell you, boy do these characters make the wrong decisions. Choice after choice after choice. The characters are realistic, but at what cost?? This book was at times very hard to read because it was just so bleak. I’m interested to see where it goes, but also scared.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, and Trafficking
Moderate: Death of parent, Death, Alcohol, Blood, Murder, Child abuse, Confinement, Drug use, and Physical abuse
Minor: Sexual assault, Rape, Sexual harassment, Adult/minor relationship, and Suicide