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lesserjoke's review against another edition
4.0
A marked improvement over the start of this trilogy, but still rather slow-paced and occasionally a bit tedious in how it retreads familiar territory from earlier in the Elderlings saga. (Of course Fitz is going to insist on doing something risky alone, only for his friends and allies to ambush him with their assistance. Of course he's going to be repeatedly chided for not having better control over his telepathic Skill magic and corresponding mental walls. Etc., etc.)
At least the overall shape of the new plot is much clearer now, even if it still doesn't seem like a wholly necessary continuation of the series. As ever, author Robin Hobb tends to produce her most affecting scenes when working in a confined setting like Buckkeep, where she can strike colorful personalities off one another and chart the passage of time through gradually developing character relations. The immersive fantasy worldbuilding continues to impress, and a few moments draw keenly on the long history Hobb has built up in this setting to achieve genuine catharsis. It's also interesting to see the writer herself change in the way she writes about the potential fluidity of gender, here using different pronouns for the same person depending on how they are presenting at any given time.
Ultimately I don't know that we particularly needed to see a FitzChivalry version of Taken, nor do I care much for the expected tie-ins to the spinoff Rain Wild Chronicles as he pursues a band of kidnappers across the map. But for the most part this novel feels like proper Hobb again, which is definitely a promising sign for the likely conclusion that will follow.
[Content warning for incest and rape.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
At least the overall shape of the new plot is much clearer now, even if it still doesn't seem like a wholly necessary continuation of the series. As ever, author Robin Hobb tends to produce her most affecting scenes when working in a confined setting like Buckkeep, where she can strike colorful personalities off one another and chart the passage of time through gradually developing character relations. The immersive fantasy worldbuilding continues to impress, and a few moments draw keenly on the long history Hobb has built up in this setting to achieve genuine catharsis. It's also interesting to see the writer herself change in the way she writes about the potential fluidity of gender, here using different pronouns for the same person depending on how they are presenting at any given time.
Ultimately I don't know that we particularly needed to see a FitzChivalry version of Taken, nor do I care much for the expected tie-ins to the spinoff Rain Wild Chronicles as he pursues a band of kidnappers across the map. But for the most part this novel feels like proper Hobb again, which is definitely a promising sign for the likely conclusion that will follow.
[Content warning for incest and rape.]
Find me on Patreon | Goodreads | Blog | Twitter
foolsassassin's review against another edition
4.0
ch8 was the best thing to happen to me. AND BEE i love bee so much. also, the first half was definitely better than the second half imo. and fuck rapskal! i hate him
soggypotatoes'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
cherryworld's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
thewisewombat's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
4.0
camdev4's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
he’s so stupid!!! and traumatized!!! and I love him!!!
jessimond's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
sr4's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
bigzone's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
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? It's complicated
5.0
celticboar's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-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