Scan barcode
A review by noaregine
Ship of Destiny by Robin Hobb
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
5.0
The last time a book gripped my like this might have been The Book of Strange New Things by Michel Faber, and that is two or three years ago now. I'm overjoyed I read this series and I'm genuinely heartbroken I never get to read it for the first time again. I'm also definitely going to reread them, which is not something I've ever done before with a series in which each entry is 900 pages. Can't wait for the little details I missed. ALSO can we talk about women in fantasy? Realistic, well-rounded, neither manic nor pixie women? And women's issues in a patriarchal society? MORE LIKE THIS PLEASE.
Now, if you've clicked to open this and you ever intend to read these books, here's your second spoiler warning. I'm not going to spoil heavily, but still. You won't want to know this.
No, really. Turn back now.
Don't do it, my friend. I know who you are. You know who you are. I'm talking to you. Stop it
Stop.
Ok so. This isn't a review, it's just nonsense written down.
I've never read a villain story this carefully woven. Because I do think he's a villain, and I do think it's his story, mostly. He's just such a good villain that you as the reader – and he himself as well – doubt that throughout. But, oh boy, did I hate his guts by the end. It will make a reread... Interesting, knowing how nauseating he becomes just a couple chapters before the end, and realising that might have been there all along. They Hobb unravels all of her mysteries, including his, is also unlike anything I've ever read. Almost never at the end of a chapter, in a cliff hanger. Almost always you begin to understand, she gives you enough to allow you to guess at is, and guess correctly, and then, almost nonchalantly, she drops the last bit of information mid-sentence and it hits in full force anyway.
I'm at a loss at what to read next. I don't wanna barge straight into her next books yet, because Althea and Brashen and Malta and Paragon won't be there. But Paragon told mottled, tawny Amber to go north. So.
No, really. Turn back now.
Don't do it, my friend. I know who you are. You know who you are. I'm talking to you. Stop it
Stop.
Ok so. This isn't a review, it's just nonsense written down.
I've never read a villain story this carefully woven. Because I do think he's a villain, and I do think it's his story, mostly. He's just such a good villain that you as the reader – and he himself as well – doubt that throughout. But, oh boy, did I hate his guts by the end. It will make a reread... Interesting, knowing how nauseating he becomes just a couple chapters before the end, and realising that might have been there all along. They Hobb unravels all of her mysteries, including his, is also unlike anything I've ever read. Almost never at the end of a chapter, in a cliff hanger. Almost always you begin to understand, she gives you enough to allow you to guess at is, and guess correctly, and then, almost nonchalantly, she drops the last bit of information mid-sentence and it hits in full force anyway.
I'm at a loss at what to read next. I don't wanna barge straight into her next books yet, because Althea and Brashen and Malta and Paragon won't be there. But Paragon told mottled, tawny Amber to go north. So.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Slavery