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aepstone's review against another edition
4.0
Robin Hobb creates such a complex world... fun fantasy reading.
potathoe's review against another edition
4.0
It’s very Robin Hobb, which is probably only a negative when you read 16 of her books in a row.
hannahhmh's review against another edition
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fatphobia, Bullying, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Violence, Sexual violence, and Classism
dankolar's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
steadycollie's review against another edition
2.0
Absolutely horrendous protagonist. To the point of infuriation.
Sigh.
Sigh.
chellski's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.5
shakespeareaddict's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.25
lanica's review against another edition
2.0
This is the first in a new series by an author I love. I was very excited to read it but I don't read series until they are complete, so I just got around to reading it now. A friend of mine had already finished it and warned me that I might not like it. He didn't come out and say it, he just said, "I'm interested in what you think of it. Let me know when you're done."
PLOT: The story had great potential. I thought the opening sequence ofe events, through when he met and was trained by Deware was very good, after that I found Nevare to be a whiny little snob. I didn't like him at all as he got older but grew no wiser. I liked the story less and less as we met all the cadets at the school and learn about all the politics. This section seemed too long. I was as sick of school as the cadets seemed to be. I waited for something to happen but it took too long. When it did, I thought the story was interesting again.
CHARACTERS: The father seemed like a strong character who was a good father. Sargent Duril was one of my favorite characters and I absolutely love Epiny. Although I didn't 'like' Deware, I did hope he'd beat some sense into the boy. I considered not reading the rest of the series, but I have enjoyed Hobb's other book so much I knew I'd eventually have to read them. I also had to know what happened to Epiny, Spink and Caulder.
OVERALL: This book could have been a lot shorter. We need exposition and character introductions, threads strung together that seem to hold hopes for a great series, but these things took away from the story and created a plodding drama rather than a fantasy adventure. Actually, I think the whole series could have been a lot shorter, perhaps to the point of one strong novel instead of three watered down plodding narrations.
PLOT: The story had great potential. I thought the opening sequence ofe events, through when he met and was trained by Deware was very good, after that I found Nevare to be a whiny little snob. I didn't like him at all as he got older but grew no wiser. I liked the story less and less as we met all the cadets at the school and learn about all the politics. This section seemed too long. I was as sick of school as the cadets seemed to be. I waited for something to happen but it took too long. When it did, I thought the story was interesting again.
CHARACTERS: The father seemed like a strong character who was a good father. Sargent Duril was one of my favorite characters and I absolutely love Epiny. Although I didn't 'like' Deware, I did hope he'd beat some sense into the boy. I considered not reading the rest of the series, but I have enjoyed Hobb's other book so much I knew I'd eventually have to read them. I also had to know what happened to Epiny, Spink and Caulder.
OVERALL: This book could have been a lot shorter. We need exposition and character introductions, threads strung together that seem to hold hopes for a great series, but these things took away from the story and created a plodding drama rather than a fantasy adventure. Actually, I think the whole series could have been a lot shorter, perhaps to the point of one strong novel instead of three watered down plodding narrations.
rhidee's review against another edition
4.0
Having read the series, I offer this judgement:
Not as good as her other books, and I think it may have given me an eating disorder. Still, alright as far as books go. Certain parts unsatisfactory, certain parts shiningly good. So-so.
Not as good as her other books, and I think it may have given me an eating disorder. Still, alright as far as books go. Certain parts unsatisfactory, certain parts shiningly good. So-so.
harmah's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5