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crabs_with_sticks's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing novella by Robin Hobb that showcases what makes her writing really special: the characterisation. The characters really shine in this book, and even ones that don't have that much page time have realistic motivations and characterisations, and don't even get me started on the main characters whose unique personalities shone from the pages. In just over 150 pages Robin Hobb made me adore the narrator of the story, and in just over 50 made me sympathise and deeply root for other main characters.
Not only the characterisation, but as a long term fan of the Realm of the Elderlings, this gave a fascinating look into the history of the Six Duchies, especially in relation to
Overall, this novella has a quiet and unpretentious beauty to it that marks it, not only as one of my favourite Robin Hobb works, but also in most of the fantasy that I have read.
Not only the characterisation, but as a long term fan of the Realm of the Elderlings, this gave a fascinating look into the history of the Six Duchies, especially in relation to
Spoiler
the wit blood in the Farseer line and Motley in the latest seriesOverall, this novella has a quiet and unpretentious beauty to it that marks it, not only as one of my favourite Robin Hobb works, but also in most of the fantasy that I have read.
luise96's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder, and Pregnancy
Moderate: Miscarriage
arcticoctopus123's review against another edition
dark
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
phiakillstorm's review against another edition
5.0
felicity [no last name] had a lesbian situationship so toxic she got at least a fourth of the six duchies killed. this is one of the best books i've ever read.
theakano's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
larsvermeulen's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book after finishing the 3rd trilogy of Realm of the Elderlings.
While reading I found myself getting kinda tired of the constant need of the narrator to emphasize how she was telling the truth, and how virtuous her son was as a truthsaying minstrel. My first thought was to give this book 3 stars because of this.
I reconsidered when I read the clever ending.
Also, when I had a little more time to reflect on the story after reading, I placed more emphasis on the fact that this "scroll" was hidden in the Buckkeep library. Which made me feel like I was Chade or Fitz "finding" it and discovering a hidden piece of truth about the Farseer line through the eyes of a random wet nurse. Which made me see it in a new (and much more exciting) light.
While reading I found myself getting kinda tired of the constant need of the narrator to emphasize how she was telling the truth, and how virtuous her son was as a truthsaying minstrel. My first thought was to give this book 3 stars because of this.
I reconsidered when I read the clever ending.
Also, when I had a little more time to reflect on the story after reading, I placed more emphasis on the fact that this "scroll" was hidden in the Buckkeep library. Which made me feel like I was Chade or Fitz "finding" it and discovering a hidden piece of truth about the Farseer line through the eyes of a random wet nurse. Which made me see it in a new (and much more exciting) light.
chingycsp's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
foxynz's review against another edition
3.0
Not really a book for any but diehard Robin Hobb fans, it was an nice backstory on Buck and one of it's famous characters, the Piebald Prince. Love the title, and enjoyed Hobb's story
josh4167's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
megantallent's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5