thePlenty.net Forums - Gernia

My verdict on Renegade's Magic and the entire Soldier Son trilogy

Tue, 06 Sep 2011 13:21:18 +0000

I finished Renegade's Magic about an hour ago. It took me quite a while to get through this book - not that I didn't like it, but my vacation has stretched on for so long that I was getting a little tired of reading every day, all day. The wheather has been really erratic the past few weeks, so I haven't been out much. College is starting again tomorrow and I'm actually looking forward to it. Now, on to the book...

To be honest, The Soldier Son trilogy may be my least favorite of Robin Hobb's works. Not that I didn't enjoy it, just not as much as Farseer or Liveship Traders. The characters, while well drawn, didn't come to life as much as the characters from previous books. There seems to be some wasted potential - while Caulder briefly pops up again and redeems himself, characters like Gord and Trist fail to show up again. I kind of expected to see them turn up at Gettys eventually. (Yes, I know Nevare dreamwalks to Gord, but it's nothing more than the briefest of cameo's.)
Shaman's Crossing still feels like a really long prologue to me, and a lot of things, while adding much depth to the world of Gernia and the Specks, kinda fall by the wayside as the story progresses, like the rivalry between the old and new nobles.

Anyway... the divided soul of Nevare was handled well, although it felt odd to have Nevare be powerless for so much of the book. And then finally merge... and get split again after spending barely a month as a tree? By the way:

OBLIGATORY MY LITTLE PONY REFERENCE

Alright, now that I've got that out of my system, let's move on. So Nevare was a tree, and now he isn't. He's split again, one part remaining with Lisana, another reclaiming his old life with Amzil at his side, while the plainspeople have lost the magic of the Dancing Spindle. Is this our happy ending? Because to be honest, it feels a bit odd to me.
I seem to be piling on a lot of criticism, so let me stress again: yes I did enjoy it.

More thoughts as I have them. Feel free to discuss.

Thoughts on Forest Mage, or: why the heck is there a fish on the cover? (SPOILERS)

Mon, 22 Aug 2011 12:27:10 +0000

Like I stated in my previous topic, I could happily read 800 pages of characters doing nothing but drinking tea. However, I did at times feel that too little happened for long stretches of the story. If there are any flaws to a Robin Hobb story, it is that sometimes they tend to move a little too slowly. Too much time is spent on Nevare agonizing over choosing between the Gerninans and the Specks. Just how many times does that guy need to go into the forest, be seduced by the magic, and then walk right back to the cemetery?

However, I still enjoyed the story. Seeing Epiny and Spink again at Gettys was nice and expected, but Carsina, now that was a real surprise! Hitch was an interesting character who unfortunately got too little "screentime". All in all, this might be one of Hobb's bleakest books ever, and although she generally pulled it off well, it was sometimes a little wearying.

I do hope that Renegade's Magic will return characters like Caulder, Gord and Trist. It seems like a shame to build up such fascinating characters and then abandon them.

Oh, and Nevare's father is a bastard.

My thoughts on Shaman's Crossing (SPOILERS SC & LST)

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:00:10 +0000

I finished Shaman's Crossing earlier today. So what did I think of it? Mostly, I like it. The more modern setting was interesting and the characters were as well-drawn as ever.

However, I have to admit that at times the book felt more like a really long prologue to me. There are hints of unrest among the nobles and the plainsmen, but most of the story is focused on Nevare's academy days, with little information of what goes on outside and little action. Not that ot bored me, don't get me wrong - Robin Hobb could write a book about two characters drinking tea for 800 pages straight and not only would I read it, I would probably also greatly enjoy it.

The magic's interesting too. Would have liked some information on the seances, though. Epiny's an interesting character, I hope we get more of her in the following books. Lastly, I hope Hobb is planning on making Caulder do a turn like Malta - I hated her at first, but by the end of The Liveship Traders, she had become one of my favorite characters. Hence my joy at Hobb's hinting that she will play a larger role in the upcoming Rain Wilds books.

Overall, it's the kind of quality read I've come to expect from Robin Hobb.

Gernian Character Discussion (spoilers all SS books)

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 07:51:59 +0000

I thought I'd begin this thread for general discussions on the Soldier Son characters? As this is a Gernian thread, any comparisons or comments regarding the Realm of the Elderlings, will need spoiler tags.

Gernia vs RotE spoilers all Hobb books

Sat, 17 Jul 2010 13:20:15 +0000

Now that I have finished reading the Soldier Son series, I do intend to go back and respond to some of the older posts in the Gernia threads BUT I'd first like to prompt a comparative discussion covering some similarities and differences between the various elements of the Gernian and Elderling worlds.

Like it or not, as I had read this series after much re-reading and study of the RotE books and short stories, I couldn't help but draw comparisons between characters, experiences, situations and themes etc as I progressed through it. These are the things I'd like to try and have us compare here, rather than which series is 'best'.

To get the ball rolling (but feel free to contribute whatever you like!):

Similarities between Nevare and Fitz

* We were introduced to them both whilst they were still young boys and were privy to their overall development into young men.

* Though they didn't always get it right, and though they were divided against themselves for a portion of their lives, they both displayed talent in their given vocations - Nevare as a soldier's son, cadet, soldier and farmer; Fitz as an assassin's apprentice, later the royal assassin and general royal lacky thereafter etc.

* While there were others involved in their training, both had an older mentor with whom they forged a solid, shared and meaningful relationship...Nevare had Sgt Durill and Fitz had Chade.

* Both took on catalytic roles that would prove to change the fates/courses of their worlds. To fulfil these roles, both were strong in their given magic/s.

* Though strong, they were both "like small boys", ignorant and untrained in their wielding of the magic - examples of this would be the frustration displayed by Olikea or Kinrove with Nevare, and Kettle with Fitz.

* Via their magic, both were able to communicate/travel within their dreams. Nevare dreamwalked and Fitz Skill-dreamed.

* Though having escaped many near-death episodes at various times, both 'died' to their old lives (after copping a beating and being accused of murder!) and also reluctantly returned. Both particularly feared that they would be recognised and made to pay for their 'crimes'.

* Despite losing their faith and way at times, both served and stayed true to their families and monarchs.

* Both took in and cared for a boy who was not their own child, but who they treated like, and came to think of as, a son - Likari and Hap.

* Both seemed to have an unsatiable desire and multiple partners (!), but still held to one main 'love' (by this I mean a love like the love Fitz had for Molly, not that which he had for Fool...let's let that debate rage elsewhere!). It could get a bit confusing here between Nevare and Soldier's Boy (as they had Amzil and Tree Woman) but it was Amzil who won out in the end for Nevare, and Molly for Fitz.

* With so many other loftier goals to strive for, they also both pined for the former lives they could not have and also longed for a life of their own...one that was founded on having a home with hearth and family.

* Both lost parts of themselves and then had to have those parts reunited (with help from an external force eg Kinrove and Fool) to be made whole again...though Nevare then unwittingly divided himself once more!

Though I have others, this will do for the time being...I expect enough debate between us all, just on these points !

Predictions (MAJOR progressive spoilers on all books)

Fri, 09 Jul 2010 10:39:07 +0000

Ok, not many posts on here re The Soldier Son trilogy so here's a thread I'm going to hog for my own on-going predictions as I progress through the three books . I can't really take part in other discussions just yet, seeing as I'm only up to Chapter Seven (!) in 'Shaman's Crossing', and, this way, I can see what I get right by the end.

I'm guessing that Nevare will later bypass his recently revealed, arranged pairing with Carsina to pursue a relationship with the younger, half-plainswoman Sil Halloran, who he met in the very first chapter. That's it for now...starting small !

I can't wait to get the trilogy finished so I can jump into a comparative discussion between Gernia and the RotE! It took me a while to get into but now that I'm here, I'm hooked...

direction on soldier son seriees

Wed, 05 May 2010 21:23:29 +0000

I just finished Farseer series and was looking on comments about Soldier Son or Liveship Tawney Man as which to read next

US Soldier Son covers/editions

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:47:17 +0000

I have a couple of questions for anyone who owns or has access to the US editions of these books (this is for the wiki btw, not just to sate my endless curiosity )

- is the cover artist for the hardcover edition of Renegade's Magic Christophe Vacher or Steve Stone? (Vache would make sense as he's the artist for the previous two volumes, but there's conflicting info about this online.)

- who is the cover artist for the mass-market paperback editions for Shaman's Crossing : city seen from the river
and Forest Mage: Nevare on horseback

- Apparently the RM paperback just reuses the hardcover illustration instead of having its own like the first two parts?

Any help or answers greatly appreciated!

Kudos!!

Tue, 28 Jul 2009 15:03:06 +0000

I wanted to send a Email to Robin Hobb, or a Email via her publisher but their site is so horrid that I decided to just write what I wanted to say here instead.

I have been reading since oh, the mid '70's and I have a massive collection of books, I've read everything from Fantasy to Bio's to well, single page stories on web sites. My main interest is Fantasy, why? Oh call it a connection that I can't resist.

I began the Soldier's Son Trilogy with a bit of trepidation, normally what I would consider "Cowboy or Western" style books that mix magic are either decent, or odious beyond belief.

I grew quite interested early on, as I love Robin Hobb's style and the fact that her characters and stories are not "Epic" But down to earth, believable as it were.

By the second book I was unsure that the story could be wrapped up in another volume, it just seemed too much to finish. (Little did I know that Mrs? Hobb's writing ability approaches the level of Tolkien and Donaldson)

I finished Renegade’s Magic last night and I was just astounded with the ending. Not only did she dovetail the story creating a believable ending, but it ended in a manner that didn't look forced or hurried. I felt that I had to at least express my admiration? My enjoyment at finishing a trilogy who's ending is as masterful as it's beginning.

I have read her other books, but not the Megan Lindholm volumes. I shall rectify that error soon.

That's all I wish to say, I look forward to her next volume knowing I shall enjoy it as much as I've enjoyed all her other books.

Regards,

Valandur

No Disrespect (SS spoilers)

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:47:19 +0000

The soldier son trilogy dissapointed me.

As a fan of Hobb's other series i was expecting alot from these books. instead i was given a spoilt shallow child.
I understand the ideas behind this series but failed to see any real dimension of growth of the charachters. basically the books were about a kid who gets fat and hates himself, then reluctantly decides he can help, but still pines for his former life.
I thought it unusual that weight was the main issue for the protaginist, when his society was at war and civilisation was coming apart.

I do wonder if hobb was pushed into publishing such under-developed garbage?

Please note, this is just one persons opinion. I found the adventures of fitz and the fool delightful and each book a masterpiece. But Soldier son is crap, not just in comparison with Robbs other work, but with the fantasy genre as an entirety.