Previously, I relayed my obsession with some of Robin Hobb's earlier books. In spite of my searing disappointment with the ending of Hobb's
Tawny Man Trilogy, I decided to give her
Soldier Son Trilogy a try.
Shaman's Crossing - Book 1 of
Soldier Son TrilogyReminiscent of
Assassin's Apprentice, this is a beginnings book. We are introduced to Nevare Burvelle, who is also the narrator. Unfortunately, Nevare is stupidly obedient and dull, to boot. He stoically endures abuse from humans and supernatural forces, then manages to see the end of a series of painful trials due to dumb luck. The book ends with Nevare happily ensconced in the status quo, dreaming of marriage to a boring girl.
Forest Mage - Book 2 of
Soldier Son TrilogyWhereas Book 1 was dull and painful in turns,
Forest Mage is like militant fat camp propaganda. Nevare spends the entire book being called a fatty and trying to prove that he has no control over his obesity. He bungles his way into being accused of murdering a prostitute and necrophilia, which the mob is eager to believe, because he is fat. Nevare is supposed to be a forest mage, but he really only commands his power in the climactic final scene, before severing ties with his few loyal friends. What a loser.
Renegade's Magic - Book 3 of
Soldier Son TrilogyUnread.
Joe has been reading Hobb's latest, the
Rain Wild Chronicles, and he says that there is a lot of whining in that one, too.
Robin Hobb, you had a good thing going with
The Farseer Trilogy and
The Tawny Man Trilogy, but you appeared to be in such a hurry to finish the latter that you tacked on a false happy ending and made me want to cry. Now, you spend your time and energy writing about long suffering, boring protagonists who can't seem to get out of trouble except by the mercy of dumb luck.
Until you choose the rewrite the ending of
The Tawny Man Trilogy, I will not be reading your books, any more.