Robin Hobb

[SleepyBob]

I've heard about her for ages, but the jacket descriptions didn't ever grab me enough.

I finally went and borrowed "The Shaman" from the library (first book in a series that didn't have a waiting list). I'm about 1/4 of the way through, and while interesting enough, it just isn't capturing my imagination the way other books have.

Is this book fairly representative of her writing, or is there another one I should try before deciding she isn't an author I care for?

[owly]

The Shaman series is not as good as her other stuff. You should start with the Farseer trilogy "Assassin's Apprentice" which is the start of an epic, intertwined saga.

[HarryT]

Originally Posted by owly

The Shaman series is not as good as her other stuff. You should start with the Farseer trilogy "Assassin's Apprentice" which is the start of an epic, intertwined saga.

I completely agree.

[DiapDealer]

I started reading Hobb with Shaman (and the rest of that series). It annoyed me for the most part--especially the main character. I'm so glad I didn't let that series sour me on Hobb altogether. The Realm of the Elderlings books are great!

[SleepyBob]

Okay, sounds good. I'll give Assassin's Apprentice a try.

[badgoodDeb]

I got the Assassin's Apprentice for free once, and loved it so much that I paid for the 3 (?) books that followed, in that series. But I couldn't get interested in her other series's. So yes, heres another vote: Try Assassin's Apprentice!!

[Ansileran]

I remember loving Assassin's Apprentice, but I was twelve and pretty new to the world of fantasy... I wonder what I would think of it now. It did grab me though and I couldn't wait to get the next one. I'll probably re-read them someday, when my reading list finally goes down and I have the money to buy them as ebooks (I have the paperback in French - never reading a French translation again)

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Ansileran

I remember loving Assassin's Apprentice, but I was twelve and pretty new to the world of fantasy... I wonder what I would think of it now. It did grab me though and I couldn't wait to get the next one. I'll probably re-read them someday, when my reading list finally goes down and I have the money to buy them as ebooks (I have the paperback in French - never reading a French translation again)

I never read them until I was well into my 40s. Pretty sure my twelve year-old self would have missed out on a ton of subtlties.

[Dazrin]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I never read them until I was well into my 40s. Pretty sure my twelve year-old self would have missed out on a ton of subtlties.

I know my 12 y.o. self did. I really enjoyed the first one both times I have read it.

[Ansileran]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

I never read them until I was well into my 40s. Pretty sure my twelve year-old self would have missed out on a ton of subtlties.

Especially since I read a translation... Maybe I'll put them on my TBR pile, but they're out for this years: too many series need to be finished first.

[Wolfrott]

Hobb's books are brilliant. However... I suspect she uses a ghost writer now, or worst case scenario, she's just slacking as a writer.

First three trilogies are excellent. Wilful Princess was good. Heard bad things about her spinoffs Soldier and Shaman, though.

Liveship was painful and I had to stop a few chapters in. I got halfway through Rain Wild #1 before admitting defeat due to her new crummy, Mary Sue writing. I have high hopes for her latest trilogy but am wary now. Her new books from the past 8 years can't hold a candle to her first 3 trilogies, especially the first two!

[Teknikal]

I actually found liveship to be every bit as good as the Fitz books, I do admit it took a little longer to get into the first liveship book but once I did I loved it and immediately continued onto the rain wild series.

I've read every Robin Hobb book and liked them all.

[DiapDealer]

Originally Posted by Teknikal

I actually found liveship to be every bit as good as the Fitz books, I do admit it took a little longer to get into the first liveship book but once I did I loved it and immediately continued onto the rain wild series.

Same here. Now granted, Rain Wilds was my least favorite, but I still loved it and wouldn't have missed it for the world. I also thought Liveships was fantastic.

Let's face it: Hobb was doing diversity/gender stuff in fantasy long before those topics we're ever popular (or even mentioned). Either the social subtext she's so good at resonates with you or it doesn't. For those it doesn't resonate with (or you don't notice or care about subtext--which is perfectly cool, too BTW), then the non-Fitz/Fool books are typically not as enjoyable. So be it. *shrug*

The only series of hers (under the Hobb psuedo) that I've not enjoyed is the Soldier Son series. And even then I recognized the talent and the brilliance on display. I just couldn't find a connection with the main character. Which probably says terrible things about me since I'm fairly certain she was riffing on obesity and society's penchant for dismissing/ostracizing those afflicted with it.

The ghostwriter theory just doesn't hold water, in my opinion, @Wolfrott. They'd be pumping books out like the Patterson machine, I think, if that were the case. Nor have I noticed any dropoff in the quality of her work over time. Rather I've noticed a willingness to tackle a variety of subjects/subtexts that are probably not going to work for everybody, all the time. Big difference. She's catering to her whims as writer, not her fanbase's. I rather respect a series writer who's unafraid to hop off the gravy train (that a popular franchise can offer) from time to time.

[GreenMonkey]

Originally Posted by DiapDealer

Same here. Now granted, Rain Wilds was my least favorite, but I still loved it and wouldn't have missed it for the world. I also thought Liveships was fantastic.

Let's face it: Hobb was doing diversity/gender stuff in fantasy long before those topics we're ever popular (or even mentioned). Either the social subtext she's so good at resonates with you or it doesn't. For those it doesn't resonate with (or you don't notice or care about subtext--which is perfectly cool, too BTW), then the non-Fitz/Fool books are typically not as enjoyable. So be it. *shrug*

Ditto, completely agree. Hobb is my favorite author, though, these days.

The only series of hers (under the Hobb psuedo) that I've not enjoyed is the Soldier Son series. And even then I recognized the talent and the brilliance on display. I just couldn't find a connection with the main character. Which probably says terrible things about me since I'm fairly certain she was riffing on obesity and society's penchant for dismissing/ostracizing those afflicted with it.

I enjoyed Soldier Son but it was VERY different. Poor guy fights against his destiny SOOO hard. I liked it. Just not as good as the various Fitz/Fool books.

Originally Posted by Ansileran

I remember loving Assassin's Apprentice, but I was twelve and pretty new to the world of fantasy... I wonder what I would think of it now. It did grab me though and I couldn't wait to get the next one. I'll probably re-read them someday, when my reading list finally goes down and I have the money to buy them as ebooks (I have the paperback in French - never reading a French translation again)

I enjoyed them in my teens, but the bittersweetness of the end of the Farseer Trilogy (and some of the character-driven-ness of the story) was a bit lost on me. Wouldn't have been in my top 10 back then.

Re-read along with reading Liveships when I saw Fool's Errand on the shelf at a Waldenbooks as an adult and REALLY liked them. She became my favorite author at some point after that.

Last couple of Fitz/Fool books have been amazing.

[badgoodDeb]

Originally Posted by GreenMonkey

Ditto, completely agree. Hobb is my favorite author, though, these days.

..... She became my favorite author at some point after that.

So, have you tried Lois McMaster Bujold's Vorkosigan series??? That's by FAR my favorite, though I liked Hobb's Assassin series. Too few people have tried Bujold, I fear, though her writing is TERRIFIC!!! She needs to be discovered.