Good evening, morning, afternoon, or whatever time of day it is when you read this thread! I am new to these forums, as you may have guessed, but I do have this tiny question nagging at my brain. You see, I am a great fantasy fan (although I'm not that much into Sci-fi), and I sometimes wonder why I have never seen what I consider to be the best fantasy writer (along with George R. R. Martin) of all times mentioned. Now, this is a question to Sohmer, and to anyone else that reads this forum and feels like answering - do you read Robin Hobb's books, and, if so, what do you think of them?

Frankly, I never even heard of her before I wikied her two minutes ago.

Well, I certainly reccomend reading her books. They're wonderful work of art, and I've never loved a book as much as I do hers. Too bad there's only three and a half trilogy written by her. Still, I suggest getting your hands on a copy of Assassin's Apprentice - I guarantee that you'll love it.

Alrighty, I'll try it sometime.

She writes in a strange 1st person diary style, but otherwise her books are pretty enjoyable, if a bit of a struggle to get through.

Sohmer's said before that he doesn't really like first person, so I don't know if the Fitz or Soldier Son books would be something he'd enjoy.

I like Hobb's original trilogy of trilogies, though I don't like the way she ends her series (long drawn out third book followed by quick deus ex and practically no denouement). I did not enjoy [u]Shaman's Crossing[/i], and I haven't picked up the other books in that series yet.

Well, since mr. Martin is praising her novels, one can’t help but to be interested in Hobb’s writing. The Farseer Trilogy I enjoyed and would recommend it as a refreshing read even for more demanding lovers of fantasy literature. The much praised Liveship Traders Trilogy didn’t disappoint me, but somehow failed to win my heart.

Reading Hobb’s novels (and that is symptomatic to Martin’s novels as well), I couldn’t help but feel that she really don’t know what is this story that she would like to tell, and rather writes it like one would write a soap-opera – from event to event, having effective and flashy episodes, but somehow missing “the big picture”.

The main frustration I felt while reading her work was that she portrayed some marvelous characters, but failed to raise them to their full potential, starting some plotlines and then dropping them like a juggler with to many balls to handle.

The best book in the following “Tawny Men” trilogy is the Full’s Errand, where she tries to portray a hero’s life when his destiny is fulfilled (theme that Ursula Le Guin so masterfully handled in Tehanu), but all that I disliked about Hobb’s novels came into full view. The Golden Fool I could not read through, since the characters transformed beyond recognition and the plotline lost it’s pace and logic that held it together.

But, first six - seven very good books she wrote as Robin Hobb are well worth of anyone’s time and will provide some fun and quality reading. Go for it!

What blasphemy is this?!

To even suggest that Captain Kennit is less than excellence personified is a crucifyin' offence!

As to your other complaints, give her Soldier Son trilogy a whirl. More story arcing connections.

Humm Robin Hobb, seen that name in a blur as i was running for the newest Terry Prattchet books... maybe i should take a look.

i hate first person perspective, it just really annoys the hell out of me, i read a book called the rule of four and damnit that was in the 2nd person. i guess i just love good old 3rd person omniscient narrators.