Renegade's Magic: The Soldier Son Trilogy

Robin Hobb has just concluded her Soldier's Son trilogy with the third book--Renegade Mage. There doesn't seem to be much point in reviewing solely Renegade, however, as anyone who has read the first two is likely to pick up the conclusion, so instead I'll simply review the trilogy as a whole.
Of course, the first question one has to answer as a reviewer is would you recommend the book (s) to a reader. I wish I had an answer. To be honest, I'm just not sure, for several reasons.
Let's start with the positives. I think Hobb was truly ambitious with this series in a lot of ways, including:
Character-- she is willing to have several very unlikable characters drive much of the plot--including the one/two main character (s).
Point of view--employing a hybrid first/third person limited in Renegade Magic when the main character is an observer in his own body.
Themes--the clash of cultures, the clash of religions, free will, prejudice, environmentalism, the individual versus the greater good, progress versus tradition, etc. She wrestles with big questions here and often does so thoughtfully and eloquently.
World creation--setting her trilogy in a 17-1800's American frontier sort of world with no truly strange races (and none of the clichéd ones--elves, dwarves, etc), no bizarre or portentous sounding place names, and very little wielded magic (usually the magic does the wielding).
"Gray" ethics--presenting us with characters and situations where the choices are not so black and white, where actions aren't obviously good or evil.
Plot and pace--carrying us along in a slow, almost real-time/real life pace and pulling tension out of character or economics/politics rather than out of battle and conquest.

In short, she breaks away forcefully from many of the conventions of the fantasy epic genre--the medieval, magic-infused, mixed-race world where armies mass for large battles while a small overmatched group representing the obvious good quests for a sneaky way to defeat obvious evil, led of course by the Dread Lord Sauron, I mean, um . . . The complete originality that permeates the book is a welcome change of pace from the usual big-book fantasy.
Another plus is simply the writing. Whether she is creating an entire continent or the smaller worlds of home and barracks, township or market; or creating major characters that spill across all three novels or minor ones that appear for only a few paragraphs or pages, she does so with a sharp, rich sense of fine detail. Her dialogue is rock solid--sounding like people would actually sound during the situations they find themselves in.

Clearly, then, there is a lot to admire in Soldier's Son. But that's also the sticking point. There is a lot to admire, but if I were completely honest, I'm not sure there is a lot to enjoy.
It's an admirable risk to employ an unlikable character, let alone several, but it's a risk that may work better in novella form, or at least in a single novel. It's asking a lot, perhaps too much, of a reader, to carry that dislike over 2000 pages. I could barely do it, finding the main character Nevarre almost too much to continue with in book two and here again in book three. When he gets twinned with an equally unlikable other self, and the two of them do little but squabble or sulk, it became almost enough to make me stop even in the concluding book of a series.
Hobb wrestles with big themes here, but I'm not sure I walked away with a crystalline view of how we're supposed to see them. Looking over the series, it seemed many of the concepts were a bit muddy. If you're just throwing them out there for us to think about ("talk amongst yourselves"), that's fine, but somehow I feel a bit more is warranted if I'm going to invest the time to read three large books.
The point of view is interesting stylistically, but I'm not sure it best served the book. The passivity of the narrator was a bit annoying, and his ability/inability to become active seemed a bit too arbitrary, based more on the need of plot than anything else.
The pace is sometimes too slow in all three books. Book one rewards the pace more than either of the latter two books, which seem overly slow, overly dry, and at times overly repetitive--both could have lost a few hundred pages and suffered very little in terms of characterization or plot.
While the endings of books one and two do much to redeem their earlier flaws, and though some of Renegade Mage's ending has the same effect, much of it also seems too pat, too forced, or tacked on. And the big solution to the whole clash of cultures, or at least a major one, seems far too simple and anti-climactic, making one wonder if the whole thing couldn't have been solved in the first thirty pages of book one.
In the end, I'm torn about recommending the series. After all, for most people 2000 pages is a large investment of time. I'm a fast reader and all three books probably took me about 10 days total to read and I'm still not sure I feel it was worth it. I'm still trying to decide. But if someone needs to set aside 20-30 days of reading, or more, than it's hard to imagine that they'll feel repaid in the end. And with so much out there that is both rich and enjoyable, it's hard not to send them elsewhere. Which would be sad, because as I said, there's a lot to admire and this sort of ambition should be rewarded I think. But not if it doesn't equally reward the reader. So I'll cheat a little and say read book one. In many ways, and especially many traditional ways--it's the book most likely to bring enjoyment. If that one doesn't do it for you, and doesn't do it by a lot, then don't feel bad about putting it down and picking up something else. But if you can find reward in its rich character and slow, measured pace, then give the next book a shot. I wish I could be more effusive than that, but it's the best I can do.

Renegade's Magic (2008) is the third fantasy novel in the Soldier Son trilogy, following Forest Mage. In the previous volume, the court found Nevare guilty on all counts and sentenced him to hang. Yet he used the magic to bring down the wall of his cell.

On his way out of town, Captain Thayer and his men recaptured Nevare. But he used the magic to convince them that Thayer had beat him to death. Then he escaped from Gettys.

In this novel, Nevare Burvelle had been divided into two spirits, one living as a Gernian with magic and the other lurking within the same body with little access to the magic. Nevare is still capable of visiting Lisana in the dream world. But now he is an outcast from the Gernians.

Soldier's Boy is the Speck spirit within Nevare's body. Unlike Nevare, he is unable to commune with Lisana. While Nevare has tried to destroy him, Soldier's Boy survives and influences Nevare in subtle ways.

Lisana -- Tree Woman -- is a Speck Great One, a user of the magic. Her body is long dead, but she still lives within a sapling that is growing from her fallen kaembra tree. Nevare talks to her occasionally by dream-walking.

Olikea is the daughter of Kilikurra and the younger sister of Firada. She is the feeder of Nevare and Soldier's Boy. Her child is Likari -- a young boy -- who also becomes a feeder of Soldier's Boy.

Jodoli is a Speck Great One in the same kin-clan as Olikea. His feeder is Firada.

Epiny is Nevare's cousin. She has a bit of magic, enough to commune with spirits. Epiny is married to Spink.

Spink is a Cavella lieutenant stationed with the regiment at Gettys. He has been a friend of Nevare for several years since they were cadets together. Now he is the husband of Epiny.

In this story, Nevare returns to the forest. First he visits the cabin at the cemetery. He finds Kesey there and tells him about the escape. After eating some dry hardtack, he replaces Kesey's memories and takes a few supplies with him as he departs.

Nevare leaves Clove behind at the cabin, but the horse follows him into the forest. Nevare travels the King's Road to the worksite. Then he slips past to Lisana's tree stump and notices a new sapling growing from the barely attached tree trunk.

Nevare then expends his magic covering the roadhead with grass, vines, moss and other forest life. He also pulls down trees whose roots have been cut by the roadway. He blocks enough of the road to delay the road crew until the snow falls.

Yet a kaembra tree stump chastises him for the effort. The stump tells him that the road crew will only be delayed. The trees could have lived for centuries, but now they will live only for a few seasons at most. All his hoarded magic has gone for nought.

After his great expenditure of magic, Nevare falls asleep on the forest floor. Upon waking, he is being tended by Olikea, with help from Likari. Jodoli is nearby with his feeder Firada. Then he feels a tingle throughout his body and Soldier's Boy takes control.

This tale has Nevare trapped within the body of Soldier's Boy. He can talk to Soldier's Boy and see through his eyes, but he can't use his muscles. Now and then, however, Nevare siphons off enough magic to talk to Epiny, Spink and others in their dreams.

The conflict between Nevare Burvelle and Soldier's Boy gets to be a bit tedious, but it is the heart of the story. Neither has done much that is effective against the Gernians, although Soldier's Boy definitely gets their attention. Their reunion is essential to the magic's plans to prevent the westerners from annexing the Speck lands.

Unfortunately, this is the last volume in the trilogy. The conclusion leaves few unresolved story threads, but one would still want more. Read and enjoy!

Highly recommended for Hobb fans and for anyone else who enjoys tales of shaman magic, exotic cultures, and a very parochial soldier's son.

-Arthur W. Jordin

Once again, Robin Hobb proves she's the best fantasy writer out today. Her books are extremely well-written. Her characters are real and the plot never moves in the direction you think it will go. Most important, unlike many bigger named fantasy authors today, she actually ends her books. Wow, what a concept!! "Renegade's Magic" has a fantastic ending, one that doesn't end in climactic battles, earth shattering revelations, or the destruction of the Greatest Evil Ever to Walk the Universe. It ends with a thought, with a whisper, with a suggestion of promise that inspires you to want to read more, but you know you shouldn't. The story is over.

I love Robin Hobb for her well-written simplicity. She doesn't make her worlds into large scale epics. She doesn't introduce 20 characters a book, and expect you to keep up with all of it. She has a limited number of characters, but they're all very well created. You get to know them very well in a short period of time. And, they are all different! They're like real people, not the usual fantasy world characters. They have feelings, problems and they make mistakes. Lots of them. Not major mistakes that cause the world to end or the plot to fall apart, but small ones, normal mistakes that normal people would make when confronted in a stressful, unfamiliar situation. This is what separates her from the rest. A refreshing realism, combined with excellent writing.

No plot spoilers or descriptions in this review. If you haven't read the other two, then I suggest you do. When you're finished, keep reading. Start with the first Farseer Trilogy and move onto the Liveship Traders series, still in my opinion, her best work. Robin Hobb is the best fantasy author today, consistently putting out quality work. "Renegade's Magic" just proves what we already know.

Well, after the painful experience of book 2, I was hoping book 3 could make up for it. Wrong. It took about 400 pages before something interesting happened, and then when it did it was over before it began. Nevare continues to be a complete annoyance, but "soldier's boy" is more tolerable and it made me wish the roles were flipped and the books were written more about him and that Nevare was the "other personality". Looking back at the series, Nevare Burvelle is by far the most unlikeable and annoying main character I have ever known. May he be gone forever, and may Robin do much better in her next series.

Book Two moved in such a painfully slow circle, I almost skipped this last book. But I'm glad that I plodded onward, because it has some good moments and offered a very satisfying conclusion. This is the ninth Robin Hobb book I have read. She's especially good at world-building and creating multi-faceted characters. Her weakness, I'm afraid, is pacing, and this trilogy definitely suffers from a sluggish pace. Information is repeated multiple times, the characters have the same arguments over and over, and every other page is a list of what Nevare eats. Looking back, I realize that her other trilogies also suffered from repetitive scenes and conversations (how many times did Chade made herb tea?), but I didn't mind as much because the characters were so likeable and the plot so interesting. In this series, the characters are less likeable (the protag was downright boring in Book Two) and the plot plays one annoying note over and over again (save the trees!). So overall . . . this is not Robin Hobb's best work . . . but worth reading if you don't mind a slow pace and endless descriptions of strange menu items. I still give it four stars because Robin Hobb is a very gifted writer. Her writing style is very easy to read and I'm always pulled into it. Unfortunately, in this series, I felt like I'd been pulled into a slowly swirling pot of mossy stew . . . which made Nevare happy, but not me.

I love Robin Hobb, her Assassin series is supreme. However Solgiers Son trilogy is really bellow par. To start with it is about a really confused character ruminating all the time on this and that and the other thing. It also constantly tries to make some sort of shallow moral battles between two worlds. Honestly it failed in both.
And the way it finishes simply does not make sense. After building all this complicated feudal world with tones of social rules just imagine what happens! The main character gets invited to return home and become the Lord's heir. And now please tell me how he can do so with his common law wife who has 3 kids from some pickpocket, who is a commoner and on top of that has the reputation of a whore?
I admit that because the last book has some interesting action twists and turns it is better than the second one. Yet it is not worth it.

I tried to read the Amber Spyglass along with this book but Renegades Magic was too interesting so interesting I couldn't put the book down.

Simply one of the finest books I ever read. Every character has something about them that's dislikeable and some parts that are great. In other words these characters even the minor ones are real. The story is about a War of Civilizations. That war is also reflected in the main character becoming two people in the same body. Like life the conflicts in the book are only partially resolved and life moves on. This a big story with big issues but it remains exciting

I've reviewed the first two books in this trilogy and I'm going to finish it off with this one. This was a really interesting world to visit, but I wouldn't want to live there. The truth is, I felt the character's journey was really a tough one to plod through at points, but ultimately satifying. I definitely realize why this series isn't for everyone. Even for some of the biggest Robin Hobb fans.

This book was another unconventional addition to a unusual storyline. Having the main character (spoiler alert!) stuck and just a passive participant in what happens was a tough one to enjoy. This gave the whole book a frustrating feel. In the end, the author's cruelty to Nevare was a bit much and partially made me not want to continue, but I just finished the book and I have to say it resolves nicely.

Overall, I'm glad I took the journey, but must warn people that it's not for the faint of heart.

After suffering with Nevare through "Shaman's Crossing" and "Forest Mage" I was hoping that things might get better for him in this book (they could hardly get worse!) I felt the author, "Robin Hobb", managed to tidy things up rather nicely in the end, but not without some unexpected twists and turns along the way. There were some parts that got a bit tedious and repetitious, especially all the scenes of Nevare gorging himself on this meal or that (or another). But all in all an enjoyable read. If you've read books 1 and 2, you definitely don't want to miss this one!

I thought it was far less depressing than Forest Mage, interesting some people felt it was more so. Its a fascinating story , and I endured the downer aspects of Forest Mage for the sake of the more magical inspiring portions. Renegades Son had much more of the elements I was attacted to and so I was pleased with it and the final resolution to the story .

I enjoyed the books. The following review is largely a quick comparison between the Assassin books and Soldier Son.

Yes, Nevare is a different character from Fitz, but he is very well drawn out and consistent throughout. And you know what, I wouldn't want the repetition of the same character!

The plot itself was very imaginative. There were several parallels with the Fitz stories and the turns of events were a little more predictable, but that did not spoil the story at all. I thought these books were a great deal lighter than Hobb's previous works. As a result, it does not imprint on you as much as the Assassin/Fool, but I still stayed up late at night and did not want to put the books down.

Robin Hobb is the author of my favorite series of books. The Assassin's series and the Fool's Errand trilogy, but I can't recommend this latest series. She has always been great at creating characters that I love to hate, and enjoy seeing come to a bitter end, but I'm not really sure I liked any of these characters.

The main character is wishy washy to say the least. He isn't very likable, and a traitor anyway you look at it.

The whole magic system is just gross. I mean people store magic by getting fat, and then get skinny again as they use it. And we aren't just talking about husky. It appears most of them can't even move anymore. The whole race of specks were just not likable, and in this the final book they were the primary characters.

WARNING SPOILER:

The ending was lacking as well. It just ended. He finally found himself and just fixed everything. No effort whatsoever. I mean what's up with that? Then it just sort of dragged for a few chapters fixing loose ends up and sending him on to a happily ever after.

I didn't like the start of the Live Ship Traders either, but she pulled it off in the end. This one just ended period. I hope she returns back to the fool and fitz, but based on the way that series ended I doubt it.

Nevare gives himself over to the Speck magic, and this book is spent mostly under the influence of his "other half" "Soldier's Boy" while the "Nevare" half of his soul is pushed around and silenced. This makes for a confusing, frustrating read as pages upon pages are written between the spiritual struggle of the two halves without anything really interesting happening. We are given insight into the Speck world and their "Great Ones", hugely fat sorcerers that do nothing but eat and have feeders so that they eat the stuff that makes them the fattest (and thus getting fat with magic). The fatter the sorcerer, the more powerful and Nevare/Soldier's Boy is determined to be the fattest of all so he can somehow save both his human people and the Specks. The whole thing reads like a primitive food lover's guide as they stuff themselves with every kind of mushroom and fantasy fruit imaginable. The Great Ones are like giant human slugs (Jabba the Hut, yes). Of course near the end he manages to break free from his turmoil and perhaps save some of the people he cares about. Why can't the Specks see him near the end (they can see other humans, magic or no magic)? Why did Lisana make that last grab for eternity with Nevare when she already had a piece of him already? (this was really at odds with her personality in the book).

Confusing and just plain awful to read. Would not call this an "epic" by any stretch of the imagination.

A fantastic conclusion to one of the top trilogies in recent memory. Each book has its own cadence, themes, and era, making each book an exciting and new adventure, rather than repeats through 600+ pages. This final book is exhilarating, with complex plot points seemingly resolving, while tattering apart moments later.

The book resolves itself extremely well, with a satisfying end of the book (as opposed to an abrupt end). The descriptions of the land, forests, and people are exquisite - and I found her vein of "magic" to be intriguing, yet frustrating in a good way.

I definitely recommend starting from the first book, but think that you'll enjoy the beautiful tale.

Farseer will forever remain my favorite, but this trilogy has a lot to offer. The main character is compelling and as usual, not perfect, and he is thrust into a life he didn't choose; at least, not freely. There were surprising similarities to the Farseer trilogy, which I will not go into (as they are spoilers), but they relate to how he gets out of a few impossible situations.

I felt the end was rushed--some resolutions happen offpage--but others who read it felt the end was fine.

Robin Hobb is one of the best fantasy writers out there. I will always pay for her books with no questions asked.

good story, good writing, but it seems like we are never allowed to like the main character. it's hard to spend this much time getting beat up. it t can only make you feel good if you enjoy other peoples suffering. a main character i never want to identify with.

As always with Hobb, too many marvelous possibilities spoiled for a much simpler (but captivating) plot. Same feeling happent with the Farseer and Tawny man books.
Even so, always a pleasure to read.

Excellent plot! Excellent characters! Might of Magic! Force of Balance! That story realistic and magical, serious and fierce. That book not only fantasy, but EXCELLENT story about clash different cultures, about honour, frienship and love. Language is EXCELLENT!

I thought it was far less depressing than Forest Mage, interesting some people felt it was more so. Its a fascinating story , and I endured the downer aspects of Forest Mage for the sake of the more magical inspiring portions. Renegades Son had much more of the elements I was attacted to and so I was pleased with it and the final resolution to the story .

After suffering with Nevare through "Shaman's Crossing" and "Forest Mage" I was hoping that things might get better for him in this book (they could hardly get worse!) I felt the author, "Robin Hobb", managed to tidy things up rather nicely in the end, but not without some unexpected twists and turns along the way. There were some parts that got a bit tedious and repetitious, especially all the scenes of Nevare gorging himself on this meal or that (or another). But all in all an enjoyable read. If you've read books 1 and 2, you definitely don't want to miss this one!

Great story, outstanding characters. I couldn't put the second book down and am now on Renegade Magic. However, I seem to draw a parallel between this story and Avatar. Magic, a savior not of the persecuted race, magic trees. Don't get me wrong, I love both stories and it's only an opinion. 'Berd

This was an awesome finish to "The Soldier Son" trilogy. I found myself re-reading passages in much the same way you would rewind a movie to take a second look at a cool part.

The author is extremely verbose and did an awesome job of setting scenes and describing characters. I found myself staying up way past my bed time on many occassions to finish the story and though my sleep suffered it was well worth it!

Great book that I would and have recommended to anyone.

Robin Hobb is a great author, but this particular series (Soldier Son) has been a geat disappointment to me. I finished the series out of some sort of sense of morbid obligation for the previous work she has done; but I could not in good consience recommend this book or this series to anyone who has anything better to do. Sorry Robin!

Robin Hobb has been one of my favorite authors for years. One of the few I actually check to see when her newest books are due out. This series was good, not her best - but she sets the bar awefully high. If you are a Hobb fan, it's worth the read.

I found the first two books more depressing. This was a brilliant way to interweave all the loose threads and conclude the story arch. She brought it all home with the richness and depth that it deserved. As always, she's an excellent student of human nature, culture, politics, and myth. I stayed up until 5AM finishing this book. Highly recommended.

A little internal conflict in a character is a good thing but an entire book of internal conflict was wearying. I ended up slogging through just to finish it. The happily ever after ending is also a little contrived.

The pace of this trilogy is glacial, and although I like the concepts introduced and the characters are interesting, I do not see the point of the story.

When an author paints a picture with words it is true magic. Unfortunately I didn't see much of this in this trilogy.

I have profound respect for Robin Hobb as a writer. And she really went out on a limb with this book, indeed with the entire trilogy.

I'm sorry to say that, for me, that limb cracked about half way through, and it all came crashing to the slimy, mud covered, insert riddled ground. I don't read fantasy for any other reason than enjoyment. I need a break. I grab a book. This doesn't mean that the books have to be mindless or shallow. However, the unrelenting self-loathing of the main character(s) in this book was almost intolerable. The two cultures at war are also quite repulsive. I wanted to admire the environmentally aware Specks more than the European-Imperialist Gernians, but I found both cultures reprehensible. Unfortunately, the nature-loving Specks also made me feel quite nauseous.

The descriptions of their foods and their gluttonous, morbidly obese mages wore "thin" after just a few chapters. I may have lost a few pounds in the few days it took me to read this book. The lead character, who was a part of both cultures, was COMPLETELY LOATHSOME AND REPULSIVE in all of his forms. I don't think I've ever felt such disgust for a villain in a fantasy novel, let alone the hero. At several points, the character wants to die, and I hoped that he would.

SPOILER ALERT
He does die, thank goodness, but we are not spared. Even after he DIED, he was completely disgusting. Not only did both "halves" represent only NEGATIVE sides of his character, his physical aspects were as disgusting as anyone can imagine. Grossly, disgustingly, morbidly fat, and needing to eat constantly? It is quite normal for humans to be repulsed by such a person. A culture which is based on greed and obesity and gluttony--well, I can't imagine what Robin was thinking. Magic comes from FOOD? Yeeeccccch!!!!

Which brings me to the inherently repulsive Specks. A disgusting name for a vile and unappealing culture. Nature-lovers my foot, they are as greedy, materialistic and selfish as any Conquistador! The source of their unique--and hideously described--dappled skin caused new depths of gut-churning disgust. They are grotesque looking, and their culture is not what it's cracked up to be. They love material wealth, and will use items inimical to their own kind to achieve power. The Specks' appearance, their magic, their culture--all made me want to jump into the novel and wipe them out with smallpox.

The Gernians weren't any better, but at least vaguely familiar. (Conquistadors, Pioneers, Manifest Destiny, Genocide, etc.) I was better prepared for how unsympathetic THEY were. Easy to despise, but I needed some "good guys" to route for!

Why, Robin? WHY? I have a high tolerance for the foibles of fantasy. I'm giving the book two stars, because Ms. Hobb DID create unusual situations, and she is quite a good writer. I hope to never read such morally and physically repugnant descriptions again...I actually skipped the last chapters (after a character is "eaten" by a tree, I was DONE). The ending was trite and predictable, shucks--I wanted every character DEAD. Most of them were, thank goodness! However, our disgusting hero wreaked out an improbable happy ending after all.

Yuck!