Review:Robin Hobb is a formidable writer always, but this latest trilogy is perhaps her best work to date. If you love Fitz and the Fool, these books are an amazing gift. However, be prepared to fall in love with several new characters.

The only bad part is waiting for the end and simultaneously longing for it and dreading it.

Stories are so like The Skill: Intoxicating, healing, powerful, and so easy to get lost in. Read more

Review:I want to like these books. The characters are likeable, but the plot just plods along. Almost nothing of note is resolved and the main character refrains from taking any responsibility for his actions until mid-way through the third book. Read more

Review:As with her other books Hobb uses her characters to drive the story. The teens become young adults with all the troubled hormones and life choices. An old character makes an appearance and we finally see the Duke of Chalice and the sinister designs within. A great read with the disappointment of having to wait for the next book. Read more

Review:I loved the Farseer trilogy and yet was often disappointed with Fitz's frequent bouts of depression and self-loathing. There is none of that in the characters of the Liveship trilogy. Quite the contrary, the protagonists as well as the antagonists are all self-assured, strong characters. The concept of the Liveships is brilliant and unique in epic fantasy. There is non-stop action along with the well realized characterizations, and the many story lines make it a complex tale as well. Robin Hobb'... Read more

Review:If you, as you probably are for considering this book, are overly familiar with this particular universe created by Lindholm/Hobb it should hold few suprises. Yet it is the comfortable and competent storytelling of this writer that keeps you coming back for more..

The familiar style of Hobb along with the old appealing idea of encounters with fallen and forgotten civilazations accompanied by dragons is a nice and cozy mix. I miss a bit of further exploration into the world in itself, but ... Read more

Review:Robin Hobb is an exceptional writer and she did not disappoint with this final book to Fitz and the Fool's saga. I cried many, many tears. After following these two characters for 20 years, it was heart wrenching to say goodbye. Read more

Review:Nevare was the least likable character in the book. Arthur W. Jordin, in comments to other reviewers, keeps telling people to become more familiar with western history, as if the world of Nevare is real. Get real Art! This is FANTASY. And not very good. I'll keep slogging in Renegade just to find out how it all ends but will probably just skim it. There were other more interesting characters in this book that could have been developed to make it a good read (Epiny, Yari). Actually, Nevare... Read more

Review:I have been reading fantasy/adventure/sagas for 40 or 50 years and I think Robin Hobb captures the genre as well, or better than, the best (J. R. Tolkien et al)! Would recommend to everyone! Looking forward to his other works! Read more

Review:Overall the story is a page turner that will have you staying up all night to read. Characters have a good depth to them; with 5 or 6 with very realistic personalities that will stick with you throughout the story. The bad guy is a perfect example of a villain that will have you turning page after page to see his demise.

On the other hand this story introduces staggering amount of problems with no resolutions. The ending is one of the most wretched i have yet to encounter in a trilogy;... Read more

Review:Since this is the first book of a series, any rating has to be tentative. This could be a five-star series very easily but it could also plummet like a paralyzed falcon.

This is a multi-threaded work, following the actions of several characters. The world-building is excellent and the various conceits, such as the live ships, the serpents and the various geographical areas and their peoples, seem very strong.

The non-sympathetic characters are notable for their depth and interestin... Read more