Re-read Farseer and Read Soldier Son Trilogy

[Shingetsu]

I am back to the Robin Hobb forum! Its been almost exactly one year since I read the six Farseer books and posted in here. Lately I've been thinking about re-reading the Farseer books. I think I might even enjoy them more the second time around possibly. Because this time I'd know it's worth it in the end with all that tragedy and torture to get through. Though I still wish there were more books.

Maybe this time around I'll read the Liveship Traders trilogy as well. I know I said I was going to read that trilogy eventually and still haven't gotten around to it. It's hard when there's so many series and authors out there and you read only so fast (or slow in my case I suppose). So I'd be reading nine books that aren't short either instead of reading some new series. Do you think I should?

Also I recently bought Shaman's Crossing, the first book in the Soldier Son trilogy. It has been on my list a long time since I read before that it wasn't all that good. But I checked it out again and seems most reviews say its decent. I'm wondering if I should read that trilogy before I re-read Farseer or not.

Why must there be so many books and so little time?

 

[ratsy]

That's interesting. I only read the 6 farseer books and havent read the Liveship books either. I have read Shamans Crossing and Forest Mage and really enjoyed them. Not to the same level as the Farseer ones but they are very well done in their own right. I am going to finish the Soldier Son Trilogy and then move on to the liveship books at some point before I do a re-read. i find it hard to do rereads when there are so many books I haven't read yet.

 

[Shingetsu]

So perhaps I should read the Soldier Son trilogy first before I re-read Farseer. I suppose new books have a higher priority than ones I've already read. But if I say all new books have a higher priority than I'll never re-read books. How troublesome.

 

[Shingetsu]

I think I found a decent compromise. I think I'll read the Soldier Son trilogy and then read the Liveship Traders trilogy. I bought Ship of Magic today also since their was a good coupon for Borders. Even though technically I would need the second book of Soldier Son trilogy. But I suppose I need to see if I like it first or not. That way I'm only reading new books and finally get to the Liveship Trader trilogy like I said I was before. Then I'll see if I can re-read the six Farseer books or not with everything else I need to get to.

 

[Pyan]

The Liveships trilogy is far enough away from the two Fitz ones to read as a stand-alone, for all practical purposes, Shing. There are tie-ins, and characters in common, but don't feel you've got to re-read the Farseer trilogy first, or, for that matter, the Tawny Man trilogy after, to enjoy it...

Hope you enjoy the Soldier Son trilogy - I'd be interested in your views on it compared with the Elderlings books...

 

[ratsy]

The only problem I have is, I bought the first two soldier son books in paper back and now don't want to wait to read Renegades Magic (which is still only out in Hardcover)...That is why I love finding an author who is great and his a pile of books out...It takes a while to catch up to the new releases. Of course I have read 8 Hobb books this year. I think I will read The Liveships as soon as I finish with Sandersons Mistborn series(which so far is very, very good)

 

[Ice fyre]

Evnin.

I would reccomend re-reading the Farseer, but I would say try the Liveship trilogy in between Tawny and Assasins Apprentice trilogys. As Pyan says its not essential but it sort of helps meld the two series together.

The writing style is a bit different in the Liveships but Robin Hobb does paint the most amazing picture's with her words. I would be interested to see what you think of the Liveships, oh and you'll find out why the fool called his horse what he did.

 

[Pyan]

why the fool called his horse what he did.

He did?...


http://www.sffchronicles.co.uk/forum/7687-the-fools-gender.html

 

[Shingetsu]

I thought we took care of the gender thing already? From all the evidence I see the Fool is male. At least that's what I'm sticking with. I remember reading threads about it when I was first reading the books though. Thought I posted something too but I'd have to search.

It'll probably be a couple weeks before I get to the Soldier Son books. I have a few current books to get through first. I was thinking of re-reading and reading the nine Elderlings books in proper order. But the Farseer books are like 800 pages and it'd take me three days per book if I spend a good amount of time on them. That's why I was thinking maybe I should just read the Soldier Son trilogy and then Liveship Traders.

It would be nice to read the Liveship Traders in the middle since then I might learn a few things for the Tawny Man trilogy after Liveship, but even with my horrible memory I might remember how some things might make sense now or be more interesting. Though that is why I wanted to re-read the books. There's so little time in a day though...

 

[Ice fyre]

Ah the joys of commuting, I get lots of time to read. I would say that while a mamoth undertaking it is really worth it. Take your time and enjoy the books. They really help flesh out the world, plus the tragedy involved gives a sense of perspective on Fitz. It also points out In my opnion the story is not about Fitz, its about the fool.

Very true Pyan, the fools gender is hotly debated all I will say is that I use the male gender by default, I suppose I should say it, as its not human at all.

 

[Hilarious Joke]

And yet I would say the Fool is more human than you or I, Ice Fyre.

I don't quite know what I mean by that, but it sounds pretty deep!

 

[GOLLUM]

The only problem I have is, I bought the first two soldier son books in paper back and now don't want to wait to read Renegades Magic (which is still only out in Hardcover)...That is why I love finding an author who is great and his a pile of books out...

Renegades Magic has been out in trade paperback since proably last year, I bought a copy earlier this year in Australia, so little unlcear on this..

 

[Ice fyre]

And yet I would say the Fool is more human than you or I, Ice Fyre.

I don't quite know what I mean by that, but it sounds pretty deep!

The zombie dark lord bow's to the wisdom of the talking platypus!

hehehe!

 

[Shingetsu]

Renegade's Magic isn't out in paperback in the United States. I guess it's a North America thing and not out in Canada either. It doesn't come out till March 31st, 2009. So I'd have to buy the last book in hardcover sadly. I've always prefered paperback because of it being smaller and lighter and fits in your hand nicely. And allot cheaper.

 

[ratsy]

Renegades Magic has been out in trade paperback since proably last year, I bought a copy earlier this year in Australia, so little unlcear on this..

Yeah, March 18,2009 is the date of release in Canada...what's with that? Is it possible that they sell better in North America so they hold onto the HC edition for longer?

 

[Pyan]

It's been available in mass-market paperback here since February this year. Seems like a long gap between the UK and US p/b editions.

 

[Shingetsu]

I'm reading Shaman's Crossing now. I'm 203 pages into it. Maybe it's just me but it feels slow. I'm not getting into it as easily as the Farseer books. I guess because of that I'm not getting much read in a day either. I bought Forest Mage today also since I figured I would need that in a couple days also. But the person at the check out at Borders said she didn't really care for the books and didn't like the main character much. Is that what others think also? And does it get more interesting soon?

 

[Kettricken]

'Shaman's Crossing' is definitely diffrent from the three other trilogies. So far, I've enjoyed parts one and two of the Soldier Son series, and am reading the third part right now. I think the use of language is good, and the story is very much character-driven (especially 'Forest Mage', which is a bit to elaborate on the suffering of Nevare). This may be the reason the story is moving slowly.

I think the main complaint about the Soldier Son series is that Nevare overall doesn't have the same appeal as Fitz has. Nevare lacks a bit of initiative in dealing with his problems. In 'Shaman's Crossing', he develops as a character, but in 'Forest Mage' he falls back into a depressed mindset (without standing up for himself too much). I found this a bit depressing for myself as a reader. 'Renegade's Magic' seems to be a bit more uplifting so far, shows a Nevare who is a bit more accepting of himself and even tries to deal with bigger problems.
Also, I think the Soldier Son series could have used a bit more comic relief; e.g. like Nighteyes in the Farseer books. Epiny could have fullfilled that role, but the story doesn't really allow that in the second book.

In general; I really like the Soldier Son books, but I really love her other books...

As for other Hobb-books; I would read the Liveship Trader Books before the Tawny Man books, because of small references in the TM books to the LT books...

 

[Shingetsu]

Yeah, Nevare seems kind of...normal right now. I hope the story gets decent enough that any depressing stuff in the second book is worth it. So far it's a bit boring. But obviously its only the first book. Its just not pulling me in as quickly as the Farseer books.

 

[Grimward]

I know it's somewhat out of order, but I picked up the Tawny Man trilogy, and am shortly going to start Golden Fool (already done with Fool's Errand), so both Farseer and Soldier Son series will have to wait....