[ndhaon91]

... and I can't help but think that Hobb has a succumbed to a mild case of Jordan-itis. It seems to me that out of the first 350 pages or so, a large number seem dedicated to describing who is standing where, why they might be standing there instead of somewhere else, what they are wearing, why are they wearing that instead of what the guy next to them is wearing, and how this is all intrinsically linked to architectural design of their surroundings. i'm expecting the gilded chests and liveried servants to make an appearance any time now.

[Evil Agent]

I see your point, in terms of detailed description, but I think your comparison is a little bit unfair! Jordanitis? Come on, at least the series is complete, and Tawny Man is only 3 books. And there is only one POV, as opposed to 100!

Anyway, trust me Fool's Fate does get better. Sometimes Hobb can be a bit slow, but that's her style. At least she's a good writer, I'd say much better than Jordan, and to me every sentence is a delight in itself. But the story definitely picks up! :)

[ndhaon91]

I see your point, in terms of detailed description, but I think your comparison is a little bit unfair! Jordanitis? Come on, at least the series is complete, and Tawny Man is only 3 books. And there is only one POV, as opposed to 100!

Anyway, trust me Fool's Fate does get better. Sometimes Hobb can be a bit slow, but that's her style. At least she's a good writer, I'd say much better than Jordan, and to me every sentence is a delight in itself. But the story definitely picks up! :)

Ok, so maybe I went a little far with the Jordan comparison. :) Don't get me wrong... I think Hobb's works are some of the best I've ever read. I've just been frustrated with the first part of Fool's Fate because, up to this point, she has been expertly weaving the different plot branches as the suspense builds. Now it seems as if she is doing everything in her power to delay the climax/resolution of certain plot lines.

***possible spoiler****

I know I'll probably have to retract this when I'm finished with the book, but I think she has so far blown two potential resolutions, the one's with Burrich and Nettle. After all of the suspense, Burrich finds out Fitz is alive via a skill message through his daughter??? And we don't even get to witness Burrich's reaction first hand! ARGH!

Ok I'm just frustrated. Time to go chew through another 100 pages.

[Iskaral Pust]

*** BEWARE OF SPOILERS. ALL YE WHO ENTER HERE ***










I found it particularly annoying that she seemed to completely desert the Nasty-wit-user-people (honestly can't remember their name) plotline. It was build up for two books then hastily tied together in a couple of lines that didn't make a large amount of sense.

[Spears&Buckler]

*POSSIBLE SPOILER*


I agree Iskaral. I also think that the Wit could have been in the story a little more, but I suppose that Ms. Hobb wanted to emphasize the fact that Fitz would not bond again, hence not as much Wit as with Farseer.

P.S. Nasty Wit User People = Piebalds.

[Evil Agent]

That's true, the piebalds resolution was a little weak, especially since they seemed to be very important in "Fool's Errand".

But I have to admit, ndhaon91, I know EXACTLY what you mean about the Burrich storyline. I felt the EXACT same way, frustrated that Burrich found out about Fitz "off-camera" if you will, and that we didn't see his reaction. I personally thought Fitz should have revealed himself earlier (I think he had a couple opportunities in Fool's Errand, and Golden Fool when they passed eachother on the Buckkeep road).

[ndhaon91]

evil agent, i'm glad someone else feels my pain. i just finished the book this evening, and although the series as a whole was fantastic, I was left feeling a little empty. Ironically, that is due in large part to how WELL Hobb writes. She spent thousands of pages (including the first trilogy), making me fall in love with these characters, then seems to almost go out of here way to make all the potentially powerful resolutions flat and anti-climactic.

obviously, we've already mentioned Burrich. after all the build-up, she brings him back barely in time to be killed, and as you put it, allows the main revelation to happen "off camera."

the resolutions with Nettle seemed just as anemic. first, in the scene where Nettle and Fitz first encounter one another in person, outside the steam house. then, once again, we find out that Nettle has learned Fitz is her father, and the revelation came off-camera. not only that, but it seemed that both Fitz and Nettle completely lacked an emotional response to the truth being revealed.

there was also the scene in the gardens with Patience and Lacey. they just sort of matter-of-factly accept that, "oh hey, fitz is still alive. neat." then they both begin to berate Fitz with "how-could-you"s, again, never seeming to have the true emotional response one would expect with the revelation that you son, whom you thought dead for 16 years, is actually alive.

obviously, the way the relationship between the Fool and Fitz ended was not great, but that seemed more intentional. i don't mind feeling "disappointed" with the way that relationship turned out, because it fits into the story well, and leaves us with a sense of loss that brings us closer to the characters. but I am just stunned that at no point in the story did someone from the past react to the revelation of Fitz with the overwhelming emotion you would expect from real people recovering a lost loved one.