[allanon]

Last time I ask you about David Gemmel.You told me that he is good and he is really good.Now,can you tell me something about Robin Hobb,because "Assassins Apprentice" will be released soon in Bulgaria?

[Barbarossa]

The Farseer trilogy, of which "assassin's Apprentice" is one of my favorites just behind aSoIaF. But guessing your taste from previous posts i'm not so sure you would like it.

It's heavily character based, without any heroism. Fitz the main character only suffers, there is little optimism.

The setting is that of human courts, without any elves dwarves or the like, though dragons play a role.

If I were you, I certainly would give it a try, but don't be surprised if you don't like it.

[Rob B]

Yes do give Assassin's Apprentice a try. One thing that sets the series apart from most other fantasies is that it is told in the first person, very character driven.

Sort of off the beaten path of most other fantasies, but very VERY good.

If you like animals,(I think you started or posted in a topic about animals allanon), the main character gets closely associated with wolves.

[Kierk Soren]

I might as well chime in...I would third giving Hobb a try, I am finishing the Liveship Traders books, and although it got off to a slow start( not in a bad way, just had to adjust to her style) It really takes off. She does take her time building the characters and the world, I agree heavily character based. I actually haven't read Farseer yet, I started with Liveship... I am psyched to read it though, Its good to know It's there waiting for me to dig in. Oh an interesting correlation to another author and the style Farseer is written in (that being the first person narrative) would be Gene Wolfe's the Book of the New Sun books, I keep running in to this reference.

[This message has been edited by Kierk Soren (edited May 30, 2001).]

[Bardos]

You know my opinion about the Farseer.

Thought, I'm thinking I'll read the Liveship Traders, since everyone says it's so different. http://www.sffworld.com/ubb/smile.gif

[Pathir]

Allanon, the Farseer trilogy is in my opinion an excellent read. I can give you many reasons why you should read it, but I suppose it all comes down to what you like in a book. You'll know soon enough when you are turning the pages if Hobb's writing is to your liking. I agree with Fitzflagg and Barbarossa that her books are very character driven, but not that there is little optimism. Fitz suffers but doesn't become a bitter man about it. Not everything is dark en gloomy.
Hobb has the talent to really make you care about the characters in her stories. Some you root for, others(like Regal, an ass without any conscience at all) make you want to rip their heads off, but all come to life in a real sense of the word.
My advice is: Be sure to try it.

[Rhaegar]

I couldn't make it through the first book of the Liveship Trilogy. I can't really put my finger on why I didn't like it. Something about Hobb's writing style frustrated me. Much of the dialogue seemed contrived, somehow. Too bad, because I had heard great things about her. Thinking about trying the Farseer books sometime in the hope that I warm up to Hobb's writing.

[Kierk Soren]

Raegar, I had the same problem with Ship of Magic and put it down as well to read something else, I was between books so I picked it up again...really worth it, I actually went back and reread some of the earlier scenes to remind myself what was happening. The story really picks up in intensity and pulls you in, can't wait to see what happens in Mad Ship.

[Cadfael]

Although the storyliine is nothing like Martin's, like him the plot is very unpredictable... when I read it I fell into the usual trap of anticipating the story, but Hobb just kept throwing surprise after surprise into the plot.

They are definitely not fast paced, but they are certainly worth time taken to read. I really can't wait for Fools Errand.

[Cannon Fodder]

I only just finished The Farseer trilogy a few days ago, after having read The Liveship Traders and I thought they were pretty good. I thought they were very well written, in a nice flowing style. Normally I'm not hugely keen on stories told in the first person but Hobb, I felt, pulled it of very well. I loved the way you could see things before Fitz, the narrator himself, did. The story is fairly original and there are quite afew twists and turns, a few of which, at least, should catch you out. As others have said, the main strength of the books is the characters. Unlike a lot of books, you actually form opinion about the characters, liking an disliking them (Not in the unintentional WoT way). Anyway, I'd say give it a try at least.