Tag Archives: Epic

Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb (The Liveship Traders, Book 1)

American Literature 2 Comments

Synopsis: Althea Vestrit always thought she’d captain her family’s liveship, the Vivacia, newly quickened by the death of her father, but her sister’s husband’s machinations strip it from her hands, delivering the ship into a situation that threatens to break her mind, which puts her crew in mortal danger. Review: I loved returning to Bingtown and my beloved Althea Vestrit in this re-read (actually a listen) of Ship of Magic. Few things have captured my imagination as Hobbs liveships, sailing vessels with figureheads who can…

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Fool’s Errand by Robin Hobb (The Tawny Man)

American Literature

Synopsis: Bastard assassin Fitz is brought out of hiding by King Shrewd’s fool, now living as haughty Lord Golden, in order to find missing Prince Dutiful, believed to have been seduced by a group of outlaws practicing an extreme form of beast magic. Review: Fool’s Errand picks up about 15 years after the end of the Farseer Trilogy, with the events of the Liveship Traders books happening in between. I remember thinking that this series was much weirder than the relatively straightforward Farseer epic. I’m…

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Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb (The Farseer Trilogy, Book 2)

American Literature

Synopsis: Fitz the bastard struggles to be a King’s man and his own man, while dastardly Prince Regal threatens to usurp the throne while King in Waiting Verity is off on a quest to find the mythical Elderlings. Review: Royal Assassin marks a solid midpoint in an ambitious trilogy, with all the characters put at great risk from each other and themselves. Antagonist Regal remains too cardboard to feel like a true threat, but overall the characters are solid. I’m not sure the Skill magic…

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Wise Man’s Fear (Kingkiller Chronicles, Day 2)

American Literature

Synopsis: Kvothe the Bloodless continues his tale, which encompasses the furtherance of his studies of the arcane at the University, a quest to hunt bandits for the richest man in the land, a detour into Fae, training among a tribe of elite fighters who do most of their talking with their hands, and continued revelations about the demonic Chandrian. Review: Wise Man’s Fear was over way too soon, despite it’s length–and that’s the sign of a truly great read, in my book. I had a…

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A Feast for Crows by George RR Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 4)

American Literature 1 Comment

Synopsis: The aftermath of the war of the 5 kings leaves Westeros in decay and despair, with Cersei the scheming queen and her twin brother the Kingslayer watching all they dreamed of shatter into pieces. Review: So I totally boycotted the audiobook for A Feast for Crows because the good folks at Random House didn’t think we’d care that they couldn’t make it work with Roy Dotrice. I couldn’t stand to listen to anyone else voice Jaime’s distinctive Lannister lilt, or Samwell Tarly and Brienne…

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Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb (The Farseer Trilogy, Book 1)

American Literature 1 Comment

Synopsis: The bastard son of a prince gets training in the art of deception, eavesdropping, and murder, while failing to master the royal Skill, a sort of telepathy that is the Six Duchies chief weapon against the Red Ship Raiders, who harry the coast leaving only zombies in their wake. Review: This is my second read of Assassin’s Apprentice, and it’s been an odd experience. Actually, I listened to the audiobook version, and while I enjoyed the narrator’s performance I was disappointed to find Robin…

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Shadow Gate by Kate Elliott (Book Two of the Crossroads)

American Literature

Synopsis: The Hundred swirls with intrigue, magic, and war as long-gone Guardians awaken and the eagle-riding reeves join with fierce outlanders to make war against a sorcerous foe, while an avenging demon casts new light on the accepted practice of slavery. Review: Shadow Gate was a good second book. It told an exciting, thrilling story while laying the groundwork for a big conclusion. Not much more to say until I read the finale, up next.

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Spirit Gate by Kate Elliott (Crossroads, Book 1)

American Literature

Synopsis: A democracy known for peaceful governance by reeves riding giant eagles falls into chaos and possible civil war when the reeves of the north stop responding and a military captain fleeing his murderous brother lands right in the middle of it; meanwhile, a slave sells an eerie, ghost-like girl into prostitution in order to free his sister, who, as a temple prostitute called a Devouring girl, has a few tricks up her sleeve as well as a personal stake in the larger story. Review:…

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Game of Thrones by George RR Martin (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 1)

American Literature 2 Comments

Synopsis: Political powers battle for control of the Iron Throne, while to the north supernatural powers threaten, and in the south a dispossessed royal begins to raise an army. Review: I wanted to reread Game of Thrones before the HBO series launches in April, and decided I’d give the audiobook a try. I am so glad I did. The narrator, Roy Dotrice, not only has a magnificent voice but sets all of the characters apart from each other. He’s just amazing. As for the story,…

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The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

British Literature 1 Comment

Synopsis: The lives of a prior, an earl, a master builder, two vengeful orphans, a “witch,” and the bastard son of a jongleur intertwine during the building of a cathedral. Review: I had several people recommend The Pillars of the Earth to me, and since I’m loving my Kindle I thought I’d see if I liked reading a long book on it. (I did.) The story is sweeping but the character journeys make it intimate. It really was an engrossing read. However, I grew a…

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