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Posted By: Simon Jan 27, 2002 - 03:26 am

Hmm, when I came to this forum I was first surprised to see that there where no topic about Robin Hobb, a brilliant fantasywriter. But further more surprised I got when I saw how few were discussing Tolkien. Either you love him or you hate him, and I think almost every fantasyreader have read the Lord of the Rings. Hmm, but enough about that.

Megan Lindholm, writing under the pseudonym Robin Hobb, first released the Farseer trilogy, which I think is her best books. Shortly after she wrote the Liveship trader-books, and now she's writing the trilogy: the Tawny man.
She has resently also written several books under her real name, which I've not read.

The farseer trilogy is defenetly her best, I love the complex and intricate characters, they get Tolkiens and Jordans characters look like 2d paper copies. If you have not read them, do it.

I would like to know how you like/didn't like, and why.

Posted By: Kodimoo Mar 04, 2002 - 10:41 pm

Hey

Robin Hobb is an incredible author. She is easilly my favourite, after reading The Farseer Trilogy she knocked George. R. R. Martin from that place. The books are written in first person. Personally I find first person to be a pain in the butt, but Hobb definately pulled it off. Fitz seems like a much fuller character because of it.

I think Hobb as an author is definately more focussed on character development rather other authors. It's why I like her writing.

The only thing I did not like about her writing was weak endings. The Farseer Trilogy ended in about 5 pages, and it was the same with Liveship. The bits I loved were mostly the parts where the Fool and Fitz interacted. There is definately something special about a mysterious character. I cant get Farseer outof my head.

Definately a author to read.
Christina.

Posted By: Nighteye Mar 06, 2002 - 09:22 am

I'm glad to hear that I'm not alone, sometimes when I ask a person he just shakes his head, and start muttering something about the Lord of the Rings. Which is the book that defenetly has no character development, that is at least my opinion. It's still good books, though.

I am the same person as the one started this topic, just changed my name.

Posted By: Aslan Feb 01, 2003 - 09:25 am

Recently read the Farseer Trilogy (which begins with Assassin's Apprentice for all who want to read it). It's an excellent story. Good fun. A fast read. The third book is impossible to put down.

I agree wish Simon/Nighteye and Kodimoo that Hobb does wonders with unique, motivated characters. Her world-building is great. I'd recommend this series to anybody who likes fantasy.

Thanks for the author's real name! Now I can learn more than that she's living in Washington state (worst back-page bio EVER).

Posted By: Blank Jun 15, 2003 - 10:01 am

!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i'm soo suprised that there arn't more posts here! Robin hobb is, by far, the best authour i have come across. she seems to combine the rich character development found in reality fiction books (which are about nothing in particular, but still seem to be interesting, in my opinion), with the boundless possibility of fantasy.
character development is a feature lacking in too many fantasy books.

whenever i sit down to write i always have assassins apprentice next to me, as a lucky charm.

i hope oneday, if i succeede in a career in writing, to meet robin and tell her how much of an inspiration she's been for me. well... thats enough from me...

Posted By: Eric Jul 17, 2003 - 10:52 am

The incredible thing about Tolkien is the complexity of his universe. Comparing Tolkien with Hobb is like comparing a tomato with an apple: both are very good for you but are definitively not the same :-)

This said, Hobb is fantastic. Fitz is an incredible character, very complex just by himself. His interactions with Nighteyes, The Fool, Chade, are never simple. And I also agree that the ending felt rushed in Royal Assasin. I'm curious to read Fool's Fate to see if it would be the same.

However, sometimes it may be the editor to blame on this....

Eric

Posted By: Amaunette Nov 06, 2003 - 07:45 pm

I read Farseer first, and I just recently finished the Liveship books. I refuse to even start Tawny Man trilogy until she finishes the last book, mostly because I can't get the books out of my head until I finish them, and even then the characters linger. It's simply irresponsible for me to begin them now and have to wait matter of months before Tawny man is out -- I wont be able to think of anything else. I am so sadly addicted.

I like Farseer best so far, probably because it made such an impression on me. I'd never read such high quality writing in fantasy. I have since, but the imrpession remains.

The Farseer books are much discussed, but not the Liveship books. True, the Liveship books seemed to drag on a bit more than Farseer, but the characters and their transformations were fascinating. Instead of having just Fitz to focus on, we have a whole host of dynamic (and suffering) characters.

Additionally, the Farseer and the Liveship books complement each other. They're in the same world, adn though I haven't yet managed to fit in my head exactly how the geographies match, it appears that Liveship happens in between Farseer and Tawny Man. All of the series have the Fool in them (if you haven't read Liveship or dont know which character is the Fool, I ain't telling).

My fondest hope is that Robin Hobb will write a series that connects the two worlds. I would love, for example, for Fitz to meet Wintrow, as their destinies are antiparallel. Would anyone else like to read a similar story?

Posted By: Magnus Jan 26, 2005 - 08:02 am

I'm just now about 100 pages into Assassin's Quest and it is some of the best stuff I have ever read. It's hard to put Robin Hobb up against George RR Martin, but they are both at the very top of my list. Martin also loves Hobb as a writer. He said of her "Her books are like diamonds in a sea of cubic zirconias". Meaning that a lot of fantasy writers are not so good these days I guess. I love her character development and I will read everything she's written. I'm afraid to start the Tawny Man stuff though, cuz if Martin's Feast for Crows comes out I will have to drop everything and read it. So, for me it's a real toss up between Martin and Hobb, but I love them both more than anything I have ever read. All I think about is the Farseer trilogy since I picked it up. I've never burned through books so fast, and I'm a pretty slow reader. Anyways, I hope more people catch on to Robin Hobb and see how wonderful her work is.

Posted By: cantona Apr 03, 2005 - 01:30 am

Hi

I read the farseer trilogy about 6 years ago and it literally 'blew my socks off'

Even today, so many years on, I am able to sit back and once again feel the sensations I once felt while reading the book way back then.

That was the positve side of my post, now for the negative.

Robin Hobb has absolutely facked (mind the expression but was the first that came to mind) up this greast saga. It is almost as if some giant publishing company has forced her to write on. The story for me finished in Assasins Quest.

Why? Oh Facking Why? Did she have to write the Tawny books.

Every sentence in those books are written in a negative way. Everything is a drugery, Fitz is no longer himself but a shell and he has also lost his ruthless touch when dealing with his enemies.

I like the way it was tied up in the last book of the Farseer trilogy. Fitz was as he is, lonely, but incredible all the same.

Alas this is just my opinion but thank you for allowing me to outpour my feelings