Fool's Fate, by Robin Hobb
This is the third book in a trilogy, which is also the culmination of two previous related trilogies. If you haven't read any of those yet, this review will mean little or nothing to you.
I am relieved to report that unlike the previous two trilogies, FOOL'S FATE does not land with a hideous splat. It's a solid conclusion to the entire nine-book epic, wrapping up a number of loose ends in logical and satisfying ways and not using too many obnoxious retcons. It's a long book but a quick read, and a page-turning one.
Okay, now that I've said what I liked about it, let me get into the problems. Of which there are many, most of them spoilerific.
The book is too long. Approximately fifty pages are devoted to one character being sea-sick. A major plot point does turn upon this, but the seasickness itself does not deserve the extreme attention devoted to it. Similarly, the ending goes on and on and on. Much like LORD OF THE RINGS. I think it was a mistake there, and I think it's a mistake here, compounded by there being nothing with the drama of "The Scouring of the Shire" or the pathos of "The Grey Havens."
Compared with the sudden turns of ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE, the plot of FOOL'S FATE is extremely predictable. I'll get into that more below.
Also, I spoil the middle of Lois McMaster Bujold's KOMARR.
( Read more... )
I am relieved to report that unlike the previous two trilogies, FOOL'S FATE does not land with a hideous splat. It's a solid conclusion to the entire nine-book epic, wrapping up a number of loose ends in logical and satisfying ways and not using too many obnoxious retcons. It's a long book but a quick read, and a page-turning one.
Okay, now that I've said what I liked about it, let me get into the problems. Of which there are many, most of them spoilerific.
The book is too long. Approximately fifty pages are devoted to one character being sea-sick. A major plot point does turn upon this, but the seasickness itself does not deserve the extreme attention devoted to it. Similarly, the ending goes on and on and on. Much like LORD OF THE RINGS. I think it was a mistake there, and I think it's a mistake here, compounded by there being nothing with the drama of "The Scouring of the Shire" or the pathos of "The Grey Havens."
Compared with the sudden turns of ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE, the plot of FOOL'S FATE is extremely predictable. I'll get into that more below.
Also, I spoil the middle of Lois McMaster Bujold's KOMARR.
( Read more... )