The first book in the Soldier Son trilogy, from the author of the Farseer, Liveship Traders and Tawny Man trilogies. Young Nevare Burvelle is the second son of a second son. Traditionally in Gernia, the firstborn son is heir to the family fortunes, the second son bears a sword and the third son is consecrated to the priesthood. Nevare will follow his father - newly made a lord by the King - into the cavalry; to the frontier and thence to an advantageous marriage, to carry on the Burvelle name. It is a golden ...
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The first book in the Soldier Son trilogy, from the author of the Farseer, Liveship Traders and Tawny Man trilogies. Young Nevare Burvelle is the second son of a second son. Traditionally in Gernia, the firstborn son is heir to the family fortunes, the second son bears a sword and the third son is consecrated to the priesthood. Nevare will follow his father - newly made a lord by the King - into the cavalry; to the frontier and thence to an advantageous marriage, to carry on the Burvelle name. It is a golden future, and Nevare looks forward to it with relish. For twenty years King Troven's cavalry have pushed the frontiers of Gernia out across the grasslands, subduing the fierce tribes of the plain on its way. Now they have driven the frontier as far as the Barrier Mountains, home to the enigmatic Speck people. The Specks - a dapple-skinned, forest-dwelling folk - retain the last vestiges of magic in a world which is becoming progressive and technologised. The 'civilised' peoples base their beliefs on a rational philosophy founded on scientific principle and a belief in the good god, who displaced the older deities of their world. To them, the Specks are primeval savages, little better than beasts. Superstitions abound; it is said that they harbour strange diseases and worship trees. Sexual congress with them is regarded as both filthy and foolhardy: the Speck plague which has ravaged the frontier has decimated entire regiments. All these beliefs will touch Nevare's training at the Academy; but his progress there is not as simple as he would wish. He will experience prejudice from the old aristocracy: as the son of a 'new noble' he is segregated into a patrol comprising other new nobles' sons, all of whom will encounter injustice, discrimination and foul play in that hostile and deeply competitive environment. In addition, his world view will be challenged by his unconventional girl-cousin Epiny; and by the bizarre dreams which visit him at night. And then, on Dark Evening, the circus comes to Old Thares, bringing with it the first Specks Nevare has ever seen...
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Very good. Simply Brit – welcome to our online used book store, where affordability meets great quality. Dive into a world of captivating reads without breaking the bank. We take pride in offering a wide selection of used books, from classics to hidden gems, ensuring there's something for every literary palate. All orders are shipped within 24 hours and our lightning fast-delivery within 48 hours coupled with our prompt customer service ensures a smooth journey from ordering to delivery. Discover the joy of reading with us, your trusted source for affordable books that do not compromise on quality.
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Having recently finished her first three trilogies ('The Farseer', 'Liveship Traders' and 'Tawny Man' trilogies) almost in one sitting, this book was my first opportunity to seize a Robin Hobb book as soon as it was published and I literally leapt at the chance! This story by Hobb however is not located anywhere near the Six Duchies or the Cursed Shores and hence the people of Gernia vary significantly. As a huge admirer of Hobb's previous works this was my only reservation before I started 'Shaman's Crossing', but I imagine the reason for this is so that those who feel daunted by the longer and inter-connected stories that comprise her previous novels are able to sample an independent work upon publication without having to go back and read the considerably enjoyable, yet nonetheless large back-catalogue.
I give every story in Hobb's first three trilogies a 5-star rating without any hesitation. With 'Shaman's crossing' I hesitate, but only because this is such a departure (mostly in content, to a lesser degree in style) from her previous novels. If it makes any sense to say- this story is more reality than fantasy in that it clearly lends a lot from history, chiefly American history and in particular that period at the dawn of American expansion where fearless exploration of the frontier lands by soldiers and their families alike was commonplace and this I imagine will prove to be a prevailing theme in the 'Soldier Son' trilogy. Also, in the way that America once sought to spread capitalism even to those countries where it wouldn't suit, so too does this story echo American history in the way the now prosperous land of Gernia seeks to spread its customs and traditions and to teach the "primitive natives" (in this case the plainspeople) the way things should be done.
While the style remains familiar to a fan of Hobb like myself (particularly in the descriptions of the central character Nevare, whose boyhood exploits are as similarly fraught and uncompromising, as those of her most famous character Fitz) in comparison to the previous three trilogies by the author this is a much more sombre affair i.e. a harsh land in its physical make-up as well as in the spirit of its people and their culture, the prose is similarly sparse and there is less joy taken in the simple pleasures with which Hobb has in the past so delighted her audience. In relation to the exploration of the woman's role in society Hobb once again relegates her female characters to the home without autonomy and forces on them all the oppression and discriminatory customs her Liveship characters suffered under, but while this is an interesting theme laden with conflict (especially in contrast to the male soldier characters at the centre of the novel) this is ground Hobb has covered in detail before and in the end left me wishing Hobb would at least on one occasion allow her female characters to be on an equal footing with their male counterparts. But perhaps it is the greater absence and persecution of magic here in comparison to the stories with which Hobb has shown such ingenuity in the past that causes this story feel somewhat lacking- no wit-bonds, skill-links or liveships exist in this world- only the lesser frowned-upon magics of shunned races (the Specks) occasionally appear to tantalise with uncanny abilities.
But these various differences in content and style aren't to the detriment of the story. Instead of a continuation of the themes we more readily associate with Hobb the reader is simply offered a new land, which may be more grounded in reality, but which still compliments Hobb's style just as well as the more fantastical stories for which she's renowned. And also, the starker qualities of the story here are perhaps necessary if the reader is to accept more immediately the greater barbarism and duty in the very bones of these people. But still, while an excellent read, I didn't turn the pages quite as fast as my faster-than-light-speed norm when reading a Robin Hobb novel. Incredibly compelling nonetheless.
