Dragon Keeper

Rain Wilds Chronicles, Volume 1

By: Robin Hobb

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Length: 20 hrs and 30 mins

Publisher's summary

For years, the Trader cities valiantly battled their enemies, the Chalcedeans. But they could not have staved off invasion without the powerful dragon, Tintaglia. In return, the Traders promised to help her serpents migrate up the Rain Wild River after a long exile at sea - to find a safe haven and, Tintaglia hopes, to restore her species.

But too much time has passed, and the newly hatched dragons are damaged and weak, and many die. The few who survive cannot use their wings; earthbound, they are powerless to hunt and vulnerable to human predators willing to kill them for the fabled healing powers of dragon flesh.

But Tintaglia has vanished, and the Traders are weary of the labor and expense of tending useless dragons. The Trader leadership fears that if it stops providing for the young dragons, the hungry and neglected creatures will rampage - or die along the river’s acidic muddy banks.

To avert catastrophe, the dragons decree a move even farther up the treacherous river to Kelsingra, their ancient, mythical homeland whose mysterious location is locked deep within the dragons’ uncertain ancestral memories. To ensure their safe passage, the Traders recruit a disparate group of young people to care for the damaged creatures and escort them to their new home. Among them is Thymara, an unschooled forest girl of 16, and Alise, a wealthy Trader’s wife trapped in a loveless marriage, who attaches herself to the expedition as a dragon expert. The two women share a deep kinship with the dragons: Thymara can instinctively communicate with them, and Alise, captivated by their beauty and majesty, has devoted her life to studying them.

Embarking on an arduous journey that holds no promise of return, the band of humans and dragons must make its way along the toxic and inhospitable Rain Wild River - an extraordinary odyssey that will teach them lessons about themselves and one another as they experience hardships, betrayals, and joys beyond their wildest dreams.

©2010 Robin Hobb (P)2020 HarperAudio

New adventure, still in love with this world

I loved this start to a new series of stories within this amazing world Hobb has created. I especially like that it's focusing more of the dragons and the lore behind them. We get new characters and treated with old ones as well. It is different from what we'd be use to with the Fitz and the Fool, but it was still a great book.

Longing and intrigue, plus dragons

Wasn't expecting this much romantic longing and relational issues in this book, but it did fit the story even if a bit much for my taste. Definitely adds more details around dragons and the rainwilds, but you would be missing out on a lot (plus getting some spoilers) if this is your first read in the series.

Some places it reads like a romance book

The dragon parts of the story are great but in other places it reads more like a romance novel.

The weakest Realm of the Elderlings series

These books aren’t bad, and they actually add a lot to the world building of the Elderlings series. However they are the weakest. The plot is plodding and sometimes just feels like such a slog. Occasionally it hits high points and is really enjoyable, but it never really attains the highs of the rest of the Elderlings books. I don’t recommend skipping these if you really love the rest of the books, but be aware that they aren’t the best.

Dragon Keeper is probably the slowest of the books as it is introducing us to characters that we’ll follow over four books. Alise’s set up is particularly long in its build-up. Leftrin is a bit of a confusing one to follow as well, but he gets better. Thymara is generally pretty cool. I liked her parts.

Anyway, hang in there if you’re a completionist like me. It’s definitely not the worst I’ve read.

it doesn't get better than Robin Hobb

there's no better writer to explore the rich inner lives of her characters, and develop them masterfully.

Least favorite Robin Hobb book this far

I love all of the prior trilogies and am a bit disappointed with this book. It’s still entertaining because I love the world and characters but it lacks depth. I also did not enjoy the narration.

Dragons have dreams different from ours

A sparkling exploration of the bargains we make with each other and with dragons. Forbidden feelings abound amongst young people, grown ups and majestic creatures.

Narration is challenging

This book DOES get interesting, but holy hell it took FOREVER. If this book hadn't been so highly recommended, I would have given up on it.

Also the narration BOTHERS me. Specifically the way the narrator says "her", and even more specifically when "her" is the last word in the sentence. The narration in general is slower than I'd like, and the word her stretches out into almost a hissing noise. I dont know exactly how to describe it, but I will say that I have never been more aware of the word her in my life.
Oh and another thing is that this book has multiple narration points of view, but there is -no- auditory distinction for when the narration switches - not even a pause. That was really confusing for at least half the book until I started being able to tell how each character thought, and was able to use context clues for a narrator change.

I gave three stars because the story did get interesting once all the individuals came together. The narration, unfortunately, I had to rate way down. I liked it DESPITE the narrator, which isnt a great way to think about an audiobook.

Although the story just kind of ends, and I am curious what happens, I won't be getting the sequels. There are too many more interesting stories, with narration that is more pleasant for me to spend time trying to slog through any more of this one.

Classic Hobb

Every time I read these novels I like them more and more!

I love seeing the relationships develop and I feel that is the real hallmark of a Robin Hobb novel! She really delves into the human aspect while adding in dragons and magic! I think Thymara is very reminiscent of Fitz because I often want to smack her due to her inability to comprehend people and see the obvious! Can’t wait for the next book!

Love everything

Excellent narrator and excellent story. Robin Hobb is such a good storyteller!!! Cannot say enough good things! And the narrator does such a good job with every single voice, and conveying the emotion of each character. Wonderful, wonderful job.