Shaman's Crossing, Book One of the Soldier Son Trilogy

By: Robin Hobb

Narrated by: John Keating

Length: 24 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's summary

A Hugo and Nebula Award finalist, New York Times bestselling author Robin Hobb is hailed by the Baltimore Sun as a “master fantasist.” Shaman’s Crossing begins her epic Soldier Son Trilogy.

The second son of a recently titled nobleman, Nevare Burvelle survives the King’s Cavalla Academy—where nepotism and corruption reign—to become a soldier in the Gernian king’s army. As he and his fellow soldiers are thrust onto the front lines of the king’s brutal territorial expansion campaign, they struggle against the Plainspeople—forest-dwellers who possess a powerful magic long dismissed by the Gernians. These rebels refuse to bow to the king’s tyranny. And as the battles rage, dangerous thoughts invade Nevare’s consciousness, forcing him to question his role in the army—and the life he’s always known.

Hobb doesn’t disappoint with this intricate fantasy tale featuring larger-than-life characters and exotic landscapes.

©2005 Megan Lindholm (P)2009 Recorded Books, LLC

Critic reviews

"Here is a master storyteller out to make a point and succeeding beautifully." (Publishers Weekly)

As always Robin Hobb is exquisite

I was a bit apprehensive to venture into a world outside of her other series. But as always Robin Hobb does not disappoint. Highly engaging and brilliantly built this book promises another phenomenal series.

Can’t Wait for Next!

New to Robin Hobb. Good story. Well read. Recommended! I have to submit six more words. There you go

Interesting story

The characters seemed flighty and sometimes fanciful, nevertheless i am excited to see if they develop as well as other characters created.

Not bad, not as good as her other work

I love Robin Hobb. Her world-building and character creation are fantastic! After reading her series' involving the world's of the six duchies, she could do no wrong for me.

This story has started out interestingly enough, with a few fascinating characters. Our hero, however, seems to go beyond naivety into the realm of idiocy. I'm not saying this is a bad thing, as it makes for an atypical hero... it is, however, much harder to love a character who doesn't seem to grow, change, or have much of an internal life.

I am looking forward to the next book, hoping the heroes and villains become a bit less derivative, or at least more cleverly derivative!

Definitely worth reading.

Very good story except for so much redundancy

I would have given five stars except for the repeated boring redundancies through out the entire book.
Not the best of Robin Hobb.

I expected more.

Not bad, decent character development, great insights into the society she created. Low action. As I was looking for story & action I was half fulfilled. I also felt like the writer wasn't true to the story; so my final reaction was that it was a bit of a lame duck.

Slow but sure, never dull !

I feel the characters have been justifiably been introduced. I eagerly start the 2nd book in this trilogy. Thank you for always being more than a step ahead - what happens next? Listen on !

Good

I love the way Hobb can get me right in the heads of her characters. She is a fantastic world builder.

Robin Hobb is a good Author!

Would you consider the audio edition of Shaman's Crossing, Book One of the Soldier Son Trilogy to be better than the print version?

The story started out slow, but as I read it got very interesting and I could not stop listening to it. And yes, I love being able to hear the character's speaking and put a face on each one. Can't wait til the next one.

great start

i really enjoyed this first book of this series. Robin Hobbs kept me intrigued and entertained. already have the next book in the series