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)

30 Years War Era Fantasy

Technology equivalent to the Early to mid 1800's, and military cavalry of the same era, only with dream wandering shamanistic magic thrown in. Great story. I'm looking forward to the sequel. Narrator plays all characters excellently. Excellent recording quality.

Excellent book

This is an excellent book. The characters are well developed and the writer has an excellent way of telling the story. I also enjoyed her Farseer Trilogy and Tawny man series. Excellent books! It would be good when Audible gets those in their bookstore.

Emotional rollercoaster

Hobb has a wonderful way of getting me deeply connected to her characters in a way that makes me feel so hopeful for them, but casually pulls down any beacon of hope I have, then restores is so beautifully. I'ved this book before, but hearing it on audible definitely added so much value to the narrative. Hobb is such a talented author. This novel is gripping and immersive, and Navare is such a relatable character. The pattern of thought he has echos deep into my being, I can't help but find myself completely immersed in the story. Highly recommended.

overall, pretty gpod

it wasn't Hobbs best work but I did still enjoy it... four extra words needed

a little strange

the story was different but no big surprises. some parts were a little slow. overall a good listen.

Slow read but,

The story was not bad, but not engaging enough for an adult . This would probably be a 4 star for a 13-16 year old or anyone dealing with class/race issues in school or work. The style is consistent with the authors other work and the performance of the narrator is on par with other good narration.

The main character is a train wreck!

Robin Hobbit is such an outstanding writer that I couldn't resist buying her Soldier Son Trilogy. Her skills of world building and character creation is fascinating! But, sadly, in this trilogy the main character is drama queen who over thinks everything and has the courage of a dead mouse! I almost get a twisted fascination in trying to see where he'll wimp out nxt! He's surrounded by good friends, bully associates and nasty superiors. As a Veteran with a Military Sciences degree I can appreciate what Hobby has created with her Soldier Son with his overbearing father but his failure to grow a spine of any kind guarantees failure ahead.

too much inner dialog

the plot is strong. the story is ok. the main character is ok. the three together don't stand up. it's too much like he's carried away by external events only to get lucky because other people think he's valuable.

Sometimes Magic Isn't A Good Thing

I bought this audio book because I was trying to spend some points. I had not read anything by Robin Hobb and so I wasn't sure what to expect. At first, I wasn't sure I was going to enjoy the story. It is not your typical fantasy story. It is definitely a story about a boy growing into a man with a little magic thrown in. As soon as I got to know the main character I started to care about what happened to him. The author spends a lot of time developing his characters and his world building is top notch. The story takes a little time to get going but once it does get going it is engaging. The narration by John Keating is pretty good. He does a good job of providing differing voices for the characters which ensures the listener is not confused. I love his scottish accent! I can highly recommend this audio book. It is well worth your time and your credit.

Epic. Need I say more?

Another rousing series by epic fantasy writer, Robin Hobb. And when I say epic, I mean epic. She crafts a fully-integrated world, with not one, but two fully-realized peoples, cultures, histories, magics, and mythologies, and touches briefly enough on a third to give readers a glimpse into the swirling depths of the mind of a creative genius. She takes the reader/listener on a terrific and, occasionally, terrifying journey, and the intensity of it will take your breath away. Occasionally a bit of a slow read, it nevertheless is a rich piece of storytelling. The narration is beautifully done, with a few exceptions - places where the voices are inconsistent with the emotions described, etc. Nevertheless, John Keating does a magnificent job with giving each character a distinct voice, his own voice melodic in the telling of this fantastic tale.

Just as a caution: Read/listen to these books in order. It is a trilogy, and while it is, in theory, possible to read and understand them as separate entities, you would lose the massive arching story and many of the subplots and foreshadowings that are present right from the first page through the last (yes, quite literally. Mz. Hobb is, in fact, a genius when it comes to wrapping stories back around to their beginnings). Shaman's Crossing/Forest Mage/Renegade Magic, for those curious. Happy reading!