People are changed by the Rain Wilds, subtly or otherwise. One such is Thymara. Born with black claws and other aberrations, she should have been exposed at birth. But her father saved her and her mother has never forgiven him. Like everyone else, Thymara is fascinated by the return of dragons: it is as if they symbolise the return of hope to their war-torn world. Leftrin, captain of the liveship Tarman, also has an interest in the hatching; as does Bingtown newlywed, Alise Finbok, who has made it her life's work to study all there is to know of dragons.
But the creatures which emerge from the cocoons are a travesty of the powerful, shining dragons of old. Stunted and deformed, they cannot fly; some seem witless and bestial. Soon, they become a danger and a burden to the Rain Wilders: something must be done. The dragons claim an ancestral memory of a fabled Elderling city far upriver: perhaps there the dragons will find their true home. But Kelsingra appears on no maps and they cannot get there on their own: a band of dragon keepers, hunters and chroniclers must attend them.
To be a dragon keeper is a dangerous job: their charges are vicious and unpredictable, and there are many unknown perils on the journey to a city which may not even exist...
©2009 HarperCollins Publishers; (P)2009 HarperCollins Publishers
"Great story"
This continues in the same world as the author's "Live Ships" trilogy, and includes some of the same characters, a few years on. The narrator voices the fine mix of interesting characters, human and inhuman, with convincing skill. The only minor annoyance is that it ends somewhat abruptly, albeit after 17 very enjoyable hours - a story that is very clearly "to be continued". Soon I hope!
"Fantastic Narrator"
I loved this book. Saskia Butler has done a fantastic job as narrator - all the different voices/accents for so many characters. It is a pleasure to listen to. I haven't listened to the second book in the series yet but I'm a bit disappointed they haven't used the same narrator.
"Not a complete unit"
Good book but the story ends in the middle. Each book should be complete in itself. If its going to be divided into parts then it should be clearly stated on the cover - part 1.I have always loved Robin Hobb. The Assasin series and the Mad Ship series kept me spell bound. She has not disappointed me with this book.
"A definite keeper"
Robin Hobb never disappoints - continuing with a story thread related to her brilliant Farseer, Liveship and Tawny Man trilogies, she weaves a magical tale that also comfortably stands alone. It will keep you up into the wee hours .... and anxious for the next installment. Here's hoping her other trilogies soon make their Audible debut - Robin Hobb is on of the rare gems of fantasy fiction with original concepts and plots that grab you and don't let go. I've read more than my fair share of the genre, and have found few that can compare.
"Fantastic"
Loved this book. I listen to a lot of books but found this story and the characters quite addictive and immediately bought the rest of the series. I am only sorry, devastated in fact, that although Amercian readers can get Robin Hobbs other books on audible I, in the UK, currrently can't. I live in hope and in the meantime have had to resort to buying the written books!