Author : Robin Hobb
Description : This trilogy is one of the best I've read in the fantasy field. Most fantasy stories I've read have a lot of action and very little character development, but this trilogy has a lot of character development and a good amount of action. I feel like this series is more philosophical than anything else. I especially liked how the storyline finally left Buckkeep castle because it helps the reader understand Fitz's world more, not just the daily routine of his home. Fitz's journey to find Verity in the ancient mountain civilization was especially wonderful, I've never came across such a captivating kingdom before (a city built by skill magic, where dragons are common visitors and teleportation is possible). The best part about the ancient ruins of the mountain kingdom is that it is so mysterious, Hobb's never explained why it is in ruins (which is left up to the reader's imagination or the author is planning another book for it).
Book one was very good in that it introduces all the lovable characters, book two is basically life in the castle and Regal's goals are revealed. To me, book two was the weakest of the three. It was too drawn out, too much everyday life and it got boring after a while. The whole thing with Molly got really annoying (he's a king's man and molly just wants him for herself, bla bla blah). The action finally picks up again in Book three.
Book three revealed a lot of the questions, such as why the red ships are attacking, how people get forged, Who are the elderlings, How insane is Regal, and so on. My favorite part about book three is Fitz' journey to verity. It touches all parts of the geography, from coast, to desert, to mountain, it introduces the economy of the inland duchies. It also talk more about the wit-power and shows that there are more witted people than Fitz realize. I think book three is a fun read (I couldn't put it down).
I liked how the general storyline isn't about Fitz but about Verity the king trying to save his kingdom and Fitz is basically in the background doing all the dirty work. I've rarely came across a fantasy novel where the main character doesn't become "famous" at the end.
A warning to new readers is that this series has a very melancholy tone and is more "slice-of-life" than an epic adventure. Well, I hope everyone that reads it enjoy the characters as much as I did. Have fun!
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