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Shaman's Crossing (The Soldier Son Trilogy #1)

by Robin Hobb (Goodreads Author)

3.36 of 5 stars 3.36 · rating details · 8,815 ratings · 390 reviews

Nevare Burvelle was destined from birth to be a soldier. The second son of a newly anointed nobleman, he must endure the rigors of military training at the elite King's Cavalla Academy--and survive the hatred, cruelty, and derision of his aristocratic classmates--before joining the King of Gernia's brutal campaign of territorial expansion. The life chosen for him will be f...more

Mass Market Paperback, 591 pages

Published August 29th 2006 by Harper Voyager (first published January 1st 2005)

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Jan 20, 2011 Ben Babcock rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-read, fantasy, owned

I really haven't read enough Robin Hobb. She has flown under my radar, mostly because my first encounters with her were through the library, and I have this bad habit of checking out books in the middle of the series (ahem, Golden Fool) and then wondering what the hell is going on. Last year I read Assassin's Apprentice , and I have acquired the remaining two books in that trilogy, so I hope to finish that soon. For now, however, I've turned to the Soldier Son trilogy. And though I've exceeded t...more

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Dec 29, 2008 John rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shaman's Crossing is the first book in Robin Hobb's Soldier Son trilogy. Hobb draws here a fantasy world whose world is closer to the 18th or 19th century than to medieval times. Gernia, which sees itself as the standard-bearer of civilization, a generation ago lost its naval superiority and, with it, all of its coastal provinces. In response, the old knighthood (the Cavalla) became an elite cavalry and rose to prominence in battles against the barbaric plainsmen with their tribal ways and primi...more Shaman's Crossing is the first book in Robin Hobb's Soldier Son trilogy. Hobb draws here a fantasy world whose world is closer to the 18th or 19th century than to medieval times. Gernia, which sees itself as the standard-bearer of civilization, a generation ago lost its naval superiority and, with it, all of its coastal provinces. In response, the old knighthood (the Cavalla) became an elite cavalry and rose to prominence in battles against the barbaric plainsmen with their tribal ways and primitive magic. Gernia, besides standing as the bulwark of technology against magic, is a rigidly structured society in which familial roles are proscribed, at least for nobles: the first son is the heir, the second is a soldier, the third a priest, the fourth a poet or artist.

Shaman's Crossing (and the subsequent Soldier Son novels) are the first-person accounts of Nevare Burvelle, the second son of a newly-elevated noble who was himself a second son but was raised to Lordship by the King in recognition of outstanding service (and, we come to find, as a shrewd political move to shore up support for the monarchy). This novel follows Nevare through his childhood and the better part of his first year at the prestigious King's Cavalla Academy.

Now that the Plainsmen have been defeated and largely marginalized or co-opted into the Gernian way of life, a forest-dwelling people known as the Specks are the next impediment to the expansion of Gernian civilization. In the background of the main plotline is the war between the Gernians and the Specks, though the Gernians don't quite know they're at war, because the Specks are fighting it with a plague they inflict upon the invaders. Nevare himself is drawn into the heart of the conflict, though I don't want to give away too much of the plot. Nonetheless, it's interesting to see the conflict between the scientific, technological, hierarchical Gernians and the tribal, hunter-gatherer, magical Specks. Equally, it's interesting to see--over the course of this novel and the second one--Nevare's growing understanding of the way that his own culture conditions and blinds him: even though he remains loyal, he starts to become more aware of the way he's been shaped by forces outside himself. Again, I hesitate to say too much.

I found Hobb's first three trilogies--The Farseer Trilogy, The Liveship Traders, and The Tawny Man--to be excellent, and she continues to impress here. Her world-building is particularly impressive as she finally moves to a new world in the Soldier Son Trilogy, and the plotting in each book is good, but it's the characters who stand at the heart of her writing. She's an excellent writer in the prime of her career.(less)

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Oct 21, 2011 Althea Ann rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. Reviewing the whole Soldier Son trilogy in one review, since it's one ongoing story.
(Shaman's Crossing, Forest Mage, and Renegade's Magic)
I consider myself to be a fan of Robin Hobb. I've read everything published under her name, with the exception of the two most recent 'Dragon' novels. I've given every single one of those books 4 or 5 stars. I've also read about half of what she's published as Megan Lindholm, and loved most of that as well.
Unfortunately, I feel that the Soldier Son trilogy is...more Reviewing the whole Soldier Son trilogy in one review, since it's one ongoing story.
(Shaman's Crossing, Forest Mage, and Renegade's Magic)
I consider myself to be a fan of Robin Hobb. I've read everything published under her name, with the exception of the two most recent 'Dragon' novels. I've given every single one of those books 4 or 5 stars. I've also read about half of what she's published as Megan Lindholm, and loved most of that as well.
Unfortunately, I feel that the Soldier Son trilogy is her least successful work to date.
It's not terrible, but it didn't hold up to my high expectations.

I think that part of this is that while her previous epics have shown the reader a rich tapestry of a world, with multiple important characters and settings, this story follows one person, Navare (the Soldier Son) for over 2000 pages. And, to be honest, he's rather a tiresome person. I don't demand that characters be likable, but I just didn't find him interesting. He's a bit of an annoying prig. I wished that some of the more minor characters in the book had been fleshed out more, and that we had a chance to see things from their point of view. (Epiny! And her magic! It just gets dropped...) The third book is largely concerned with the conflicts of Navare's suddenly-split-personality. It's him arguing with himself for hundreds of pages. (Tiresome vs. annoying!) I feel like it's partly because other characters weren't developed enough.

The story also moves very slowly. I felt like Navare's journey could have been condensed into one book, one-third of the length, and it would have been improved. I love long books, but this story seemed to have two main themes: the problems of cultural imperialism, and the importance of not judging people based on their physical appearance. Now, these are two very valid and important themes, but part of the reason that I do really like long books is that they have room in them for lots and lots of different ideas and themes. Not just two, repeated frequently. I also felt that these two themes weren't dealt with very satisfactorily: OK, it's bad and wrong to disrespect another culture, regard them as primitive when they aren't, and to destroy their native lands. I'm with that. It's also inevitable that, due to economic and other factors, peoples move, expand, and come into conflict with each other, bringing about cultural change. I also agree that is true. So the solution? Cause an economic distraction somewhere else causing everyone to run off elsewhere. Eh, well, maybe. Not terrible, but not really a full analysis of the problem, either.
However, I had a bigger problem with the other issue. After a million or so pages of Navare being prejudiced against because of his magically-induced obesity, and having it pointed out ad infinitum that what one culture may consider reprehensible and disgusting, another culture may respect, etc, the story ends up with Navare (again magically) being restored to his former thin, handsome appearance. It really undercuts the whole message of the book.

However, like I said before, it wasn't terrible. Hobb is still an excellent writer, and I did like that each of the cultures in the book was portrayed as having both positive and negative qualities. It was interesting and thoughtful enough to get me through all three very long volumes. It just wasn't as good as I'd expected.(less)

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Nov 29, 2012 Meg rated it 1 of 5 stars

Right... so I borrowed this book right at the end of my borrowing binge on the last day of school. I already had an armful of eight or nine books when I spotted this book and thought, "Why not?" and added it to the steadily-growing pile. After I had checked it out with the librarian (who was probably giving me funny looks by this time), I looked it up on Goodreads and was APPALLED at the rating. 3.35?!?!?! Really?!?!?!

I never would have picked up a book with that low a rating if I had known bef...more Right... so I borrowed this book right at the end of my borrowing binge on the last day of school. I already had an armful of eight or nine books when I spotted this book and thought, "Why not?" and added it to the steadily-growing pile. After I had checked it out with the librarian (who was probably giving me funny looks by this time), I looked it up on Goodreads and was APPALLED at the rating. 3.35?!?!?! Really?!?!?!

I never would have picked up a book with that low a rating if I had known before I borrowed it, but since I already had it in my possession, I thought I'd give it ago. And my first reaction was: Hey. It's not that bad. So I read on.

Nevare was a slightly dull but not unduly irritating protagonist. I actually quite enjoyed the first few chapters. And then... it just got TRIPPY. That whole bit when he's being 'trained' by that Plainsman guy? The hell? My typical high fantasy novel abruptly evolved into Alice in Wonderland. And then - it goes back to normal! Just returns to its normal, plain, somewhat boring self! WHAT!

And then Nevare goes off to the Academy - after we get introduced to his bland, pointless, chemistry-less love interest whose name I can't even remember - and meets a whole bunch of new friends, blah blah. Actually, this part wasn't half bad. But I was definitely starting to have severe doubts about this book by then.

So his new friends aren't TERRIBLE characters. Alright, none of them really have much personality apart from Gord, Spink and a few others. Spink is a bit too self-righteous for my taste, but whatever. We spend a large chunk of the book here, reading about un-absorbing conflict and vaguely implied threats of prejudice against the 'new nobles'. At this point I'm starting to realise that there is no real plot. The only hint of plot we've had so far are just that - vague, implied hints, not really enough to hold my attention.

Then we meet Nevare's cousin Epiny. =.=" She is just... annoying and contrived and unsympathetic and everything a character shouldn't be. At this point Nevare starts becoming all stodgy and self-righteous, which is a transparent attempt to contrast his obedient, 'soldier son' personality to her liberated, unconventional, -cough cough annoying as hell- character. And then I give up. Because this book is boring and pointless and not worth my time.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think Robin Hobb is an untalented author. I've read the first book in her Farseer Trilogy and loved it; I'm eagerly waiting for school to open again so I can read the rest. But in every writer's career, there is always a book or a series that just isn't up to their usual standards. I suppose this was it. I haven't lost respect for Robin Hobb, but if you're looking for an introduction to her work, do NOT read this book. It is not an accurate representation of her abilities. Read the Farseer. Anything else. Just not this.(less)

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Feb 27, 2009 Whitaker rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-scifi, e-book, 2009-read

A stunning work that challenges how we think of American frontier history and what we think of fantasy.

Hobbs has a penchant for upending all the usual tropes and devices of fantasy. And she does this all with real characters and an entertaining and stirring plot. We see "sword and sorcery" and we think "knights and mages", usually young, muscular and powerful men who, after some initial confusion, embrace their destiny with fervour to fight the good fight. Yawn.

Hobbs writes sword and sorcery i...more

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Jan 22, 2009 Jean Tatro rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I've been a fan of Robin Hobb for several years. I loved the Farseer Trilogy, adored the Liveship Traders, and enjoyed the Tawny Man books even if the last one fell apart half way through. I eagerly grabbed up Shaman's Cross when it came out, but in the aftermath of the house fire it ended up in a box, forgotten and unread. I recently unearthed it and placed it at the top of my to-read pile.

Quite simply it was a disappointment. It was probably only my great love of the author that made me strugg...more I've been a fan of Robin Hobb for several years. I loved the Farseer Trilogy, adored the Liveship Traders, and enjoyed the Tawny Man books even if the last one fell apart half way through. I eagerly grabbed up Shaman's Cross when it came out, but in the aftermath of the house fire it ended up in a box, forgotten and unread. I recently unearthed it and placed it at the top of my to-read pile.

Quite simply it was a disappointment. It was probably only my great love of the author that made me struggle through, where with any other I would have tossed the book aside. Perhaps with great force. The first 200 or so pages are dry, heavy exposition delivered by an unlikable character who doesn't seem to care about the world around him. Only a handful of scenes were enjoyable - the scout, the time spent with Dewara, and the wind wizard. An excellent set up is given for having each chapter start with a journal entry, a style I really enjoy and would have lightened that awful infodumping, but it is ignored.

The book was an utter struggle until Epiny was introduced. She comes off as shallow and silly, but at least she's interesting. Which is more then can be said of the main character, who seems to serve only as the voice for the author, telling us how he is interested in the world instead of showing it. After Epiny the number of interesting characters increases.

Set in a mid-1800s-America-if-it-was-run-by-a-monarchy(right down to the geography!), supposedly it takes place in the same world as the other three trilogies. This book is heavy with two-by-fours. The treatment of native peoples is a sensitive subject for me, and after the absolute nightmare of a U.S. History class I took this last year this book just ruffled me further to the point the most feeling I had for many of the characters was the desire to soundly beat them. The plainspeople and Specks are constantly painted as a savage and misguided, and their magic and love of nature evil. Except for brief moments of 'nature is beautiful, pity we're destroying it'. Perhaps if things weren't so thinly veiled it wouldn't be so annoying.

For the most part has that wonderful prose that I adore, as dull and boring as it was in places. Unfortunately near the beginning it was shaky, and read like it had never seen a revision. And the repetition of whole sentences occurs throughout the whole book. Layered on top of the message two-by-fours it was all just too much. The story takes forever just to get to the plot points mentioned on the dust cover, which when read sound like the set up for the story, not the end of it.

It really hurts me to score it so low. There was so much promise in the characters, the world, and the story, but it just feel apart under the weight of infodumps, exposition, and a lackluster narrator. There is just enough hook in the last couple of chapters for me to pick up the second book, but I won't do so with any great hopes.(less)

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Mar 15, 2010 Willa rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: i-own, series

Once again Robin Hobb impresses with her ability to create an amazingly real and detailed world and wonderfully complex and entertaining characters to inhabit it. You know you're dealing with a truly talented author when the story is full of hardships, pain and disillusionment and it is still a joy to read. This is the first of a very promising trilogy and I look forward eagerly to the continuing story of Nevarre, the hero who thinks he knows exactly what his future holds for him until one day a...more

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Aug 04, 2011 Tim James added it · review of another edition

This is not just a bit different for a Robin Hobb book, but different as a fantasy book too. If it was a first attempt at a novel I would imagine that it would be hard to get it published, bucking the trend of what popular fantasy seems to be.

Here Hobb throws out quite a lot of what seems to be 'normal' Instead of the standard medieval setting the blueprint of this new series is the expansion into the old west, particularly the cavalry and the subjugation of the indigenous peoples.

Obviously it...more

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Sep 19, 2012 Amy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: fav-authors, authors-who-don-t-suck, fantasy-fiction, 2012-booklist, fiction, my-ebooks, get-a-blanket-and-a-snack

Robin Hobb became a favorite of mind after reading The Liveship Trader trilogy. Since I loved it, I thought I'd move on to other books. She did not disappoint.

This book is set in a totally different land...new rules, new names everything and that was absolutely ok. This book was really good. I loved the development of the characters and really understand where this main character was coming from and what he'd been through. Hobb paints such a great mind-picture for her readers, it's so easy to im...more

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Aug 01, 2012 Kat rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: wish-i-liked-it

I really wish that I liked this book more. I generally enjoy Robin Hobb's books, but this series had so much fat-shaming that it really started to bother me.

I did enjoy the world that the book was set in, but the main character did nothing for me. He seemed very sorry for himself, and he didn't really try to do anything to make his life better. Neave gave half-ass effort at everything he did, and then got results that matched the effort he put in.

I know that people generally have a bad outlook...more

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Jun 26, 2012 Jen rated it 3 of 5 stars

I wish to preface this review with the statement that I read the entire trilogy all at once, hoping that the story would come to its point eventually (it never did, not even at the end), and all of that was a few years ago, so the details have blurred for me. As it is, I am writing a review of the entire series all at once, although the rating I gave it is only for the first book (the later ones are much worse).

I greatly enjoyed the Assassins series, and was fond of the Liveship trilogy, so I pi...more

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Jul 14, 2011 Alyssia Cooke rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I have long been obsessed with Robin Hobb, even to the point where the boyfriend has come to the conclusion that he is fighting a bedroom war with her. This is a slight overstatement I have to make clear! But when word of a new trilogy hit me an awful lot of months ago my first reaction was to hit the bookshop and find myself a copy. And I will give credit, again Robin Hobb has written a masterpiece, however the remainder of the trilogy was a major let down as far as I was concerned. And Ciao de...more

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Mar 13, 2011 Semeiotickled rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 27, 2010 Sean Randall rated it 4 of 5 stars

"He'll be shitting through his lips until the morning light!"

I'm no stranger to Hobb but things never, ever get old. Each world and character therein is painted so well that we're drawn in, right from the start. "I remember well the first time I saw the magic of the plainspeople," opens this one. And the magic is there, always, mostly deftly woven throughout the story and playing such a subtle yet vital role.

As Nevare grows up in the book, so our worldview grows also. We learn what peoples and m...more

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Oct 15, 2010 Mike rated it 3 of 5 stars

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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May 05, 2010 Margaret rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-and-science-fiction, culled, authors-gh

Nevare Burvelle, second son of Lord Burvelle, has been destined from birth to become a soldier, in a country where birth order determines your career (first sons inherit, second sons are soldiers, third sons are priests, and so on down the line). However, when his father sends him to be trained by a warrior of the Plainspeople, Nevare is unwillingly pulled into the conflict between his people and the people of the plains, a conflict which follows him even as he enters military school to begin hi...more

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Aug 27, 2009 Cécile Cristofari rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: courageous readers, and readers who do not mind a lot of very bleak or violent scenes

Shelves: science-fiction-fantasy

I review the whole trilogy here, since the three books are meant to be understood as one story.

A general impression: disappointing, since this trilogy has an enormous potential but in the end is flawed by some major plot weaknesses.

The novels are set in an original and very carefully constructed world, which could be described as being a mediaeval society, with a 18th-19th century level of technology. But this is obviously not Final Fantasy, and all the potentialities of such a world are explo...more I review the whole trilogy here, since the three books are meant to be understood as one story.

A general impression: disappointing, since this trilogy has an enormous potential but in the end is flawed by some major plot weaknesses.

The novels are set in an original and very carefully constructed world, which could be described as being a mediaeval society, with a 18th-19th century level of technology. But this is obviously not Final Fantasy, and all the potentialities of such a world are exploited. Hobb took great care in imagining a consistent political and social plot, and the characters' way of thinking is thoroughly and consistently shaped by the context, something that I wish I saw in more mainstream fantasy novels. More interestingly, all three civilisations involved in the plot are constructed with the same attention to detail, and as a result, they sound unique while drawing enough inpiration from real-world civilisations to sound profoundly realistic. Although the pace is quite slow (a bit too much, at times), the reader has time to enjoy bith the plot and the setting. By the end of the first novel, I had big expectations of what was to follow.

Unfortunately, some problems start to get in the way starting from book 2. First of all, the story suffers from its own qualities. It was a great effort to choose as your main character a boy who was born a soldier in a society that values the established order above anything else, and it was probably a great challenge to examine the mind of the most narrow-minded hero you could dream of and how he reacts when he is forced to see that reality is just more complex than he thought. The problem is, Nevare, the protagonist, spends an agonising amount of time refusing to change and wishing things were back to normal. This is all very well, but since it involves his refusing to do anything that would help the progression of the plot, the story is considerably slowed. Cut out Nevare's hesitations and you spare about four hundred pages. Seriously.

This is in part what spoiled book 3 for me. Without getting into too many details, I would say that my overall impression was that the plot started moving back and forth at some point without getting anywhere. Fortunately, the description of a civilisation that had only been glimpsed until then was interesting enough for me to want to go on. However, it is the end that I found really disappointing. Again, I don't want to reveal too many details. I will only say that I feel one subplot, involving an ancient religion, was added merely in order to afford what would otherwise have appeared as an incredible deus ex machina. What is worse, the true climax seems to appear two hundred pages before the real end, and what follows is just a way to move the story comfortably back to where it began. This was absolutely disappointing, especially since some main characters are just ditched in the process and no satisfying resolution is offered. It all sounded as if the author suddenly got bored with her own story and wanted a way to end it all without having to think to much about it.

To sum it up, I don't know if I would read it again. I rated it a 3 for the writing, the universe and the occasionally breathtaking atmosphere. But the end brought absolutely no satisfying meaning to the whole, and merely sounded as if the author assumed we implicitely had more sympathy for one civilisation than for the other and wanted to offer a nice happy ending accordingly. I have nothing against happy endings, but only if they really are the point where the plot naturally led to. If you are not afraid to start a 2000 pages trilogy and perhaps be severely disappointed in the end, the writing may be worth it. But you've been warned!(less)

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Apr 17, 2009 Bill rated it 4 of 5 stars

As a kid growing up I loved fantasy books, so yes I was obviously a geeky kid growing up. I didn't quiet lose my love of the genre as I got older, but I did tire of its predilections for shoddy characters and an over reliance on dues ex machina.

Robin Hobb is one of the handful of fantasy writers that I have fully enjoyed even as an adult, her Farseer trilogy (and the follow on trilogy,) was second perhaps only to George R R Martin's current ongoing opus. (Yes, I know that the Wheel of Time seri...more

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Aug 03, 2010 Mike (the Paladin) rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Allow me a little leeway here. I tend to like plot driven books, but to be fair there are some wonderful character driven books that have drawn me in and I've loved. I like a character to be well written and clearly drawn, to be "true to him/herself". In other words not to suddenly change and do something "completely out of character" because the story suddenly needs it or something. That being said, sometimes a character can be written well, everything in the book can make sense for the charact...more Allow me a little leeway here. I tend to like plot driven books, but to be fair there are some wonderful character driven books that have drawn me in and I've loved. I like a character to be well written and clearly drawn, to be "true to him/herself". In other words not to suddenly change and do something "completely out of character" because the story suddenly needs it or something. That being said, sometimes a character can be written well, everything in the book can make sense for the character ...but some of it's just dead weight for the story. Some books or series have "FOR ME" note I said "FOR ME" have been ruined by being over written. The Wheel of Time comes to mind. Everything from beyond book 6 would profit from the attention of a good editor.

So what am I saying about Shaman's Crossing? I'm saying there were times I thought this book would barely rate a 3. I was ready at times to pull my hair out (a little irony there if you've read the book). While Nevare is well and truly written...the book is just so full of fluff. I was so ready at so many times for her to just "move on!". Still, some of you will love the extra "detail" and for you I'm happy. I'm aware that what is for me at times mind numbing, even useless detail (as it isn't germane to the story) some will find "color" and background. Here you get background.

And...I have a second problem with the book. The book is built with what amounts to two (2) main stories or plots. Sometimes this works. Sometimes a novel will have a plot and a sub-plot, or multiple sub-plots...or even sub-sub-plots, on and on. This sometimes works. Here in "MY OPINION" note, in "MY OPINION" the two stories had a real problem meshing so that she could get to her climax at the end of the book. It seemed often to me as if two incompatible story lines had been "jammed" together and then nailed in place.

I have several Robin Hobb books on my shelf (waiting [LOL:])and have been planning to get to them for some time. I went to this one first as I had a situation where an audio Ebook fit into my schedule better and I have several print books in process already. I read some reviews of this one before I started it and noted that several people who read this book (this trilogy) said it wasn't Hobb's best work and recommended that people who are new to her start with one of her other works... I hold out hope that they will be even better. This one while driving me crazy at times I finally decided was, over all, a good one.

Bottom line? 4 stars and I do, at least tentatively plan to go on with the trilogy. (less)

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Jun 08, 2010 Tulara added it

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 14, 2013 R. Michael Litchfield rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Been meaning to try Robin Hobb/Mega Lindholm for a while. This is a coming of age novel set in an american west mileu with magic indians. If I'd know it was a coming of age novel I might have picked a different book (kinda burned on the genre) but she does a very good job of world building. The napoleanic tech level works well, reminds me of Bujold's Sharing Knife series some what, this had a bit more dreamy shaminic interlude and a much more rigid "white" society. Still "kid from the outback go...more

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Jul 29, 2012 Jim rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, fantasy

3.5 stars & I may round down to 3 after the next 2 books. The magic system was wonderful & Hobb does take proper care of horses. She even has the hero taking care of his tack, a major plus. Excellent world with an a defeated society that is expanding over new territory. Very realistic & well done.

I listened to it as an audio book with a good reader, but Hobb repeats herself enough that I wondered if the book was originally published as a serial. I don't think it was & she repeate...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Jefferson Smith rated it 2 of 5 stars

Shelves: adult-fantasy

Not what I expected from Hobb at all. An ambitious story that departs from fantasy traditions in so many ways. Instead of a quasi-feudal backdrop, we are set in a world that intertwines aspects from Victorian Europe with those of the opening of the American west and the fading traditions of nobility gone sour among knights errant. This all underpins a story that weaves together such political powder kegs as native rights, women's suffrage and the clash of old vs new money. While there are quiet...more

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Jul 28, 2012 Jason rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy

This is the first book I read written by Robin Hobb, and I have to say I look forward to reading more of her work. Shaman's Crossing, the first of the Soldier Son trilogy, could get pigeonholed as yet another coming-of-age story. However, I tend to find that phrase tiresome, and in the case of Shaman's Crossing, missing a lot of the point.

Shaman's Crossing is set in a fascinating world in a nation that will instantly remind many readers of America during the time of its expansion into the West,...more This is the first book I read written by Robin Hobb, and I have to say I look forward to reading more of her work. Shaman's Crossing, the first of the Soldier Son trilogy, could get pigeonholed as yet another coming-of-age story. However, I tend to find that phrase tiresome, and in the case of Shaman's Crossing, missing a lot of the point.

Shaman's Crossing is set in a fascinating world in a nation that will instantly remind many readers of America during the time of its expansion into the West, with a focus on a road being built into the eastern frontier, leading to conflicts with the nomadic/tribal Plainsmen. The nation our protagonist Nevare Burvelle is quasi-Victorian mixed with an intriguing caste system set in place by the "good god"; for the upper class, it is law for each son to be born to a specific role; the first son inherits and runs the father's lands, the second son is always a soldier, third son for the priesthood, etc. It is to the military Nevare is born to, the son of a newly elevated nobleman who had distinguished himself in war. Sounds like some of our Presidents from that time period, doesn't it? Nevare is trained before going off to the military academy, including briefly with one of the Plainsmen that was an enemy of Nevare's father. It is here we encounter mysticism similar to that of Native American religious ceremonies and beliefs, which are regarded as paganism to Nevare's people. I won't get into much detail, but this mysticism leads Nevare to encounter another mysterious people, the Specks, who live in the forests that are at the end of the frontier. The Specks decide to use Nevare as a tool to drive back the invaders, and Nevare's struggle between what he's grown up believing and what the mysticism he has encountered become a major theme in this story.

Eventually, Nevare heads off to the Academy for officer training. It's less like Hogwarts and more like the Citadel if the Citadel was run by non-magic practicing members of Slytherin. Here Nevare learns the situation in his home is far more complicated than imagined, with an old rich vs. nouveau rich conflict. At the same time, his internal struggles are further complicated by his Spiritualist-practicing cousin Epiny.

Needless to say, it's a wonderfully complex story with a wide variety of conflicts that gives the world Hobb has created life. Nevare is an interesting character who definitely grows and changes throughout, but his struggles reflect those of one person during a time of great change. Well-written with good lines: "Once a man has had authority over his own affairs, he does not surrender it easily." I'll be looking forward to the rest of this series and reading more of Hobb's work. (less)

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Jan 24, 2010 Gill rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: fantasy lovers

Shelves: other

I hovered between giving this book 3 or 4 stars. I read it very fast, and that normally tilts me towards a higher star-rating, but I was constantly irritated by the number of stupid mistakes - missed words, incorrect punctuation, e.g. Speck (the name of the dappled people) instead of Spink (the hero's academy friend) and so on. I estimated there was an average of a mis-spelling per page - does no-one proof-read anymore? I guess this is due to reliance on a spell-checker, but many more faults wou...more

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Apr 04, 2012 Siobhan Parker rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Fantasy fans

Despite being a long-time fan of fantasy fiction, Shaman's Crossing is the first Robin Hobb novel that I've read, so I can't say how this compares to her other works. However, I can say that, despite its length, Shaman's Crossing made for quite engrossing reading. I'm usually a fast reader, but it took me four days to finish this, which is longer than my usual book completion time; however, I didn't give up because I wanted to know what happened next. Shaman's Crossing wouldn't work as a standal...more

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Jan 07, 2010 Merrin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, read-in-10

I can't give this book five stars until I find out how everything comes to fruition in the other two books, but OH MY GOODNESS, I loved this book.

It's my first by Robin Hobb, so I'm afraid I can't compare this with her other works. I can say it was absolutely steeped in the imagined history of the realm and rich with detail about every single thing.

The story is a pretty typical coming-of-age tale about a young man named Nevare, soldier's son of a new lord in troubled land. He faces hardships o...more

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Apr 18, 2013 Matthew Borgard rated it 3 of 5 stars

At first, I found the book (the first I've read from Ms. Hobb) somewhat hard to get into. The language and setting is highly formal (some might say dry), and it's not until halfway into the novel or so that it starts to pick up. When it does, though, it REALLY picks up, and it propelled me right through to the end in a day or so. I was right on the precipice of giving it four stars, but held it back because of the rough start. I'd recommend pushing through, however, as the latter half is absolut...more

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Mar 26, 2013 Stéphanie Noverraz rated it 4 of 5 stars

This is the first volume in the Soldier Son trilogy (before Forest Mage and Renegade's Magic).

Starting in Widevale, far East on the shores of the Tefa river, the story is Nevare's account of his life. Born second son to Lord Burvelle, a former cavalla soldier promoted to nobility for good service rendered in the recent colonisation of the plains and the bringing of civilization to the native nomadic tribes, he is destined to become the soldier of the family.

To toughen him up, Nevare's father sen...more This is the first volume in the Soldier Son trilogy (before Forest Mage and Renegade's Magic).

Starting in Widevale, far East on the shores of the Tefa river, the story is Nevare's account of his life. Born second son to Lord Burvelle, a former cavalla soldier promoted to nobility for good service rendered in the recent colonisation of the plains and the bringing of civilization to the native nomadic tribes, he is destined to become the soldier of the family.

To toughen him up, Nevare's father sends him to spend time in the desert with a Kidona warrior, Dewara, because he thinks there are some things that can only be learnt from an enemy. During his stay, Nevare experiences a trance in which Dewara asks him to kill whom he meets... but Nevare discovers an old and mysteriously powerful Tree Woman. Following his soldier's code of honour, he refuses to slay her. Barely escaping death, he is returned to his father with a scalp wound, and a latent magic bond that will plague his dreams.

When Nevare reaches eighteen, it is time to go to the capital, Old Thare, and the strictness of its Cavalla Academy. The thickest part of the book describes his life on the campus, making friends with his fellow students as well as enemies, enduring the pranks played on them by the older cadets, walking the demerits they earn, facing many an injustice... against a backdrop of political jealousies between Old and New Nobles.

At first I was a bit unsettled by the atypical setting (for a Fantasy novel), more "Civil War" than "Mediaeval", and I was afraid the retelling of the hero's school life would feel too much like Harry Potter... but as all those mishaps culminate, with Nevare the victim of unfair decision upon unfair decision (when you think nothing worse could possibly befall him, well you're on for another surprising twist), as further characters come into play and further pieces fall into place, the book becomes more and more absorbing. Again, Robin Hobb's extraordinary storytelling talent transports you to another world full of fascinating characters and enchanting sceneries.

written on 29th July 2008(less)

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Apr 16, 2012 Ron Campbell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: fantasy, recommended

The first book in the 'Soldier Son' trilogy sets not only the main character but also the World that the story takes place in. It is a time of Kings, Noble Lords, peasants and the savages. Hobb does a great job in not only describing this world, but also explains how this social environment is beneficial. Everything is laid out and everyone knows who they are! The Lord's first son is the son that is the heir to the lordship and carries on the father's work. The Lord's second son is the son that...more The first book in the 'Soldier Son' trilogy sets not only the main character but also the World that the story takes place in. It is a time of Kings, Noble Lords, peasants and the savages. Hobb does a great job in not only describing this world, but also explains how this social environment is beneficial. Everything is laid out and everyone knows who they are! The Lord's first son is the son that is the heir to the lordship and carries on the father's work. The Lord's second son is the son that is sent to the King's army to become a officer for the King. The Lord's third son is the son that is sent to the Priesthood, etc. everyone has their place in the society set for them. Daughters are married to strengthen the family standard within the society, with the agreement of the Daughter. This marriage of the Daughters is not solely on the Daughters, the Sons too are faced with this type of arranged marriage.

The benefit of such a society is one that the society is closely knitted and very tight. The weakness in such a society is with a bad King or a bad Lord life can be a life of suffering, which often leads to revolt. With a decent King or Lord life can be pleasant.

Hobbs does an excellent job in describing this society. Where the Lord has his role of responsibilities and his wife has her responsibilities, she is in charge of the daughters and the household, he is in charge of the sons and the estate, including the peasants in his holdings. To be a good Lord there is a clear line of responsibility on everyone - the Lord has to have a level of respect and a responsibility to his peasants, in return the peasants need to respect and to follow the Lord as their LEADER. This mutual respect and understanding is beneficial to everyone and makes for a very strong and productive community. The Lord and his wife work as a true pair to better their family and their society as a whole.

The savages are very much misunderstood by the ruling society. This reminds me of the civilization of North America. The savages are very unique in different ways that is interesting and one always need someone to conflict with.

The world Hobbs writes about is very enticing...
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About Robin Hobb

** I am shocked to find that some people think a 2 star 'I liked it' rating is a bad rating. What? I liked it. I LIKED it! That means I read the whole thing, to the last page, in spite of my life raining comets on me. It's a good book that survives the reading process with me. If a book is so-so, it ends up under the bed somewhere, or maybe under a stinky judo bag in the back of the van. So a 2 st...more

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“How different would our perception of reality be if... we discarded the mundane events that cannot coexist with our dreams?” — 10 people liked it

“My blood will only buy you that fool's regard. I will pay a high price for you to be respected by a churl. Nothing bought with blood is worth having, young man.” — 6 people liked it

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Shaman's Crossing (The Soldier Son Trilogy #1)

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