From the Bookshelf of The Robin Hobb Collection…

Forest Mage (Soldier Son, #2)

Robin Hobb

Start date: January 1, 2018

Finish date: February 28, 2018

Discussion: SoldierSon #2: Forest Mage

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SoldierSon #2: Forest Mage

Forest Mage 2018 - Chapters 31 - FINISH ** SPOILERS **
By Jeremy · 9 posts · 12 views

last updated Feb 01, 2018 09:00AM

Forest Mage 2018 - Chapters 25 - 27 ** SPOILERS **
By Jeremy · 6 posts · 9 views

last updated Jan 28, 2018 01:52PM

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What Members Thought

Apr 26, 2014 David Sven rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

Most of what I like about this book and Robin Hobb's writing I've already said in my review of the first book so I'll just link to that here. The beginning of that review still holds true.

Just as the first book describes Nevare's journey or perhaps "coming of age" as a Soldier's Son in Cavalry school, this book might be described as a belated "coming of age" story where Nevare grows in a journey of "becoming" in regards to the Speck Magic that claims him.

In some ways this does feel like a "middl Most of what I like about this book and Robin Hobb's writing I've already said in my review of the first book so I'll just link to that here. The beginning of that review still holds true.

Just as the first book describes Nevare's journey or perhaps "coming of age" as a Soldier's Son in Cavalry school, this book might be described as a belated "coming of age" story where Nevare grows in a journey of "becoming" in regards to the Speck Magic that claims him.

In some ways this does feel like a "middle book" in that it feels like a second act in a three act play with it's own setting and with a defined end to that setting that serves to bridge the first and third act. In a lot of ways it seems the plot is treading water till the next book - and yet there is actually a lot going on with Nevare, with his magic and with his relationships, and with his physical challenges. We also get a closer look at the Speck and their magic.

One observation I'd like to make about the magic is the difference between the magic in this series to date and the magic in the Fitz and Fool books. In this series so far, magic is kind of accepted by the Gernians as maybe being real and yet it is not generally believed that it should be treated seriously as having any agency in the "real world." It tends to be regarded as superstition. Compare this to the Fitz and Fool novels where magic is treated as being as real as the physical world. Not everyone has it, but everyone believes in it. There are "Skill" Coteries that are respected and feared as people who can do real magic - and their are those with the "Wit Magic" who are reviled and feared as people who can share minds with animals etc.

Having said all that, magic is a lot more overt this book, to the point where Nevare is not able to simply ignore it as he mostly did last book.

I opted to read this book as opposed to listening to it and have found at times that I miss Jonathon Barlow. I think his audio narration enhanced my enjoyment of the last book. But, I still found myself getting lost in this world and looking forward to picking up the story at the beginning of each reading session. I'm giving this one ...

4.25 stars ...more

12 likes · Like · see review

Nov 11, 2012 Hanne rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

I’m once again a happy bunny, even if I’m not ecstatic. I’m happy to report that book two is so much better than book one, with a marvellous climax towards the end. But I’m not perfectly satisfied: I struggle with the zero connection to the main character which really is a problem for me; and considering that we are talking about a Robin Hobb here, it remains such a strange feeling. She’s still drawing with the same crayons, doing all the things she normally does (read: putting her characters th ...more

9 likes · Like · see review

Nov 24, 2010 Kevin Xu rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: re-read

this probably the saddest and most tragic book that hobb has written, even more than anything with fitz, just look at the us mass market paperback cover

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Sep 18, 2017 Len Evans Jr rated it really liked it

Enjoyed this book almost as much as the first, though it did lag a bit at times.

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Aug 10, 2009 Ann rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy, colonial-revisionist

Can tolerance be crippling? In Forest Mage, Nevare makes an excellent case for the pitfall of transcending dualities. As he approaches individual and cultural identity from the widest and most open vantage point, Nevare becomes stifled by an inability to commit to any one ideal or warring force within an opposite, whether that be Gernian or Speck, Amzil or Olikea, Spink or Tryst, new noble or old noble,reality or dream, gluttony or deprivation, destiny or free-will, magic or iron, self or soldie ...more

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