Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Shaman's Crossing - Robin Hobb

June 1, 2022.
Requested by Siobhan.

Can't wait! Thanks Jenna ❤️

Siobhan wrote: "Can't wait! Thanks Jenna ❤️"

You're welcome 😊

In. The narrator makes everything sound like a question? It was annoying? But I tried it maybe before really getting into Hobb, so perhaps the writing will overpower the bad narration? I hope so?

Oh god 🙈😂

Marking my spot.

I'm in on this one.

I'm so excited, might make a start tonight seeing as I'm the slowest reader in the world right now xD

I’m still planning on this one but I stupidly signed up for like 5 buddy reads that start on June 1st so I’ll be along eventually. 😂

No rush, I'll be here all month 😂

Chapter 1 - (view spoiler)[ I feel like we learnt a lot about the world there, and I love little Nevare already! :) I hope his father is a good man, he seems a bit unreasonable but I think he has good intentions. I'm glad Parth was sacked already, hate him! (hide spoiler)]

Can't wait to start this one with you all! :D I'll be picking up my copy from the library today/tomorrow ~

Yay Katie!! <3

I'm doing my usual thing of reading a lot and not commenting. Sorry!

Setting: (view spoiler)[The setting feels like a fantasy version of the Old West for me, with the Europeans pushing east and irradiating or 'civilizing' the native people on the way. If we equate the Gernians with the Europeans, then I guess the plains people like Dewara are the Native Americans? I'm not sure where the Specks fit in with that analogy, though. Maybe they're meant to represent two different native tribes who are enemies. (hide spoiler)].

Chapter 3 - 5: (view spoiler)[ What an evil man Dewara is! And I really dislike Nevare's father; I think he's very stern and perhaps misguided rather than a 'bad' person but his harshness certainly doesn't make me warm to him. I rather like Sergeant Duril. He's strict but not unnecessarily harsh or cruel. (hide spoiler)]

I agree about the setting, Shaitarn. I like it!

I am only up to chapter 3 now so will read the rest of your comment later :)

I haven’t started yet. Ahh! I over committed this month. Soon!

Thoughts up to Chapter 1 so far~

(view spoiler)[
- “The Gernian people have a duty to lift the Bejawi folk and help them learn civilized ways” okayyyy. I sense some colonist views here. The Plainspeople seeming very much like indigenous people or Romani people based on description alone…
- “Oh. I understood that. Just a Struggling with math would make me a better soldier. “ oh the lies we tell our kiddos. It’s crazy how much what we teach our children influences their outer world perception. Hopefully we get a deep look into it. Though here I am rambling and it’s only page 3. Lol.
- Lots of talk of Family duty & Expectations for a young boy of 8.
- Yeah. I can see the oozing niaviaty of the world for this poor boy. Thinking his uncle will apologize for not watching him. Oh kiddo ^^;
- That scene with the young Plainsgirl was quite upsetting. Just pure racism there. And just the explanations at the end with the father corporal. Just wow. I'm glad the little kid tried to help her, even if he didn't quite understand the true threat.
- And we get some hints at magic now too! And I guess iron helps against such a threat? hmmmm...

All in all really excited...just by the first chapter. I know Hobb is going to be in some interesting discussions with this one. Involving race, society, and toxic masculinity. Or at least I hope XD
(hide spoiler)]

Siobhan wrote: "Chapter 1 - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[His father does seem like a good man. Though he lives with his peoples laws and morals. Sooooo glad Parth got sacked and his friend Vev outcasted. That was outrageous!!

Absolutely right though! Great setting intro. I wasn't even sure if we were gonna have magic until the end of that chapter there. I was trying to place a time period with all of the soldier talk (hide spoiler)]

Katie wrote: "Thoughts up to Chapter 1 so far~

- “ ..."

Your thoughts are so spot on! I love how much there is to talk about just from one chapter!

Ahhh Hobb, we're back! <3

Felina wrote: "I haven’t started yet. Ahh! I over committed this month. Soon!"

No worries, we'll be here! :)

It's funny how I frequently have little to say about books that I enjoy but can rant at length about books I don't like!

I'll be lurking and dropping comments in response to your deep, detailed thoughts!. :)

Rachel wrote: "One chapter in and, as expected (because it’s Hobb), I am frustrated with the unfairness of the world.

So far, we have:

..."

Hahaha you're so right!!

Gotta go back and read spoilers on desktop. But you guys are so right!! Chapter one and it’s so Hobb!! Just the brutal honesty of the world. If anything kind of a reflection of our own. She gets right into the thick of it. That’s for sureeee!!! Can’t wait to see what this story has in store O.O

@Siobhan ~ right?! I was on maybe page three and had sooooo much to say about how messed up the world was already. Lol.

It’s good to be back to Hobb’s writing! I’m already seeing villains I’m gonna hate. And I’m intrigued by who the main cast will be.

Katie K, exactly my reaction to Rachel's observations - a mirror of our world, and the history of any imperialistic society, including the more recent historically, like the UK, US, Russia and so on... And in those countries all people feel they are right in doing what they are doing in other, "underdeveloped" states...

The scene with the girl and all the attitudes within it, as well as the "teachings" for the little boy, were just devastating! Seems like little things, and they sit in the base of all of our hatreds... And yes, he is such a gentle boy, and I am sure they will ruin him... If not fully, at least partially...

I am in Ch. 2, and as you guys already said, the cadence of Hobb's storytelling is hypnotic...

Ch. 3-4... Wow! (view spoiler)[ I think his dad had a good idea of making his son see how different the locals are, but Dewara thought, since Nevare is so naive and trusting, he was going to use him against his own enemies, the Specks... The way I see it, Dewara's people are from the more nomadic tribes and like to steal and pillage, while the Specks are like the Cahokia Native Americans, who were very well off, since they were settled in one place, had cultivated grains and animals, and didn't have to travel with the prairie herds... I guess the nomads had try to take them over, and they were rebuffed. And so they are enemies now... And both are being concord by the Gernians. And yes, Siobhan, I also see the similarities with the Wild West, particularly with letting people of low classes fight, and be given the land they take over as theirs in small plots. Oklahoma, Arizona ab the like, anyone?

The way things turned out with the magical bridge do not bode well for anyone involved... I don't even think the corpulent lady spirit was really pleased. She just used the situation, as Dewara did. It sucks that they are using a good boy as a pawn in their game. His father is using him too. I feel terrible, because it tells us that in that world, there is no place for pure and trusting people... :((( (hide spoiler)]

Rachel, exactly! Nevare is not stupid, but he is painfully gullible and naive. I don't think his father is a bad person, but he is a second son who has been raised to nobility as a soldier, so he is going above and beyond to act as what the "noble norms" are, so he is guilty in only trying to be a cog in the social tree. I almost feel sorry for him, because his position is very precarious, and this is making him close his eyes on all types of injustices. It is easy for us to judge from our perspective of a mostly free society, but I think he is doing everything possible to climb that social ladder without being cut down. I don't agree with it, but I can't judge him too harshly either...

Choko wrote: "Katie K, exactly my reaction to Rachel's observations - a mirror of our world, and the history of any imperialistic society, including the more recent historically, like the UK, US, Russia and so o..."

Absolutely so Choko! And @Rachel I totally agree with your bullet points to Chapter one. You are right on mark with those ^^;

The toxic male ideals are so frustrating. (view spoiler)[It's a shame to think that tea parties with his sister's is bad for the boy. Ohhh socieityyy you messed up place you. lol (hide spoiler)]

Reading more today~

Rachel, a totally reasonable rant!!! I had the same reaction. Also, why don't they just communicate like normal people? Why do we teach our teens that asking questions will make you look stupid? It is OK not to know or understand things. How would you ever learn if you don't ask questions??? Nobody should be expected to know everything! And since they are too proud to ask certain things, then they never learn, or learn the wrong things by bad examples in moments when things reach a boiling point... So frustrating! When I went to college, most of my classmates were too ashamed to ask questions, so they will stay after hours to ask other classmates for clarification... So ridiculous!!!

Finished Chapter 3 and loving this book so far <3
(view spoiler)[
- 12 yrs old now...
- First son as heir (noble), second to soldier, third to priest, fourth to labour, fifth to gather knowledge
- Huh. Wow. They have it all planned out. I wonder if any sons switch places if they’re close enough in years. Lol
- And what of daughters?? We’ve heard his sisters are more demure. Like society used to teach. Are they just to be wives? Hmmm
- I love the hand motions. The “keep fast” charm. And how they mimic magic of the world.
- Huh. Good training Duril. The mock “killing” is a good lesson to be alert in travels for sure!
- Dammit Hobb. You’re not one to stray from animal death. Poor horse. Being ridden too hard T_T
- We get to meet the family! So they do come from nobility and all of the manners and such
- No “dynasty of family servants” oh. I don’t like that idea >_< oof
- Retired soldiers and wife’s work for this “newly noble” family? I like that much better ^^;
- Oh my gosh. I read “wit” instead of “writ” when Elisi was talking of her day. Getting Fitz vibes subconsciously. Lol
- A Queen interested in the afterlife and magics? Interesting.
- So the writ is their religious texts? And it seems the ladies in that world have a very small role again. Bummer.
- Specks and plague??
- And now 16 years! They’re flying by!
- And we get to meet the Kidona people!! I’m enjoying this intro to them. I wonder what they have to teach our young protagonist.
- I really enjoyed the training session with Dewara. I think it was really well done. In the beginning of this book I told my partner David that there was some potential indigenous people or romani people in here. And when I read those earlier descriptors he's like "yupp sounds like a cousin", lol. Because his family comes from both of those cultures. I wonder if Hobb did research for this book to write more about the indigenous people...
(hide spoiler)]

Katie wrote: "Finished Chapter 3 and loving this book so far <3

- ..."

I bet Hobb did lots of research! She strikes me as a woman who appreciates accuracy. 😀

Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ I really dislike Dewara! I'm not sure yet what lesson he was trying to teach poor Nevare (definite Fitz vibes using the adjective poor already haha) but whatever it was it seems evil! Poor kid, how is he supposed to know what's the right thing to do when he's dealing with total deprivation! I hope the mare becomes his now. (hide spoiler)]

Siobhan, the mare!!!

I will read chapter 4 tonight so I can open your comments!! Sorry I'm so slow guys 😅

Siobhan wrote: "Katie wrote: "Finished Chapter 3 and loving this book so far <3

- ..."

I bet Hobb did lots of research! She strikes me as a woman who appreciates accuracy. 😀

Chapter 3 [spoilers removed]"

I totally agree with you there! :D

(view spoiler)[Oh no! You do? lol. I can see why you'd dislike Dewara. But I think it was a very good lesson. I have a feeling the man was trying to teach Nevare that sometimes life is beyond your control. And you need to make do with what you have (to sleep in those different conditions under duress and to be one with nature). The other lesson I could grasp is that you must take what you need to survive! I don't know if Dewara was expecting a fight. But to me Nevare's choice to leave in search of water was equally good. I'm interested to see if we'll ever get Dewara's true intentions :D

Loving the mare! I'm steeling my heart though, because I know how Hobb can be with the animals >_< (hide spoiler)]

Rachel wrote: "Choko wrote: "Ch. 3-4..."

I definitely agree with the wild west vibes. Even the description of the setting reminds me of… well… where I live in a rural, high desert part of northern Nevada (it’s s..."

100% this!! It's so very Fitz isn't it 😅

Chapter 4
okayyyy...things got intense pretty fast there...
(view spoiler)[As Nevare kind of goes on this dream walk after his training. We get some lore about the Dappled People and who they are to the Kidona too.

I really enjoyed the sequence with the large Speck woman. It makes me wonder though. What had Dewara so scared? Was that dream walking real? What did Nevare agree to with that Speck woman? O.o Do we think he'll have some magic in him after this ordeal??

And we learn that Nevare's father had him trained by his enemy so that the boy could learn to make his own decisions? To not merely follow a soldiers orders? An interesting lesson for sure. And one I approve of. Sometimes boys are manipulated too much by society to fight for their own country. And they get slaughtered for it. Like that comparison Nevare's father said with the soldier and their suicidal orders. I approve of this lesson of learning to speak for yourself and make your own calls. It was a little severe though...

Dammit Hobb! I knew I couldn't trust you! Poor Keeksha T_T

@Choko ~ I like your comparison to the existing tribes in the states! I didn't know that about the Cahokia people. But as you all have noted. There are definitely parallels with this fantasy verse. One that I'm very much enjoying so far. They're important matters to be discussed and talked about instead of forgotten~ (hide spoiler)]

I’m on Chapter 21. I went to boarding school when I was in high school and I loved it. While it was far from a military school I understand a lot of the dynamics happening in the school. It has also made unabashedly love books that take place at boarding schools.

So far I’m enjoying this though I’m curious where it’s going.

(view spoiler)[The cool old teacher suggesting he drop out and be a scout was an interesting twist. And I keep wondering what his obsession with the forrest is all about. I’m also interested in seeing how that bizarre psychedelic vision/experience plays into what happens to him. (hide spoiler)]

I just finished that wow was that a good book. At first it was so detailed and I kept thinking to myself that it was going to get boring soon and it just never did. The way Hobb writes is so clear I visualized everything perfectly and would be totally sucked into the story. I did this one on audio and the narrator was fantastic so it was easy to just drift away. He does voices subtlety different so I could always tell who was talking but not in an overly animated way like Jim Dale can sometimes do. No offense to Jim Dale cause I love him even though I know his character differences are often over the top.

Great pick whoever chose this one. Im so excited to start the second one.

I'm so so glad you enjoyed the book Felina!! I'm still trekking on. But I totally agreed with your point of "it was so detailed and I kept thinking to myself that it was going to get boring soon and it just never did." This is why Hobb is one of my favorite authors! Her slice of life writing style just sucks you into the world and it's complex characters <3

We'll definitely read the next one in a bit! But I know some other people are still catching up (like me, lol). So keep an eye out for when we post a date!

@Felina ~ have you ever read 'the realm of the elderlings'? I don't remember if you were in the BR chat a few years ago. Because if not. Oh boy. I'd def recommend it after this series <3

I have not. I've only read Assassin's Apprentice by Hobb. I remember liking it but I don't remember anything about it nor why I didn't continue with the series. I've added everything Hobb has ever written to my TBR.

I'm pretty new to the group. I think only two months maybe.

Ha ha. I just looked it up and Assassin's Apprentice's is The Realm of the Elderlings. Ha ha.

Felina wrote: "Ha ha. I just looked it up and Assassin's Apprentice's is The Realm of the Elderlings. Ha ha."

Cool Cool! Yeah if you are are enjoying her writing style I'd definitely take another look!! I know a friend of mine who wasn't much of a fan of the single narrative perspective or Fitz in some of those books. So she stopped. But in other books like the Liveship Traders you zoom on out of the scope of the world and get a lot of new POVs. Everyone has their own reasons. lol

Rachel wrote: "I’ve been absent from the discussion and also not reading for a week while on vacation (which was SUPPOSED to be the relaxing sort of week where I did ALL the reading but that didn’t work out so we..."

Oh no!!! I'm sorry your read-cation didn't work out how you wanted it to Rachel!! Can't wait to here your thoughts on the book :D

The buddy read for book 2 has a thread set for 1st July I believe! I think I requested all one a month. But I'm so slow I'm definitely going to be behind, sorry guys!

I'm so happy to hear you both enjoyed it Felina and Rachel!!

I'm up to chapter 6 only but I'm loving it. Hobb is the best!

Shaitarn wrote: "I'm doing my usual thing of reading a lot and not commenting. Sorry!

Setting: [spoilers removed].

Chapter 3 - 5: [spoilers removed]"

Shaitarn, completely agree with your thoughts up to chapter 5!

Rachel wrote: "Chapter 5 - While I agree that Nevare’s father means well and is not a bad guy, this chapter certainly makes me think [spoilers removed]

Okay, that was more of a rant than planned."

Chapter 5

Couldn't have said it better myself!! (view spoiler)[ Never even crossed his mind to talk to Nevare and explain that sometimes it's ok to question orders and think for yourself...!!

Oh and Hobb you cruel woman, I should have known not to grow attached to the poor horse :(

Deware is evil, poor Nevare was nearly killed by the bastard!

I find it really interesting that he feels pain when he tries to talk about his "dream". (hide spoiler)]

Siobhan wrote: "The buddy read for book 2 has a thread set for 1st July I believe! I think I requested all one a month. But I'm so slow I'm definitely going to be behind, sorry guys!

I'm so happy to hear you bot..."

Thanks for the reminder! I just saw that notice pop up in my emails too! lol Glad you're enjoying the book!

So I got there slowly but surely - finished!!

(view spoiler)[ I enjoyed Nevare's story at the academy though some parts were quite tedious. I liked getting to know the other cadets especially Spink and Gord.

Epiny was a great character, she's so out there for her time, love it.

I didn't see the plague coming for some reason, though I probably should have!! I loved that plot development, really shook things up. I'm so glad Nevare gets to continue on at the academy now. Looking forward to the next book! (hide spoiler)]

Finally finished this you guys! Wow! That ending half was intense!! I didn’t expect Hobb to (view spoiler)[throw in a plague!! I was so fearful for our main crew!! And then to see then travel to that other worldly place to face the tree woman and Nevare’s other self?! The heck?!

So is the tree woman truly defeated? Having Nevaré recover quickly and plump up kind of reminded me of the magic woman. Like what kind of person is he now? Epiny mentioned his aura changed??

I was so glad that Caulder finally apologized in the end. And to think! Nevare saved his life for the second time on that dream bridge there. And of course the brat had the rock the whole time. But man. Did it piss me off when his father came in and assumed that Nevaré was harrassing his son. I’m proud of the boys for speaking up. Just goes to show Hobb still knows how to write those hateable characters.

Epiny and Spink sound like they’re gonna have a wonderful life. A challenging one. But full of love. I’m so happy.

All in all I really enjoyed this one. Gord and Epiny would be my fav characters. Only once a little past the middle did I teeter off a bit with the schooling. But the word is just so new and different from the Realm of the Elderlings. I’m interested about what the magic is going to be like. And also how society will be after changing up the birth order/job ruling. Interesting indeed…

Now onto book 2! (hide spoiler)]