Fantasy Book Club Series discussion

I'm five chapters in and am finding it quite fascinating. So far I like all the characters, even Kennit, who's not so nice.

16 chapters in. [And for some reason, Chapter 16 is a massive, multi-POV 70-page novella of a chapter. Weird. Best chapter of the book so far, though.]

I love the world and characters, but I expected to. Hard to get into than Farseer (slower, more POVs, less likeable characters) but I think it's even better once you do. I like all the characters DESPITE the fact that, when you think about it, every single one of them is utterly odious. Althea and Wintrow are horrendously arrogant, stuck-up, privileged, holier-than-thou spoilt public schoolchildrean; Brashen still is at core, but with a veneer of why-me-it-isn't-fair whiny man-of-the-world cynicism. Keffria is wetter than Vivacia's hull. Kyle is a bastard. Kennit hates everybody in the universe including himself and has absolutely no morality whatsoever - or, indeed, the slightest redeeming feature in any way other than a modicum of competence. I guess there's nothing TOO wrong with Ronica. But in general, they're all pretty horrible people. The great thing is the way that Hobb manages to make them horrible people in the way that sometimes you realise your friends are horrible people - but only when a stranger complains about them, because they're your friend, and you know why they're like that and it all seems justifiable to you.

The exception, I suppose, is Kyle. What a bastard. She really goes out of her way to make Kyle as obnoxious as possible. I don't think anybody could like Kyle - at least, nobody who reads epic fantasy novels, I guess. On the other hand, the first time i read it I despised him - and this time, I'm coming to see that (misogyny and short temper aside) he's actually not as bad as I thought he was. Unfortunately for him, we mostly see him through the eyes of people who don't like him, and who aren't willing to explain his side of the story for us.

I got quite a bit read last night and am finding it engrossing. The Six Duchies have been mentioned! They're up north of wherever the Live Ship Traders are.

I certainly hope someone can carve Paragon some new eyes, poor thing. The live ships are an intriguing idea. I'm hoping Vivacia can put a little humility into Kyle.

The characters are all flawed but likable. Kennit is an a$$hole. Hope he doesn't kill the mate who is quite sympathetic.

Now come on, Kennit does like someone - his ship. And I'm guessing he'll adore Vivacia too. Brashen is annoying me, every time he shoves cindin in his mouth I shout at him. I read these years ago and don;t remember much but I do remember liking Althea. When I started this book I thought 'why did I like such a brat'? But she grows on yoy without you noticing.

Helen wrote: "Now come on, Kennit does like someone - his ship. And I'm guessing he'll adore Vivacia too. Brashen is annoying me, every time he shoves cindin in his mouth I shout at him. I read these years ago a..."

Actually, I think this thread should apply to the whole series. I've read the first two books now, and agree with you about Kennit and Brashen. Kennit is actually pretty interesting. It's almost like he's compelled to do good things by circumstance and the people around him.... but is a typical sociopath - charming and deadly.

I'm starting Mad Ship tonight if I can stay awake.