Who Would Like This Book:
If you love immersive world-building, nuanced characters, and complex social dynamics, "City of Dragons" is classic Robin Hobb fare. Readers invested in the Realms of the Elderlings and especially big fans of dragons will find much to enjoy here - Hobb is unparalleled at making dragons come alive with distinct personalities. Those who relish stories that favor character development and the slow burn of discovery over relentless action will be right at home. Returning fans will also appreciate the appearances and continuation of storylines and characters from earlier in the series.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Readers looking for a tightly plotted, fast-paced fantasy with clear resolutions might be frustrated. Many found the book slow at times, with lots of setup and character juggling but little true payoff, especially as it ends abruptly without much closure. There are also more point-of-view characters, some of whom are less engaging or can feel repetitive. Some previous fans felt this entry was more of a transition piece, lacking the narrative urgency or satisfying conclusions of Hobb’s best works.
About:
"City of Dragons" in the series "Rain Wild Chronicles" by Robin Hobb continues to explore the lives of dragons and their keepers as they face growing dangers and enemies. The plot is filled with tension and character development, with dragons learning to fly and keepers becoming Elderlings. delves into the intricacies of society and features multiple viewpoints that add depth to the overall story, leading towards a dramatic showdown in the upcoming installment.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
There are medium content warnings, including themes of violence and manipulation.
Has Romance?
There is a medium level of romance present, with relationships and romantic tension explored throughout the narrative.
From The Publisher:
New York Times bestselling author Robin Hobb returns to world of the Rain Wilds-called "one of the most gripping settings in modern fantasy" (Booklist)-in City of Dragons. Continuing the enthralling journey she began in her acclaimed Dragon Keeper and Dragon Haven, Hobb rejoins a small group of weak, half-formed and unwanted dragons and their displaced human companions as they search for a legendary sanctuary. Now, as the misfit band approaches its final destination, dragons and keepers alike face a challenge so insurmountable that it threatens to render their long, difficult odyssey utterly meaningless. Touching, powerful, and dazzlingly inventive, Hobb's City of Dragons is not to be missed-further proof that this author belongs alongside Raymond E. Feist, Terry Brooks, and Lois McMaster Bujold in the pantheon of fantasy fiction's true greats.
Ratings (40)
Incredible (8) | |
Loved It (17) | |
Liked It (11) | |
It Was OK (3) | |
Did Not Like (1) |
Reader Stats (65):
Read It (43) | |
Want To Read (18) | |
Not Interested (4) |
2 comment(s)
Although this book moved the plot line along, I feel that it suffered from a slow moving plot and too many narrators. While I can understand wanting to bring Hest back to satisfy a previous storyline, being in his head was pretty offensive. That, however, is not my main quibble.
I feel that Hobb tied together too many older narrators, e.g. Malta, Selden, and Tintaglia, in an attempt to bring the entire Elderlings Realm to a neater ending for the last book. This book does not stand well on its own and feels even more like half of a book than its predecessors did.
I enjoyed it because I'm attached to the characters and I want to know how it ends, but the endless reprisals of what transpired before, the slow pacing, and the seeming attempt to bind everything together brought this book down in my estimation.
****4.0****
RTC
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City of Dragons?
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