I can't really talk about this book without mentioning the rest of the novel's in the set (Shaman's Crossing & Forest Mage). Anyway, the basic plot is that one country wants to expand out, and in order to do that needs to expand out & through a forest held by strange, magical people. The main character is Nevarre, a solider's son who is also destined to be a solider. It all goes wrong when he is infected by the forest people's magic.
Overall, the trilogy was kinda depressing. As a character, Nevarre was pretty passive, which meant that a lot of really bad things happened to him but he never did anything about it. It ended well, but not so smoothly that it was fairytale style.
The book moved pretty fast, but in some parts it felt a bit thin. Character development through out the three books was excellent-by the end you really felt Nevarre had progressed in learning to take action, and understand his place in the world. The world building was pretty good (the book included maps, which is always appreciate in fantasy), but the magic system could have been explained a bit better.
Overall the series was solid, but not quite outstanding. It did end well, but that can't make up for the very depressing second book (it was pretty awful in terms of horrible things happening). It would recommend it, but only if you can handle a darker series.
Renegade's Magic
Robin Hobb
1/12/12
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