Dragon Haven (Rain Wilds Series #2)

Continuation of a series, but good story by itself

I've read all of Robin Hobb's books so far, and am definitely impressed with this latest addition to the Rain Wilds stories.

The first volume in the series, Dragon Keeper was interesting, but I do think that's at least in part because I'd read all her other books and wanted to know more about the world she's crafted. It struck me as a good beginning, but not necessarily a tale unto itself.

The second book in the series, however, does seem to function more independently in terms of character development and plot. The first, was just a beginning. Must you read the first, in order to enjoy this story? No. I'd say that reading the earlier works set in this world will be an intriguing preparation for finding out more, but they aren't totally essential.

If I were a total newbie to her works, I'd start right at the beginning, with Assassin's Apprentice (FarSeer series #1 ), and continue, in sequence, right to the most current works.

She's crafted this world very carefully, so there are mysteries in the earlier volumes set the stage for the later stories. Knowing the things you learn along the way doesn't wreck the fun, though I do think at the very least, you should read each trilogy in sequence. (The trilogies do, for the most part read like gigantic, three volume novels, though each book tends to have a story of it's own.)

I'm intrigued to see where this world's tales will lead, if there's a third volume in this series, the continuation isn't necessarily obvious based on the conclusion to the second volume. There are mysteries left over from the earlier book that haven't been addressed, but the story that's to come isn't obvious. I'm intrigued.

4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

fun coming of age fantasy

Expelled from the Cassarik area by the fear of the locals of the new dragon hatchlings, the beasts and their mutated human keepers continue their journey to find the fabled lost city of Kelingra with danger and starvation every step along the deadly Rain Wild River. As the dragons mature, they become powerful fully developed while their keepers remain malformed but are well adjusted for the most part.

However finding the ancient Elderings' vanished haven proves impossible as the collective memory of the landscape fails to match what the world along the Rain Wild River has become. Instead danger from flash floods and a scarcity of food as supplies dwindle threatens the explorers.

The sequel to the Dragon Keeper is an exciting climax to a well written duology that returns readers to the Hobbs' realm of the Liveship Traders and the Tawny Man sagas. The story line is a coming of age fantasy especially of the naive female teenager Thymara who grows in confidence as she learns who to trust and more important to distrust. Although the rest of the cast seems somewhat interchangeable as shallowly deceptive or even shallower naive, fans of Robin Hobb will enjoy the trek along the Rain Wild River.

Harriet Klausner

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

Loved it!

Robin Hobb has done it again. I always appreciate a well honed plot. She never fails me.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Love this series!

I can't wait for the third book to be released. Robin Hobb does such a wonderful job of creating a story and pulling you into it that it's such a shame when it ends. If you haven't started this series yet, then I recommend you go to the beginning of her work with the Assassin apprentice series and read through to this one (skipping the Soldier Son Trilogy which doesn't apply).

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Jacob

Can i join" blue dragon red eyes alwwayys on alert

Dragon, Flame

Huge dragon swoops in. Dragon is black with a dark dlue underbelly and wings made of unpenatrable fire. Lands soilently and shrinks then grows to full size again. She glances at cats. Then a nother dragon steps in Fang steps in. He can shapehift he shapeshifted into a cat.

Hello

A dragon flies in. He is white with blue eyes. He looks around curiously.

Dawnfire

Hello, I am a flame colored she-cat with white and black stripes and blue eyes. I am looking for a mate and I would also like to join this program.

Earthtail (i would like to join)

Hello imearth tail. Im a she cat who hs a darkbrown pelt and bright green eyes. I would like a caring mate, who will be nice to me and our kits.

Icetail

I am a female cat. I will join the dragon cat breeding program.

To lilyfang

I'm vixenheart I'll be his mate.

Hello

?

Rapidwaters

Im a white shecat with blue stripes and green eyes. I would like to join this program.

Dragon Haven RW#2

I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy about dragons - a new twist to me - several (unhealthy) dragons, several (mostly young) care givers, a saturated, swampy area, a town that wants to rid themselves of both dragons and youngsters. A compelling story continues in this second of a trilogy.

I want the time I spent on this book back. I realize that series

I want the time I spent on this book back. I realize that series books have to have something to tease us into reading the next book, but this was a lame attempt at an ending. ZERO resolution and it took until the last 50 pages to have ANY action. Beyond ridiculous ending, and I doggedly waited, hoping it would get better. The characters, storyline, even her writing style, all fairly decent. But her ability to time a chapter and really follow a flow are AWFUL. And there was NO conclusion, even in a series, you have to have some sort of wrapping up, so you are tantalized into reading the next book. I read pretty much anything and I'm usually pretty forgiving, but NOT this one.

Awsome. dont miss this series. its even better in you read the live ship series first.

Just finished the series!wow! More please fly some dragons up to deal with the chalceadeans!!!

Love this series

This is a great well written series. Looking forward to the next installment

Greatest author ever

I have read all of Robin Hobb's books and am now ordering books by Megan Lindholm which is another pen name of Robin Hobb's. Her descriptive writing makes all other pale in comparison. I hope she is very busy writing more!

Wonderful

A must read for dragon/hobb fans.

Could not put this book down!

The characters and worlds created in these two books are magical. I cannot wait until the next book comes out. What I loved the most was watching all the characters develop and evolve. You really come to care about each of them. The suffering and pain had a purpose and added to the story. There were many threads that intertwined and resolved by the end of the book. The only disappointment I had at the end was that there was no more to read.