Robin Hobb’s new pair of books, Dragon Keeper and Dragon Haven, are wonderful. Together known as The Rain Wild Chronicles, they are perfect as summer reads. Let me tell you why.

Hobb finally returns to the world in which her Liveship, Tawny Man and Farseer Trilogies all take place. It’s a familiar setting, one this reader was very sad to offer a last wave goodbye. And if you had asked me, in that moment of sadness, how I would have liked the story to continue, it would have been the story contained in these two books.

Quite the answer to an unspoken prayer, Hobb once again delivers her delightful brand of fantasy, no less serious, no less enchanting, only on a smaller scale. Set in the Rain Wilds as dragons are returning to the world of man on the Savage Coast, she brings us up on how well man and dragon are getting along and the story of the humans most connected.

I think I would find other voices who would echo my one concern. For a fantasy book, where are the maps?!!!

We shall forgive her this one mis-step however because, on the positive side, hearing the thoughts of dragons was entertaining as ever, she introduces us to yet more uniquely motivated non traditional female characters and has written a couple of great “ensemble cast” books. Excellent as always.

You don’t get sick of any one character or set of characters or plot line,  while discovering surprises of how they become important to one another. And the addition of the pigeon masters as a comedy duo sending messages to one another between every chapter lightens the mood while injecting bits of necessary information to the reader.

Oh and then there are those moments when one of the new characters meet a legend carried over from the older stories. I felt giddy all over, with goose pimples even, approaching greatness vicariously. You’ll also find hints to the Seven Duchies, the Tawny Man and other liveships you have met before. She does such a good job dropping those little jewels, same for reminding you of past events that are relevant, without bore or repetition.

These books are very readable by someone who is new to Hobb’s work. If you don’t want to read the a trilogy or three before these, feel free to pick them up if you are looking for some slightly less than epic but engaging fantasy to take you away while you sit on the beach.

All I can say is a huge thank you to Hobb. She heard and answered her readers unspoken plea.

p.s. And yet there is talk of even more!

p.s.s. I must also thank Harper Collins Canada for sharing these books with me.

Try the books for yourself! You can try Dragon Keeper here and Dragon Haven here – and read something like 20% of the books before you buy.

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