Dragon Keeper

Executive Summary: This one may only be for big Robin Hobb fans, and those who didn't read/like Liveship Traders need not apply.Full ReviewI tore through the first 9 books of Ms. Hobb's Ederlings world last year. This series wasn't complete however so I wasn't in a rush to start it.After almost a year away, it's good to be back. There is some overlap with the events of Tawny man, so I'd recommend you have read those as well as Liveship before tackling this one.That said this book is slow. Any fan of Ms. Hobb will be used to this by now. She tends to meander at the start of her stories and takes her time before the main plot begins. This book might be the worst of the bunch. If that aspect of her writing bothers you, this series may not be for you.I think in any other author I might give up in frustration, but for me Ms. Hobb's writing is such that I seem to enjoy myself even if very little action is taking place. I can't really put my finger on why either. Maybe she's skilled me or something..Things do finally get going however and we're introduced several new characters along the way that we know pretty well by the time they do. For fans of Liveship there are some appearances by old friends, who make me smile and cheer when they showed up however briefly.I think this is where Ms. Hobb shines best. I've rarely love or despise characters as much as I tend to with hers. This series adds a few new ones that I may come to love, and certainly has several that I already can't stand.My only real complaint here is that the book sort of stops rather than ends. Just as things are really getting good too. I really just want to jump right into [b:Dragon Haven 7011403 Dragon Haven (Rain Wild Chronicles, #2) Robin Hobb https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1263769185s/7011403.jpg 21457174], which thankfully I can do if I want to, but if I had to wait, or if you didn't want to read the whole series at once, could be annoying.I think Ms. Hobb's done a much better with ending her other early books in a series than this. That said I'm eager to continue on and see where things go from here now that the stage has been set.3.5 Stars rounded up because I love Ms. Hobb.