How have I missed this series for so long? I've seen Hobb's work around for ages, but I've been leery about getting into older books because sometimes they are terrible and don't live up to readers memories.
This book...this book does. Somewhere in between sword and sorcery and epic fantasy, Hobb's series is everything I like about both, working within the larger traditions of the genre and telling a gripping story that had me torn between unable to keep going out of concern for the characters and unable to stop.
The nice part about getting into a series right at the end of its life is not having to wait for the next book. Well, maybe at least waiting until tomorrow morning.