I got this mostly to read the stories that take place in the realm of the Elderlings. The Hobb stories. I really enjoyed reading these but I wish there had been more variety in the type of characters featured. They weren't the same exact character but they were all women who had to redeem themselves. Besides that it was so enjoyable to be back in that realm. I really liked the first "Lindholm" story in the book but it wasn't a Hobb story and that's what I came here for. Plus, thanks to the forward and this collection of stories I feel I have a better understanding the differences between Lindholm and Hobb.