How to review a book that is the second book of the third trilogy in an overarching series of sixteen books, I'm not sure. 
 This is the eight book in the series and the books have become a comfort to me, a treat I give myself. I'm reading through them slowly, maybe two books a year, because I  don't want it to end. 
 Whenever I start the next book in the series it always takes me a while to fully grasp the story, these are complicated storylines,  and since there is usually quite a long time inbetween the books it will be a few chapters before I settle in. It never takes me long at all however to remind me why I love these books. From the first page Hobb draws me in with her signature rich writing. It is a fantasy book and though fantastic elements like dragons and magic play a big role in this book, it is not an epic tale. In fact, the blurb mentions quest of sorts, which doesn't even get mentioned until half way in, and hasn't actually begon by the end of the book. 
 Rather it is a reflecting of previous events and a wondering of what will come to pass. It ties together different aspects of the realm of the Elderings that previously seemed unconnected. It explores different types of magic and the influence they have on individuals  and on relationships, personal aswell as political. There is new characters introduced, aswell as old characters not being quite who you think they were, new friendships formed and old relationships broken. 
 I didn't like every development in this book, I wish certain things could have stayed the way they were. However, it does set up for an intriguing continuation of story. It has shook up what I thought I knew before and I wonder where the pieces will land.