Nevare is a second son. As such, his future has been decided since birth -- he will be a soldier. But when his well-meaning father gives him over to an old enemy to learn their ways, Nevare's path takes an unexpected turn that will work at destroying that anticipated future.

As he grows older and joins the academy, not only will he find that the structured world he has been led to believe exists is not as black and white as he'd been told, but that he could be used as a weapon to destroy all he holds dear.

Shaman's Crossing is set in a wonderfully detailed world, with well-constructed societies, politics, etc. Robin Hobb's prose is smooth as silk and a delight to read.

I was totally fascinated by the differing cultures and social structures, as well as the hazing and Nevare's other difficulties at the academy. The only difficulty I had was that the main plot conflict was often subdued, with only minimal hints that it will ever have a major impact on the world. When it does arrive, it does so in a BIG way, but the book took its sweet time in getting there. Yet this only bothered me subliminally, with the rest of the story keeping me quite busy and content.

by Gloria Oliver
Rambles.NET
28 April 2007

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