Pat, from Pat's Fantasy Hotlist got a chance to talk to Robin Hobb, author of the bestselling series Farseer and Liveship Traders. In the interview Robin talks about her new book, The Dragon Keeper (read our review here). She also explains why the book is going to released in US few months after the premiere in UK and that second part of the series, Dragon Haven, will be released just few months later. You can read the interview on Pat's Fantasy Hotlist.

While we're talking Dragon Keper, take a look at the book covers for UK and US editions. The UK cover (single dragon on a bright background) is not flashy or particularly eye catching, but it looks neat. The US cover though... Looks very artificial, doesn't it?

As someone not living in US I was often jealous of the things that were available there earlier than anywhere else in the world. Lately though the release dates of books and movies are planned as global events, offering everyone equal opportunity to enjoy them. This makes the story of Robin Hobb's "Dragon Keeper" even more interesting. The book has been released in UK in June this year, however US edition of the novel is scheduled to be released half a year later, on January 26, 2010. I have no clue why.

If you're anxious to read the book earlier though, there is a way. US Amazon is offering the imported version of the book (and with a bit better cover art if you ask me) which you can buy here. If you'd like to pre-order the US version of the book (cover visible on the right) it's available here. And if you want to read more about the book before making a decision, take a look at the blurb below:

This new series by Robin Hobb follow on from the Liveship Traders. The first tangle of serpents make their way up the Rain Wild River to eventually hatch as dragons. Unfortunately they are not the majestic animals everyone expects them to be. They emerge from their cocoons stunted and deformed and soon become a burden for the Rain Wilders and Traders that have agreed to protect them.

Robin Hobb's UK publisher released the cover for her newest book: The Dragon Keeper. The cover art is surprisingly simple and not very exciting. Luckily the thing what is really important is inside. :)

Dragon Keeper should see the light of the day in July 2009 (UK) and January 2010 (US). The second part of the story should be released later that year.

Robin Hobb reports on her MySpace page that the first part of Dragon Keeper has been turned in and the book should see the light of the day in July 2009 (UK) and January 2010 (US). The second part of the story should be released later that year.

That's right! The first book of The Farseer Trilogy is available for free, legal download in Suvudu Free Library. Random House made a bold move in promoting their books. Along with Assassin's Apprentice they are offering His Majesty?s Dragon by Naomi Novik, Settling Accounts: Return Engagement by Harry Turtledove, Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson and Blood Engines by T.A. Pratt.

The Suvudu Free First Book promotion provides us with a new digital vehicle to build an author?s fan base and is an ideal way to bring new readers to these series. says Christine Cabello, Random House Publishing Group Deputy Director of Marketing.

Robin Hobb is the second pen name of novelist Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden (born 1952 in California) who writes primarily fantasy fiction. She is best known for her The Farseer Trilogy. You can find her bibliography below.

Reader Girlz published recently an interview with Robin Hobb. Read it if you're interested in Fool?s gender and Robin's new book. Watch out for Farseer spoilers though!

Read the interview here .

Half the evil in this world occurs while decent people stand by and do nothing wrong. It's not enough to refrain from evil.

The Mad Ship, Robin Hobb

The weapon we throw away today is the one at our throats tomorrow.

The Golden Fool, Robin Hobb

Don't walk away, you fool. Never turn your back on a dragon. If you do, she will think you are so stupid that you deserve destruction.

Ship of Destiny, Robin Hobb

We are not defined by what we die for, but by what we live for.

Shaman's Crossing, Robin Hobb

The most distinctive part of your fighting style is the incredible way you have of surviving it.

Royal Assassin, Robin Hobb

The truth. I know it's a novel idea, but I thought that at least one Farseer should try it.

Fool's Fate, Robin Hobb

No wolf wastes time on vengeance, and that is what this is. Vengeance, pure and simple. When people look most vicious, what you are seeing is not their animal side. It is the savagery that only humans can muster.

Fool's Fate, Robin Hobb

What a man can take with a sword, a woman can give by her flesh alone. Life.

Fool's Fate, Robin Hobb

Before you kill him, think of what you take from him. Remember what it is to be alive.

Fool's Errand, Robin Hobb

I don't like changes. Especially not at the last minute. Changes say you weren't really ready in the first place, and now you're even less ready.

Assassin's Quest, Robin Hobb

Never pretend we are anything but what we are. Assassins. Not merciful agents of a wise king. Political assassins dealing death for the furtherance of our monarchy. That is what we are.

Assassin's Apprentice, Robin Hobb

And when a warrior is injured, or when he sees his brother fall, dying, he cannot *then* decide that the price is too high to pay. Each of them must go into this battle thinking that if he must die for us to win it, then he will.

Renegade's Magic, Robin Hobb

Robin Hobb is the second pen name of novelist Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden (born 1952 in California) who produces primarily fantasy fiction, although she has published some science fiction.

From 1983 to 1992, she wrote exclusively under the pseudonym Megan Lindholm. Fiction under that pseudonym tends to be contemporary fantasy. In 1995, she began use of the pseudonym Robin Hobb for works of epic traditional European Medieval fantasy. She currently publishes under both names, and she currently lives in Tacoma, Washington.

The final book in the brand new trilogy from the author of the Tawny Man and Farseer trilogies, following on from the bestselling Shaman's Crossing and Forest Mage.



www.SignedPage.com offers signed and/or personalized copy of Robin Hobb's "Renegade's Magic" . Enjoy!

Robin Hobb confirmed that she has finished writing the second part of the Soldier Son trilogy called Forest Mage and will next start the rewrites. The book's publication is scheduled to July/August 2006 in the UK and Australia and to September 2006 in the US.

The Times published a new article about Robin Hobb yesterday, the 17th of September. It discusses the fantasy genre vs. main stream literature, ideas behind her previous trilogies, Hobb's life experiences and introduces Shaman's Crossing (slight spoilers for the themes and characters). They have an online version of it available, so you can read it at their site. It's titled Hits and near-myths .

Fool's Errand 2002

Golden Fool 2003

Fool's Fate 2003