I've recently finished reading a fantasy book in which the main character is tortured to the point of breaking his will, by somebody who's entire life was dedicated to studying torture. Indeed he behaves like a broken slave afterwards.
But then, by explanation of a simple magic trick, he regains his personality and the rest of the book carries on as if nothing happened.
This annoyed me to no end and made me wish that Robin Hobb would come in and teach this writer a lesson or two!
One thing I tremendously like about her books is the psychology behind the characters. Fitz is beaten to death in Regal's dungeons, and afterwards he has subtly changed. Serilla in the Liveships books is raped, and she becomes what is described as an empty shell. So is Kennit.
It's all brilliantly done and I dare say that she can portrait people like no other writer I know; every character in her books carries the weight of his/her past with them and Hobb brings them to life like no-one else.
But then, by explanation of a simple magic trick, he regains his personality and the rest of the book carries on as if nothing happened.
This annoyed me to no end and made me wish that Robin Hobb would come in and teach this writer a lesson or two!
One thing I tremendously like about her books is the psychology behind the characters. Fitz is beaten to death in Regal's dungeons, and afterwards he has subtly changed. Serilla in the Liveships books is raped, and she becomes what is described as an empty shell. So is Kennit.
It's all brilliantly done and I dare say that she can portrait people like no other writer I know; every character in her books carries the weight of his/her past with them and Hobb brings them to life like no-one else.