City of Dragons is the third book of the Rain
Wild Chronicles by Robin Hobb. The final volume is due to be released next year so
dont expect this book to complete the story of the dragon keepers. What the story
does cover is the exploration of the rediscovered city of Kelsingra by the expedition of
dragon keepers. Tension in the story is created by contrasting differing views on the
elderling city; from historian Alise wanting to record and preserve the city, to the
dragons and their keepers who need the city and the memories it holds to continue their
transformations. Meanwhile downriver the rain wild cities begin to realise what they may
have lost in their haste to rid themselves of the dragons. I especially loved how this
book combines all the ancient world elements that have just been hinted at in previous
books set in this world.
This book followed a separate and increasingly more complex story than the two previous
book with the required back story details well recapped so they added to the story rather
than repeating it. I found this a more engrossing read than the previous two books of the Rain
Wild Chronicles as the story develops with growing urgency. The book begins to
draw together all the characters and their stories, leaving me wishing that I didnt
have to wait another year to see how the story resolves.
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