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The Realm of the Elderlings #4.5/9.5
The Inheritance
Notwithstanding its author credits, this short story collection was written by one person. "Robin Hobb" and "Megan Lindholm" are both pseudonyms used by California-born Margaret Ogden, who from 1983 to 1992, published exclusively as Lindholm. This generous, 400-page hardcover original brings together short stories and novellas penned under both authorial bylines. As Hobb herself notes, "their" writing and styles differ in significant ways. (P.S. This collection includes stories previously unpublished in the United States.)
400 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2011
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9574 people want to read
About the author
Robin Hobb
319 books113k followers** I am shocked to find that some people think a 2 star 'I liked it' rating is a bad rating. What? I liked it. I LIKED it! That means I read the whole thing, to the last page, in spite of my life raining comets on me. It's a good book that survives the reading process with me. If a book is so-so, it ends up under the bed somewhere, or maybe under a stinky judo bag in the back of the van. So a 2 star from me means,yes, I liked the book, and I'd loan it to a friend and it went everywhere in my jacket pocket or purse until I finished it. A 3 star means that I've ignored friends to finish it and my sink is full of dirty dishes. A 4 star means I'm probably in trouble with my editor for missing a deadline because I was reading this book. But I want you to know . . . I don't finish books I don't like. There's too many good ones out there waiting to be found.
Robin Hobb is the author of three well-received fantasy trilogies: The Farseer Trilogy (Assassin’s Apprentice, Royal Assassin, and Assassin’s Quest), The Liveship Traders Trilogy (Ship of Magic, Mad Ship and Ship of Destiny) and the Tawny Man Trilogy (Fool’s Errand, Golden Fool, and Fool’s Fate) Her current work in progress is entitled Shaman’s Crossing. Robin Hobb lives and works in Tacoma, Washington, and has been a professional writer for over 30 years.
In addition to writing, her interests include gardening, mushrooming, and beachcombing. She and her husband Fred have three grown children and one teenager, and three grand-children.
She also writes as Megan Lindholm, and works under that name have been finalists for the Hugo award, the Nebula Award, and the Endeavor award. She has twice won an Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Readers’ Award.
Robin Hobb is the author of three well-received fantasy trilogies: The Farseer Trilogy (Assassin’s Apprentice, Royal Assassin, and Assassin’s Quest), The Liveship Traders Trilogy (Ship of Magic, Mad Ship and Ship of Destiny) and the Tawny Man Trilogy (Fool’s Errand, Golden Fool, and Fool’s Fate) Her current work in progress is entitled Shaman’s Crossing. Robin Hobb lives and works in Tacoma, Washington, and has been a professional writer for over 30 years.
In addition to writing, her interests include gardening, mushrooming, and beachcombing. She and her husband Fred have three grown children and one teenager, and three grand-children.
She also writes as Megan Lindholm, and works under that name have been finalists for the Hugo award, the Nebula Award, and the Endeavor award. She has twice won an Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Readers’ Award.
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March 11, 2018
2.5/5 stars
An okay-ish anthology and it doesn’t really offer anything new or important to Hobb’s main series.
I won’t be doing a review on any of these short stories, I’ll just explain my overall experience of this anthology. Like the majority of the reader of this anthology, I’m pretty sure that everyone goes into this to read more of Hobb’s story that expands upon The Realm of the Elderlings series. I did, and I’m disappointed with it.
There are only three short stories by Hobb here and I found them to be repetitive and also not a worthy addition to the main series. Hobb usually writes great characters, it doesn’t matter whether it’s male or female characters, her characters are usually multi-faceted and complex. Here though? The characters almost felt like they were practically the same character in a different place. This is more evident to me because all the protagonist in Hobb’s three short stories were female characters who had to stand up and fight their asshole/bastard husband or ex-husband. It’s not only Hobb’s stories though, almost all the man in Megan Lindholm’s short stories were the same kind of an asshole, it’s almost like Hobb poured some kind of grudge to this collection or something. There’s a limit on how many times I can read stories about a man being a complete jerk or asshole consecutively. Before anyone said I'm being sexist or anything, I’ll say the same thing if the stories were about female characters being an asshole or complete jerk too.
I’m not saying Hobb or her stories here are sexist or anything. Her Realm of the Elderlings series—which I loved!—has proven her capability as an author to write great characters for both genders more than enough already. My problems with this collection are the repetitive characters’ personalities and how Hobb's stories really don’t offer anything new to the franchise. I expected it to be something like The Wilful Princess and the Piebald Prince but no, I really think the fans can skip reading this one and they won’t miss anything at all.
My favorite parts of the book ended up being the preface for each short stories. It was great to read a glimpse of the author’s life and the inspiration for each story. As for the rating, I’ll give every story 3 stars, with Homecoming being 2 stars.
Overall, this was overall an okay experience to me and unless you’re a completionist—like me—I really can’t recommend reading this anthology. Just stick with Hobb's main series.
You can find this and the rest of my Adult Epic/High Fantasy & Sci-Fi reviews at BookNest
An okay-ish anthology and it doesn’t really offer anything new or important to Hobb’s main series.
I won’t be doing a review on any of these short stories, I’ll just explain my overall experience of this anthology. Like the majority of the reader of this anthology, I’m pretty sure that everyone goes into this to read more of Hobb’s story that expands upon The Realm of the Elderlings series. I did, and I’m disappointed with it.
There are only three short stories by Hobb here and I found them to be repetitive and also not a worthy addition to the main series. Hobb usually writes great characters, it doesn’t matter whether it’s male or female characters, her characters are usually multi-faceted and complex. Here though? The characters almost felt like they were practically the same character in a different place. This is more evident to me because all the protagonist in Hobb’s three short stories were female characters who had to stand up and fight their asshole/bastard husband or ex-husband. It’s not only Hobb’s stories though, almost all the man in Megan Lindholm’s short stories were the same kind of an asshole, it’s almost like Hobb poured some kind of grudge to this collection or something. There’s a limit on how many times I can read stories about a man being a complete jerk or asshole consecutively. Before anyone said I'm being sexist or anything, I’ll say the same thing if the stories were about female characters being an asshole or complete jerk too.
I’m not saying Hobb or her stories here are sexist or anything. Her Realm of the Elderlings series—which I loved!—has proven her capability as an author to write great characters for both genders more than enough already. My problems with this collection are the repetitive characters’ personalities and how Hobb's stories really don’t offer anything new to the franchise. I expected it to be something like The Wilful Princess and the Piebald Prince but no, I really think the fans can skip reading this one and they won’t miss anything at all.
My favorite parts of the book ended up being the preface for each short stories. It was great to read a glimpse of the author’s life and the inspiration for each story. As for the rating, I’ll give every story 3 stars, with Homecoming being 2 stars.
Overall, this was overall an okay experience to me and unless you’re a completionist—like me—I really can’t recommend reading this anthology. Just stick with Hobb's main series.
You can find this and the rest of my Adult Epic/High Fantasy & Sci-Fi reviews at BookNest
December 15, 2017
This is a short story collection which is a combination of stories written by Megan Lindholm abd Robin Hobb (the same writer, different pseudonyms and style of fantasy) and I loved it. Not only was it my first real chance to experience the work of Lindholm, but it was also a chance to revisit the Realm of the Elderlings worlds with the three Hobb stores, which I adored.
I've written a little about each of the stories below:
First, the Lindholm stories:
- A Touch of Lavender - This is a story about Skoag aliens who make music with their bodies but only unoriginal music, they can't compose their own. We follow Billy, a young boy whose mother becomes involved with a Skoag but soon there's consequences and Billy ends up having to take on far more responsibility than a child should have to. Heartfelt at times and interesting throughout - 4*s from me.
- The Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man- this one is a fairly silly story at times, but it had some really amusing lines too like the section about sex 😂😂 It follows a woman who is an aspiring writer. She is stuck working in retail to pay the bills, and a strange man starts to come into her shop and calls her the silver lady. He claims he's magic and a Merlin, and then she can't seem to stop meeting him... 3.5*s
- Cut - An incredibly powerful tone and question in this story about the rights we have over the body we own and also the bodies of our children. What is the right decision and how much should others influence that? How far can you go vs how far should you go to defend what is yours? 4.5*s from me and highly recommended to read.
- The Fifth Squashed Cat - a bizarre story where there is magic in cat bones, a hitchhiker, and the heroine isn't magical. It's a subversion of a trope, but it's also an odd story. 3*s
- Finis - a short story which twists the vampire trope and makes quite a good little read. 3*s
- Strays - 5* story. Super emotional, really powerful about women and girls fighting for what they believe in and sticking together. Also, cats ;) I have to say I think the way that this story merged themes of our real world with the issues of the characters in the story, was great.
- Drum Machine - a story which challenges who has the right to choose for you. I have to say I'm really enjoying the themes Lindholm/Hobb is working with in this collection. 3.5*
On to the Hobb Stories:
- Homecoming - Robin Hobb is still the Queen of Fantasy. She brilliantly wove a story of how the Rain Wilds began and it's brilliant, heartbreaking, filled with loss and love and magic. I adored it of course,. Genuinely this little story which is told through diary form introduced me to a new lady who I greatly admire and love, showed me the history of the Rain Wilds (a region of the Elderlings books I am always curious about) and also just had a wonderful story of survival and adventure. 5*s
- The Inheritance - This one is another story which is set in the Liveship traders parts of the Elderling world. The story follows a young girl who is abandoned by her family when her grandmother dies but she finds a wizard-wood pendant who councils her about how to claim her inheritance which her grandmother lost many years ago... 4*s
- Cat's Meat - This one was a story about abusive partners and the young women that we follow is a young, hard-working mother who is just trying to provide for her son. When her ex turns up and tries to come back into their life she has to act on the council of her Cat (who can talk to her because he's a cat and there's the Wit in this world too) and defend herself and her son... 4*s
Overall I think that the Hobb stories were by far my favourites because I already knew and loved the Elderling world, but there is a lot to be gained from reading the Lindholm stories and I definitely do want to read her Lindholm work too now. A really solid collection with all the stories making sense and being interesting, but some better than others. 4*s overall.
I've written a little about each of the stories below:
First, the Lindholm stories:
- A Touch of Lavender - This is a story about Skoag aliens who make music with their bodies but only unoriginal music, they can't compose their own. We follow Billy, a young boy whose mother becomes involved with a Skoag but soon there's consequences and Billy ends up having to take on far more responsibility than a child should have to. Heartfelt at times and interesting throughout - 4*s from me.
- The Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man- this one is a fairly silly story at times, but it had some really amusing lines too like the section about sex 😂😂 It follows a woman who is an aspiring writer. She is stuck working in retail to pay the bills, and a strange man starts to come into her shop and calls her the silver lady. He claims he's magic and a Merlin, and then she can't seem to stop meeting him... 3.5*s
- Cut - An incredibly powerful tone and question in this story about the rights we have over the body we own and also the bodies of our children. What is the right decision and how much should others influence that? How far can you go vs how far should you go to defend what is yours? 4.5*s from me and highly recommended to read.
- The Fifth Squashed Cat - a bizarre story where there is magic in cat bones, a hitchhiker, and the heroine isn't magical. It's a subversion of a trope, but it's also an odd story. 3*s
- Finis - a short story which twists the vampire trope and makes quite a good little read. 3*s
- Strays - 5* story. Super emotional, really powerful about women and girls fighting for what they believe in and sticking together. Also, cats ;) I have to say I think the way that this story merged themes of our real world with the issues of the characters in the story, was great.
- Drum Machine - a story which challenges who has the right to choose for you. I have to say I'm really enjoying the themes Lindholm/Hobb is working with in this collection. 3.5*
On to the Hobb Stories:
- Homecoming - Robin Hobb is still the Queen of Fantasy. She brilliantly wove a story of how the Rain Wilds began and it's brilliant, heartbreaking, filled with loss and love and magic. I adored it of course,. Genuinely this little story which is told through diary form introduced me to a new lady who I greatly admire and love, showed me the history of the Rain Wilds (a region of the Elderlings books I am always curious about) and also just had a wonderful story of survival and adventure. 5*s
- The Inheritance - This one is another story which is set in the Liveship traders parts of the Elderling world. The story follows a young girl who is abandoned by her family when her grandmother dies but she finds a wizard-wood pendant who councils her about how to claim her inheritance which her grandmother lost many years ago... 4*s
- Cat's Meat - This one was a story about abusive partners and the young women that we follow is a young, hard-working mother who is just trying to provide for her son. When her ex turns up and tries to come back into their life she has to act on the council of her Cat (who can talk to her because he's a cat and there's the Wit in this world too) and defend herself and her son... 4*s
Overall I think that the Hobb stories were by far my favourites because I already knew and loved the Elderling world, but there is a lot to be gained from reading the Lindholm stories and I definitely do want to read her Lindholm work too now. A really solid collection with all the stories making sense and being interesting, but some better than others. 4*s overall.
March 15, 2014
This is a set of short stories by Megan Lindholm and Robin Hobb (both Pseudonyms for the same author Margaret Astrid Lindholm). I'll try and review the stories separately as I go.
First up are the stories by Megan Lindholm that can mostly be called urban fantasy I think. A couple are speculative fiction. They are all either set in the modern day or near future and very bare on traditional fantasy and scifi elements.
A Touch of Lavender (Megan Lindholm)
For some reason I went through half this story thinking the main protagonist was a girl. The aliens and near future setting in this wants me to call it scifi - but it didn't really feel like scifi. Apparently you can get high by groping an alien. But any more than three gropes and you can get more than you bargained for.
It was well written with strong focus on character and relationship - the actual story itself was just ok.
3 stars
Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man (Megan Lindholm)
Struggling writer meets a man claiming to be Merlin - magic ensues - or does it?
This was written in the 80's. I can't fault the writing, but the story didn't really interest me.
2.5 stars
Cut (Megan Lindholm)
The main gist of this story involves a young girl deciding to get circumcised for no other reason than because she can and wants to. Grandma and Mom don't approve. Lindholm is asking the question, "do we own our body absolutely, and if so at what age? And do parents have the right to make decisions for their children about their body eg circumcision, braces etc." It was a bit of a thought provoker and I liked the twist at the end.
I do take issue however with the comparison between female and male circumcision. Apples and Oranges. Female circumcision is more analogous of taking off a males testicles than foreskin.
3 stars
The Fifth Squashed Cat (Megan Lindholm)
This one involves eating road kill to gain magical powers.
Mmmmm...roadkill...good.
3 stars
Strays (Megan Lindholm)
This is another one that features road kill cats. At least no one's eating them this time. It also features a Warrior Queen.
3 stars
Finis (Megan Lindholm)
Lindholm's take on some cliche fantasy/horror. When I read this I couldn't help but thing "Finnest" from Steven Erikson's Malazan series.
3 stars
Drum Machine (Megan Lindholm)
This one is set in a dytopian future. Again, barely scifi. It takes a look at a couple of issues - ie genetically engineered babies as opposed to all natural - which parallels with the question - who own music? - the artist or the audience? Should artists be living up to their fans' expectations?
3 stars
Ok - now starting on the Robin Hobb stories.
Homecoming (Robin Hobb)
A Rainwilds origin story, as told in the diary of a Jamaillian noblewoman. We learn of the expedition to the Cursed Shores, the first Rainwild colony, the first underground ruins, the first memory drownings and more firsts.
The diary format worked well for me and reminded me somewhat of the letters between the Keepers of the Birds included as epigraphs throughout the Rainwilds Chronicles.
I think fans of Hobb's existing Realms of the Elderlings books will love this.
4 stars
The Inheritance (Robin Hobb)
This one is set in Bingtown and should appeal to fans of the Liveships Trilogy. Tainted love. An inheritance squandered and a woman's quest to recover her Trader Heritage. My favourite story so far.
4.1 stars
Cat's Meat (Robin Hobb)
Ok, this is my new favourite of the book. A Farseer setting in Buck Duchy. Features a witted cat. Like the previous two books the main protagonist is a woman who is opposed by her husband/former husband and must rise to fight for what is hers.
4.2 stars
Overall Summary
I liked the Robin Hobb stories more than the Megan Lindholm stories. Even though all the stories are written in similar style and very character driven, the Hobb stories are set in the Epic Realm of the Elderlings Universe which I already love. The Lindholm stories were more Urban Fantasy and didn't interest me as much.
What I really like about Robin Hobb(and Megan Lindholm)is that she doesn't do "happily-ever-after" stories in the traditional sense. Rather, her "happily-ever-afters" involve characters being able to move on with their flawed imperfect mundane lives after overcoming a specific challenge, hopefully stronger than they were before.
Recommended for fans of Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm
3.5 stars
First up are the stories by Megan Lindholm that can mostly be called urban fantasy I think. A couple are speculative fiction. They are all either set in the modern day or near future and very bare on traditional fantasy and scifi elements.
A Touch of Lavender (Megan Lindholm)
For some reason I went through half this story thinking the main protagonist was a girl. The aliens and near future setting in this wants me to call it scifi - but it didn't really feel like scifi. Apparently you can get high by groping an alien. But any more than three gropes and you can get more than you bargained for.
It was well written with strong focus on character and relationship - the actual story itself was just ok.
3 stars
Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man (Megan Lindholm)
Struggling writer meets a man claiming to be Merlin - magic ensues - or does it?
This was written in the 80's. I can't fault the writing, but the story didn't really interest me.
2.5 stars
Cut (Megan Lindholm)
The main gist of this story involves a young girl deciding to get circumcised for no other reason than because she can and wants to. Grandma and Mom don't approve. Lindholm is asking the question, "do we own our body absolutely, and if so at what age? And do parents have the right to make decisions for their children about their body eg circumcision, braces etc." It was a bit of a thought provoker and I liked the twist at the end.
I do take issue however with the comparison between female and male circumcision. Apples and Oranges. Female circumcision is more analogous of taking off a males testicles than foreskin.
3 stars
The Fifth Squashed Cat (Megan Lindholm)
This one involves eating road kill to gain magical powers.
Mmmmm...roadkill...good.
3 stars
Strays (Megan Lindholm)
This is another one that features road kill cats. At least no one's eating them this time. It also features a Warrior Queen.
3 stars
Finis (Megan Lindholm)
Lindholm's take on some cliche fantasy/horror. When I read this I couldn't help but thing "Finnest" from Steven Erikson's Malazan series.
3 stars
Drum Machine (Megan Lindholm)
This one is set in a dytopian future. Again, barely scifi. It takes a look at a couple of issues - ie genetically engineered babies as opposed to all natural - which parallels with the question - who own music? - the artist or the audience? Should artists be living up to their fans' expectations?
3 stars
Ok - now starting on the Robin Hobb stories.
Homecoming (Robin Hobb)
A Rainwilds origin story, as told in the diary of a Jamaillian noblewoman. We learn of the expedition to the Cursed Shores, the first Rainwild colony, the first underground ruins, the first memory drownings and more firsts.
The diary format worked well for me and reminded me somewhat of the letters between the Keepers of the Birds included as epigraphs throughout the Rainwilds Chronicles.
I think fans of Hobb's existing Realms of the Elderlings books will love this.
4 stars
The Inheritance (Robin Hobb)
This one is set in Bingtown and should appeal to fans of the Liveships Trilogy. Tainted love. An inheritance squandered and a woman's quest to recover her Trader Heritage. My favourite story so far.
4.1 stars
Cat's Meat (Robin Hobb)
Ok, this is my new favourite of the book. A Farseer setting in Buck Duchy. Features a witted cat. Like the previous two books the main protagonist is a woman who is opposed by her husband/former husband and must rise to fight for what is hers.
4.2 stars
Overall Summary
I liked the Robin Hobb stories more than the Megan Lindholm stories. Even though all the stories are written in similar style and very character driven, the Hobb stories are set in the Epic Realm of the Elderlings Universe which I already love. The Lindholm stories were more Urban Fantasy and didn't interest me as much.
What I really like about Robin Hobb(and Megan Lindholm)is that she doesn't do "happily-ever-after" stories in the traditional sense. Rather, her "happily-ever-afters" involve characters being able to move on with their flawed imperfect mundane lives after overcoming a specific challenge, hopefully stronger than they were before.
Recommended for fans of Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm
3.5 stars
October 9, 2018
Although I read both Lindholm and Hobb, it was here that I realized how different the styles are.
Written under Lindholm, I enjoyed a lot Alien Earth and the Windsingers series, but the short stories here I can't say I did much. Hobb style remains great, even in her stort stories.
Content of the collection below and a few words on them.
As Megan Lindholm
A Touch of Lavender – sci-fi, a story about love & tolerance
Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man Cut – urban fantasy, never too old to find love
The Fifth Squashed Cat – made me gag, skipped
Strays – urban fantasy, a depressing story about an abused little girl and her love for cats
Finis – a story about a vampire, told from a different angle
Drum Machine - dystopian, set in a society in which children are templated
As Robin Hobb
Homecoming – read few years ago, great one, related to the Rain Wild Chronicles universe
The Inheritance – another great one, follows the life of a Bingtown Trader’s granddaughter, but not one encountered in the Liveship Traders series
Cat’s Meat – will read some other time, I had enough of cats in Lindholm’s. Hope Cleo* will never read this statement of mine…
I also liked that, at the beginning of each story, the author tells us how the story was born. It was interesting to see what sparked the ideas.
Overall, not a waste of time, but not a great read either. Nonetheless, I still love her works.
* my cat
Written under Lindholm, I enjoyed a lot Alien Earth and the Windsingers series, but the short stories here I can't say I did much. Hobb style remains great, even in her stort stories.
Content of the collection below and a few words on them.
As Megan Lindholm
A Touch of Lavender – sci-fi, a story about love & tolerance
Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man Cut – urban fantasy, never too old to find love
The Fifth Squashed Cat – made me gag, skipped
Strays – urban fantasy, a depressing story about an abused little girl and her love for cats
Finis – a story about a vampire, told from a different angle
Drum Machine - dystopian, set in a society in which children are templated
As Robin Hobb
Homecoming – read few years ago, great one, related to the Rain Wild Chronicles universe
The Inheritance – another great one, follows the life of a Bingtown Trader’s granddaughter, but not one encountered in the Liveship Traders series
Cat’s Meat – will read some other time, I had enough of cats in Lindholm’s. Hope Cleo* will never read this statement of mine…
I also liked that, at the beginning of each story, the author tells us how the story was born. It was interesting to see what sparked the ideas.
Overall, not a waste of time, but not a great read either. Nonetheless, I still love her works.
* my cat
February 15, 2018
This is an awesome collection of stories. I thoroughly enjoyed every single Lindholm story. And the author’s notes at the beginning of each really enhanced my reading experience. I hadn’t read any Megan Lindholm yet (who is also Robin Hobb, both are psuedonyms), but after this I will definitely be checking out her books in the future.
When I got to the Robin Hobb section I lost my momentum a bit, which surprised me, since Hobb is one of my favorite authors. I think because I was enjoying the Lindholm style so much, switching to Hobb’s style was kind of jarring. Combined with the fact that Hobb’s first story was in diary form, which is not a style I especially enjoy, it took me awhile to get into it. But once I did, it was an enjoyable story for me, but my least favorite of the book, probably about 3.5 stars. The second Hobb story was good, and the last was great.
Anyone who is a fan of Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm should certainly try this collection. The stories are great, and the author’s notes allow the reader a look into the workings of an amazing author.
When I got to the Robin Hobb section I lost my momentum a bit, which surprised me, since Hobb is one of my favorite authors. I think because I was enjoying the Lindholm style so much, switching to Hobb’s style was kind of jarring. Combined with the fact that Hobb’s first story was in diary form, which is not a style I especially enjoy, it took me awhile to get into it. But once I did, it was an enjoyable story for me, but my least favorite of the book, probably about 3.5 stars. The second Hobb story was good, and the last was great.
Anyone who is a fan of Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm should certainly try this collection. The stories are great, and the author’s notes allow the reader a look into the workings of an amazing author.
December 13, 2011
ORIGINALLY POSTED AT Fantasy Literature.
I've been a fan of Robin Hobb for many years -- her FARSEER, TAWNY MAN, and LIVESHIP TRADERS series are some of my favorite epic fantasies. That's why I was looking forward to reading The Inheritance and Other Stories, a collection of short stories written by Robin Hobb under that name and her real name, Megan Lindholm.
Why write under two names? She explains this in the introduction to the book: the two authors have completely different styles. As Lindholm, she writes contemporary urban fantasy that's edgier and more daring than the more traditional fantasy fare she serves up under the pseudonym Robin Hobb. Behind both names, though, her creativity and intelligence shines through.
The Megan Lindholm stories are shorter than the Hobb works. There are seven in this collection and they take up approximately half of the page count:
"A Touch of Lavender" - This Hugo and Nebula finalist is a depressing yet touching tale of a boy being raised in poverty by his single mother. Their life changes in unexpected ways when they befriend an alien. Though it's full of poverty, drug addiction, child neglect, and hunger, "A Touch of Lavender" is also full of love, and it's a beautiful story.
"Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man" - Nominated for a Nebula and second place winner for the Sturgeon Award, this is a story about a working woman who's lost faith in herself and needs to learn how to believe again. I liked the voice here: "My Muse was a faithless slut who drank all my wine and gave me half a page a day." In the introduction, Lindholm explains that this is a personal story written for her husband's 40th birthday.
"Cut" - This Nebula-nominated story, which is not a fantasy, has a MESSAGE. I agree with the MESSAGE (how far do we take "the right to choose?"), but the story was so transparent that there was no pleasure or suspense in its telling.
"The Fifth Squashed Cat" - In this bizarre tale, we join a couple of mismatched girls on a road trip. Things get really weird when they pick up a hitchhiker who's looking for roadkill. It's kind of gross, but I loved the characters, the magic system, and the moral of this quirky little story.
"Strays" - Another story about roadkill, poverty, child neglect, and drug addiction. "Strays" has some of the strongest characterization in this collection, but was too depressing for me.
"Finis" - It was obvious where this little old-fashioned mystery was going, but it was still amusing.
"Drum Machine" - This Gattaca-type tale about the "dangers" of unplanned genetic variation also has a message, but I liked it anyway. It's not a new idea, but I like Lindholm's comparison of genetic engineering to musical composition. This was one of my favorite Lindholm stories.
While Megan Lindholm captures the lives of the dispossessed and finds magic in the mundane, Robin Hobb explores the beauty and terror of new worlds. Only three Robin Hobb stories make up the second half of The Inheritance and Other Stories. Because they're longer, they give us a little more time to get to know their characters but, best of all, they give us a little more time in Hobb's well-loved fantasy worlds:
"Homecoming" - This exotic story is set in the Rain Wilds, when humans first tried to settle in its harsh environment. Lady Carillion Carrock, who tells the story via her journal entries, is at first unlikable until she (and we) suddenly realize that she's been exiled from Jamaillia City because of her husband's subversive activities. We watch her transform into a hero as we explore the treacherous Rain Wilds. This story was the longest in the book but when I finished it in the middle of the night, I still wanted more.
"The Inheritance" - When her grandmother dies and the inheritance is divided, Cerise seems to get the short stick. But the small bit that she receives turns out to be unexpectedly powerful. This story is set in Bingtown, the politically turbulent place that Hobb fans already know and love.
"Cat's Meat" - Rosemary is a single mother who's been abandoned by her baby's father. She has managed to scratch out a decent way of life in a tiny cottage on a tiny farm. When the baby's father arrives and announces that he's back to stay, Rosemary's cat decides he doesn't like that idea. This darkly charming story features three common Hobb elements: a strong female heroine, a cat, and "the Wit."
Lindholm and Hobb have radically different styles, and overall I liked the stories of both authors and enjoyed becoming acquainted with Robin Hobb's alter-ego. Still, though, I preferred the Hobb stories, mostly because they are set in fascinating worlds that I have enjoyed exploring in the past and am eager to spend more time in. In contrast to the familiar urban, and often impoverished, settings that Lindholm employs, Hobb's worlds are lush and exotic, and I simply prefer to fantasize about those types of places.
I recommend The Inheritance and Other Stories to all fans of Robin Hobb and to those of you who are not yet fans of Robin Hobb and should be. The Inheritance and Other Stories gives you a glimpse at the other person living in her brain and allows you to spend more time in her fascinating worlds. The limited edition by Subterranean Press that I read is illustrated by Tom Kidd.
I've been a fan of Robin Hobb for many years -- her FARSEER, TAWNY MAN, and LIVESHIP TRADERS series are some of my favorite epic fantasies. That's why I was looking forward to reading The Inheritance and Other Stories, a collection of short stories written by Robin Hobb under that name and her real name, Megan Lindholm.
Why write under two names? She explains this in the introduction to the book: the two authors have completely different styles. As Lindholm, she writes contemporary urban fantasy that's edgier and more daring than the more traditional fantasy fare she serves up under the pseudonym Robin Hobb. Behind both names, though, her creativity and intelligence shines through.
The Megan Lindholm stories are shorter than the Hobb works. There are seven in this collection and they take up approximately half of the page count:
"A Touch of Lavender" - This Hugo and Nebula finalist is a depressing yet touching tale of a boy being raised in poverty by his single mother. Their life changes in unexpected ways when they befriend an alien. Though it's full of poverty, drug addiction, child neglect, and hunger, "A Touch of Lavender" is also full of love, and it's a beautiful story.
"Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man" - Nominated for a Nebula and second place winner for the Sturgeon Award, this is a story about a working woman who's lost faith in herself and needs to learn how to believe again. I liked the voice here: "My Muse was a faithless slut who drank all my wine and gave me half a page a day." In the introduction, Lindholm explains that this is a personal story written for her husband's 40th birthday.
"Cut" - This Nebula-nominated story, which is not a fantasy, has a MESSAGE. I agree with the MESSAGE (how far do we take "the right to choose?"), but the story was so transparent that there was no pleasure or suspense in its telling.
"The Fifth Squashed Cat" - In this bizarre tale, we join a couple of mismatched girls on a road trip. Things get really weird when they pick up a hitchhiker who's looking for roadkill. It's kind of gross, but I loved the characters, the magic system, and the moral of this quirky little story.
"Strays" - Another story about roadkill, poverty, child neglect, and drug addiction. "Strays" has some of the strongest characterization in this collection, but was too depressing for me.
"Finis" - It was obvious where this little old-fashioned mystery was going, but it was still amusing.
"Drum Machine" - This Gattaca-type tale about the "dangers" of unplanned genetic variation also has a message, but I liked it anyway. It's not a new idea, but I like Lindholm's comparison of genetic engineering to musical composition. This was one of my favorite Lindholm stories.
While Megan Lindholm captures the lives of the dispossessed and finds magic in the mundane, Robin Hobb explores the beauty and terror of new worlds. Only three Robin Hobb stories make up the second half of The Inheritance and Other Stories. Because they're longer, they give us a little more time to get to know their characters but, best of all, they give us a little more time in Hobb's well-loved fantasy worlds:
"Homecoming" - This exotic story is set in the Rain Wilds, when humans first tried to settle in its harsh environment. Lady Carillion Carrock, who tells the story via her journal entries, is at first unlikable until she (and we) suddenly realize that she's been exiled from Jamaillia City because of her husband's subversive activities. We watch her transform into a hero as we explore the treacherous Rain Wilds. This story was the longest in the book but when I finished it in the middle of the night, I still wanted more.
"The Inheritance" - When her grandmother dies and the inheritance is divided, Cerise seems to get the short stick. But the small bit that she receives turns out to be unexpectedly powerful. This story is set in Bingtown, the politically turbulent place that Hobb fans already know and love.
"Cat's Meat" - Rosemary is a single mother who's been abandoned by her baby's father. She has managed to scratch out a decent way of life in a tiny cottage on a tiny farm. When the baby's father arrives and announces that he's back to stay, Rosemary's cat decides he doesn't like that idea. This darkly charming story features three common Hobb elements: a strong female heroine, a cat, and "the Wit."
Lindholm and Hobb have radically different styles, and overall I liked the stories of both authors and enjoyed becoming acquainted with Robin Hobb's alter-ego. Still, though, I preferred the Hobb stories, mostly because they are set in fascinating worlds that I have enjoyed exploring in the past and am eager to spend more time in. In contrast to the familiar urban, and often impoverished, settings that Lindholm employs, Hobb's worlds are lush and exotic, and I simply prefer to fantasize about those types of places.
I recommend The Inheritance and Other Stories to all fans of Robin Hobb and to those of you who are not yet fans of Robin Hobb and should be. The Inheritance and Other Stories gives you a glimpse at the other person living in her brain and allows you to spend more time in her fascinating worlds. The limited edition by Subterranean Press that I read is illustrated by Tom Kidd.
July 8, 2025
➼ Homecoming 2.75/5
➼ The Inheritance 4/5
➼ Cat’s Meat 5/5
(I didn’t read every short story in this collection only the ones pertaining to Realm of the Elderlings, I’ll get to the remaining stories eventually.)
➼ The Inheritance 4/5
➼ Cat’s Meat 5/5
(I didn’t read every short story in this collection only the ones pertaining to Realm of the Elderlings, I’ll get to the remaining stories eventually.)
March 18, 2024
Robin Hobb has quickly become a favorite author for me, but this collection was my first time reading anything from her writing as Megan Lindholm, and it was an interesting experience. In the introduction she talks about these two pseudonyms and how what she writes for each is quite different, and many people prefer one to the other. And I definitely see what she means. The first half of the book is short stories by her as Lindholm, the second half is lengthier stories by her as Hobb. And I am definitely more of a Hobb fan.
The Lindholm stories were interesting and, a couple of them I quite liked, but they aren't immersive in the same way. They feel more like contemporary sci-fi or fantasy which is very different and sometimes weird so I can see why she separates them. One involving aliens that secrete this drug-like substance was fascinating. The Hobb stories here are great and I was absolutely gripped by the final story in the collection- Cat's Meat. A single mom is dealing with the return of the man who abandoned her, and it does not go well... If you're a Hobb fan this is definitely worth picking up, just note that the first half is a very different experience.
The Lindholm stories were interesting and, a couple of them I quite liked, but they aren't immersive in the same way. They feel more like contemporary sci-fi or fantasy which is very different and sometimes weird so I can see why she separates them. One involving aliens that secrete this drug-like substance was fascinating. The Hobb stories here are great and I was absolutely gripped by the final story in the collection- Cat's Meat. A single mom is dealing with the return of the man who abandoned her, and it does not go well... If you're a Hobb fan this is definitely worth picking up, just note that the first half is a very different experience.
March 13, 2019
****5.0****
This short story collection includes stories by two pseudonyms of Margaret Lindholm:
1) Megan Lindholm and 2) Robin Hobb
Megan Lindholm stories are a Sci-Fi and the choices we make as humans/mothers etc. The stories are deep and sets one's mind to think and re-think what we really believe.
Robin Hobb stories are based on Rainwilds and BingTown traders. How the first settlers settle into the rainwilds and built it into a rich country. And stories that are around Bingtown trader families.
I loved the book completely. I just couldn't stop once I started.
Happy Reading!!!
This short story collection includes stories by two pseudonyms of Margaret Lindholm:
1) Megan Lindholm and 2) Robin Hobb
Megan Lindholm stories are a Sci-Fi and the choices we make as humans/mothers etc. The stories are deep and sets one's mind to think and re-think what we really believe.
Robin Hobb stories are based on Rainwilds and BingTown traders. How the first settlers settle into the rainwilds and built it into a rich country. And stories that are around Bingtown trader families.
I loved the book completely. I just couldn't stop once I started.
Happy Reading!!!
January 26, 2018
Such a fantastic collection of short stories by one of my favourite authors. Most of you are already aware of my major obsession with Robin Hobb’s Realm of the Elderlings series. This collection of short fiction holds a couple of stories set in that world, and a selection of other stories written under ‘Megan Lindholm’. It was great to experience more of her wonderful writing and captivating stories.
Firstly I’d like mention that if you are wanting to read this collection solely for the Realm of the Elderlings stories then you will probably be curious as to the reading order.
Inheritance is technically Liveship Traders 4.5 and so can be read after Ship of Magic.
Homecoming is almost a prequel to the Rain Wilds Chronicles so is Book 9.5 in the overall series. And so should be read after Fool’s Fate. But I’d like to mention that I read these stories after reading all 16 RotE books and found them wonderfully satisfying and they brought back some fond memories for me. I recommend reading these short stories after Fool’s Fate or after completing the series for the best experience.
The last story in the book is set in the same world as it features Wit magic. However it has no bearing on the RotE storyline.
I really enjoyed my time back in this world. I’d do anything to experience that series for the first time again and I can’t wait to re-read all 16 books in the future. It’s always a pleasure to read Hobb’s stories.
As for the stories written under ‘Lindholm’. These were really great too. A completely different kettle of fish but fantastic nonetheless. Where Hobb’s writing is slow paced and descriptive, Lindholm’s is completely different. It’s not as description heavy and the pace is a lot faster, but you still get the wonderful characters and dialogue. I have no doubts about trying some of the backlist Lindholm stuff. One of my favourite stories from this collection was ‘A touch of Lavender’. It’s actually a story with sci-fi elements (alien race) and it was great to see a different kind of story from this author.
If I was to read Lindholm’s writing and didnt know it was Hobb, I wouldn’t be able to guess that it was. That’s how different the writing styles are. I’m so happy I decided to pick up this book. Initially I was only going to read the RotE stories and leave the others. But instead I read the book cover to cover because I was captivated by each story. Clearly Lindholm/Hobb is wonderful with short fiction. The magic of her writing always stuns me and I look forward to reading some of her older stuff. I’m convinced that I’ll enjoy her other works outside of RotE. Certainly it won’t hold the place in my heart that Fitz and the Fool do. But I’m confident that I’ll be able to love more of her stories. I’d highly recommend this collection.
Firstly I’d like mention that if you are wanting to read this collection solely for the Realm of the Elderlings stories then you will probably be curious as to the reading order.
Inheritance is technically Liveship Traders 4.5 and so can be read after Ship of Magic.
Homecoming is almost a prequel to the Rain Wilds Chronicles so is Book 9.5 in the overall series. And so should be read after Fool’s Fate. But I’d like to mention that I read these stories after reading all 16 RotE books and found them wonderfully satisfying and they brought back some fond memories for me. I recommend reading these short stories after Fool’s Fate or after completing the series for the best experience.
The last story in the book is set in the same world as it features Wit magic. However it has no bearing on the RotE storyline.
I really enjoyed my time back in this world. I’d do anything to experience that series for the first time again and I can’t wait to re-read all 16 books in the future. It’s always a pleasure to read Hobb’s stories.
As for the stories written under ‘Lindholm’. These were really great too. A completely different kettle of fish but fantastic nonetheless. Where Hobb’s writing is slow paced and descriptive, Lindholm’s is completely different. It’s not as description heavy and the pace is a lot faster, but you still get the wonderful characters and dialogue. I have no doubts about trying some of the backlist Lindholm stuff. One of my favourite stories from this collection was ‘A touch of Lavender’. It’s actually a story with sci-fi elements (alien race) and it was great to see a different kind of story from this author.
If I was to read Lindholm’s writing and didnt know it was Hobb, I wouldn’t be able to guess that it was. That’s how different the writing styles are. I’m so happy I decided to pick up this book. Initially I was only going to read the RotE stories and leave the others. But instead I read the book cover to cover because I was captivated by each story. Clearly Lindholm/Hobb is wonderful with short fiction. The magic of her writing always stuns me and I look forward to reading some of her older stuff. I’m convinced that I’ll enjoy her other works outside of RotE. Certainly it won’t hold the place in my heart that Fitz and the Fool do. But I’m confident that I’ll be able to love more of her stories. I’d highly recommend this collection.
September 30, 2023
A really solid collection of short fiction "from the six duchies and beyond." Like most collections of short fiction, this one wasn't perfect, but the three "by Robin Hobb" were all 5-star reads, while the "Megan Lindholm" portion of the collection ranged from 3-star stories to 5-star. But overall, this was full of great storytelling, and of course, Hobb/Lindholm's masterful writing style. 4.5/5
May 26, 2022
Very touching and effective stories and a good mix of high and urban fantasy, with a bit of science fiction thrown in the mix.
Three of the stories are set in the world of The Realm of the Elderlings but you need no prior knowledge of that world whatsoever.
Three of the stories are set in the world of The Realm of the Elderlings but you need no prior knowledge of that world whatsoever.
November 3, 2018
This is a collection of ten short stories by Megan Lindholm and Robin Hobb, two pseudonyms for the same person. Seven of the stories were by Lindholm and three by Hobb, but Hobb’s stories were longer and actually took up slightly more pages in the book. I won’t review each story; I’ll just write about some of my general impressions and note a few of the stories that stood out.
This was my first time reading anything written under the Lindholm pseudonym. Lindholm and Hobb really do have distinctive writing styles, at least going by this collection. Lindholm’s stories were shorter, maybe a little less introspective, but more likely to contain commentary on society. They were often told in a very conversational style, almost as if the main character were sitting across a table from me and telling me the story. Also, her stories contained an extraordinary number of dead cats. I’ve never seen so many dead cats in a single book before. Hobb’s stories were much meatier and tended to hold my attention better, partly because I became more invested in her characters. She also seems to be a bit kinder toward cats.
I enjoyed reading all of Lindholm’s stories but, due to their shortness, they probably won’t stick with me as well. However, I don’t expect I’ll forget The Fifth Squashed Cat anytime soon. It started off funny, and I chuckled my way through the first few pages, but then it got very, very gross and disturbing. I liked Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man quite a bit, and also Strays.
I enjoyed Hobb’s stories the most. They were all set in her Realm of the Elderings setting, but would stand alone just fine. Homecoming was probably my favorite, by a small margin. It told the story of the first group that tried to settle in the Rain Wilds and really added a lot to the back story from the Liveship Traders series. The other two didn’t add as much to the world-building, but did make use of the world-building that had already been done. One thing I noticed was that each of her stories in this collection had a selfish, unpleasant male antagonist. They each felt at least a little bit Kyle-like to me, for those who have read the Liveship Traders series. That aspect of the stories started to feel a little repetitive, but the stories held my attention well enough that I didn’t mind much.
Before each story, the author wrote a short introduction that explained a little bit about what inspired that story or how she came to write it. Happily, she managed to do this without spoilers, and I really enjoyed those introductions and the little bits of insights they offered about the author herself.
This was my first time reading anything written under the Lindholm pseudonym. Lindholm and Hobb really do have distinctive writing styles, at least going by this collection. Lindholm’s stories were shorter, maybe a little less introspective, but more likely to contain commentary on society. They were often told in a very conversational style, almost as if the main character were sitting across a table from me and telling me the story. Also, her stories contained an extraordinary number of dead cats. I’ve never seen so many dead cats in a single book before. Hobb’s stories were much meatier and tended to hold my attention better, partly because I became more invested in her characters. She also seems to be a bit kinder toward cats.
I enjoyed reading all of Lindholm’s stories but, due to their shortness, they probably won’t stick with me as well. However, I don’t expect I’ll forget The Fifth Squashed Cat anytime soon. It started off funny, and I chuckled my way through the first few pages, but then it got very, very gross and disturbing. I liked Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man quite a bit, and also Strays.
I enjoyed Hobb’s stories the most. They were all set in her Realm of the Elderings setting, but would stand alone just fine. Homecoming was probably my favorite, by a small margin. It told the story of the first group that tried to settle in the Rain Wilds and really added a lot to the back story from the Liveship Traders series. The other two didn’t add as much to the world-building, but did make use of the world-building that had already been done. One thing I noticed was that each of her stories in this collection had a selfish, unpleasant male antagonist. They each felt at least a little bit Kyle-like to me, for those who have read the Liveship Traders series. That aspect of the stories started to feel a little repetitive, but the stories held my attention well enough that I didn’t mind much.
Before each story, the author wrote a short introduction that explained a little bit about what inspired that story or how she came to write it. Happily, she managed to do this without spoilers, and I really enjoyed those introductions and the little bits of insights they offered about the author herself.
Read
August 14, 2025megan lindholm
this is my first time reading her works under this name, and hobb isn't wrong when she says these two names feel like completely separate people. if i hadn't know that they were already one and the same before reading this, i would have been shocked to learn they were. that being said, i really enjoyed these short stories. they were so unique, creative, and hit that perfect bittersweet spot for me when it comes to giving you just enough of a taste of them but leave you wanting more. a number of them also made me cry, for reasons that i can't even really fathom. i just think that both lindholm and hobb do an amazing job of creating and showcasing beauty in the mundane.
robin hobb
now these were the kinds of stories i was more accustomed to. all three of these short stories take place in the realm of the elderlings, although the second and third stories don't necessarily really have anything to do with that universe, but it just exists as a familiar backdrop for them. and in all these stories, hobb continues to demonstrate how she can create the most despicable characters that you would hate with all your heart.
honestly, nobody does it better than she does. the first story, homecoming, was particularly interesting because it's about the origins and history of the rain wilds, and as i am currently reading the rain wild chronicles, it adds some really important context to this area. while it is not a compulsory read, i do feel like it further enriches the world and this reading experience.
this is my first time reading her works under this name, and hobb isn't wrong when she says these two names feel like completely separate people. if i hadn't know that they were already one and the same before reading this, i would have been shocked to learn they were. that being said, i really enjoyed these short stories. they were so unique, creative, and hit that perfect bittersweet spot for me when it comes to giving you just enough of a taste of them but leave you wanting more. a number of them also made me cry, for reasons that i can't even really fathom. i just think that both lindholm and hobb do an amazing job of creating and showcasing beauty in the mundane.
robin hobb
now these were the kinds of stories i was more accustomed to. all three of these short stories take place in the realm of the elderlings, although the second and third stories don't necessarily really have anything to do with that universe, but it just exists as a familiar backdrop for them. and in all these stories, hobb continues to demonstrate how she can create the most despicable characters that you would hate with all your heart.
honestly, nobody does it better than she does. the first story, homecoming, was particularly interesting because it's about the origins and history of the rain wilds, and as i am currently reading the rain wild chronicles, it adds some really important context to this area. while it is not a compulsory read, i do feel like it further enriches the world and this reading experience.
June 19, 2023
'The Inheritance: An anthology of tales from the Six Duchies and Beyond' by Robin Hobb and Megan Lindholm.
Rating for the anthology: 4.0/5. (so far)
Status:
1) First Read: Started on 1st March 2022. Just read Robin Hobb's section of short stories to cover the RotE short stories.
📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚
'Homecoming' (Realm of the Elderlings #0.1) by Robin Hobb.
Some spirit of the Rain Wilds whispered to me, “Try to master it and it will engulf you. Become a part of it, and live.”
Rating: 4.25/5.
Review:
This short story gives us a glimpse of the origins of the Bingtown Traders settlement and the Rain Wilds territory. It stands out on its own and can be read without any knowledge of the other books. However, if you read the Farseer trilogy and the Liveship Traders trilogy prior, it enhances the reading experience of this story.
I was earlier sceptical about reading this story as it was written in the format of journal entries. But the writing was free-flowing and captivating enough for it not to have bothered me. Loved it!
"The Rain Wilds have marked us as their own, and welcome us home."
📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚
'The Inheritance' (Realm of the Elderlings #3.1) by Robin Hobb.
“Only me,” the pendant agreed. “And your name. Taken back out of the dust and raised to pride once more. It is what your grandmother abandoned, and what I wished you to reclaim. Not money or jewels, but the rightful self-worth of a Lantis.”
Rating: 5/5.
Review:
'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned' Bingtown trader style.
This short story is a part of the Realm of the Elderlings series and connects more to the Liveship Traders trilogy. It also stands out on its own, and you don't require any knowledge of the RotE books to enjoy this book as a standalone story.
Loved it.
📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚
"Cat's Meat" (Realm of the Elderlings #0.3) by Robin Hobb.
Some things, you can’t run from. You have to deal with them and be done with them.
Rating: 5/5.
Review:
Telepathic (Witted).
Killer (assassin).
Cat.
Yeah, telepathic killer cat. Need I say more?
This is a short story set in the Realm of the Elderlings, but can stand out on its own. Robin Hobb, yet again, excels at her writing by her portrayal of an abusive relationship. Her writing makes it feel as if you are a part of the story. Even within the first couple of paragraphs, she makes one emotionally invested in Rosemary's plight. You feel bad for Rosemary and her kid; it is gut-wrenching. And when the cat and Rosemary fight back against Pell, you cheer for them hoping they finally succeed against her scumbag husband.
Loved it!
📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚
Rating for the anthology: 4.0/5. (so far)
Status:
1) First Read: Started on 1st March 2022. Just read Robin Hobb's section of short stories to cover the RotE short stories.
📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚
'Homecoming' (Realm of the Elderlings #0.1) by Robin Hobb.
Some spirit of the Rain Wilds whispered to me, “Try to master it and it will engulf you. Become a part of it, and live.”
Rating: 4.25/5.
Review:
This short story gives us a glimpse of the origins of the Bingtown Traders settlement and the Rain Wilds territory. It stands out on its own and can be read without any knowledge of the other books. However, if you read the Farseer trilogy and the Liveship Traders trilogy prior, it enhances the reading experience of this story.
I was earlier sceptical about reading this story as it was written in the format of journal entries. But the writing was free-flowing and captivating enough for it not to have bothered me. Loved it!
"The Rain Wilds have marked us as their own, and welcome us home."
📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚
'The Inheritance' (Realm of the Elderlings #3.1) by Robin Hobb.
“Only me,” the pendant agreed. “And your name. Taken back out of the dust and raised to pride once more. It is what your grandmother abandoned, and what I wished you to reclaim. Not money or jewels, but the rightful self-worth of a Lantis.”
Rating: 5/5.
Review:
'Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned' Bingtown trader style.
This short story is a part of the Realm of the Elderlings series and connects more to the Liveship Traders trilogy. It also stands out on its own, and you don't require any knowledge of the RotE books to enjoy this book as a standalone story.
Loved it.
📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚
"Cat's Meat" (Realm of the Elderlings #0.3) by Robin Hobb.
Some things, you can’t run from. You have to deal with them and be done with them.
Rating: 5/5.
Review:
Telepathic (Witted).
Killer (assassin).
Cat.
Yeah, telepathic killer cat. Need I say more?
This is a short story set in the Realm of the Elderlings, but can stand out on its own. Robin Hobb, yet again, excels at her writing by her portrayal of an abusive relationship. Her writing makes it feel as if you are a part of the story. Even within the first couple of paragraphs, she makes one emotionally invested in Rosemary's plight. You feel bad for Rosemary and her kid; it is gut-wrenching. And when the cat and Rosemary fight back against Pell, you cheer for them hoping they finally succeed against her scumbag husband.
Loved it!
📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚 📚
October 9, 2013
Short stories written by both Robin Hobb and her alter-ego, Megan Lindholm.
I'm not a big short story reader, but I think this is my favourite book of shorts so far.
This is the first time I've read anything written under the Lindholm name, and I enjoyed them - will probably try out some of her full length novels now.
The ones written by Robin Hobb are all set in the world of her Fitz and Rainwild books, but with different characters. Loved them!
I'm not a big short story reader, but I think this is my favourite book of shorts so far.
This is the first time I've read anything written under the Lindholm name, and I enjoyed them - will probably try out some of her full length novels now.
The ones written by Robin Hobb are all set in the world of her Fitz and Rainwild books, but with different characters. Loved them!
February 2, 2024
Leído por primera vez en Marzo del 2023. Releído el 1 de Febrero del 2024
Cat's Meet
Es asombroso cómo esta mujer consigue hacer interesantísima cualquier cosa que te cuente. Menudo gato🤣🤣🤣 Viva la maña! (Que aquí llaman Ingenio). Qué tensión al final, ahí en el acantilado. GL (Robin Hobb)
Comentario a la primera lectura
Relato largo que si no fuera porque usan un poco de la llamada "maña", podría ser de cualquier universo. Entretenido.
Cat's Meet
Es asombroso cómo esta mujer consigue hacer interesantísima cualquier cosa que te cuente. Menudo gato🤣🤣🤣 Viva la maña! (Que aquí llaman Ingenio). Qué tensión al final, ahí en el acantilado. GL (Robin Hobb)
Comentario a la primera lectura
Relato largo que si no fuera porque usan un poco de la llamada "maña", podría ser de cualquier universo. Entretenido.
September 12, 2025
While it felt very different to read from Megan Lindholm, mostly this collection just felt like getting back to an author whose writing I love dearly.
Not every story in here was 5 stars for me but every single one of them was well written, well rounded and bursting with interesting ideas. I also loved returning to the various Realm of the Elderlings settings and just existing in that world again for a while.
10/10 recommend if you enjoy short fiction, including fantasy, sci-fi and even just literary stories, although these all lean to the fantastical in different ways.
Not every story in here was 5 stars for me but every single one of them was well written, well rounded and bursting with interesting ideas. I also loved returning to the various Realm of the Elderlings settings and just existing in that world again for a while.
10/10 recommend if you enjoy short fiction, including fantasy, sci-fi and even just literary stories, although these all lean to the fantastical in different ways.
November 11, 2016
Μεικτό το περιεχόμενο αυτής της συλλογής μικτές και οι εντυπώσεις μου από αυτήν. Από τη μία έχουμε τρία διηγήματα υψηλής φαντασίας της Robin Hobb, που διαδραματίζονται στο βασίλειο των Elderlings, από την άλλη μερικές περίεργες ιστορίες του alter ego της, της Megan Lindholm . Αυτές οι περίεργες ιστορίες δεν μου έκαναν ιδιαίτερη εντύπωση, ως βετεράνος του κόσμου των Elderling, όμως, λάτρεψα τα διηγήματα της Robin Hobb.
Από αυτά το διήγημα που μου έκανε περισσότερη εντύπωση είναι το Homecomming, που είναι ένα συγκινητικό μικρό χρονικό της προσπάθειας αποικισμού του ποταμού Rain Wild μέσα από μια γυναικεία ματιά, και οι άλλες δύο όμως είναι εξαιρετικές. Το Inheritance, που δίνει και τον τίτλο στη συλλογή είναι μία μικρή ιστορία με θέμα τα ήθη της κοινωνίας του Bingtown ενώ το Cat's Meat είναι μία πολύ ωραία γατοϊστορία για τη γυναικεία αποφασιστικότητα.
Από αυτά το διήγημα που μου έκανε περισσότερη εντύπωση είναι το Homecomming, που είναι ένα συγκινητικό μικρό χρονικό της προσπάθειας αποικισμού του ποταμού Rain Wild μέσα από μια γυναικεία ματιά, και οι άλλες δύο όμως είναι εξαιρετικές. Το Inheritance, που δίνει και τον τίτλο στη συλλογή είναι μία μικρή ιστορία με θέμα τα ήθη της κοινωνίας του Bingtown ενώ το Cat's Meat είναι μία πολύ ωραία γατοϊστορία για τη γυναικεία αποφασιστικότητα.
March 30, 2016
Well, what a strange collection of tales! I found the stories by Megan Lindholm exceptionally weird - she seems to have a fixation about dead cats!
Although these two pen-names: Megan Lindholm and Robin Hobb, are actually the same person, the stories are so completely different that it feels like it should be two people.
I had to skip two of Megan Lindholm's stories completely - I sooo do not want to read about female genital mutilation or squashed cats!! At least the stories by Robin Hobb had some connection to the fantasy genre and I did enjoy a couple of them, which is why this is a 3-star and not a 2-star rating.
Merged review:
Somewhere between 3.5 and 4 for this novella. Written in epistolary format, it gives interesting background for the Rain Wild chronicles and charts the development of a spoilt, self-centred, noble lady into a kind, resourceful and highly capable woman.... Just a tad too good to be true maybe, but nevertheless a captivating story. A quick read - I read it right through at one sitting.
Although these two pen-names: Megan Lindholm and Robin Hobb, are actually the same person, the stories are so completely different that it feels like it should be two people.
I had to skip two of Megan Lindholm's stories completely - I sooo do not want to read about female genital mutilation or squashed cats!! At least the stories by Robin Hobb had some connection to the fantasy genre and I did enjoy a couple of them, which is why this is a 3-star and not a 2-star rating.
Merged review:
Somewhere between 3.5 and 4 for this novella. Written in epistolary format, it gives interesting background for the Rain Wild chronicles and charts the development of a spoilt, self-centred, noble lady into a kind, resourceful and highly capable woman.... Just a tad too good to be true maybe, but nevertheless a captivating story. A quick read - I read it right through at one sitting.
October 25, 2017
Absolutely brilliant.
I've been a fan of Robin Hobb for a while now, but I'd never read anything by her alter ego Megan Lindholm before this. I was honestly shocked by how different their styles are... and it turns out I love them both equally.
No matter which pseudonym she's using, her writing is gripping, visual, dazzlingly creative, heartfelt and intellectually stimulating. I'm always hesitant to name favorites, but if I had to pick a favorite author, Margaret Ogden would have a good chance of winning the top spot.
I've been a fan of Robin Hobb for a while now, but I'd never read anything by her alter ego Megan Lindholm before this. I was honestly shocked by how different their styles are... and it turns out I love them both equally.
No matter which pseudonym she's using, her writing is gripping, visual, dazzlingly creative, heartfelt and intellectually stimulating. I'm always hesitant to name favorites, but if I had to pick a favorite author, Margaret Ogden would have a good chance of winning the top spot.
April 29, 2024
Some fantastic stories in this one, especially 2 of the 3 Robin Hobb ones! The third was no slouch either, although not as good, and I thought the Lindholm ones were all right as well. I was thinking 3/5 for a long time, but decided my enjoyment was better than that in the end.
September 13, 2025
Lindholm short stories were very interesting and created such a fuller image of Lindholm/Hobb as an author and her full journey. Hobb also just knows how to write the most despicable characters lol. I read the last story just filled with rage.
December 26, 2023
On Average 2.7 stars - I will do a few short reviews for each of the short stories but just to give my overall impression. I will say as an anthology its not the best (not the worst either) but thematically its very repetitive. Basically every story is a variation of "men are bad" and all the characters felt very samey. It also just felt like most people in these stories lacked the nuance I have grown used to from Hobb. The stories by Megan Lindholm are also very different from what I expected. Most of them are just best described as "weird" and "unsettling". These aren't bad things in itself, but it was just not what I expected or (to be frank) enjoy reading.
Also the tag line is a little misleiding in my opinion "Tales from the six duchies and beyond." to me gives the impression that its mostly stories about the six dutchies or stories set in the Realm of the Elderlings. Instead its mostly stories that are (more or less) urban fantasies set in our world with the last 3 stories set in the Realm of the Elderlings. The mix of all of these just leaves me feeling a little underwhelmed by this Anthology.
I would recommend this Anthology if you like weird stories - or if like me you were very curious about what the works under Robin Hobb's other pen name are like.
I am not sure if I'll go on to read Megan Lindholms other works, like they sound interesting but I'm not sure if I uh...have the stomach for it.
I was debating rounding this up to a 3 star but honestly this was just so aggressively fine and underwhelming I am bitter about it. It makes me sad though because the realm of the elderlings is one of my favorite universes.
The stories written as Megan Lindholm:
A Touch of Lavender 3 stars
This was an interesting start to the Anthology. It's fine, didn't really stand out to me. I feel like the Alien aspect could've been explored more, I thought it was really interesting and I wanted to know more- but the moment it got interesting was when the story ended.
Silver lady and the Fortyish Man 3 stars
I liked this enough, very similar to the first one I just wanted more from this and the supernatural thing.
Cut 1.5 stars
On the Surface I should've liked this but it felt like such a shallow take on the issue of circumcision - it also somehow made every person seem like they had the wrong opinion.
The Fifth Squashed Cat 1 star
this made me physically feel sick - I also don't love the message in this.
Strays 2 stars
This felt like what if the Fifth squashed cat & the silver lady had a baby and then dropped any sense of nuance.
Finis 3 stars
honestly enjoyed this one, it was a little weird story about vampires and it was just fun.
Drum Machine 2.5 stars
an interesting story about a society where they basically just did a Eugenics which isn't great but ultimately has a similar messaging to the fifth squashed cat and still didn't love it.
stories written as Robin Hobb:
basically all of these stories deal with the theme of "men are useless"
Homecoming 3 stars
Follows a Jamalian woman as she ends up in the Rainwilds and tries to make the best of a shitty situation. It was interesting to be back in the Rainwilds but I feel like this didn't add anything to the world overall.
The Inheritance 3 stars
This was an interesting story about a girl with a live-wood necklace who gets revenge for her Grandmother in Bingtown.
Cat's Meat 3 stars
I liked this story, I liked it but it was the exact same story as the previous 2 in a different setting. I did like the twist with the Cat's perspective in this but at this point I was just...tired of the same story.
Also the tag line is a little misleiding in my opinion "Tales from the six duchies and beyond." to me gives the impression that its mostly stories about the six dutchies or stories set in the Realm of the Elderlings. Instead its mostly stories that are (more or less) urban fantasies set in our world with the last 3 stories set in the Realm of the Elderlings. The mix of all of these just leaves me feeling a little underwhelmed by this Anthology.
I would recommend this Anthology if you like weird stories - or if like me you were very curious about what the works under Robin Hobb's other pen name are like.
I am not sure if I'll go on to read Megan Lindholms other works, like they sound interesting but I'm not sure if I uh...have the stomach for it.
I was debating rounding this up to a 3 star but honestly this was just so aggressively fine and underwhelming I am bitter about it. It makes me sad though because the realm of the elderlings is one of my favorite universes.
The stories written as Megan Lindholm:
A Touch of Lavender 3 stars
This was an interesting start to the Anthology. It's fine, didn't really stand out to me. I feel like the Alien aspect could've been explored more, I thought it was really interesting and I wanted to know more- but the moment it got interesting was when the story ended.
Silver lady and the Fortyish Man 3 stars
I liked this enough, very similar to the first one I just wanted more from this and the supernatural thing.
Cut 1.5 stars
On the Surface I should've liked this but it felt like such a shallow take on the issue of circumcision - it also somehow made every person seem like they had the wrong opinion.
The Fifth Squashed Cat 1 star
this made me physically feel sick - I also don't love the message in this.
Strays 2 stars
This felt like what if the Fifth squashed cat & the silver lady had a baby and then dropped any sense of nuance.
Finis 3 stars
honestly enjoyed this one, it was a little weird story about vampires and it was just fun.
Drum Machine 2.5 stars
an interesting story about a society where they basically just did a Eugenics which isn't great but ultimately has a similar messaging to the fifth squashed cat and still didn't love it.
stories written as Robin Hobb:
basically all of these stories deal with the theme of "men are useless"
Homecoming 3 stars
Follows a Jamalian woman as she ends up in the Rainwilds and tries to make the best of a shitty situation. It was interesting to be back in the Rainwilds but I feel like this didn't add anything to the world overall.
The Inheritance 3 stars
This was an interesting story about a girl with a live-wood necklace who gets revenge for her Grandmother in Bingtown.
Cat's Meat 3 stars
I liked this story, I liked it but it was the exact same story as the previous 2 in a different setting. I did like the twist with the Cat's perspective in this but at this point I was just...tired of the same story.
August 15, 2018
What a fantastic bit of weirdness! I’ll definitely need to try some more Hobb.
April 9, 2023
3.5 stars
I’m a big Robin Hobb fan, and I’ve been meaning to pick up this collection for a while. I’d read a few novels written as Megan Lindholm too, and I didn’t like them as much, but I figured I’d give her a go again and read this cover to cover.
The preface, telling the story of how the author got her start and how the two pseudonyms and styles came to be, was a real treat, as were her introductions for each story. It’s wild how different the writing is between the stories written as Lindholm and the ones written as Hobb.
No surprise—I loved the Hobb and mostly didn’t love the Lindholm. Hobb took me back to familiar settings, and I trusted where she was taking me. The Lindholm stories tended toward the grim and the grotesque. I’m not saying they’re not worth reading—but I didn’t feel great after reading any of them, especially “Cut” and “The Fifth Squashed Cat.”
I’m a big Robin Hobb fan, and I’ve been meaning to pick up this collection for a while. I’d read a few novels written as Megan Lindholm too, and I didn’t like them as much, but I figured I’d give her a go again and read this cover to cover.
The preface, telling the story of how the author got her start and how the two pseudonyms and styles came to be, was a real treat, as were her introductions for each story. It’s wild how different the writing is between the stories written as Lindholm and the ones written as Hobb.
No surprise—I loved the Hobb and mostly didn’t love the Lindholm. Hobb took me back to familiar settings, and I trusted where she was taking me. The Lindholm stories tended toward the grim and the grotesque. I’m not saying they’re not worth reading—but I didn’t feel great after reading any of them, especially “Cut” and “The Fifth Squashed Cat.”
September 5, 2025
Ich habe nur die 3 Kurzgeschichten/Novellen aus dem RotE-Universum gelesen und von Geschichte zu Geschichte wurde es mitreißender. Vor allem 'Cat's Meat' hat mich wieder wütend gemacht. Wie schafft Hobb es nur, derart hassenswerte Charaktere zu schreiben..
December 29, 2024
The Inheritance is a collection of short stories, three of which belong in the Realm of the Elderlings world and can be read at several places in the series. I chose to read it after the third trilogy and wasn't disappointed.
As it was the 11th book by Hobb that I've consumed this year, it wasn't quite as wonderful as her others, but I'm glad I read it. I'm a Hobb fan, so this collection was delightful. She gives a short intro before each story, pulling back the curtain a bit on her process and giving the reader more context for the larger stories. For example, I learned that cats can speak to anyone, not just to those with the wit. The stories tend to trend darker while raising some thought-provoking questions. Some didn't age as well as others. And finally, several had cats. :)
As it was the 11th book by Hobb that I've consumed this year, it wasn't quite as wonderful as her others, but I'm glad I read it. I'm a Hobb fan, so this collection was delightful. She gives a short intro before each story, pulling back the curtain a bit on her process and giving the reader more context for the larger stories. For example, I learned that cats can speak to anyone, not just to those with the wit. The stories tend to trend darker while raising some thought-provoking questions. Some didn't age as well as others. And finally, several had cats. :)
November 8, 2019
I never hated a character as much as the one in the final short story...
January 19, 2016
Well, apparently Goodreads refuses to have a page for each story so I can have neat individual reviews. Oh well. Here we go.
•A Touch of Lavender: 5/5 stars. It's amusing to me (in a bitter, ironic way) that the "illegal aliens" theme is still relevant 27 years later, but hey, I guess bigots will be bigots. And…well, I just love Megan/Robin's writing, characterization, voice, basically everything. The ending is a little weird, like… It might have worked better with a little more world building, but hey, short story. It still works, though, because of the point of view of a young boy who wouldn't necessarily seek all that information.
•Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man: 4/5 stars. I like the themes of this story (both the humanist "you make your own magic" and the feminist end where ) and the ambiguity in the story. But…I don't know, it feels like something's lacking in this one?
•Cut: 5/5 stars. Loved the discussion of body autonomy and what it means to give people the ability to make their own choice (and thus a stupid choice, too), while acknowledging that this is still better than…you know, the alternative. The ending is ridiculous and…kind of amazing?
•The Fifth Squashed Cat: 3/5 stars. The introduction to this one claims it was intended as a rebuttal to the Chosen One trope, and…what? I don't know, this one is mostly weird and a little unpleasant. Not awful, and still has cool themes ("Nothing should be this digustingly easy"), but still…eh.
•Strays: 5/5 stars. Kind of surprised by how…non-fantasy this one is. It's more fantastique (I'm surprised there isn't an English term for that) than anything. And aside from that, it's a discussion of abuse and poverty (themes that have already shown up a few times in this book), and…Megan does a great job with these. Considering I'm reading The Raven Boys right now, that completely fails to treat that with respect…this story feels extra gratifying.
•Finis: 3/5 stars. Not bad, but completely unremarkable to the point where I'd actually forgotten I'd read it until I saw there was a missing spot in this review. And the "twist" is completely obvious. If anything, I feel like it's the kind of premise that deserved a longer story, to do more with its concept than just…be there.
•Drum Machine: 4/5 stars. Humanist discussions of eugenics, ableism and humans as parts of a machine—love it. The ending? Eeeeeh? I don't hate it, but it feels unsatisfying.
•Homecoming: Already read that one a while back, as it was published individually here in Belgium. Apparently I never reviewed it, though? Eh, whatever. I'm giving it 5/5 stars.
•The Inheritance: 5/5 stars. Just…Hell. Fucking. Yes. That is all, really. I guess if you're going to write "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned", this is the ultimate way to do so. Plus, y'know, I always love to see more Realm of the Elderlings.
•Cat's Meat: 5/5 stars. Again, a whole lot of "Hell yes" for this one. Robin Hobb knows how to write abusive relationships and make it so real it becomes uncomfortable, and she knows how to frame it to avoid victim blaming. Also killer telepathic cats. What more could you want?
I know the average isn't 5 stars, but…I'm still giving it that as a global rating, and it is damn worth it. I love the introduction to each story, too—even for the ones I liked less, they were still interesting to read.
•A Touch of Lavender: 5/5 stars. It's amusing to me (in a bitter, ironic way) that the "illegal aliens" theme is still relevant 27 years later, but hey, I guess bigots will be bigots. And…well, I just love Megan/Robin's writing, characterization, voice, basically everything. The ending is a little weird, like… It might have worked better with a little more world building, but hey, short story. It still works, though, because of the point of view of a young boy who wouldn't necessarily seek all that information.
•Silver Lady and the Fortyish Man: 4/5 stars. I like the themes of this story (both the humanist "you make your own magic" and the feminist end where ) and the ambiguity in the story. But…I don't know, it feels like something's lacking in this one?
•Cut: 5/5 stars. Loved the discussion of body autonomy and what it means to give people the ability to make their own choice (and thus a stupid choice, too), while acknowledging that this is still better than…you know, the alternative. The ending is ridiculous and…kind of amazing?
•The Fifth Squashed Cat: 3/5 stars. The introduction to this one claims it was intended as a rebuttal to the Chosen One trope, and…what? I don't know, this one is mostly weird and a little unpleasant. Not awful, and still has cool themes ("Nothing should be this digustingly easy"), but still…eh.
•Strays: 5/5 stars. Kind of surprised by how…non-fantasy this one is. It's more fantastique (I'm surprised there isn't an English term for that) than anything. And aside from that, it's a discussion of abuse and poverty (themes that have already shown up a few times in this book), and…Megan does a great job with these. Considering I'm reading The Raven Boys right now, that completely fails to treat that with respect…this story feels extra gratifying.
•Finis: 3/5 stars. Not bad, but completely unremarkable to the point where I'd actually forgotten I'd read it until I saw there was a missing spot in this review. And the "twist" is completely obvious. If anything, I feel like it's the kind of premise that deserved a longer story, to do more with its concept than just…be there.
•Drum Machine: 4/5 stars. Humanist discussions of eugenics, ableism and humans as parts of a machine—love it. The ending? Eeeeeh? I don't hate it, but it feels unsatisfying.
•Homecoming: Already read that one a while back, as it was published individually here in Belgium. Apparently I never reviewed it, though? Eh, whatever. I'm giving it 5/5 stars.
•The Inheritance: 5/5 stars. Just…Hell. Fucking. Yes. That is all, really. I guess if you're going to write "hell hath no fury like a woman scorned", this is the ultimate way to do so. Plus, y'know, I always love to see more Realm of the Elderlings.
•Cat's Meat: 5/5 stars. Again, a whole lot of "Hell yes" for this one. Robin Hobb knows how to write abusive relationships and make it so real it becomes uncomfortable, and she knows how to frame it to avoid victim blaming. Also killer telepathic cats. What more could you want?
I know the average isn't 5 stars, but…I'm still giving it that as a global rating, and it is damn worth it. I love the introduction to each story, too—even for the ones I liked less, they were still interesting to read.
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