The Hob's Bargain Discussion

[Zealith]

I kind of pictured a 'hobbit hole' type set up. 

[Has]

Me too Z - I dont know but it does make sense in a way

[Zealith]

Maybe with rocks instead of wooden walls... but I see him as more elemental than hobbits.

[amusedandannoyed]

I see the Hob's home as a cavernous place without the stalactites and stalagmites. 

[Mike Briggs]

Also, I don't think the original book cover did him justice. As my sister said, "I was thinking more monkey, less gorilla." I don't picture him as looking like an elf (not with those movable ears) but I didn't picture him like that either...

Anyway, I could probably keep going with the random thoughts but I'll stop for now.

Well, I can tell you that Patty was thinking of something more like the X-men's Nightcrawler, with less angst and a more puckish bent.  The very wide giant on the cover was something of a surprise!

[Varg]

That fits my mental picture of the Hob much better than the old cover.

[laruna]

mine too. my edition has the new(i guess) cover so i got to see him in my head, and he definitely didn't look like that guy on the cover. dafiniatly way more like nightcrawler.  
i always pictured the hobs mountain home as a kinda cavern what is made of rock but kinda soft looking, with trees. under the mountain. yeah, not very realistic, but that's why i like fantasy.

iv actually only read the hobbs bargain. its my favorite book. unfortunately, i lost my only copy on the bus about a week ago right in the middle of re-reading it. for about the eighth time. i actually cried a little. i want to read the others, but i haven't been able to find them where i am. and i have a huge distrust of paypal. so.. till i get lucky i'm totally cut off. lol i'm praying i find another copy soon!!

[Pheodora]

What I liked so much about The Hob's Bargain was that the 'feel' of the book, the setting, the characters etc. were so different from the previous Mercy Thompson books I had read.  I think The Hob showed great breadth of talent to be so different, yet equally excellent.  It took me a while to realize the differences, but when I had finished the book I kept looking for a sequel. (I'm still hoping!  ) I am just sure there is more to know about the characters and their lives. 

Pheo

[Cheeky.halfwit]

What I liked so much about The Hob's Bargain was that the 'feel' of the book, the setting, the characters etc. were so different from the previous Mercy Thompson books I had read.  I think The Hob showed great breadth of talent to be so different, yet equally excellent.  It took me a while to realize the differences, but when I had finished the book I kept looking for a sequel. (I'm still hoping!  ) I am just sure there is more to know about the characters and their lives. 
Pheo

Pheo you do know that Hob's Bargain came out before the Mercy Thompson books.

[Pheodora]

Yes, I do knowthat now, thanks for the information. My points were from this reader's perspective though, in that I read them out of order, as I'm sure many readers do. I am not an expert on Patty's books by any means; I am a fairly new fan, and when I discovered Patty's incredible writing was in the Mercy books. So when I immediately started acquiring and reading the others....  I was astounded at the differences in feel, characters, plots etc.

Some artists have only one sound or theme...you can almost always identify Neil Diamond, or Barry Manilow for example.  Some authors are the same, they only have come up with one type of literature, with it's own unique "sound".  Patty amazes...and delights!

Best regards,
Pheo

[The Mrs]

Just finished this book last night and I really liked it.  I liked how the romance simmered away on the back burner, keeping you aware that it was there but not steaming up and complicating the story line.
I was really grateful that I didn't need a PhD in the Fae/Magic/Magical Creatures/Philosophy to understand the magic of the story.  (this is usually why I stick to weres and vamps)

I loved, Loved, LOVED that there was no cliffhanger ending.  The book left me satisfied. 
Do I need a sequel ?*shrugs* Not really.  I'm good with where things ended off, with hope and happiness.

Great, strong, intelligent, female protagonist too!
I would definitely suggest this book to any young women (I'm only 30, it's not like I'm old!) interested in the UF or Fantasy genre.  A sweet, smart read.
On to Raven's Shadow!