The Hob's Bargain Mass Market Paperback – March 1, 2001

And the reason I’ve read all those books is it every single book of her I read is enthralling, compelling, a flight of healthy fantasy and fun and magic and just wonderful writing. Thank you Patricia Briggs for giving me hours and hours and hours of pleasurable, escape and relaxation into your books.

Patty first books are as wonderful as her most recent. Characters are full of life and the story is engrossing and entertaining. Love them!

I really enjoyed the first half of this book. This author is good at creating interesting characters, but in these earlier books the interaction between them is a bit lacking. The plot moved along well up until the characters settled down to defending their valley. There were some intriguing beings that the hob shows Aren, but there got to be too many. The assorted creatures being introduced one after another became tedious. The other thing I didn't like in the second half of the book was how the climax of the story was cluttered up with too many excess happenings. On her way to save her loved ones she keeps stumbling over obstreperous villagers and pesky supernaturals. It's like you have an emergency and need to handle it fast, but obnoxious neighbors and rabid squirrels keep getting in your way. To me this just took away from the excitement of the climactic event. I did start skimming at this point, because it was frustrating. At least one reviewer thought the heroine showed a lack of sorrow for her family's death, but their were several points at which it was obvious she grieved for them. She didn't really have time for a normal period of mourning though, since she was in an ongoing battle for survival. It probably would have been more realistic to have some time go by before Aren would begin to have romantic feelings towards the hob, but it seemed as if she hadn't actually known her husband for very long. They'd only just gotten married and it had been somewhat of an arranged marriage. One other problem I had with the book was that I found it hard to believe that Aren and the villagers could have worked anything out with a bunch of raiders who had been raping and murdering their family members. It also didn't make sense to me that people who had been good people would decide to brutally murder the inhabitants of the valley. For one thing they could have worked out a plan to take over in place of the lord. Surely they would have seen that power vaccuum. For that matter, why didn't the villagers leave them a note about the next valley over where everybody was already dead?

Enjoy an adventure far different than you think. Its a good read, it has adventure, a little svary, a little crying, humor and a host of characters to fall in love with.

I enjoyed this book for many reasons, not the least because it surprised me. I have very much enjoyed many other writings by Patricia Briggs and I expected to be entertained, but this was different in a way that was very much like a fairytale. A very different beauty and the beast.I have to admit, I do love characters who have very human flaws but also a deep well of strength and honor. Aren finds her strength and power from within and is able to keep that power from twisting her into something evil.I also enjoy how the people in the village are real and human, with all the weaknesses that includes. We learn about the fear that drives cowardly actions and learn to understand and forgive the villagers their weaknesses.While this is a world away from Mercy Thompson, it's the same talented writer keeping you turning pages long after you should have turned out the light.

“Changes are frightening…even when they’re changes for the better.” This has to be one of my favorite books ever. I remember the first time reading it, not thinking it would be anything much, and just absolutely falling in love with the characters. After Aren experiences a great tragedy, the world around her and her little town start changing. Earthquakes big enough to shake mountains to pieces, rivers going dry, whole valleys flooding. Magic, something that most people despise and fear, seems to be slowly awakening again, bringing with it fear and creatures of old. Regardless of the town’s ill treatment of her because she has the “sight”, she is determined to help save it from ceasing to exist, thanks to all the new dangers present now. And how does she plan on doing that? By striking a bargain with the Hob. But will she be willing to provide what he asks for? This is such a cute story. Aren is a strong character (which you might not think so at the very beginning), and is someone you really root for. And the Hob…well you don’t know what to think of him at first. Should you like him, hate him, or what? But it is inevitable that you will love him by the end of the book. The story line was great, but what I really loved was all the small little touches the author would add to each scene, making it seem all the more real. You really get taken away from reality and sucked into the book while you read it. Love, love, love it! The only thing I would change is….for there to eventually be a sequel! I doubt that would happen, but a girl could hope. There’s totally room to continue Aren and the Hob’s story with the way the book ended. I would LOVE to see more of these characters! Overall, if you like period pieces with a paranormal touch, you’ll probably like this as well. I HIGHLY recommend it!

I really like her writing style and I thoroughly enjoyed the characters and story. This is a wonderful stand alone book.

I love the writer, Patricia Briggs. Her humour and story-telling are enjoyable and always interesting. I read and re-read her books regularly and am never disappointed.I was very pleased to have an early delivery as well as the book being in as good condition as expected. Enough wrapping prevented any chance of damage but there was not too much to be ridiculous.I am indeed a happy bunny.

親族を悪者軍団に殺され、魔法使いとしての自分に気ずき、成長する女魔法使い物語。途中「ホブ」族に会い、助けて貰う変わりに結婚を約束。最後、復讐の鬼になれず、悪者軍団と協力する道を選ぶ。また、「ホブ」族と結ばれる。筋書きは良いが、ヒロインのキャラクターに深みがなく迫力に欠ける。「ホブ」族と恋に陥るが、何故、恋仲になるのか？読んでもしっくりこない。悪者軍団と協力する過程も同じ。悪者軍団の中にも良いやつがいるという設定だが、ただそれだけで許しているように感じてしまう。筋書きが良く、読みやすいので３つ星。軽い読み物としてお薦めする。しかし「泣ける」場面期待なら、期待は裏切られるだろう。

This book is quite different from the Mercy Thompson series. More fantasy, the same great writing. I loved the characters, especially the Hob.

J'ai adoré les Mercy Thompson mais les autres histoires de Patricia Briggs me déçoivent un peu.Dans The Hob's Bargain, l'auteure alterne des moments très forts, très prenant, avec des passages complètement gnangnan.J'ai aimé l'histoire et j'avais envie de connaitre le fin mot, mais les défauts récurrents chez Patricia Briggs m'ont à nouveau agacée : On ne sait pas toujours qui parle ou qui fait quoi. Les scènes d'action sont souvent fouillis. Et là encore, il y a de nombreuses coquilles, qui montrent que le livre n'a pas été relu correctement avant l'édition.Cependant, malgré la déception, malgré les défauts et les coquilles, les personnages sont attachants et on les quitte à regret.