If the fatphobia was rough in the first book, it was even worse in this book. This was a difficult book to read for the rampant cruelty and injustice, but it was just as hard to put down. Just know if you choose to pick up this trilogy that it's got a lot of difficult subject matter. It also has interesting, complex characters, a fascinating magic system, and great writing. I've read that this is often people's least favorite Hobb trilogy and as it's the only one I've read any of it makes me excited to read her more popular works.