Thoughts on Forest Mage, or: why the heck is there a fish on the cover? (SPOILERS)

[Albertosaurus Rex]

I emailed Robin Hobb about this... and actually got a swift reply. I'm sure she won't mind me sharing this with you guys:

Oh, I was puzzled by the fish at first, too.

Then I recalled using a metaphor in the book, saying that reaching for the magic was like reaching under an overgrown stream bank to try to catch a speckled trout hiding in the shadows.

And there he is, on the cover!

Best wishes,

Robin Hobb

And thanks for your comments and query!

It's interesting to note, though, that this metaphor is actually first used in... Renegade's Magic.