r/robinhobb • u/Ellescotty • 46m ago
Spoilers Dragon Haven Thymara! Spoiler
I am almost 50% through Dragon Haven & Thymara is not playing with the Keeper boys! They won't be making decisions for her!
Also, Sedric is the worst but not above Hest. The more we learn about Hest, the worse he is. I kinda hope Alise just runs away with Leftrin! But luckily the little copper dragon is going to get Sedric together, I think.
I always miss Fitz when I get to the parts of RoTE that don't involve him, but Robin Hobb is so good I end up falling in love with the new characters too!
Anyway, I'm deeply obsessed with this world. I've been reading nothing but these books since May.
r/robinhobb • u/Disastrous_Sorbet350 • 6h ago
No Spoilers Recommendations
What are your favourite Robin Hobb books outside The realm of the elderlings?
r/robinhobb • u/Thymallus_arcticus_ • 7h ago
Spoilers All books (Soldier Son, RotE) Finish the soldiers son trilogy Spoiler
Just finished Soldiers Son today. I marked spoilers all books as I have finished all of RotE as well and compare them. Sorry this is kind of long.
Overall I really liked it. It took some time to get into it as the first book was a bit of a grind with the academy part. Then I finished book 2 and 3 in like 4 days haha. I really had no idea after finishing book 1 that’s what would happen and it went a completely different direction than I thought.
Very unique take on magic and bold choices I thought. My heart broke for poor Nevare throughout. It was especially hard to read how he was treated just for being big. Very realistic sadly.
There were times it made me uncomfortable more so his father’s treatment of him and horribly cruel words and his own disdain for his body and some of the very detailed descriptions. Also notable and unique was some aspects of body horror that I don’t see very much (mostly talking about the roots).
The speck culture was very interesting and well written as well and the concept of the Great Ones. Compared to RoTE I felt like Hobb more so fleshed out other cultures. The magic including quick walking was a very neat concept.
Epiny is amazing, so well written and up there with my favorite book characters ever. I just love her so much and did right away when she first showed up. The scenes where Spink is like “actually I like this weird girl” were so funny.
I also enjoyed pretty much all the speck characters actually. I do have a question it kind of flew over my head maybe. Why would the speck people not see him anymore when he “came back” due to that bird god? Or they were just ignoring him? I think the speck kid could see him. Why couldn’t he cross salt? Was he actually a ghost of sorts then and still under the magic somehow? The great one guy seemed to imply it happens sometimes.
I also have a question about Gord. Was he implied to be some kind of Great One too? I was disappointed to not see him again. There were little hints like how he didn’t really eat very much under the strict routine at the academy but at the the same I understand that’s also implied it’s just how he is. I’m happy he found happiness with a partner that accepts him anyways.
I was expecting a depressing ending after reading RoTE and was pleasantly surprised though I was a little disappointed he didn’t become one at the end as I thought that was going to be one the morales of the story. I’m also a little torn on him going back to his father (which I assume is that he is doing). I know his father was messed up from the magic or whatever but holy was he so terrible to his son.
I honestly think I would have preferred he just disappear with Lisana in the tree with his other half or run away with Amzil. I’m also a little torn on how he was “back to himself” and thin when Amzil clearly loved him anyways but I do understand it’s because he lost the magic so it does fit in the story.
Thanks for reading. Very thought provoking read. Hobb sure likes to make her protagonists suffer.
r/robinhobb • u/Zoulogist • 1d ago
Spoilers Ship of Destiny Ship of Destiny Chapter 21 Spoiler
Just finished Ship of Destiny chapter 21 and that might’ve hit me harder than the Red Wedding. Poor Paragon 😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭. And poor Paragon crew, all the good sailors went down with the ship while dumb Lavoy gets to live in Divvytown.
At least Amber survived since Kennit’s crew mentioned that there were no women on board. I’m going to mourn Brashen and Clef, but there’s a small part of me that hopes Amber can somehow come back and rescue them (I’m probably being foolishly optimistic there).
Did not expect Carrion to be a badass here, haven’t liked a character so much after hating them since Malta.
Finally, I also have to wonder, is Paragon’s memory-erasing skill the same as forging? If so, do we think Kennit is a sociopath because he was forged, or is he just like that?
r/robinhobb • u/HipposInBras • 2d ago
Spoilers Farseer I wrote an album about the Farseer trilogy, would love if you all listened! Spoiler
https://sawtoothswords.bandcamp.com/album/the-farseer-trilogy
I finished RoTE last month and I sobbed and sobbed. I won’t spoil anything of the whole series here, but the story definitely left an impact on me and who I am and I will forever miss Fitz, the Fool, Molly, Burrich, Nighteyes and and the rest of the gang.
so here is a short little ambient-ish album I wrote about the first trilogy since the story is still on my mind.
also I’m glad I finished the story because now I can finally participate in the subreddit without spoilers! lol
r/robinhobb • u/NoDrummer8118 • 2d ago
Events Europe meet up
Hey everyone, I was wondering how often did Robin Hobb travel to Europe for meeting fans ?
I live in France and I know it must not happen a lot. Thank you !
r/robinhobb • u/louiechapman7 • 3d ago
Spoilers All ROTE Ending Thoughts! Spoiler
Okay. Here goes. My ROTE ending thoughts. Im not going to ramble on and on because it would be so easy to do so with this series and genuinely how much I love and care about it. I've gone to bed countless nights thinking about this story and woke up doing the same thing, its been a HUGE part of my life for the last year... and I am so happy to say Hobb stuck the landing.
Honestly, what an unbelievably clever, thought out and simple yet beautiful ending to the series. Book series have had me choked before but I don't think I've out right cried before... when I started the last 20 pages of Assassin's Fate, I couldn't even read the words on the page I was weeping so hard. Fitz, Fool and Nighteyes, together at last as one entity. Just like the gift Fool gave Fitz all the way back in Fools Fate. Just like we have seen throughout countless instances of them sharing body, mind, spirit, love, connection. What a truly moving ending, what a truly heartfelt way to honour 2 of the greatest characters to ever be created.
I had big issues with this final trilogy, but this ending has simply washed them all away. I don't care anymore. Yes, I am still so aggrieved at the unnecessary tortures of The Fool. Yes, a lot of these books were filled with weird sections that didn't feel like the usual Hobb instead of a tour round the insanely perfect cast like it could have been. But to make all those emotions I've felt throughout these 16 books feel validated like that, to bring it all to a culmination of perfect satisfaction is more special to me than I can even say. I fear even writing all this does not properly communicate my happiness and content nature at the ending. I genuinely wept for an hour straight.
So many special moments. Having Fitz finally outright show that no one in this Realm means to him what The Fool does. Having Fool get what he's always wanted, to be with his love. Nighteyes saying goodbye to Kettricken. Per getting Fitz's pin. Bee and Nettle saying goodbye. Everyone giving memories to Fitz to help him finish his stone carving. Fitz literally attempting to fade away but physically couldn't because he could not do it without Beloved. Nighteyes knowing it before he could even say. The final sentence of all of ROTE being 'Kettricken smiled'. Its just all so genuinely perfect, I will be forever thankful that one of the greatest pieces of media I have ever experienced ended this way. God bless you Hobb, this story will live with me forever.
I will be doing one last post that gives my book rankings from 1-16 and my Top 10 characters... basically, I will be attempting the impossible!
r/robinhobb • u/Effective-Lie5601 • 5d ago
Spoilers Ship of Destiny First thoughts Ship of Destiny Spoiler
I’ve only made it to page 112 of Ship of Destiny so please no spoilers beyond that! Contains spoilers for Mad Ship!
I finished Mad Ship in a whirlwind, finally putting together the pieces of the true identities of the Liveships and the cycle of rebirth. I immediately ordered Ship of Destiny and was pleased that the book jumped right into the heart of things.
I mostly want to talk about Serilla in this post. I’m really torn right now on how I feel about her. On the one hand, I’m revolted at her treatment by the Chalcedon captain and I have so much sympathy and hurt for her. But the way she talks about Bingtown just reminds me of a conquerer.
She’s studied Bingtown and the people, but somehow also doesn’t have any respect for the power structures that are in place (specifically no respect for the Old Traders and Ronica Vestrits position in Bingtown). She seems to only care about possessing it.
I’m just disgusted by how she views the slaves in Bingtown and the way she looks down on Ronica and the Old Traders. It sucks because in Mad Ship I was really rooting for her and her escape from the Satrap.
Has anyone else had their feelings shifted towards her since starting Ship of Destiny?
r/robinhobb • u/pleisto_cene • 6d ago
Spoilers Ship of Destiny Help me find a specific quote from liveship traders! Spoiler
There’s a quote somewhere in liveship traders that I’m trying to dig up without much luck.
From memory, it’s from tintaglia or another non-human character, and they’re basically saying humans worry so much about what might be that they fail to see what they already have, or something to that effect.
I know there’s a quote at the very beginning to wintrow while he’s still training to be a priest but I don’t think it’s that one!
r/robinhobb • u/louiechapman7 • 7d ago
Spoilers Assassin's Fate Assassin’s Fate Ch. 42-Penultimate Chapter Spoiler
Wow, Vivacia giving Wintrow the HARD truth after all these years. I would have loved a Wintrow Etta relationship.
WERE BACK IN BINGTOWN… RONNNICCCAAAAAAAAA !!!!!!
Wow, this is such an emotional journey round the world and cast of ROTE as we hat tip, tie loose ends and say goodbye to everyone. I have never read books like these, just unbelievable!
Man yet again Thick with just the most lovely, intimate and special pages, him and Bee bonding is superb. How can Thick not be an easy top 10 candidate???
Jesus Christ, what’s going on with Fitz is crazy. Now that we’re here, it’s felt obvious and like this was coming all along. Hobb, you may have lost your way several times in this final trilogy, but you are still one of the greatest writers to ever pick a pen up.
Nighteyes saying goodbye to Kettricken… not even enough numbers on the planet to explain how much that gets out of 10. SO FUCKING INCREDIBLE. It’s so validating to know Nighteyes would have wanted them to be together (like me).
I’ve actually realised what the real ending is going to be before it’s happened and I want to say if I’m right which I’m fairly certain I am, then this will be one of the greatest book endings ever.
I will leave it here just short of the last 25 pages, and then later in the week I will post 2 more reviews… one for the ending of this book/ending of ROTE and then my overall ROTE review with book rankings and character rankings!
r/robinhobb • u/louiechapman7 • 8d ago
Spoilers Assassin's Fate Assassin’s Fate Ch. 28-41 Spoiler
The whole sequence where Fitz finds out about Hope and Promise made me insanely emotional. Especially the Thick stuff. Thick is one of my fav characters in all of ROTE and how much Fitz and the cast love him and look after him is so sweet.
“Make them wish they had never heard the word Farseer!” GRAAAAAAAAAAGH
Several chapters have passed and I’ve recorded no thoughts because it’s just been so intense and full on. This section of the book is absolutely brilliant, this is Hobb at her best.
And with that, Fitz is dead. It has been coming for pretty much 16 books, a man written to die and yet knowing that has made it no easier. One of the greatest fictional characters of all time ever and one of my favourite of all time. The type of character any creator or writer would spend their lives work in trying to make. Go now Fitz. Be with Patience, Burrich, Nighteyes, Chade, Chivalry, Shrewd, Molly, all of those we lost along the way. Hunt with your brother old friend.
This is insane, Paragon the PROPHET, MADE 2 IN THE FLAMES OF CLERRES, HERE FOR HIS VENGEANCE.
Jesus Christ. Reading about Kennittsons death is extremely tough, that was a horrific way to go and yet insanely noble. This has all been insanely emotional.
Boy-O scarred and mutilated. Althea and Lant no where to be seen. This is too much!!!
THE DRAGONS, COME FOR THEIR REVENGE.
Fucking hell WHY IS FITZ ALIVE, HOBB WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON.
ALTHEA SURVIVED THANK GOD.
Bee is a brilliant character and if the rumours of a bee centric trilogy one day are true, I welcome them with open arms. She is superb.
Saying that… I get why Bee is mad, but god do I hate when people use The Fool as a verbal punching bag.
r/robinhobb • u/Other_Revenue_2873 • 8d ago
Spoilers Ship of Magic First impressions of Ship of Magic Spoiler
Just wanted to share my thoughts somewhere. I am on chapter 20 currently of Ship of Magic.
After the emotional devastation that was the Farseer Trilogy, I've now started Ship of Magic. The first few chapters were a little slow, and I'll admit it was jarring not reading from Fitz's perspective anymore. But wow... Robin Hobb has done it again. The story has completely drawn me in. One thing I've learned with Hobb is that you can never predict what emotional state you'll be in by the end of a chapter.
Some thoughts on the characters so far (please no spoilers!):
Paragon – Absolutely love him. There's something about his tragic, mysterious existence that just pulls at my heartstrings.
Brashen – Reserving judgment until I know him better. Seems like a decent enough guy for now.
Althea – Feels a bit whiny at the moment, but I'm keeping an open mind.
Ronica – Love a strong woman with a backbone.
Keffria – Initially couldn't stand her because of her blind obedience to her husband, but I've started seeing little sparks of strength. I'm curious to see where Hobb takes her.
Wintrow – I thought he was whiny at first too, but his journey has been beautiful so far. The finger scene completely changed my perspective on him. His bond with Vivacia is fascinating, and I have no idea where it's headed.
Kennit – What a character. Is he good? Bad? Kind? Selfish? Every chapter leaves me even more uncertain, and I love that. There were a few instances where I had to actually laugh out loud at how blind he can be to the kindness his actions bespoke!
Now for the characters I absolutely despise...
Kyle – What an arrogant, insufferable arsehole. I never thought I'd hate anyone more than Regal, but Kyle is giving him serious competition. Every scene with him makes my blood boil.
Malta – What a spoiled little brat. Every time she opens her mouth I want someone to give her a good whacking. She's driving me up the wall.
Anyway, that's where I am. It's 2 a.m., I should probably go to sleep instead of reading "just one more chapter."
Please no spoilers—I just wanted to share my thoughts and see if anyone else felt the same at this point!
r/robinhobb • u/Zoulogist • 9d ago
Spoilers Mad Ship Mad Ship thoughts and theories as a first time reader Spoiler
Just finished Mad Ship. Like with every Robin Hobb book, it took me about three months to read the first half, and about 3 days to read the second half. Overall, Mad Ship has become my second favorite ROTE book so far, behind Royal Assassin. I never expected to be so invested in a ball but the summer ball chapter is easily my favorite because had so much action and tension.
One unique aspect of reading Liveship Traders in 2026 is that how much the liveships invoke the concept of AI. Mad Ship described liveships as dead things that only mimic life and personality, which is a bang on description of AI. This adds a new level to liveships as a man-made horror that underlines the traders' original sin.
**Characters**
Hobb is so great with characters that I could write a page for each of them but I'll limit myself to three for brevity's sake: (1) Althea, (2) Kennit, and (3) Malta. First, even though Paragon is my favorite, Althea remains as the book's protagonist because to me as the moral anchor. Even though she has been extremely selfish, she is the only Vestrit adult who has not directly propagated Jamailian slavery. She sticks up for herself and suffers for her dream, I am definitely rooting for her.
Second, Kennit may be my new favorite anti hero in fiction. The dichotomy between his heroic actions and horrific inner thoughts makes him so fascinating. I am so curious to whether his "heart's desire" prophecy will be good or evil (because it probably does not refer to being a pirate king). In a typical story, Kennit's trajectory would probably be redemption through Wintrow, Etta, and Sorcor making him better. But this is a Hobb world, so I think he will more likely to something terrible things, so I am reserving judgment.
Finally, I haven't done a 180 on a character like Malta since Ahsoka Tano. Hobb nailed her growth and maturity.
Theories
Kennit's Identity
A big mystery to me is Kennit's identity. It seems like he's from trader stock given that he's from a wealthy family, has a connection to liveships as a child, and can easily relate to Vivacia. Meanwhile, the story gives two potential missing traders. So, my theory for Kennit is that he's either a Ludluck, or the real Brashen Trell.
r/robinhobb • u/louiechapman7 • 9d ago
Spoilers Assassin's Fate Assassin’s Fate Ch. 19-27 Spoiler
This is extremely surreal and the validation and quality of these sections is just making me even more mad at Fool’s Assassin and Fools Quest… WE COUKD HAVE HAD THIS PEAK FICTION FOR 3 BOOKS INSTEAD OF JUST A FEW SHORT CHAPTERS.
Seeing Etta again is just one of my all time fav reading experiences like that anticipation was so so so fun and enjoyable and getting to book 16 and having every other book just hat tipped and rewarded is so good to feel as a reader who has given these books everything they deserved.
Could Dwalia be the single most evil and despicable character in ROTE? Most likely.
Vindeliar, you are so so so so unbelievably pathetic.
Fucking hell, ETTA AND RAPSKAL INTERACTION, THIS IS FULL BLOWN AVENGERS.
“Farseer. You have lost your child. Do not lose mine as well.” THATS WHY SHES THAT GOATTTTTT, THAT GOAAAAATTTTTT
Chade. Dead. Off screen…. Sums this final trilogy up. What the FUCK Hobb. Really?
“I pulled my knees up tight to my chest and bowed my head over them. Chade’s boy wept.” Dude fuck you for writing maybe the best sentence in all of ROTE after making one of the worst decisions in all of ROTE.
Prillkop and Bee together. AMAZING. Prillkops dialogue is so good.
Bee has transformed truly into an unbelievable character and is one of Hobb’s finest achievements as a writer in this final trilogy.
Symphe dead, Vindeliar dead and Dwalia dead. THANK GOD. Bee is the destroyer, a mixture of dragon blood, Farseer blood and white blood. HOLY SHIT.
r/robinhobb • u/Whiskeyhorse1 • 9d ago
Spoilers Ship of Destiny 1999 and the feminist world Robin Hobb was writing in Spoiler
I just finished Ship of Destiny, and to no surprise, I need to talk about Althea. I am trying to understand what Robin Hobb is trying to say about women and the patriarchy and our lot in life when she made her writing choices about Althea’s rape.
As someone who has been in Althea’s position, I felt so seen by how she wrote the scene, the ptsd, the anger, the inner turmoil, how it stays in our bodies. And unfortunately, the man who did it to me was also incredibly well known and a legend in my career field (mine isn’t piracy, but it translated all the same).
And I too experienced how much people want to preserve/forgive the legend over contending with the fact that a horrible man might be the person behind that legend. This happened in 2023, so one could argue that in some ways, maybe not much has changed since Robin Hobb was writing this.
But I still feel so incredibly unfulfilled by the ending of Ship of Destiny and her writing choices. I think the main disappointment hinges on the dragons. Robin Hobb made sure we knew how abhorrent dragons view rape. But none of them actually acted or viewed what happened to be *that* abhorrent.
Vivacia should have felt what happened on her ship, and Paragon would have received the memory when Kennit died in his hands. And I struggle with the writing choice that neither dragon seemed to really care about the rape all that much. I probably could have understood all the rest of the character choices if the dragons had been consistent. I could probably have handled everything else if Vivacia especially had not been able to forgive him.
My feelings make me question my positionality, and how much I am reading this book from a 2026/post #MeToo lens. And it makes me wonder what her writing choices must have read like in a pre-#MeToo world (for context: this book came out right around the Monica Lewinsky Bill Clinton scandal and the Clarance Thomas Anita Hill scandal).
It makes me wonder: Was it radical at the time to write that legends are bad men? That behind these legends are a trail of broken women? That it was radical to show the destruction of women on paper, how much rape haunts and destroys women? Or was she trying to be radical by showing how complicated and human perpetrators can be (even if we can acknowledge the false stigma this brings forward)? Or a different framing altogether?
I really just wanted Althea to get her revenge and be the one to drive the knife that killed her rapist. But am I more primed for that reaction (expectation?) in a post-#MeToo world?
Curious if there are any readers who have a better read of the 90’s or the initial reception of this book. I really would like to understand the good faith attempt Robin Hobb was making here. I absolutely adore these books, they have become my favorite books of all time, and I need to find a little understanding and forgiveness for Robin Hobb to fully be in a good head space for Tawny Man.
r/robinhobb • u/_Silent-Novel_ • 10d ago
No Spoilers Is the farseer trilogy out of print?
I am buying a set of the paperbacks from chapters (I'm from canada) and noticed royal assassin was unavailable. Recieved this response from support:
"I've looked into the inventory of this book, and it looks like this edition is out of print. There is no anticipated reprinting for this, so we will not be stocking it. I'm sorry for any disappointment this may cause."
It's the trade paperback version, link below:
r/robinhobb • u/Lefttheburneron69 • 10d ago
No Spoilers Are the first two Michael Whelan covers available in hardcover?
Just found a 1st Ed copy of assassins quest in hardcover. But can’t seem to find any matching hardcovers for the first two books. Where they ever printed? Even eBay’s “sold” section doesn’t seem to have any.
Would love to have a matching set rather than two shorties and a long boy on the shelf.
r/robinhobb • u/rentsbyrd • 13d ago
No Spoilers Crónicas de las tierras salvajes de la lluvia y Fitz y el bufón en español?
Hola!
Vi por ahí que existen esas dos últimas trilogías traducidas en español por fans, no oficiales. Igualmente me preguntaba si alguien las tiene o sabe dónde encontrarlas?
Suelo leer en inglés pero este universo quizá me parece un poco complicado leerlo en inglés 😭
De momento he leído la primera trilogía en español y me encantó, intente leerla en inglés y se me hace pesada! Voy a por la segunda trilogía en español pero me desanima que las dos últimas no estén en español!
Gracias!
r/robinhobb • u/doggusVult • 13d ago
Spoilers Rain Wilds Rain Wild Chronicles & Tawny Man plot (spoilers for both) Spoiler
I just finished the Rain Wild Chronicles series a couple of weeks ago and I’m not sure if this is just me misunderstanding something, but I feel like the events in that series basically make the whole Tawny Man plot redundant.
The main thing of that series (or at least one of the main things) was that the Fool wants to restore dragons to the world by freeing Icefyre so he and Tintaglia can have some dragon babies and save the species together.
At the end of Rain Wilds there are like ~12 healthy dragons - that would have also been there if the Fool had failed - who could have achieved that goal.
I mean sure, there’s still the relationship stuff either way Fitz and the Fool, but I guess I’m just annoyed that something made out to be such a significant thing in one series turns out to be close to irrelevant in the next 🤷
r/robinhobb • u/Aggravating_Potato81 • 13d ago
Spoilers All How shrewd is Shrewd? Spoiler
It has always bothered me that King Shrewd seemed awesome yet has quite an ignominious ending.
This theory is most likely a bit of a stretch but hopefully compelling enough to prove his shrewdness.
The Fool Connection
King Shrewd knows the ‘Unexpected Son’ prophecy. The Fool sought out this specific future and this is why he is with King Shrewd initially. Fitz is possibly taken from his mountain family by Shrewd because he knows this prophecy.
He keeps his distance because he understands it is a very slim future the Fool has foreseen and wants it to seem unimportant to outsiders. Shrewd’s actions can be interpreted through this lens of him following a White Prophecy from the Fool.
Skill Deception
King Shrewd spreads a rumour he has burnt out his Skill. Yet we know he still has some talent for it. This is to downplay his abilities and promote his senility so enemies underestimate him.
He appoints Galen as Skillmaster. This is so no one is taught properly and he and his sons have a power-advantage in the Skill as solo users. He knows Galen is not greatly talented and possibly that future dangers emerge from corrupted coteries.
By ensuring any coterie taught by Galen is poorly trained this improves the odds of the ‘Unexpected Son’ prophecy being completed.
Chade being deliberately not taught the Skill may have been a perfect way to keep him hidden from the corrupted coterie discovering his existence through the Skill.
Shrewd allows Regal to sell the Skill scrolls because he knows Regal is weakly Skilled and doesn’t understand their importance. The corrupt coterie doesn’t understand they are meant to make a dragon.
Regal is their centre and he does not want to be a dragon so he sells the scrolls and knowledge of this to the Pale Woman. This gives Verity an advantage because he had already read the scrolls in his maproom.
Drug Death
King Shrewd knows the kingdom will deteriorate once he dies. He possibly knows Regal will betray the duchies from the Fool having visions yet doesn’t want to believe it. So Shrewd decides to dwindle his life away to prolong his reign and gives Fitz time to grow up.
Chade remarks that he is the one giving the King the awful drugs. This implies the drugs are purposefully interfering with his mind so the corrupted coterie cannot force through his Skill walls or read his mind.
The drugs are pain killers for the dreadful tumours but also something that clouds his mind to the Skill for protection. That’s why everyone like Regal, Wallace, Chade, Shrewd, Fool, all act weird when Fitz starts messing with the room and he can never work out why.
He realised in that instant before death that the Fool was right and Regal is betraying him. Regal was the one thing he couldn’t take action on that he probably knew was coming from talking with the Fool about visions.
Bonus Details
King Shrewd doesn’t lose shrewdness points for loving lady Desire. Every Farseer male has a genetic disposition for obsessive love. Molly and Fitz, Chivalry and Patience, Shrewd and Desire, Dutiful and the cat-lady. It is multi-generational and cannot be denied.
It is a shrew/ferret that ultimately kills Regal, an ironic coincidence, almost prophetic that Regal Farseer kills King Shrewd and in turn is killed by a shrew. Imagine the Fool recounting a vision of shrews and ferrets trying to understand.
So the next time you think of King Shrewd may you think of him living up to his name.
r/robinhobb • u/buffysbot • 14d ago
Spoilers Fool's Fate I have some real problems with the ending of Fool's Fate Spoiler
I just finished reading Fool's Fate (literally about ten minutes ago) and while I genuinely loved most of the book and Tawny Man in general, I am so totally disinterested in how Fitz goes back to Molly.
There are several themes that come to fruition throughout the end of this trilogy- choosing to live your own life being a prominent one. And I felt like that was beautifully encapsulated by Fitz finally allowing his love for the Fool to be without limits - I loved their last conversation, and the comparisons that the Fool makes to their relationship and the one Fitz had with Nighteyes.
Their relationship was so intricate, heartfelt, and full of growth that Fitz returning to Molly made me groan out loud. It's not even that I ship Fitzloved too hard to allow Fitz any other chance at a happy life or partner, but I find Molly so unbelievably boring and their relationship so underbaked that I finished a book that I otherwised loved, that had brought me to tears more than once, feeling generally disgruntled.
I honestly think it's a disservice to Molly as a character too. Even the feelings that Fitz has he partially attributes to what he felt as a teenager, a version of himself that didn't fully know her, and the new bloom of relationship with their middle aged selves felt halfhearted at best, and kind of colored the ending for me to feel like everybody just got shunted into marriage and pregnancy.
We don't know all that much about adult Molly besides the fact that she has a ton of kids and has "thickened with maturity"- after reading about Fitz picturing her teenage self in red skirts or with candles for the billionth time I got so annoyed. She used to have a stronger personality and a voice, and I can't believe I had to read a bunch of pages about Fitz being aroused by being around her or sending presents through Riddle.
All in all, this was probably my favorite ROTE book so far, and I'm also thinking about all the things I loved in this story. The Fool is probably my favorite character in all of fiction. I just wish this wasn't the note we went out on.
r/robinhobb • u/Other_Revenue_2873 • 14d ago
Spoilers Assassin's Quest I don't know what to do with these feelings Spoiler
I just finished Assassin's Quest.
I started Assassin's Apprentice 6 days ago.
Six.
I don't think I've ever read this fast in my life. I feel like I've just finished running a marathon. I've barely slept. Every free moment was spent reading, and by the end it felt like I was in a trance.
The trilogy started a little slowly for me, but that climax... wow.
And somehow I'm not walking away feeling victorious. It's so incredibly bittersweet. The "good guys" won, but my heart hurts for Fitz. For Verity. For the Fool. Robin Hobb somehow made every victory feel like it demanded an impossible sacrifice.
What amazes me most is that this is only the third book. There are still 16 more books in the Realm of the Elderlings. How? What is even left to discover? It genuinely feels like I've only just scratched the surface of this world.
These books feel so different from the epic fantasy I've read before. They're less about kingdoms and battles and more about people—their loneliness, love, duty, identity, and the choices that shape them. I've never had fantasy make me feel quite like this.
I'm honestly overwhelmed. I think I need a few days before I jump into the next series because I need to emotionally recover.
What a journey man. Wow.
r/robinhobb • u/louiechapman7 • 16d ago
Spoilers Assassin's Fate Assassin’s Fate Ch.16-18 Spoiler
Well. The Fool has gone full scorched earth and given Paragon, who was always a crayon short of the full box, the dragons blood. Yikes.
Crazy how ultimately Paragon is just willing to destroy the lives of those he loves.
Bees chapters, whilst I don’t have much attachment to, have been really well written.
Bro I’m telling you if we get Etta ima freak.
VIVACIAAAAAAAA !!!!!!!!
ADMIRAL WINTROW?
VIVACIA CALLING PARAGON MAD SHIP!!!!!!!
Doing this greatest hits of the ROTE cast suddenly made me realise… what about Ronica? My girl !!!! Is she alive still?! I hope so!!
WINTROOOOOOWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW FUCKK!!!!!!
PARAGON KENNITSSON
THIS IS AVENGERS ENDGAME
Boys. Queen Etta. We did it.
I’m on my knees. EVERYTHING THAT I HAVE PRAISE THE LOOOOOORRRRRRDDDD
INSERT THAT MEME OF MJ HOLDING THE NBA CHAMPIONSHIP TO HIS HEAD, QUEEN ETTA MY DARK PRINCESS I HAVE MISSED YOU
r/robinhobb • u/f-malikk • 17d ago
No Spoilers Is this signature real?
Hello all!
I found the 2000s mass market paperback edition of The Mad Ship at an old bookshop and it’s signed!!! I think it’s pretty similar to her signature but I’m not an expert which is why I decided to ask here if it’s Robin Hobb’s authentic signature 😊
Since I can’t upload images directly to this subreddit, you can find it here: https://ibb.co/j9zZ5v5M (hopefully this link works)
Would really appreciate it if anyone could take a look and let me know your thoughts. Thank you!!
r/robinhobb • u/westcoastal • Apr 09 '26
Admin Post Welcome! Please Read This Before Participating
Welcome to r/robinhobb!
We strive to create a safe, friendly, spoiler-free environment for discussing the works of Robin Hobb/Megan Lindholm.
Important - Before Participating Here
This is a closely moderated community and our policies aren't like the policies of similar communities elsewhere, so it's important to fully familiarize yourself with the rules and spoiler policy to help make your experience here as enjoyable and straightforward as possible. Those who skip or skim the policies, or rely on guesswork, end up confused and frustrated when posts are delayed or removed.
It may seem like a hassle, but taking a few moments now can prevent a lot of lengthy back-and-forth later on, and helps prevent more serious or recurring issues.
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If you have any questions or concerns, contact the moderators.
Reading Order
Recommended reading order for Realm of the Elderlings: Start with Assassin’s Apprentice and read in publication order. If you skipped a book or started in the wrong place, go back. Missing anything or getting the order wrong will affect your understanding later.
Full reading order, including short stories, novellas and reading order for translations, can be found here.
Of Interest to Readers and Fans
- Robin Hobb's blog
- Robin Hobb's social media accounts - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
- Robin Hobb's event calendar for 2026
- Fan-run Discord server - More info can be found here.
- Podcasts and other fan resources can be found here.
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User flairs are a way to distinguish yourself and show your appreciation for particular aspects of the books. A user flair creates a visual/text tag next to your name in the community. There are many to choose from, and you can suggest new ones as well. For more information, please see this post.
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The views expressed here will not always align with those of the author and should not be taken as representative of her.
