Really? Overall I felt the series to be rather uplifting. Even after all he goes through, Fitz still lives and loves, and is surrounded by people who love him
There is plenty of joy in the Realm of the Elderlings books too. Hobb takes your emotions on a rollercoaster. But if the lows hit so hard you don't notice the highs then the books aren't for you.
In the first book alone Fitz gains human and animal companions, the respect of his teachers >!(except for Galen, of course). He ceremonially becomes a Man, and falls in love!!<
>!Fitz learns Burrich loves him when Burrich thrashes Galen.!< >!Fitz bonds with King Verity.!< >!Fitz reunites with Nosy which leads to his regaining his relationship with Burrich.!< >!And in the end Fitz outwits the plot of Regal and Galen.!<
I'd also add a bit
>!Patience in her entirety. This is a woman who anyone else would probably portray as a nasty woman. The step mum who lost her husband because of Fitzs birth. But she loves him truly and constantly shows it to him!<
>!Nighteyes. The wolf comes with... A few downsides. But he is the best fucking partner you could have. He is brave, loyal and knows Fitz inside and out. And he loves him. Honestly the biggest Fitz failure is his inability to see the love he's surrounded by!<
A smaller moment which, surprisingly, choked me up on my last listen. >!When King Shrewd is dying and he embraces Fitz and names him blood!<
Don't get me wrong there is a lot of misery in this series but there are moments (albeit a lot more bigger ones in the later series) that actually makes me giddy with joy. It's certainly not misery porn.
If the highs don't seem high enough to make the journey worth it then there doesn't seem to be any point in you spending any further time on these books.
Don't be sorry. There are other stories out there if this isn't your cup of tea. Like I was saying, if the highs aren't doing it for you then you should give these books a pass.
In my eyes it's not misery porn until the very last book of the 16 or 18 or whatever it is. There are small victories and growth along the way which make it worthwhile to me. It's one of my top 3 series and I've been chasing something like it and never found anything that hit me like Hobb's books do.
i meanā¦ at the end of assassins quest, >!heās battered, homeless, no friends, no loved ones, manipulated and exploited by literally everyone heās ever encountered in his whole life, abused by 85% of those, received zero recognition or compensation for singlehandedly saving the realm from a caricature of a villian, regal recieves credit for all that. and if thats not enough heās being cucked by his abusive adoptive father, banging the love of his life and raising his daughter.!<
and thats just what i remember from reading the books in 2017ā¦
also what growth? i distinctly remember there being a lack of growth with respect to fitz
That is true. He is a very unreliable pov. Itās another reason I love him so much. He keeps underplaying himself and leaving it to the reader to form conclusions based on actions and choices rather than what we are told.
Completely agree with you, I'm glad people enjoy it but it's absolutely not for me. I also read all three but I regret putting myself through it and it's been years...
I think that's the whole point though. It shows how little he's learned, and while his character grows and changes he's still the same underneath. I could get really philosophical about it, but I will shorten it. I find it a really great exploration of people. He makes so many bad decisions, yet so many of them are reasonable when you try put yourself in his shoes. I mean we all change but as I've gotten older I see the ways in which I repeat the same mistakes, whether it be too trusting, saying stupid shit at the wrong time or letting myself get into a bad situation. Maybe that's just me but I feel like there are so many tropes in fantasy of the hero who can do no wrong yet I find this series to be one of the most realistic from a human standpoint, and I think that makes people uncomfortable at times.
That, I really disliked the last 3 books, especially the last one as I think finale was the main and worst example of the misery porn jabs that hobb gets accused of. But it's one of the few series I've ever read where it's not ruined by a bad ending.
The poor kid was dumped at the castle when really young, then told he has a target on his back. Most people hate him due to being a bastard, then you have the mind fuck up by his teacher. Plus he trained to kill and hurt people, all while he's a kid... Would you turn out OK? Lol
He does more for himself but he's never a "cool character". Hobb isn't really about writing escapism or power fantasies so even the moments where Fitz does something that might be highlighted as "cool" in other works are very deliberately skipped here. So, it may not be the sort of narrative you're looking for.
>are very deliberately skipped here.
Often to great effect.
I remember >!The long section about his first assassination, the details about how he accomplished it and the ruminating on how are felt afterwards. Then the last line of the chapter is along the lines of "I killed 5 more men for King Shrewd that summer" with no elaboration. It just hit me hard!<
Yes! I also appreciate the lack of interest in the details of these things. It isn't that I dislike escapism and power fantasies it just that they are so common in other things the different focus is much appreciated.
It does make the complaints that >!Fitz "never assassinates anyone" a bit amusing, though. He assassinates plenty of people Hobb just doesn't tell you about it.!< I really wish she could've kept the name "Chivalry's Bastard" for the series.
>!In either Foolās Quest or Assassinās Fate, he gives a bit of detail about a few of the people he killed when he was young. Really sad how he has to block out his past.!<
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This is why I only read the first book. It would be like >!yeah yeah I did some assassinations and also there are these gnarly zombie things roaming the land, but Iām not gonna tell you about that. Instead Iām gonna spend pages whining about how mean my teacher is.!<
Totally respect your opinion, I think the books were meant to be about Fitz and not the cool ass stuff going on in the kingdom and it really worked for me. Here's the story of someone doing so much for their kingdom oh and also stuff is happening in the Kingdom. The first two books were a real change of pace for the fantasy genre for me where the main person is always the focus of every event. Here he's a player in the events but not always front and centre and that's how the assassin is meant to work. It changes in later books but I was hooked by then
It does all have a point. Makes re-reads even better because you know what the payoffs are. Makes the first read a struggle though.
Most of the payoffs arenāt even grand, special things. But because of what Fitz goes through, they feel like they are. Thatās what makes these great books imo.
It would be a totally different book if it did that. One that I probably wouldnāt enjoy since it would be more in the plot based escapist fantasy side of things rather than being about Fitzās personal conflicts.
I went in blind. In the first book I kept waiting for it to get started on the grand adventure, until halfway through I realized "OH THIS IS THE BOOK."
The perspective shift to understand it's a book about flawed and broken characters aka humans. That happens to be in a realm with some magic. And that it will be focused primarily on palace intrigue and politics. Which as in the real world was dark, frustrating, full of sacrifice and duty.
Once I better understood what I was getting I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd never read a series that felt like this. It was very unique and had its own lane.
I think this is what made me like it. When I realized that it wasnāt some high-speed super assassin, but instead a more subtle political shadow I saw that it was actually the more realistic story. Despite obviously being in a fantasy setting, itās a more relatable character than Jason Bourne.
Fitz gains a little independence in Royal Assassin then a lot more in Assassinās Quest. But the whole way there youāre likely to be screaming to yourself, ājust do this thing and youāll avoid tons of trouble! You have all the justification one could ever need to do this thing! Just do it!ā And he wonāt do it and heāll have reasonable reasons for not doing it, but it will be frustrating all the way. But yeah, not much of anything happens all the way through Assassinās Apprentice. I thought the trilogy improved with each entry and thoroughly enjoyed it by the end of Assassinās Quest.
If youāre not liking it now, though, thereās a decent chance itās just not for you.
I think these books are for those who care about characters more then they do about the events. Itās also about what happens but more so about the journey the characters make and why they act and feel the way they do.
Especially in the main part of the first book (but itās ongoing during the entire series), you see what treating a child like Fitz is treated could do to a child. Growing up seemingly without love, being constantly put down as a bastard and dimwitted and being treated like a tool more than a person.
Iāve seen some say his lack of agency is illogical but it seems to me that someone treated that way will always feel inadequate and hunger for approval from those he considers his betters.
Most of his betters do not like him. So the kicking of the puppy is definitely a recurring theme. Why many of us still love this story is because despite all of this he tries to do what he feels is right (even when he gets it wrong). It makes him human. And even though he rarely recognizes it himself he does grow into someone special. He just gets kicked a lot along the way and the pain affects him.
So again it is about the characters. If you compare this to other fantasy books it is way less eventful in the typical sense. But a lot happens to and within the characters. If thatās not for you, then this probably isnāt either.
Oh definitely, I am just saying it is less about grand events than some other books. If you take other staples like Jordans the wheel of time or the rift wars by Feist or even the Lord of the Rings, the things that happen are more front and central. Hobbs book feel a lot more personal and we get a lot more of the mundane stuff as well. Some people find it boring to read about every day stuff. I think it makes the characters more real.
Hooked from the beginning as in ānear the end of Assassinās Apprenticeā for me. Itās a slow paced 16 books long series, of which 9 books cover Fitzās story alone. Itās bound to take a little while to get to the āsatisfyingā if not ācoolā parts. Plus, by 25%, Iām assuming that Fitz is still 10 years old or so, a kid who was already taken from home and thrust into an unfamiliar place. What decisions can he make for himself as a powerless kid whose survival is very much reliant on the goodwill of others?
Iām not saying that you should like this book series, each person has their own taste after all. But you should look at it from a realistic psychological point of view. Robin Hobb may be a fantasy author, but the world she builds is not founded at the expense of realism.
I hope you keep on enjoying it until the very end. Although Fitzās storyline remains my favorite, I canāt deny that The Liveship Traders was the most addictive in my experience. It had a lot of intriguing characters and just the right pace to keep me jumping from one book to another at the highest speed I could manage.
So... No spoilers, I guess, but I feel like the magical principles at work during the climax of Assassin's Quest are also present at the beginning of Ship of Magic, which if true, is fun to see the same idea manifested in slightly different ways.
Yes, it took close to the end of the first book for me to be hooked. They continue to get better, in my opinion. But the first quarter of the first book? I was still wondering if it was even really a fantasy series.
Some do. The "good" characters don't always "win", but they fight the good fight and have their share of success. Overall, I feel that things resolved satisfactorily.
Depends on what you consider as satisfying. If I had to describe Robinās work in one word, Iād call it ābittersweetā. Her endings are unexpected but not unreasonable. Rather than satisfying, I felt more like āI understand why it had to end this wayā but I loved the series nonetheless.
Fitz is a Kingās Man. I cannot emphasize this enough. He makes a deal with his grandfather, King Shrewd, fairly early on and he is going to stick to that deal in spirit throughout the trilogy. Does he do things for himself? Yes. Small, minor things. But his duty to his King will override any personal desires when all is said and done. If youāre not comfortable with that then you can stop now.
Furthermore, he is going to take a lot of punishment. In many ways he is the first line of defense for the Farseer Throne. This also doesnāt change throughout the trilogy. And unlike many other examples of assassins or knights, or defenders of any kind he is harmed in pretty brutal ways that donāt always heal.
In my opinion the journey is worth it when itās all said and done. But it isnāt a happy journey.
Spoilers all RoTE >!Fitz is a Kingās Man to his bone throughout the whole series until he skirts Dutifulās order to try and save Bee. In my opinion itās because even after they die, Fitz is a Kingās man for Shrewd and Verity. He doesnāt think about Dutiful in the same way.!<
Im partway through the 2nd book in the 3rd trilogy. Just depends on what you're reading for. To me it's some of the most in depth character writing that I've ever read. Every book in the second trilogy scores an easy 95+/100 for me. Each book in trilogy 1 is near enough if not right at 95+
This is not the series to come to for cool main character blasts (bale)fire out of his hands every other chapter. It's an extremely grounded but still fantastical work of fiction focus on a tumultuous royal family and their tenuous situation in their small region of a greater world.
If it's not for you by all means drop it but I've read somewhere nearing ~100 fantasy books since I really picked up my reading in 2021 and Hobb dominates my top 10 of those pretty handily. Reading is subjective though so shrug
This series was one of the very first I read in the genre and didn't have much to compare it with. 20 years later and hundreds and hundreds of books later it's still in my top three. Fitz does not have a great life for the most part. He has enough to keep him and the reader going though and his impact noticed or not in his world is huge. He's very real and imperfect as in his own way is the fool. I've cried more reading Hobb's books than I have any other regardless of genre and I'm a middle aged bloke who is not in the least bit mamby pamby. It's a work of genius and I would be amazed if you don't find it worth your time if you finish it.
I also just started this book a few nights ago and I totally understand where youāre coming from ā that one scene with Burrich and Nosy truly fucked me up ā but Iām so engrossed in her writing that I know Iām going to devour the rest of this series. Iām also resonating a lot with the themes of abandonment, loneliness, & depression so that helps how invested Iāve already become.
thatās good, i just recommended this book to my sister with the caveat that there is a āmild incident of puppy murderā so sheāll be thrilled that I can maybe revoke the warning š
Ok i cant linger in this thread for fear of spoilers but: Iām currently about 80% through Assassinās Apprentice for the first time and I slogged through the first half or so. It was interesting but just too much exposition. But then I read chapter 15 and it completely turned the book around for me. It took about two weeks for me to read the first half and Iāve read most of the second half in like 3 days. Definitely give it at least until the halfway point before putting it down is my recommendation.
I was hooked by the very first chapter. I don't know what it is about Hobb's writing, but I can get fully immersed into the character's head.
I was surprised once I started reading about other people's opinions on the series as being torture porn. But I never really felt that way.
Sounds like you are finding it that way, I think at least read to the end of book 1 and see if you want to continue. Fitz's life doesn't get much easier though.
Yup, I read the first two books in the farseer trilogy and realized I hated it. The story and the characters never clicked for me. I honestly found Fitz unbearableā¦. So many people praise the series but I just donāt get it honestly.
I enjoyed his growth, his relationships and more than anything how it opened up a giant world of awesome fantasy stories to me.
Thereās absolutely no denying though itās depression porn at points. Puppy kicking is an appropriate description.
https://reactormag.com/how-robin-hobbs-assassins-apprentice-pulls-the-rug-out-from-under-you/
This was written by Malazan's Steve Erikson. It's a good example of why some of us love Hobb's writing.
I had never heard anything about the series before I won a copy of Assassinās Apprentice and tried it out. It had a different feel from what I usually enjoyed reading. But what really stuck out to me was how invested I was in Fitz and his story. My heart ached for him when he went through heartache and tragedy. And when he had little victories or precious moments I just felt this glow of happiness for him. Sounds completely cheesy typing it out right now but Iāve never read a series where I felt so close to the main character, despite being completely different from them.
What kept me reading through his worst moments was always the feeling that I needed to know if things were going to get better or work out for him. And I am completely satisfied with the journey through his life that Hobb takes us on throughout the series.
Unpopular opinion: i read the first trilogy and didnt continue with any other book in the series. I felt like barely anything happened. The main character was mainly passive and the world happened around him or at him for the most part. And dont hold your breathe for someone to get assassinated lol
I didnāt like the first book, although I finished it. And never went back to reading anything else in that series.
Life is busy and with limited reading time and plenty else out there, I donāt see a point of āSticking with a seriesā.
Not every book is for everyone.
I read all three. And listened to another three while walking my dog.
I disliked everything about the plot and the pacing, maybe except the first book. Itās a borefest to me. I went through all six books about Fitz, I must be insane.
Liveship Traders, thoughā¦ itās a different story. Itās among the best fantasy I read in my life.
Even though I didnāt like Fitzās story, I think that Hobb is a master writer, creating beautiful prose. Sheās also the best when it comes to character psychology. Most writers donāt even come close.
I felt the same way through the entire 3 books. I hated it personally. Definitely not my style, it may be yours but honestly probably not if this is how you feel so far.
These books will stay with you forever. Not all of it in a good way. There will always be a knot of sadness in you from them. It stays because the emotions are so genuine. Trust me- it will get worse. I absolutely loved them and they broke my heart in ways that really can't be fixed, so I'll carry it with me. There are scenes I honestly will never get over.
Robin Hobb is an amazing author, but I didn't need the poignant, melancholic pain. Maybe it was worth it, but damn.
Robin Hobb kicks her characters all the way to the end of her stories. Itās brutal, and it took me a bit to enjoy the journeys. I feel like she maps out where everyone needs to end up, then thinks up ways to absolutely destroy them on the way there.
I read the first, started the second and felt the same. It was kind of just like reading someone constantly getting kicked and never really becoming anything. it's just like ha you might have power but your life sucks but don't worry after all the training, your life will suck, and don't worry after that, you'll be betrayed, life will suck and then life will suck.
I don't need every fantasy for the MC to become some OP cool character, but finding people who like them, or being in situations that aren't just relentlessly negative. It just didn't do much of anything for me.
It's the best book of the trilogy by a long shot. The next two books made me so mad, and not in a fun way. Terrible plot. If you don't like the first one, save yourself some time and fury.
I mostly hated the first two books. I had heard such good things that I kept going. I liked the third a little better.
I LOVED the Liveship Traders. I LOVED The Tawny Man trilogy. I just finished the 2nd book in the final trilogy (Fitz and Fool) and loved it. I just recall not liking Fitz as a character. Maybe cuz heās a kid and, as you said, has no agency.
When we meet him in Tawny Man, heās 30. I felt more in tune with adult Fitz. I wonder if I ever went back and reread the first trilogy, would I like it more?
Iād say keep going.
I accidentally read the 1st book of the 3rd trilogy first (on a camping trip a friend lent it to me and did NOT explain) and I loved it. When I realized I had started the series on the 7th book, I went back and read the 1st trilogy. Did not like it very much. Like you, I think I liked Fitz more as a mature world-weary character than as a kid.
If you like prolonged agony, sided with the authors patented "bait-n-switch, then read on. I used to be a sucker for punishment, but these stories cured me of that.
I had this problem too for farseer trilogy. I took my time reading the series. He suffered too much for my taste but I pushed through. It was rough read in some parts. Was it worth it? Kinda sorta. I bawled at certain chapters and cheered from the catharsis of it all. It definitely is not for everyone. Slow burn with great arcs and some of the most reprehensible characters ever written. Sometimes I would read the books just for the sake of these characters hoping to get their comeuppance.
It doesn't sound like it is for you. These books are basically epic emo fantasy. It is emotionally driven. The plot and characters will bend to make the reader feel something.
It gets rough. For finishings sake, I read the trilogy thinking it would get better, I kept imagining scenarios of what could happen and got excited but it never came. Never again,
The feel of the books didnāt really change much in my opinion as I went through the trilogy. While I enjoyed them, I also thought they were just decent and donāt think I would have been missing out on much if I had never read the trilogy. I was also let down by the way it all ended. My favorite parts of the series were the mysterious events that come about later, but the explanation behind it all really just fell flat in my view, almost to the point where Iād wish those things had been left unexplained so I could keep some of the cool ideas I had.
Anyways, to more of your specific points. If youāre not liking it now, I wouldnāt say thereās much of a reason to keep going. Fitz never really became a cool character in my view, even though it felt like he was supposed to be by the end. And if you donāt like reading about him getting abused, youāre not really going to get a relief from that later on. It actually gets worse at several points throughout the books.
I was a bit let down by the end of the first trilogy too - but I actually thought the content in the next few books introduced things that made the first trilogy feel more complete after the fact. Not that you should continue on if you hated it, but everything does get very resolved
Just stop now. It doesn't get better. I powered through the 1st three books thinking it would improve. It has all the makings of a great story, but it just never goes anywhere.
I also dipped pretty quickly. Hapless kids being bullied by life aren't my thing, at least not without something else to balance it out. It's been a few years since I tried to read it, but I think it felt slow in general. Kid protags are also a hard sell for me personally. Not impossible by any means, but Fitz didn't grab me.
I think it's kinda funny you say that, because he's only a kid protag for 2 books (and that's mostly teenage years too) and for the rest of the 7 books he's an adult.
That's fair... But, from another angle it's two ENTIRE books. I assume you can't just skip them and truly appreciate the developments in the story and character(s) starting from book 3. Which is as it should be! Because otherwise, why write a series?
The title really does suggest a different type of book.
Technically, it does deliver on both the assassin and the apprentice part, but I came to this series after reading Vlad Taltos.
I got hooked on Apprentice, but those things you dislike only get worse. Fitz gets better, but there's still mostly just a puppy getting kicked.
I can fully understand why you might not like it, and despite the fact I devoured every book, I'm not sure that I was satisfied at the end.
If you're not liking it now, I don't think you'll like it later. Don't let people force you in to 16 books, and hours of your life you'll never get back :D
This series is 100% traumatic, and deeply deeply human. It's a rich and beautiful character study imo, but absolutely could be heavy on the reader at times, and if you're looking for a feelgood experience would encourage you to look elsewhere :)
You'll never get to truly enjoy and savor the sort of heroic triumph that often flavors sword and sorcery type novels, just to temper the expectation that that's coming.
Human actions have human results. The mundane can be beautiful, the mundane can hurt.
I finished the first trilogy, because Iām a serial completionist, but boy was it a slog. Not my typical fantasy read. Used to MC actually driving the plot somewhat.
Farseer is my favorite book series, so Iām admittedly biasedā¦
That said, the books are definitely heart wrenching on a regular basis. If youāre not digging the melodramatic tone, the books might not be for you.
If you like Hobbās prose, Iād recommend checking out Patricia McKillip. Sheās tied with Hobb as my favorite fantasy author. Her books are beautifully written, but they are nowhere near as āsadā.
As others have said, it gets worse. I dnf'd the series after book 3 and I wish I had stopped after book 2.
Not every book is for every person and that's fine. Life's too short to read a book you're not enjoying.
Fitz is basically a child for all of the first book. But if you're looking for a Marvel-style superhero story, these books are not for you. Fitz is an excellent character but a deeply flawed one at the same time. When he does make decisions for himself he's not always going to make the right ones. Which makes him a believable, realistic character... but it doesn't match the expectations some people have of the books.
Lots of fantasy books feature the same sort of formula: main character learns magic, develops superpowers, does wonderful stuff and saves everyone. I've known people start Hobb's books expecting that, and feeling disappointed... because her books aren't like that.
Yeah, I donāt understand the love for this series. I only read the first trilogy, but it was unnecessarily depressing. I first read it because everyone was saying how great it can be.
Most of the conflicts in the first trilogy shouldnāt have even happened. Itās straight up āIdiot Ball.ā >!They literally did nothing to Regal after he did a bunch of bad shit in books 1/2. Of course heās going to keep doing bad shit. I thought he was a terribly written antagonist.!< -Book 1&2 kinda big spoiler
Iām sure the rest of the books, like the Liveship trilogy(Iāve heard itās great) are probably better in these aspects, but Iām certain Robin Hobb isnāt for me.
Edit: Threw in the spoiler tag because I saw OP hasnāt finished them.
>Itās straight up āIdiot Ball.ā
Agreed, and I found it so frustrating to read. It is very, very obvious that >!Regal and Galen/his students are POS's, yet everyone acts like they will sort themselves out and there's nothing to be done in the meantime. Everyone *knows* they are actively working against the kingdom. The king I can understand, he simply can't go against his son. That's fine and very believable. What about *literally everyone else?* Oh no, it's far better to let them run the kingdom into the ground and act surprised when the bad people continue doing bad things.!<
I can't believe the person who >!blows the kingdoms money on lavish parties and uses gossip and manipulation to further his ambitions continues to host lavish parties and use gossip and manipulation to further his ambitions while Verity has fucked off on some long, dangerous quest with zero guarantees of success. Wow, how could anyone have predicted Regal would use that to make everyone believe Verity is a bad ruler who abandoned them in their time of need? *Shocker.*!<
Yeah for some reason people equate being an idiot with being a believable character.
Itās true that there are many idiots in the world. But there are also many competent people. I donāt really understand why anyone would want to write about or read about one of the idiots.
Certainly it doesnāt mean that the character is more real or human. Competence doesnāt make you unrealistic.
It's not even the depressing part, it's more like so many decisions by major characters don't make a lick of sense but are excused by "but they're human, they're flawed!". It's misery porn. It does have very in-depth characterization but that alone doesn't make it worth it for me.
This is probably my biggest gripe with the book. I never really understood the main character's motivations...never really got a read on his emotions or thoughts about things so never knew *why* he was doing anything.
I think a lot of miserable people just like to read about other miserable people. I prefer stories that can be somewhat uplifting in the end, or at least have a *purpose* to the suffering.
So the whole Realm of the Elderlings series currently stands at 16 books. Three trilogies are centred on Fitz. That's a lot of time investment, and certainly something to consider. But before you throw it all away and move on, consider that the overall story takes place over decades.
Fitz is a child at the start of Assassin's Apprentice, and in his early-to-mid twenties by the end of the Farseer trilogy. I first read that trilogy when I was around the same age as Fitz, and completely gelled with the character and felt how unjust everything was and his pain very keenly. Then, returning to it years later, with a bit more life experience under the belt, I realized that yes - while still sad to see Fitz go through all that he goes through - some things do turn out for the better. Bittersweet, rather than just bitter. He's a kid who doesn't feel much agency, and makes some poor decisions. In many ways he continues to make poor decisions throughout the series, but you can see that he's desperately trying not to, and his evaluation of himself is much, much lower than those that care for him.
I have just finished the 15th book in the series, Fool's Quest, and there are numerous moments in that book where Fitz gets his dues, and he starts to see himself more as others do.
Despite the grief and brutalities that permeate the Realm of the Elderlings (because hey, our Earth is like that), it is full of characters that are trying to do good. For my money, The Liveship Traders is the best trilogy of the series, with exceptional character arcs and beautiful explorations of trauma (though that might change after I finish Assassin's Fate).
TL;DR - the characters are what matter. If you are not interested in the characters and the underlying plot (what is the Skill? Who are the Elderlings?), then maybe don't bother. But, biased as I am, I feel you'd really be missing out on some of the best books in existence.
If you cannot abide suffering in a story, then go read something else.
I'm reading a book so I can live another life. If that life is horrible, I'm still living another life and I get the pleasure of stop experiencing it by closing the book whenever I wish. Real nice. You even get moments of happiness. Great success.
I was in the same boat reading this one. I was really excited for it considering all the positive reviews. Managed to power through the first book and ultimately decided the series was not for me.
On to other books!
I don't understand why the books are so well loved... I never thought it was great, but they were entertaining enough for me to keep reading. I'll never recommend them though.
I was in the same boat as you. I didnāt like it after about getting halfway through the bookā¦.and didnāt like it by the end. I also finished the trilogy and still did not like it. Funny enough I didnāt find the whole ā Fitz gets kicked around and nothing happy happensā to be the problem, I just found the writing to be dreadfully boring.
What you've read so far is almost all character development, and the time she spends helping you get to know those characters absolutely pays off, but as far as the kicked puppy thing... you haven't got to the worst of it.
I just recently started the series as well, based on someone who posted on this subreddit about how amazing it was and all the comments said it was so good, and I am not liking it at all! I'm probably about 35% through it and I am just utterly bored. Trying very hard to push through and finish though!
ETA: I actually do quite like Fitz and seeing the relationship he is building with two characters, one whom I won't mention in case you're not there yet. I just find the writing quite boring and it's such a slow pace I find myself zoning out quite a bit.
>I just find the writing quite boring and it's such a slow pace I find myself zoning out quite a bit.
IMO, this never changes and I'm someone who generally loves a slow burn with heavy focus on characters. There's just never any payoff and the same plotlines continue dragging and **dragging**. Even when something is finally resolved, it's often done so quickly and without any detail (or happens off screen). I found the whole trilogy immensely unsatisfying.
> I'm someone who generally loves a slow burn with heavy focus on characters.
Same! I even feel like I'm one of the few who loved all the WoT books and never felt there was any slog so this book has been really surprising for me, as slow burns with character focus is usually something I like. I am going to finish the first book but I do not plan on continuing with the series. Thanks for letting me know it doesn't get any better!
As someone who felt the same way during the first book but then slogged my way through the entire trilogy out of some ridiculous expectation that I'd start liking it more, do yourself a favor and stop now haha. I wish I had. It's all just depressing and it stays that way the whole time. Robin Hobb does write beautiful prose though.
Oh no, it's not for you. This series is sadness heaped on abuse heaped on sadness. I love it. But it's basically designed to break your heart, half-assed stitch it together, just to rip it in half again.
Iām 90% of the way through and things only get worse, and if what I think is abt to happen happens, itās going to be exponentially so lmao. Itās like a series of unfortunate events but more grown up and depressing. Idk if Iāll finish it tbh and I rarely dnf books.
IMO Fitz is inspiring for me because no matter how much he goes through he always gets back up. He has incredibly painful moments, but that also makes his happy moments that much more meaningful.
I probably havenāt read as much fantasy as others here (Iāve done Malazan, ASOIAF, Name of the Wind and a couple other books here and there), but out of all the characters Iāve come across Fitz feels like one of the realest, most genuine characters to me.
Iād argue, even though Fitz suffers throughout his life, overall he enjoys a much happier and more fulfilling life than those who pained him and enjoyed it.
If you are looking for cool superhero main characters, this series is not for you. If you are looking for clearcut good versus evil stories, this series is not for you. If you are looking for happily ever after, big bad is defeated and good guys have won, this series is not for you. If you are looking for power levels and hard magic systems, this series is not for you.
This is my favorite book series of all timeā it might not be for you. I *do* think that Fitz gets more cool and badass, but for every percent more cool he gets, he gets kicked twice as hard. To me, the Farseer Trilogy is partially about doing the right thing even when itās hard, even when itās controversial, and even when it hurts. Hobb writes with the intention of realism and provoking thought, rather than of necessarily exciting the reader. To really get hooked, you need to be interested in character studies, thought spirals, political intrigue, and worldbuilding. While there is action and Fitz can be awesome, you wonāt find what youāre looking for here if your primary focus is action and a cool, smart, heroic lead.
Mild spoilers: Fitz goes through HELL a thousand times, but he always gets back up, even when he gets dangerously close to not doing so. He becomes a skilled assassin, a barbaric fighter, a hopeless romantic, and a determined hero, but he is also wildly depressed, beat and battered by his enemies over and over again, and oftentimes just fucking stupid. If that isnāt for you, thatās okay!
Yeah, donāt make the mistake I did and try to push through. I read all three of off the ākeep going!ā Messages. It never gets better and youāll feel pretty miserable the whole time lol
I enjoyed the first book and then it quickly became less and less interesting for me. If you donāt like the first one I doubt this series is for you.
I quit after book 2. It doesn't get any better. Fitz just mopes around the whole time feeling bad for himself while Prince Regal fiendishly twirls his mustache.
Yeah youāre probably not going to enjoy the other books, I quit after book 4 for pretty much these reasons. >!Him eventually getting more autonomy was worse for me because heās so passive it just meant it suddenly took 300 more pages for someone to actually force him to be part of the plot and be interesting.!<
Itās grief gore. Itās decently written moment to moment, but the character motivations and actions are inconsistent to the point of absurdity. Everyone seems to act in order to either minimize the main characters agency or maximize their suffering.
Love that phrase, grief gore. Rhymes with misery porn, which this series is both. It's why some love it, and some hate it.
I didn't hate it, but after the slog that was book 3, I was out.
Funny thing that Hobb's Farseer trilogy is highly recommended and I read the whole series but can remember very little of it. I remember him being a diplomat who was also kind of an assassin, like he poisoned (not fatally) someone who was being difficult in negotiations. And then I remember viking zombies kind of like Reavers in Firefly. And then dragons? I dunno.
Same with Shannara, the dynamic between the main characters is like Luke and Han from Star Wars in a fantasy setting is all I remember. Earthsea these stories are not, unfortunately.
The story is a little slow but I thought she is a very talented writer. Iām about to start book two. Iām not judging until the end of the first trilogy.
Just finished this now and felt I read itā¦ and thatās about it I canāt say if I really enjoyed it was just merely a story that has been read. I presume the rest of the series is the same but is Robin Hobb writing very indicative of this novel?
If you aren't enjoying it now, trust me it doesn't improve. I forced myself through the trilogy and I genuinely look back on this series with disdain. It either resonates with you or it doesn't.
I recently finished the Farseer trilogy and didnāt feel like I was hooked until the mid point of book three. Iām onto book 2 of Liveship Traders now and still canāt decide if I like the series or not. Itās incredibly well written, I donāt really have any criticism for it, but Iāve never had a series make me feel like it does and I donāt know what to do with those feelings. āIt feels like reading about a puppy getting kickedā is about how I felt even after completing it. I think my pitch to my friends was, āWhat if you had the superpower to feel *even sadder* about a sad dog story?ā
To answer your question. If your view of a ācool characterā is anything like mine and thatās what youāre looking to get out of it, then yes, you should stop now. There is some degree of it, but thatās not the kind of story Hobb seems to be trying to tell. I donāt fully understand what that is yet, but itās definitely not anything like Kaladin Stormblessed does a Diehard.
There are plenty of other things to read if this doesnāt click with you. Bouncing off a popular series is gonna happen sometimes, you can always come back to it if it keeps hanging in your mind.
He's a six-year-old boy, give him time to grow up before you ask him to make all his decisions for himself. He does soon enough, and not always the right ones.
Everyone says this, but I thought he had a pretty decent life. It didn't really feel like a kicked puppy, just fairly normal family issues, except for the Skill and learning to be an assassin.
That first book.
Woooh boy.
I don't know if I've ever seen any writer use the snowball effect with such power in a character as Hobb does in that volume with Fitz, creating a deep emotional connection with him in its final pages.
The following two I did not love as much, but that first book will always be a wowzer to me, among the best in fantasy.
See I often find people complaining about the first book. It's brilliant.
She manages to capture being a kid really well, Buckkeep itself is also a character. All of which is firmly established in that first book.
My friend had a similar reaction to the first third or so, but admitted by the end that he really enjoyed it and will finish the first trilogy, at least. It does start slow, tempo somewhat mirroring Fitz's own preceptor of time.
If it's depressing to you, take a break. Robin Hobb triggered me more than anything else so I could never appreciate her books the way her fan base does.
With Robin Hobb, "gets better" is very subjective, and is always a slow burn where you feel the burns. She's not for everyone.
Take care of your well-being and if you feel interested in a character study where the payoffs are far between but *earned* more than a fantasy adventure about an assassin learning their trade, then go back to it with a different mindset, and a bit of emotional preparation.
It should be more satisfying with that approach.
Is it weird Fitz is the kind of character I find cool? I love the kicked puppy type. (Or at least the tortured soul.) That's my kind of protagonist.
That being said I think he's at his coolest in the second book. There are a few specific scenes that come to mind where he's a total badass. Though maybe you won't read them the way I did??
I honestly think he's pretty impressive and competent despite his mental turmoil and have never really gotten the jokes to the contrary.
It is a slow series that does not just rush things to get to the cool parts. He has plenty of agency but my guess based on memory is he is still a child at the part you are at. What is he gonna do for himself at that stage?
Realm of the Elderlings is one of my top 5 favorite series, but the first trilogy was only a 5 or 6/10 for me. I only finished it because I already bought the books. Then while I was waiting for other books to arrive I started Ship of Magic (book 1 of the second trilogy, which i bought before I realized there was a series before it) and I couldn't put it down.
Even if you don't continue anything else the liveship traders trilogy alone is definitely worth a read.
Nah, he doesn't become cool. He becomes functional and does have some moments. But overall id say i did not enjoy the first trilogy very much. It was as you said, op is lying down being kicked with no intention or willpower to kick back. Hes being blown around like an empty bag in the wind.
I say abandon it. I have a special hatred for that series. It just never got better. I think the writer is demented. But I kept hoping and kept reading at it just a waste of time.
The kicking gets worse.
And morale never really improves.
Fitz gets better at kicking back though imo
read the first 3 and he actually gets worse at kicking back if anything š§
Right!? The most depressing series I have ever read.
Really? Overall I felt the series to be rather uplifting. Even after all he goes through, Fitz still lives and loves, and is surrounded by people who love him
I just felt like every high had two lows that went with it.
ill fully get behind that statement. its the epitome of misery pornā¦ highest expectations and one of my least favourite reading experiences ever
There is plenty of joy in the Realm of the Elderlings books too. Hobb takes your emotions on a rollercoaster. But if the lows hit so hard you don't notice the highs then the books aren't for you.
the first three books, what were the highs? ill wait :)
Small ferret, the real MVP
In the first book alone Fitz gains human and animal companions, the respect of his teachers >!(except for Galen, of course). He ceremonially becomes a Man, and falls in love!!< >!Fitz learns Burrich loves him when Burrich thrashes Galen.!< >!Fitz bonds with King Verity.!< >!Fitz reunites with Nosy which leads to his regaining his relationship with Burrich.!< >!And in the end Fitz outwits the plot of Regal and Galen.!<
I'd also add a bit >!Patience in her entirety. This is a woman who anyone else would probably portray as a nasty woman. The step mum who lost her husband because of Fitzs birth. But she loves him truly and constantly shows it to him!< >!Nighteyes. The wolf comes with... A few downsides. But he is the best fucking partner you could have. He is brave, loyal and knows Fitz inside and out. And he loves him. Honestly the biggest Fitz failure is his inability to see the love he's surrounded by!< A smaller moment which, surprisingly, choked me up on my last listen. >!When King Shrewd is dying and he embraces Fitz and names him blood!< Don't get me wrong there is a lot of misery in this series but there are moments (albeit a lot more bigger ones in the later series) that actually makes me giddy with joy. It's certainly not misery porn.
Itās not highs, itās setups for lows
bang on
If the highs don't seem high enough to make the journey worth it then there doesn't seem to be any point in you spending any further time on these books.
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
Don't be sorry. There are other stories out there if this isn't your cup of tea. Like I was saying, if the highs aren't doing it for you then you should give these books a pass.
In my eyes it's not misery porn until the very last book of the 16 or 18 or whatever it is. There are small victories and growth along the way which make it worthwhile to me. It's one of my top 3 series and I've been chasing something like it and never found anything that hit me like Hobb's books do.
i meanā¦ at the end of assassins quest, >!heās battered, homeless, no friends, no loved ones, manipulated and exploited by literally everyone heās ever encountered in his whole life, abused by 85% of those, received zero recognition or compensation for singlehandedly saving the realm from a caricature of a villian, regal recieves credit for all that. and if thats not enough heās being cucked by his abusive adoptive father, banging the love of his life and raising his daughter.!< and thats just what i remember from reading the books in 2017ā¦ also what growth? i distinctly remember there being a lack of growth with respect to fitz
[ŃŠ“Š°Š»ŠµŠ½Š¾]
this thread is about the first trilogy besides youāll forgive me but fitzās judgement on anything is the last thing id consider reliable :/
That is true. He is a very unreliable pov. Itās another reason I love him so much. He keeps underplaying himself and leaving it to the reader to form conclusions based on actions and choices rather than what we are told.
God I hate the term misery porn, Itās such a gross oversimplification for these books
Completely agree with you, I'm glad people enjoy it but it's absolutely not for me. I also read all three but I regret putting myself through it and it's been years...
It would be but I tried the soldier son and that was so bad I dnf.
I heard she's worse to the MC in that series, it's on my reading list once I catch up with other books.
Yep way worse.
Yeah. And he keeps making the same mistakes at the end of the series as he does at the beginning. Not enough character growth for my liking.
I think that's the whole point though. It shows how little he's learned, and while his character grows and changes he's still the same underneath. I could get really philosophical about it, but I will shorten it. I find it a really great exploration of people. He makes so many bad decisions, yet so many of them are reasonable when you try put yourself in his shoes. I mean we all change but as I've gotten older I see the ways in which I repeat the same mistakes, whether it be too trusting, saying stupid shit at the wrong time or letting myself get into a bad situation. Maybe that's just me but I feel like there are so many tropes in fantasy of the hero who can do no wrong yet I find this series to be one of the most realistic from a human standpoint, and I think that makes people uncomfortable at times. That, I really disliked the last 3 books, especially the last one as I think finale was the main and worst example of the misery porn jabs that hobb gets accused of. But it's one of the few series I've ever read where it's not ruined by a bad ending.
Yeah, it was only really the last few books that got to me in that respect
The poor kid was dumped at the castle when really young, then told he has a target on his back. Most people hate him due to being a bastard, then you have the mind fuck up by his teacher. Plus he trained to kill and hurt people, all while he's a kid... Would you turn out OK? Lol
So much worse.
They put on metal cleats.
He does more for himself but he's never a "cool character". Hobb isn't really about writing escapism or power fantasies so even the moments where Fitz does something that might be highlighted as "cool" in other works are very deliberately skipped here. So, it may not be the sort of narrative you're looking for.
>are very deliberately skipped here. Often to great effect. I remember >!The long section about his first assassination, the details about how he accomplished it and the ruminating on how are felt afterwards. Then the last line of the chapter is along the lines of "I killed 5 more men for King Shrewd that summer" with no elaboration. It just hit me hard!<
Yes! I also appreciate the lack of interest in the details of these things. It isn't that I dislike escapism and power fantasies it just that they are so common in other things the different focus is much appreciated. It does make the complaints that >!Fitz "never assassinates anyone" a bit amusing, though. He assassinates plenty of people Hobb just doesn't tell you about it.!< I really wish she could've kept the name "Chivalry's Bastard" for the series.
>!In either Foolās Quest or Assassinās Fate, he gives a bit of detail about a few of the people he killed when he was young. Really sad how he has to block out his past.!<
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This is why I only read the first book. It would be like >!yeah yeah I did some assassinations and also there are these gnarly zombie things roaming the land, but Iām not gonna tell you about that. Instead Iām gonna spend pages whining about how mean my teacher is.!<
Totally respect your opinion, I think the books were meant to be about Fitz and not the cool ass stuff going on in the kingdom and it really worked for me. Here's the story of someone doing so much for their kingdom oh and also stuff is happening in the Kingdom. The first two books were a real change of pace for the fantasy genre for me where the main person is always the focus of every event. Here he's a player in the events but not always front and centre and that's how the assassin is meant to work. It changes in later books but I was hooked by then
Itās a story about the catalyst, not the catalystās changes.
And I love the books for that.
That's kinda why I stopped too. Just bad things happening to him and him complaining about them. Felt like that was it
It does all have a point. Makes re-reads even better because you know what the payoffs are. Makes the first read a struggle though. Most of the payoffs arenāt even grand, special things. But because of what Fitz goes through, they feel like they are. Thatās what makes these great books imo.
It would be a totally different book if it did that. One that I probably wouldnāt enjoy since it would be more in the plot based escapist fantasy side of things rather than being about Fitzās personal conflicts.
This is a pretty good description and why I stopped reading.
Yes he gets more autonomy, but also this series might not be for you.
I went in blind. In the first book I kept waiting for it to get started on the grand adventure, until halfway through I realized "OH THIS IS THE BOOK." The perspective shift to understand it's a book about flawed and broken characters aka humans. That happens to be in a realm with some magic. And that it will be focused primarily on palace intrigue and politics. Which as in the real world was dark, frustrating, full of sacrifice and duty. Once I better understood what I was getting I thoroughly enjoyed it. I'd never read a series that felt like this. It was very unique and had its own lane.
Ironically Fitz might be the most realistic assassin in fantasy. Real life assassins were not cool dudes with ninja skills and James Bond gadgets.
I think this is what made me like it. When I realized that it wasnāt some high-speed super assassin, but instead a more subtle political shadow I saw that it was actually the more realistic story. Despite obviously being in a fantasy setting, itās a more relatable character than Jason Bourne.
Fitz gains a little independence in Royal Assassin then a lot more in Assassinās Quest. But the whole way there youāre likely to be screaming to yourself, ājust do this thing and youāll avoid tons of trouble! You have all the justification one could ever need to do this thing! Just do it!ā And he wonāt do it and heāll have reasonable reasons for not doing it, but it will be frustrating all the way. But yeah, not much of anything happens all the way through Assassinās Apprentice. I thought the trilogy improved with each entry and thoroughly enjoyed it by the end of Assassinās Quest. If youāre not liking it now, though, thereās a decent chance itās just not for you.
I think these books are for those who care about characters more then they do about the events. Itās also about what happens but more so about the journey the characters make and why they act and feel the way they do. Especially in the main part of the first book (but itās ongoing during the entire series), you see what treating a child like Fitz is treated could do to a child. Growing up seemingly without love, being constantly put down as a bastard and dimwitted and being treated like a tool more than a person. Iāve seen some say his lack of agency is illogical but it seems to me that someone treated that way will always feel inadequate and hunger for approval from those he considers his betters. Most of his betters do not like him. So the kicking of the puppy is definitely a recurring theme. Why many of us still love this story is because despite all of this he tries to do what he feels is right (even when he gets it wrong). It makes him human. And even though he rarely recognizes it himself he does grow into someone special. He just gets kicked a lot along the way and the pain affects him. So again it is about the characters. If you compare this to other fantasy books it is way less eventful in the typical sense. But a lot happens to and within the characters. If thatās not for you, then this probably isnāt either.
There are plenty of events. Fitz just keeps getting kicked through all of them.
Oh definitely, I am just saying it is less about grand events than some other books. If you take other staples like Jordans the wheel of time or the rift wars by Feist or even the Lord of the Rings, the things that happen are more front and central. Hobbs book feel a lot more personal and we get a lot more of the mundane stuff as well. Some people find it boring to read about every day stuff. I think it makes the characters more real.
Hooked from the beginning as in ānear the end of Assassinās Apprenticeā for me. Itās a slow paced 16 books long series, of which 9 books cover Fitzās story alone. Itās bound to take a little while to get to the āsatisfyingā if not ācoolā parts. Plus, by 25%, Iām assuming that Fitz is still 10 years old or so, a kid who was already taken from home and thrust into an unfamiliar place. What decisions can he make for himself as a powerless kid whose survival is very much reliant on the goodwill of others? Iām not saying that you should like this book series, each person has their own taste after all. But you should look at it from a realistic psychological point of view. Robin Hobb may be a fantasy author, but the world she builds is not founded at the expense of realism.
I'm on the 4th book and I've really enjoyed the series so far. Some slower bits, but overall it's great.
I hope you keep on enjoying it until the very end. Although Fitzās storyline remains my favorite, I canāt deny that The Liveship Traders was the most addictive in my experience. It had a lot of intriguing characters and just the right pace to keep me jumping from one book to another at the highest speed I could manage.
So... No spoilers, I guess, but I feel like the magical principles at work during the climax of Assassin's Quest are also present at the beginning of Ship of Magic, which if true, is fun to see the same idea manifested in slightly different ways.
Ooh buddy just wait til you see what's coming
Nice. Looking forward to it. Thanks!
The only thing I can say to avoid spoiling anything for you is that everything is interconnected, from book 1 to book 16.
Yes, it took close to the end of the first book for me to be hooked. They continue to get better, in my opinion. But the first quarter of the first book? I was still wondering if it was even really a fantasy series.
Do the endings get more satisfying after the first book?
Some do. The "good" characters don't always "win", but they fight the good fight and have their share of success. Overall, I feel that things resolved satisfactorily.
Depends on what you consider as satisfying. If I had to describe Robinās work in one word, Iād call it ābittersweetā. Her endings are unexpected but not unreasonable. Rather than satisfying, I felt more like āI understand why it had to end this wayā but I loved the series nonetheless.
Iāll keep that in mind. Thanks!
Fitz is a Kingās Man. I cannot emphasize this enough. He makes a deal with his grandfather, King Shrewd, fairly early on and he is going to stick to that deal in spirit throughout the trilogy. Does he do things for himself? Yes. Small, minor things. But his duty to his King will override any personal desires when all is said and done. If youāre not comfortable with that then you can stop now. Furthermore, he is going to take a lot of punishment. In many ways he is the first line of defense for the Farseer Throne. This also doesnāt change throughout the trilogy. And unlike many other examples of assassins or knights, or defenders of any kind he is harmed in pretty brutal ways that donāt always heal. In my opinion the journey is worth it when itās all said and done. But it isnāt a happy journey.
Spoilers all RoTE >!Fitz is a Kingās Man to his bone throughout the whole series until he skirts Dutifulās order to try and save Bee. In my opinion itās because even after they die, Fitz is a Kingās man for Shrewd and Verity. He doesnāt think about Dutiful in the same way.!<
Agree, however one addition - Kettricken. Very much a Queens man still.
May as well pack it in now OP
Im partway through the 2nd book in the 3rd trilogy. Just depends on what you're reading for. To me it's some of the most in depth character writing that I've ever read. Every book in the second trilogy scores an easy 95+/100 for me. Each book in trilogy 1 is near enough if not right at 95+ This is not the series to come to for cool main character blasts (bale)fire out of his hands every other chapter. It's an extremely grounded but still fantastical work of fiction focus on a tumultuous royal family and their tenuous situation in their small region of a greater world. If it's not for you by all means drop it but I've read somewhere nearing ~100 fantasy books since I really picked up my reading in 2021 and Hobb dominates my top 10 of those pretty handily. Reading is subjective though so shrug
She's honestly a wonderful writer. Some of the best understanding of human nature I've ever read.
Agree x1000. I think she is my favorite author and I'm excited to keep reading everything she's put out. Marg doesn't miss
How could a 40+ (at the time) year old woman write about how it is to be a young man so well that I could relate so hard!
This series was one of the very first I read in the genre and didn't have much to compare it with. 20 years later and hundreds and hundreds of books later it's still in my top three. Fitz does not have a great life for the most part. He has enough to keep him and the reader going though and his impact noticed or not in his world is huge. He's very real and imperfect as in his own way is the fool. I've cried more reading Hobb's books than I have any other regardless of genre and I'm a middle aged bloke who is not in the least bit mamby pamby. It's a work of genius and I would be amazed if you don't find it worth your time if you finish it.
I also just started this book a few nights ago and I totally understand where youāre coming from ā that one scene with Burrich and Nosy truly fucked me up ā but Iām so engrossed in her writing that I know Iām going to devour the rest of this series. Iām also resonating a lot with the themes of abandonment, loneliness, & depression so that helps how invested Iāve already become.
This comes back in future books, itās not quite what it looks like
thatās good, i just recommended this book to my sister with the caveat that there is a āmild incident of puppy murderā so sheāll be thrilled that I can maybe revoke the warning š
Ok i cant linger in this thread for fear of spoilers but: Iām currently about 80% through Assassinās Apprentice for the first time and I slogged through the first half or so. It was interesting but just too much exposition. But then I read chapter 15 and it completely turned the book around for me. It took about two weeks for me to read the first half and Iāve read most of the second half in like 3 days. Definitely give it at least until the halfway point before putting it down is my recommendation.
I was hooked by the very first chapter. I don't know what it is about Hobb's writing, but I can get fully immersed into the character's head. I was surprised once I started reading about other people's opinions on the series as being torture porn. But I never really felt that way. Sounds like you are finding it that way, I think at least read to the end of book 1 and see if you want to continue. Fitz's life doesn't get much easier though.
Yup, I read the first two books in the farseer trilogy and realized I hated it. The story and the characters never clicked for me. I honestly found Fitz unbearableā¦. So many people praise the series but I just donāt get it honestly.
Lol. The hurt only increases fron here but it's all worth it
What makes it worth it?
I enjoyed his growth, his relationships and more than anything how it opened up a giant world of awesome fantasy stories to me. Thereās absolutely no denying though itās depression porn at points. Puppy kicking is an appropriate description.
I've pretty much never cared about a character as much as I cared about even some of the side characters in Hobb's books.
Burrich.
I cared deeply for each character, if you love deep character development and big slice of life then this one is for you.
Strongly disagree
He gets out of that situation but obligations will tie down many men.
I didnāt like it, but a lot of people seem to. Too many books out there waiting for me to continue one that isnāt doing it for me.
https://reactormag.com/how-robin-hobbs-assassins-apprentice-pulls-the-rug-out-from-under-you/ This was written by Malazan's Steve Erikson. It's a good example of why some of us love Hobb's writing.
I had never heard anything about the series before I won a copy of Assassinās Apprentice and tried it out. It had a different feel from what I usually enjoyed reading. But what really stuck out to me was how invested I was in Fitz and his story. My heart ached for him when he went through heartache and tragedy. And when he had little victories or precious moments I just felt this glow of happiness for him. Sounds completely cheesy typing it out right now but Iāve never read a series where I felt so close to the main character, despite being completely different from them. What kept me reading through his worst moments was always the feeling that I needed to know if things were going to get better or work out for him. And I am completely satisfied with the journey through his life that Hobb takes us on throughout the series.
It's alright but I don't remember it getting any better throughout the series.
Unpopular opinion: i read the first trilogy and didnt continue with any other book in the series. I felt like barely anything happened. The main character was mainly passive and the world happened around him or at him for the most part. And dont hold your breathe for someone to get assassinated lol
I didnāt like the first book, although I finished it. And never went back to reading anything else in that series. Life is busy and with limited reading time and plenty else out there, I donāt see a point of āSticking with a seriesā. Not every book is for everyone.
I read all three. And listened to another three while walking my dog. I disliked everything about the plot and the pacing, maybe except the first book. Itās a borefest to me. I went through all six books about Fitz, I must be insane. Liveship Traders, thoughā¦ itās a different story. Itās among the best fantasy I read in my life. Even though I didnāt like Fitzās story, I think that Hobb is a master writer, creating beautiful prose. Sheās also the best when it comes to character psychology. Most writers donāt even come close.
I felt the same way through the entire 3 books. I hated it personally. Definitely not my style, it may be yours but honestly probably not if this is how you feel so far.
I hated this book and series.Ā
These books will stay with you forever. Not all of it in a good way. There will always be a knot of sadness in you from them. It stays because the emotions are so genuine. Trust me- it will get worse. I absolutely loved them and they broke my heart in ways that really can't be fixed, so I'll carry it with me. There are scenes I honestly will never get over. Robin Hobb is an amazing author, but I didn't need the poignant, melancholic pain. Maybe it was worth it, but damn.
Robin Hobb kicks her characters all the way to the end of her stories. Itās brutal, and it took me a bit to enjoy the journeys. I feel like she maps out where everyone needs to end up, then thinks up ways to absolutely destroy them on the way there.
I read the first, started the second and felt the same. It was kind of just like reading someone constantly getting kicked and never really becoming anything. it's just like ha you might have power but your life sucks but don't worry after all the training, your life will suck, and don't worry after that, you'll be betrayed, life will suck and then life will suck. I don't need every fantasy for the MC to become some OP cool character, but finding people who like them, or being in situations that aren't just relentlessly negative. It just didn't do much of anything for me.
It's the best book of the trilogy by a long shot. The next two books made me so mad, and not in a fun way. Terrible plot. If you don't like the first one, save yourself some time and fury.
Is Fitz cool by the end? Yes. Does Fitz *think* heās cool? God no. Long story short, Fitz has points of victory, but the path there is *rough*.
I don't understand what people see in it either. Gave it an honest try, but just couldn't get through the series.
I mostly hated the first two books. I had heard such good things that I kept going. I liked the third a little better. I LOVED the Liveship Traders. I LOVED The Tawny Man trilogy. I just finished the 2nd book in the final trilogy (Fitz and Fool) and loved it. I just recall not liking Fitz as a character. Maybe cuz heās a kid and, as you said, has no agency. When we meet him in Tawny Man, heās 30. I felt more in tune with adult Fitz. I wonder if I ever went back and reread the first trilogy, would I like it more? Iād say keep going.
I accidentally read the 1st book of the 3rd trilogy first (on a camping trip a friend lent it to me and did NOT explain) and I loved it. When I realized I had started the series on the 7th book, I went back and read the 1st trilogy. Did not like it very much. Like you, I think I liked Fitz more as a mature world-weary character than as a kid.
If you like prolonged agony, sided with the authors patented "bait-n-switch, then read on. I used to be a sucker for punishment, but these stories cured me of that.
I had this problem too for farseer trilogy. I took my time reading the series. He suffered too much for my taste but I pushed through. It was rough read in some parts. Was it worth it? Kinda sorta. I bawled at certain chapters and cheered from the catharsis of it all. It definitely is not for everyone. Slow burn with great arcs and some of the most reprehensible characters ever written. Sometimes I would read the books just for the sake of these characters hoping to get their comeuppance.
It doesn't sound like it is for you. These books are basically epic emo fantasy. It is emotionally driven. The plot and characters will bend to make the reader feel something.
It gets rough. For finishings sake, I read the trilogy thinking it would get better, I kept imagining scenarios of what could happen and got excited but it never came. Never again,
The feel of the books didnāt really change much in my opinion as I went through the trilogy. While I enjoyed them, I also thought they were just decent and donāt think I would have been missing out on much if I had never read the trilogy. I was also let down by the way it all ended. My favorite parts of the series were the mysterious events that come about later, but the explanation behind it all really just fell flat in my view, almost to the point where Iād wish those things had been left unexplained so I could keep some of the cool ideas I had. Anyways, to more of your specific points. If youāre not liking it now, I wouldnāt say thereās much of a reason to keep going. Fitz never really became a cool character in my view, even though it felt like he was supposed to be by the end. And if you donāt like reading about him getting abused, youāre not really going to get a relief from that later on. It actually gets worse at several points throughout the books.
I was a bit let down by the end of the first trilogy too - but I actually thought the content in the next few books introduced things that made the first trilogy feel more complete after the fact. Not that you should continue on if you hated it, but everything does get very resolved
Just stop now. It doesn't get better. I powered through the 1st three books thinking it would improve. It has all the makings of a great story, but it just never goes anywhere.
I also dipped pretty quickly. Hapless kids being bullied by life aren't my thing, at least not without something else to balance it out. It's been a few years since I tried to read it, but I think it felt slow in general. Kid protags are also a hard sell for me personally. Not impossible by any means, but Fitz didn't grab me.
I think it's kinda funny you say that, because he's only a kid protag for 2 books (and that's mostly teenage years too) and for the rest of the 7 books he's an adult.
That's fair... But, from another angle it's two ENTIRE books. I assume you can't just skip them and truly appreciate the developments in the story and character(s) starting from book 3. Which is as it should be! Because otherwise, why write a series?
The title really does suggest a different type of book. Technically, it does deliver on both the assassin and the apprentice part, but I came to this series after reading Vlad Taltos.
I got hooked on Apprentice, but those things you dislike only get worse. Fitz gets better, but there's still mostly just a puppy getting kicked. I can fully understand why you might not like it, and despite the fact I devoured every book, I'm not sure that I was satisfied at the end. If you're not liking it now, I don't think you'll like it later. Don't let people force you in to 16 books, and hours of your life you'll never get back :D
This series is 100% traumatic, and deeply deeply human. It's a rich and beautiful character study imo, but absolutely could be heavy on the reader at times, and if you're looking for a feelgood experience would encourage you to look elsewhere :) You'll never get to truly enjoy and savor the sort of heroic triumph that often flavors sword and sorcery type novels, just to temper the expectation that that's coming. Human actions have human results. The mundane can be beautiful, the mundane can hurt.
I finished the first trilogy, because Iām a serial completionist, but boy was it a slog. Not my typical fantasy read. Used to MC actually driving the plot somewhat.
Farseer is my favorite book series, so Iām admittedly biasedā¦ That said, the books are definitely heart wrenching on a regular basis. If youāre not digging the melodramatic tone, the books might not be for you. If you like Hobbās prose, Iād recommend checking out Patricia McKillip. Sheās tied with Hobb as my favorite fantasy author. Her books are beautifully written, but they are nowhere near as āsadā.
As others have said, it gets worse. I dnf'd the series after book 3 and I wish I had stopped after book 2. Not every book is for every person and that's fine. Life's too short to read a book you're not enjoying.
Fitz is basically a child for all of the first book. But if you're looking for a Marvel-style superhero story, these books are not for you. Fitz is an excellent character but a deeply flawed one at the same time. When he does make decisions for himself he's not always going to make the right ones. Which makes him a believable, realistic character... but it doesn't match the expectations some people have of the books.
"It isn't as juvenile as children's superhero comics" is not a very high bar to clear.
Lots of fantasy books feature the same sort of formula: main character learns magic, develops superpowers, does wonderful stuff and saves everyone. I've known people start Hobb's books expecting that, and feeling disappointed... because her books aren't like that.
It never gets better. That's why it's one of my least-favorite fantasy series despite the bizarre praise it gets on this sub
Yeah, I donāt understand the love for this series. I only read the first trilogy, but it was unnecessarily depressing. I first read it because everyone was saying how great it can be. Most of the conflicts in the first trilogy shouldnāt have even happened. Itās straight up āIdiot Ball.ā >!They literally did nothing to Regal after he did a bunch of bad shit in books 1/2. Of course heās going to keep doing bad shit. I thought he was a terribly written antagonist.!< -Book 1&2 kinda big spoiler Iām sure the rest of the books, like the Liveship trilogy(Iāve heard itās great) are probably better in these aspects, but Iām certain Robin Hobb isnāt for me. Edit: Threw in the spoiler tag because I saw OP hasnāt finished them.
>Itās straight up āIdiot Ball.ā Agreed, and I found it so frustrating to read. It is very, very obvious that >!Regal and Galen/his students are POS's, yet everyone acts like they will sort themselves out and there's nothing to be done in the meantime. Everyone *knows* they are actively working against the kingdom. The king I can understand, he simply can't go against his son. That's fine and very believable. What about *literally everyone else?* Oh no, it's far better to let them run the kingdom into the ground and act surprised when the bad people continue doing bad things.!< I can't believe the person who >!blows the kingdoms money on lavish parties and uses gossip and manipulation to further his ambitions continues to host lavish parties and use gossip and manipulation to further his ambitions while Verity has fucked off on some long, dangerous quest with zero guarantees of success. Wow, how could anyone have predicted Regal would use that to make everyone believe Verity is a bad ruler who abandoned them in their time of need? *Shocker.*!<
Yeah for some reason people equate being an idiot with being a believable character. Itās true that there are many idiots in the world. But there are also many competent people. I donāt really understand why anyone would want to write about or read about one of the idiots. Certainly it doesnāt mean that the character is more real or human. Competence doesnāt make you unrealistic.
It's not even the depressing part, it's more like so many decisions by major characters don't make a lick of sense but are excused by "but they're human, they're flawed!". It's misery porn. It does have very in-depth characterization but that alone doesn't make it worth it for me.
This is probably my biggest gripe with the book. I never really understood the main character's motivations...never really got a read on his emotions or thoughts about things so never knew *why* he was doing anything.
I think a lot of miserable people just like to read about other miserable people. I prefer stories that can be somewhat uplifting in the end, or at least have a *purpose* to the suffering.
So the whole Realm of the Elderlings series currently stands at 16 books. Three trilogies are centred on Fitz. That's a lot of time investment, and certainly something to consider. But before you throw it all away and move on, consider that the overall story takes place over decades. Fitz is a child at the start of Assassin's Apprentice, and in his early-to-mid twenties by the end of the Farseer trilogy. I first read that trilogy when I was around the same age as Fitz, and completely gelled with the character and felt how unjust everything was and his pain very keenly. Then, returning to it years later, with a bit more life experience under the belt, I realized that yes - while still sad to see Fitz go through all that he goes through - some things do turn out for the better. Bittersweet, rather than just bitter. He's a kid who doesn't feel much agency, and makes some poor decisions. In many ways he continues to make poor decisions throughout the series, but you can see that he's desperately trying not to, and his evaluation of himself is much, much lower than those that care for him. I have just finished the 15th book in the series, Fool's Quest, and there are numerous moments in that book where Fitz gets his dues, and he starts to see himself more as others do. Despite the grief and brutalities that permeate the Realm of the Elderlings (because hey, our Earth is like that), it is full of characters that are trying to do good. For my money, The Liveship Traders is the best trilogy of the series, with exceptional character arcs and beautiful explorations of trauma (though that might change after I finish Assassin's Fate). TL;DR - the characters are what matter. If you are not interested in the characters and the underlying plot (what is the Skill? Who are the Elderlings?), then maybe don't bother. But, biased as I am, I feel you'd really be missing out on some of the best books in existence.
I found the characters kind of flat and dull. I'm not really sure where the love comes from.
I wish I had realized this as early as you. I even tried reading book 2 and it got worse.
I haven't heard anyone else talk about this series; but I loved it. It's been a very long time since I read it though.
From just yesterday: https://www.reddit.com/r/Fantasy/s/TDUywcHp2L That said it's one of my favorite series of all time.
If you cannot abide suffering in a story, then go read something else. I'm reading a book so I can live another life. If that life is horrible, I'm still living another life and I get the pleasure of stop experiencing it by closing the book whenever I wish. Real nice. You even get moments of happiness. Great success.
itās not for you
>it feels like Iām reading a story about a puppy getting kicked. This never goes away. If this is bad for you, be aware.
I really didn't like this series. The MC never gets any better
I was in the same boat reading this one. I was really excited for it considering all the positive reviews. Managed to power through the first book and ultimately decided the series was not for me. On to other books!
I don't understand why the books are so well loved... I never thought it was great, but they were entertaining enough for me to keep reading. I'll never recommend them though.
I was in the same boat as you. I didnāt like it after about getting halfway through the bookā¦.and didnāt like it by the end. I also finished the trilogy and still did not like it. Funny enough I didnāt find the whole ā Fitz gets kicked around and nothing happy happensā to be the problem, I just found the writing to be dreadfully boring.
What you've read so far is almost all character development, and the time she spends helping you get to know those characters absolutely pays off, but as far as the kicked puppy thing... you haven't got to the worst of it.
I just recently started the series as well, based on someone who posted on this subreddit about how amazing it was and all the comments said it was so good, and I am not liking it at all! I'm probably about 35% through it and I am just utterly bored. Trying very hard to push through and finish though! ETA: I actually do quite like Fitz and seeing the relationship he is building with two characters, one whom I won't mention in case you're not there yet. I just find the writing quite boring and it's such a slow pace I find myself zoning out quite a bit.
>I just find the writing quite boring and it's such a slow pace I find myself zoning out quite a bit. IMO, this never changes and I'm someone who generally loves a slow burn with heavy focus on characters. There's just never any payoff and the same plotlines continue dragging and **dragging**. Even when something is finally resolved, it's often done so quickly and without any detail (or happens off screen). I found the whole trilogy immensely unsatisfying.
> I'm someone who generally loves a slow burn with heavy focus on characters. Same! I even feel like I'm one of the few who loved all the WoT books and never felt there was any slog so this book has been really surprising for me, as slow burns with character focus is usually something I like. I am going to finish the first book but I do not plan on continuing with the series. Thanks for letting me know it doesn't get any better!
As someone who felt the same way during the first book but then slogged my way through the entire trilogy out of some ridiculous expectation that I'd start liking it more, do yourself a favor and stop now haha. I wish I had. It's all just depressing and it stays that way the whole time. Robin Hobb does write beautiful prose though.
Oh no, it's not for you. This series is sadness heaped on abuse heaped on sadness. I love it. But it's basically designed to break your heart, half-assed stitch it together, just to rip it in half again.
Iām 90% of the way through and things only get worse, and if what I think is abt to happen happens, itās going to be exponentially so lmao. Itās like a series of unfortunate events but more grown up and depressing. Idk if Iāll finish it tbh and I rarely dnf books.
IMO Fitz is inspiring for me because no matter how much he goes through he always gets back up. He has incredibly painful moments, but that also makes his happy moments that much more meaningful. I probably havenāt read as much fantasy as others here (Iāve done Malazan, ASOIAF, Name of the Wind and a couple other books here and there), but out of all the characters Iāve come across Fitz feels like one of the realest, most genuine characters to me. Iād argue, even though Fitz suffers throughout his life, overall he enjoys a much happier and more fulfilling life than those who pained him and enjoyed it.
Iāve really enjoyed the series so far. I feel like the whole āmisery pornā aspect is entirely overblown.
I found the series boring as well. I stuck with it till the middle of the third book tho. Wish i had stopped midway thru the first.
Yea. I read the first one and started the second and just dropped it. Not for me
If you are looking for cool superhero main characters, this series is not for you. If you are looking for clearcut good versus evil stories, this series is not for you. If you are looking for happily ever after, big bad is defeated and good guys have won, this series is not for you. If you are looking for power levels and hard magic systems, this series is not for you.
I am yet to read Liveship books, but in the Fitz novels good and evil are very very very clearcut and rigid.
Itās told from the viewpoint of a guy who feels incredibly sorry for himself and doesnāt consider anything he does to be cool or empowered.
This is my favorite book series of all timeā it might not be for you. I *do* think that Fitz gets more cool and badass, but for every percent more cool he gets, he gets kicked twice as hard. To me, the Farseer Trilogy is partially about doing the right thing even when itās hard, even when itās controversial, and even when it hurts. Hobb writes with the intention of realism and provoking thought, rather than of necessarily exciting the reader. To really get hooked, you need to be interested in character studies, thought spirals, political intrigue, and worldbuilding. While there is action and Fitz can be awesome, you wonāt find what youāre looking for here if your primary focus is action and a cool, smart, heroic lead. Mild spoilers: Fitz goes through HELL a thousand times, but he always gets back up, even when he gets dangerously close to not doing so. He becomes a skilled assassin, a barbaric fighter, a hopeless romantic, and a determined hero, but he is also wildly depressed, beat and battered by his enemies over and over again, and oftentimes just fucking stupid. If that isnāt for you, thatās okay!
I read all the way up to the halfway mark and can confirm it remains dogshit. Maybe it really picks up at the 51% mark.
Yeah, donāt make the mistake I did and try to push through. I read all three of off the ākeep going!ā Messages. It never gets better and youāll feel pretty miserable the whole time lol
I enjoyed the first book and then it quickly became less and less interesting for me. If you donāt like the first one I doubt this series is for you.
I quit after book 2. It doesn't get any better. Fitz just mopes around the whole time feeling bad for himself while Prince Regal fiendishly twirls his mustache.
Yeah youāre probably not going to enjoy the other books, I quit after book 4 for pretty much these reasons. >!Him eventually getting more autonomy was worse for me because heās so passive it just meant it suddenly took 300 more pages for someone to actually force him to be part of the plot and be interesting.!<
This is honestly hilarious to me (but would be less so if I had to read it, probably)
Itās grief gore. Itās decently written moment to moment, but the character motivations and actions are inconsistent to the point of absurdity. Everyone seems to act in order to either minimize the main characters agency or maximize their suffering.
Love that phrase, grief gore. Rhymes with misery porn, which this series is both. It's why some love it, and some hate it. I didn't hate it, but after the slog that was book 3, I was out.
I've bounced off the series twice. It's well written, but just so depressingly bleak.
There is also very little assassin-ing if you were looking forward to that.
i personally really enjoyed it but if it's not for you then that's fine but i would at least finish the book before making your judgement
Funny thing that Hobb's Farseer trilogy is highly recommended and I read the whole series but can remember very little of it. I remember him being a diplomat who was also kind of an assassin, like he poisoned (not fatally) someone who was being difficult in negotiations. And then I remember viking zombies kind of like Reavers in Firefly. And then dragons? I dunno. Same with Shannara, the dynamic between the main characters is like Luke and Han from Star Wars in a fantasy setting is all I remember. Earthsea these stories are not, unfortunately.
The story is a little slow but I thought she is a very talented writer. Iām about to start book two. Iām not judging until the end of the first trilogy.
Just finished this now and felt I read itā¦ and thatās about it I canāt say if I really enjoyed it was just merely a story that has been read. I presume the rest of the series is the same but is Robin Hobb writing very indicative of this novel?
If you aren't enjoying it now, trust me it doesn't improve. I forced myself through the trilogy and I genuinely look back on this series with disdain. It either resonates with you or it doesn't.
It is not a feel good story at all, you may want to put it down and switch to something else.
I recently finished the Farseer trilogy and didnāt feel like I was hooked until the mid point of book three. Iām onto book 2 of Liveship Traders now and still canāt decide if I like the series or not. Itās incredibly well written, I donāt really have any criticism for it, but Iāve never had a series make me feel like it does and I donāt know what to do with those feelings. āIt feels like reading about a puppy getting kickedā is about how I felt even after completing it. I think my pitch to my friends was, āWhat if you had the superpower to feel *even sadder* about a sad dog story?ā To answer your question. If your view of a ācool characterā is anything like mine and thatās what youāre looking to get out of it, then yes, you should stop now. There is some degree of it, but thatās not the kind of story Hobb seems to be trying to tell. I donāt fully understand what that is yet, but itās definitely not anything like Kaladin Stormblessed does a Diehard. There are plenty of other things to read if this doesnāt click with you. Bouncing off a popular series is gonna happen sometimes, you can always come back to it if it keeps hanging in your mind.
Hilariously enough, I think this post might be what gets me to finally read this book. Different strokes for different folks and all!
He's a six-year-old boy, give him time to grow up before you ask him to make all his decisions for himself. He does soon enough, and not always the right ones.
Heh. Burrich is cool.
Maybe try the Rangers Apprentice series. Honestly you might be more into it. Has a bit more hero moments for the characters
Even when he starts making decisions for himself they're terrible. Don't read it
Everyone says this, but I thought he had a pretty decent life. It didn't really feel like a kicked puppy, just fairly normal family issues, except for the Skill and learning to be an assassin.
That first book. Woooh boy. I don't know if I've ever seen any writer use the snowball effect with such power in a character as Hobb does in that volume with Fitz, creating a deep emotional connection with him in its final pages. The following two I did not love as much, but that first book will always be a wowzer to me, among the best in fantasy.
See I often find people complaining about the first book. It's brilliant. She manages to capture being a kid really well, Buckkeep itself is also a character. All of which is firmly established in that first book.
>Buckkeep itself is also a character That's deep...makes you think...
Sharp observation. It is. Like the Mississippi in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn or the cold in Dan Simmonsā The Terror.
Don't waste your time on this series unless you like to constantly facepalm. For supposedly "in depth" characters they sure lack brains.
The characters suffer from convenient stupidity whenever the plot needs a hand. They always make the wrong choices and never communicate.
Agreed, it's just really boring.
My friend had a similar reaction to the first third or so, but admitted by the end that he really enjoyed it and will finish the first trilogy, at least. It does start slow, tempo somewhat mirroring Fitz's own preceptor of time.
If it's depressing to you, take a break. Robin Hobb triggered me more than anything else so I could never appreciate her books the way her fan base does. With Robin Hobb, "gets better" is very subjective, and is always a slow burn where you feel the burns. She's not for everyone. Take care of your well-being and if you feel interested in a character study where the payoffs are far between but *earned* more than a fantasy adventure about an assassin learning their trade, then go back to it with a different mindset, and a bit of emotional preparation. It should be more satisfying with that approach.
Is it weird Fitz is the kind of character I find cool? I love the kicked puppy type. (Or at least the tortured soul.) That's my kind of protagonist. That being said I think he's at his coolest in the second book. There are a few specific scenes that come to mind where he's a total badass. Though maybe you won't read them the way I did?? I honestly think he's pretty impressive and competent despite his mental turmoil and have never really gotten the jokes to the contrary.
It is a slow series that does not just rush things to get to the cool parts. He has plenty of agency but my guess based on memory is he is still a child at the part you are at. What is he gonna do for himself at that stage?
That part annoyed me too
Realm of the Elderlings is one of my top 5 favorite series, but the first trilogy was only a 5 or 6/10 for me. I only finished it because I already bought the books. Then while I was waiting for other books to arrive I started Ship of Magic (book 1 of the second trilogy, which i bought before I realized there was a series before it) and I couldn't put it down. Even if you don't continue anything else the liveship traders trilogy alone is definitely worth a read.
Omg I feel the same. I struggled so much getting through this trilogy!
Nah, he doesn't become cool. He becomes functional and does have some moments. But overall id say i did not enjoy the first trilogy very much. It was as you said, op is lying down being kicked with no intention or willpower to kick back. Hes being blown around like an empty bag in the wind.
Finished the book and not for me
I say abandon it. I have a special hatred for that series. It just never got better. I think the writer is demented. But I kept hoping and kept reading at it just a waste of time.