I inhaled this. Robin Hobb is the queen of trilogies. There’s few (if any lol) who can masterfully weave all the ends together in the way she can. ThiI inhaled this. Robin Hobb is the queen of trilogies. There’s few (if any lol) who can masterfully weave all the ends together in the way she can. This book is single handedly giving me the biggest book hangover of my life, and threatening to put me in a reading slump now lol. I can’t stop thinking about it. Previously, I felt like Liveship Traders was my favorite of the previous ROTE trilogies. I would say Tawny Man may edge it out of the top spot- only because there was a whole previous trilogy (Farseer) that established my relationship with these characters beforehand. I cant say much more without spoiling anything but here is one of the many quotes I cherish from Fools Fate:
”If I hadn't given my pain to the stone dragon, I think I would have found a way, however risky. Maybe you have to keep your pain and loss to know that you can survive whatever life deals you. Perhaps without putting your pain in its place in your life, you become something of a coward.”
SPOILERS:
I just needed a space to shout some things into the ether…
BURRICHS & FITZ REUNION!!! The trilogy was slowly building to this and I shed a tear when it finally happened. ”You're a man grown, all these many years, but when I see you hurt, I swear, you are eight years old and I'm thinking, ‘I promised his father I'd look after his son. I promised’. ”. My heart was instantly guarded because I felt like there was no way out of this story in which Burrich walked away unscathed. I was unfortunately right. I was ultimately so torn on Hobbs choice to bring him back just to take him away. Overall I understood that it was going to happen and this was probably the best outcome with some resolution for Fitz and Swift. Seeing Burrich repel the stone dragon was badass & swift receiving his dad’s earring afterwards was just ...more
3.5 stars. I enjoyed this deep dive into Mace Windu’s character. The story was clearly a Star Wars “heart of darkness” story & I thought it pulled it 3.5 stars. I enjoyed this deep dive into Mace Windu’s character. The story was clearly a Star Wars “heart of darkness” story & I thought it pulled it off well. The first half of the novel had me very invested. Stovers writing was solid. I thought the concept of Windu’s ability to see “shatterpoints” was really interesting. The journal entries sort of seemed to start off with a purpose but they just disappeared by the end of the story which left me wondering what the point was....more
4.5 stars. This seemed like a return to form for me after Messiah. It reads a lot like Dune and I immediately was enamored with the plot. The twins an4.5 stars. This seemed like a return to form for me after Messiah. It reads a lot like Dune and I immediately was enamored with the plot. The twins and their political maneuvering was so interesting. Specifically some of their convos between Stilgar & Lady Jessica. Herbert’s writing fascinates me, and I feel like the more I reread passages the more I take away from them. Alia the abomination and her descent into madness was horrifyingly fascinating. The themes of Hubris and the illusion of absolute control were well done imo. Leto II’s transformation/loss of humanity was great science fiction writing. ...more
This pleasantly surprised me as I DNF’d Songbirds many years ago. I think it did what all good prequels aim to do- adding more to the main story whileThis pleasantly surprised me as I DNF’d Songbirds many years ago. I think it did what all good prequels aim to do- adding more to the main story while delicately balancing what the readers already know. Haymitchs character felt authentic to me, the Easter eggs hit, & the pacing was great imo. The story’s theme of propaganda/media was also eerily relevant....more
I don’t usually read “middle-grade” level books but my daughter picked this off the shelf for me. It was a reread as I read this when I was in middle I don’t usually read “middle-grade” level books but my daughter picked this off the shelf for me. It was a reread as I read this when I was in middle school myself lol. It was entertaining enough. Kevin J Anderson’s writing in his adult novels has never fully clicked with me but this was entertaining enough. This era of stars wars (post return of the jedi) has always fascinated me. ...more
4.75 stars. Loved it. Fitz & the Fools relationship took on new depths that I did not personally see coming at all. Only Robin Hobb could make me feel4.75 stars. Loved it. Fitz & the Fools relationship took on new depths that I did not personally see coming at all. Only Robin Hobb could make me feel genuinely shocked, angry, sad, & content again in a matter of pages. I did feel like the pacing was a bit slow at times but that’s kind of her thing. At this point I’m here for it as I never seem to want the story to end. ...more
4.25 Stars. An improvement in plot and character development compared to its predecessor. The story felt more balanced albeit stressful most of the ti4.25 Stars. An improvement in plot and character development compared to its predecessor. The story felt more balanced albeit stressful most of the time lol. Diana Gabaldon did what she does best- Heartfelt moments with gut wrenching twists/turns + vivid historical imagery + fantasy elements woven throughout. My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this one and it has us theorizing about the next. 6 books in now, Claire and Jamie truly feel like family at this point. ...more
Solid 5 Stars. I am hurt & not okay right now. Wow. What a fantastically heart wrenching story. This is absolutely worthy of following up The Farseer Solid 5 Stars. I am hurt & not okay right now. Wow. What a fantastically heart wrenching story. This is absolutely worthy of following up The Farseer Trilogy. As always, her prose and storytelling are top notch. IMO this is Robin Hobb at her best. Spoiler thoughts below but here’s one of my favorite quotes from the book:
”The truth, I discovered, is a tree that grows as a man gains access to experience. A child sees the acorn of his daily life, but a man looks back on the oak.”
SPOILERS:
Hobb takes a stab at “slice of life” storytelling in the first 200 pages & expertly manages to build tension and unease within Fitz. After finishing the book, I can’t help but think back to those 200 pages. They were so important in order to understand Fitz & Nighteyes and the life they lived together for the last 15 years- which in turn help us cope with Nighteye’s death later on. It’s been years (YEARS!) since I’ve involuntarily cried reading a book. His death had me sobbing into the pages. The final hunting scene with him and Fitz was absolutely perfect writing. Fitz’s complex relationships with Dutiful, Chade, and Hap was so interesting, I can’t wait to see how they develop. The Fool of course continues to intrigue me especially after the events from the Liveship Traders. I must know how this story concludes but idk if my heart can take much more after Nighteyes. I’m legitimately scared to continue....more
Solid 5 Stars Wow. What a conclusion! Robin Hobb kept me on my toes throughout each installment in this amazing trilogy. With its conclusion finished,Solid 5 Stars Wow. What a conclusion! Robin Hobb kept me on my toes throughout each installment in this amazing trilogy. With its conclusion finished, I can see how thoughtful this story was planned out. Her Realm of The Elderlings only grows bigger in scope by the end of Ships of Destiny. I only hope for my own selfish needs that in time we return to the Vestrits who I’ve grown to love. Liveship Traders twists and turns were thrilling and its characters superb. She leaves no loose ends, leaving you satisfied and in tears (albeit happy tears) by the end. Of course I can’t help but compare the previous (Farseer) Trilogy. Although both are amazing, imo at this point, Liveship Traders Trilogy is vastly superior and seems criminally underrated by other fans comparisons. I can confidently say that this is the best trilogy/series I have read in 2024. I’m excited to continue my Realm of The Elderlings journey....more
Following in Drums of Autumn’s wake, this is very much a “slice of life” story, hyper focused around characters daily lives vs. a cohesive over archinFollowing in Drums of Autumn’s wake, this is very much a “slice of life” story, hyper focused around characters daily lives vs. a cohesive over arching plot. The Fiery Cross seemed to really test these limits whereas Drums felt better balanced imo. This book felt like a lot of set up as Gabaldon prepares to pivot the story into the American Revolution. While the ending delivered up some tense moments and revelations, the build up was too long winded for me. Its saving grace was of course Claire & Jaime’s ongoing chemistry & Rogers story arc. ...more
Solid 5 Stars This is book is an absolute banger. I just couldn’t put it down. I’m so throughly impressed with Hobb’s ability to take an established cSolid 5 Stars This is book is an absolute banger. I just couldn’t put it down. I’m so throughly impressed with Hobb’s ability to take an established character (in this case, Malta) a full 180 degrees backwards creating emotional tension and discomfort for the reader. She’s truly in league with the likes of Joe Abercrombie and G.RR Martin. I can’t say much more other than this is such a good action packed, swashbuckling story....more
*buddy read #5 with my wife* This book had a lot to live up to, considering book 3 had some amazing highs and sequences. Despite its best attempts, Vo*buddy read #5 with my wife* This book had a lot to live up to, considering book 3 had some amazing highs and sequences. Despite its best attempts, Voyager still reigns supreme imo. The Fraser’s turning to colonial America felt like a good natural continuation for this story. At its best, Gabaldon was able to really create a vivid homestead story with equal parts grit, suspense and romance. This book felt more character driven, with the plot getting lost at times for several chapters at a time. It was a vibe tho, especially reading this during the fall. We’re enjoying this series immensely. It’s been fun following up each completed book with the corresponding season of its TV series. ...more
This book was fun and I enjoyed it. It’s an action packed military fantasy that felt well realized. The magic and caste system were very intriguing. TThis book was fun and I enjoyed it. It’s an action packed military fantasy that felt well realized. The magic and caste system were very intriguing. The brotherhood Tau forms with his fellow “sword brothers” was my favorite part. As a reader that favors character driven stories, I would’ve traded some of the training/action montages for more time spent developing Tau’s motivations and his relationships. ...more
4.75 Stars - Rounding Up. *Buddy Read #4 with my wife*. Man, we’re really enjoying this series! I wasn’t sure Diana would be able to top the magic of 4.75 Stars - Rounding Up. *Buddy Read #4 with my wife*. Man, we’re really enjoying this series! I wasn’t sure Diana would be able to top the magic of book 1. Voyager slightly edges out Outlander imo. It serves up a swashbuckling story filled with many jaw dropping & heart stopping moments. The historical fiction elements we loved thus far remain in tact as the story pivots to the new world. Claire and Jaime’s relationship feels like it’s grown more complex alongside its characters. The lore surrounding the time travel mechanics also receives some much desired development. In hindsight, this story is riddled with parallels between characters + foreshadowing. Seemingly hard to ignore, only time will tell if the readers analysis is worth it. Something tells me though, that Diana is weaving something masterful here....more
READ THIS BOOK!!! READ THIS SERIES!!! I don’t see this series talked about nearly enough! It absolutely deserves praise. Josiah Bancroft has created sREAD THIS BOOK!!! READ THIS SERIES!!! I don’t see this series talked about nearly enough! It absolutely deserves praise. Josiah Bancroft has created something unique and special here. This world feels effortlessly interesting with an intriguing plot, palpable characters, & beautiful prose. This book was *chef’s kiss*. I can’t say much more without spoiling so I’ll end this review with one of my many favorited highlights from The Hod King…”only people who go to bed early believe in happy endings. We night owls understand that happiness does not dwell in finales. It resides in anticipation, in revelry, and in worn-out welcomes. Endings are always sad.”.
The urge to read the 4th book/conclusion immediately is strong lol. I may put it off simply just to live in this world a little longer....more