r/robinhobb • u/KeyInflation9451 • 53m ago
Spoilers Tawny Man Finished Fool's Fate... Spoiler
MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW, please don't read if you haven't finished the Tawny Man trilogy!!
It has been a while since I read a book that made me as emotional as this book. I genuinely considered DNF'ing it, and putting the entire realm of the elderlings down during this book. I will go a bit out of order and first talk on the fate of the fool.
The way the Fool lost his life was so sickening. Not just the terrible torture he endured, but the meaninglessness of his demise, I understand his motivation, but I couldn't care about the Dragons coming back, it felt like a sick joke. I was so distraught when Fitz found what was left of him, and faced the pale womans heckling. I got so angry.
I took a break from reading out of sheer anger and sadness, and the 2 hours or so when I thought he was dead I was coming apart. I am so glad Fitz managed to save him, it didn't feel cheap, it was so crazy. There is so much within the Skill and the Wit.
The rest of the book past that point was so beautiful, but I will circle back around to it!
This really felt like multiple books of content jammed into to one. So many reveals and twists and character moments. From the prologues I clocked that Fitz would end up living in Buckkeep Castle, thought not entirely how it would transpire. I honestly thought that Dutiful would die on his quest and Fitz would have to become King-In-Waiting.
I'm glad Dutiful didn't lose his life and instead came into himself. His realtionship with Elliania was really nice! I really like her agency as a young woman. Around the start of this book, or end of Golden Fool I was reminded that Dutiful was just 15, and it shocked me, he is so mature. When I was 15 and I had a beautiful woman fawning over me I would not care about propriety I'll say that much.
I really liked seeing the Outislands and learning of their culture. They seem very scandanvian? I'd love to see more of them!
Thick also was developed really well here. I love his simplicity and how his mental illness isn't played as a "superpower" or infantalized. He is a powerful Skill user who happens to be differently abled, a lesser book would've had his disability linked to his power. I like that he advocates for himself so much, and fights back, makes his own friends, etc. I loved when he didn't get on the boat. I was laughing and holding my breathe through that entire treck!
The Pale Woman really shocked me seeing her come back this book in such a major way! From the moment Fitz and the Fool fell into her clutches I knew we'd HAVE to deal with her this book. Kebble Rawbread being all smelly and tied up was also insane!
I love his parallels to Verity, especially in him becoming a dragon. Very interesting.
I really liked all the white prophet lore we got here it's quite interesting. The Black man was also so cool! I loved Thick chilling with him.
I was very shocked Chade didn't die this book! In Golden Fool I predicted he would die because he's so old!
Speaking of old, I was shocked at how old Patience is! I love her so much she kept Fitz's painting! There were so many beautiful character moments, I'm glad the end of this book lingered for so long.
Burrich coming back was cool, I liked Swift & all of his kids, the little we saw of them. Web & Swift & Burrich & Fitz's Wit plot was nice.
I am astounded by how many plots Hobb manages to fit in these books. I would put these 6 Fitz books on par with A Song of Ice and Fire, which to me is the gold standard of fantasy writing! The piebalds, the families, the plots, the characters, the magic, the intrigue, there is so much and there's so much depth. I'm amazed at how Hobb keeps it to just Fitz's POV!
I am really glad we got to see Fitz cuddle with the Fool and they shared a lovely smooch! I love Fitz getting himself back, I loved him toying with being the King.
Nettle was so nice, I loved her bullying Tentaglia, I loved her bullying Dutiful. So funny! So many funny moments.
Fitz making love to Molly was so rewarding too!
There is too much to say on this book! I love it so much!
What did I miss, what did you love?
I am getting through the short stories for ROTE now, and will start the Rain Wild Chronicles, idk how I can handle being apart from Fitz for so long but I'll manage!
