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4.41 AVERAGE
4.41 AVERAGE
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Why oh why can't I love these books???? And why oh why can't I stop reading them???
Still love Fitz!
Edit 2023: this is my least favourite of these books, my thoughts don't stray much from the first review...
Still love Fitz!
Edit 2023: this is my least favourite of these books, my thoughts don't stray much from the first review...
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The character development of these books is something else
I have some reservations when reading Robin Hobb, but her books are very fun, and this trilogy adds some nice twist exploring matriarchal and non hierarchical societies, as well as analogies for queer teens, and other clever societal reflections
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
"You said once that I might call you Beloved,' if I no longer wished to call you 'Fool.'" I took a breath. "Beloved, I have missed your company."
Robin Hobb is luring me into a false sense of security. The quarrel between Fitz and Beloved broke me and I really thought we would end this book without them having a talk. But we did and the ending made my heart soar and now I know she means me a world of hurt for the finale of this trilogy. Idk what to expect but I am mentally trying to prepare. I love this world that Hobb has created. This has truly risen to the top as my favorite fantasy series of all time. Idk if anything will ever top it and maybe that’s unfair since ROTE has 16 books to create such an expansive world but too bad that’s a skill issue for other authors. I skipped the live ship traders thinking it would be fine but not I’m well and truly going to dive into this full world.
Fitz and Beloved mean the world to me and I’m so excited yet apprehensive about what will happen to them. I just want to see them happy and safe.
Robin Hobb is luring me into a false sense of security. The quarrel between Fitz and Beloved broke me and I really thought we would end this book without them having a talk. But we did and the ending made my heart soar and now I know she means me a world of hurt for the finale of this trilogy. Idk what to expect but I am mentally trying to prepare. I love this world that Hobb has created. This has truly risen to the top as my favorite fantasy series of all time. Idk if anything will ever top it and maybe that’s unfair since ROTE has 16 books to create such an expansive world but too bad that’s a skill issue for other authors. I skipped the live ship traders thinking it would be fine but not I’m well and truly going to dive into this full world.
Fitz and Beloved mean the world to me and I’m so excited yet apprehensive about what will happen to them. I just want to see them happy and safe.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
⭐⭐⭐⭐║An enticing, slow burning setup book. The Golden Fool feels like a chessboard for Robin Hobb to meticulously position her pieces to prepare for the final book in the trilogy. While it expertly weaves relationships, political intrigue, and world-expanding connections, it fell short of delivering the emotional gut punches or fantastical surprises of her earlier Realm of the Elderlings books. This one’s for patient readers who savor the journey, not just the destination, with less focus on plot and more focus on setting and character.
Hobb’s strengths? Undeniable. The characters are deeply realistic. Relationships are messy, nuanced, human. Fitz, still aching from past wounds, grows into his role at Buckkeep, and his connections with the Fool and Dutiful evolve in significant, sometimes heartbreaking ways. These layered, flawed, ever-changing bonds anchor the story, grounding the broader narrative in raw emotion.
The Realm of the Elderlings ties? Absolutely stellar. When key players from Liveship Traders arrive at Buckkeep, the world feels larger, richer, more interconnected. Bingtown Traders, Outislanders, Old Blood factions—Hobb deftly weaves them into the story, teasing a convergence of tensions that promises fireworks in Fool’s Fate. The diplomacy and political intrigue are intricate and gripping, leaving me excited to see it all unravel in the finale.
But the pacing? Brutal. The first 200 pages crawl, bogged down by slice-of-life moments, Fitz’s endless introspection, and slow-burn exposition. Things pick up midway, with some much-needed action and twists, only to slow down again. Unlike Assassin’s Apprentice or Fool’s Errand, this book lacks a gut-wrenching emotional moment. Unlike Royal Assassin and even Assassin’s Quest, we’re missing climactic, mind-blowing final twists. It’s undeniably a middle book—deliberate, functional, and heavily focused on setup. It skirts dangerously close to “middle-book syndrome,” with slow pacing, limited plot progression, a confined setting, and a clear intent to bridge into book three.
Still, there’s plenty to admire. The world-building is phenomenal, elevating my respect for Hobb’s masterful vision of The Realm of the Elderlings. The setup for Dutiful and Elliania’s impending quest, with its potentially earth-shattering stakes for Fitz and the Fool, is captivating and leaves me eager for the conclusion.
In the end, The Golden Fool is a necessary bridge. Deliberate, thoughtful, but undeniably slow. I just wish it stood stronger on its own.
The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb
Hobb’s strengths? Undeniable. The characters are deeply realistic. Relationships are messy, nuanced, human. Fitz, still aching from past wounds, grows into his role at Buckkeep, and his connections with the Fool and Dutiful evolve in significant, sometimes heartbreaking ways. These layered, flawed, ever-changing bonds anchor the story, grounding the broader narrative in raw emotion.
The Realm of the Elderlings ties? Absolutely stellar. When key players from Liveship Traders arrive at Buckkeep, the world feels larger, richer, more interconnected. Bingtown Traders, Outislanders, Old Blood factions—Hobb deftly weaves them into the story, teasing a convergence of tensions that promises fireworks in Fool’s Fate. The diplomacy and political intrigue are intricate and gripping, leaving me excited to see it all unravel in the finale.
But the pacing? Brutal. The first 200 pages crawl, bogged down by slice-of-life moments, Fitz’s endless introspection, and slow-burn exposition. Things pick up midway, with some much-needed action and twists, only to slow down again. Unlike Assassin’s Apprentice or Fool’s Errand, this book lacks a gut-wrenching emotional moment. Unlike Royal Assassin and even Assassin’s Quest, we’re missing climactic, mind-blowing final twists. It’s undeniably a middle book—deliberate, functional, and heavily focused on setup. It skirts dangerously close to “middle-book syndrome,” with slow pacing, limited plot progression, a confined setting, and a clear intent to bridge into book three.
Still, there’s plenty to admire. The world-building is phenomenal, elevating my respect for Hobb’s masterful vision of The Realm of the Elderlings. The setup for Dutiful and Elliania’s impending quest, with its potentially earth-shattering stakes for Fitz and the Fool, is captivating and leaves me eager for the conclusion.
In the end, The Golden Fool is a necessary bridge. Deliberate, thoughtful, but undeniably slow. I just wish it stood stronger on its own.
The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb
The Farseer Trilogy
Book 1: Assassin's Apprentice – 4/5
Book 2: Royal Assassin – 4/5
Book 3: Assassin's Quest – 3/5
Book 1: Assassin's Apprentice – 4/5
Book 2: Royal Assassin – 4/5
Book 3: Assassin's Quest – 3/5
The Liveship Traders
Book 1: Ship of Magic – 5/5
Book 2: The Mad Ship – 5/5
Book 3: Ship of Destiny – 5/5
Book 1: Ship of Magic – 5/5
Book 2: The Mad Ship – 5/5
Book 3: Ship of Destiny – 5/5
The Tawny Man
Book 1: Fool's Errand – 5/5
Book 2: The Golden Fool – 4/5
Book 1: Fool's Errand – 5/5
Book 2: The Golden Fool – 4/5