Reviews with content warning for Homophobia - Golden Fool

Telling you anything about the plot would spoil you most of the first volume in the Tawny Man trilogy, so I won't. But the book is rich enough that you can still discuss quite a bit without referring to the plot. Among other topic, it discusses power - who wields it, who should it be entrusted to, who can decide where to distribute it. Of course, there is no yes/no answer, and our protagonist, Fitz, keeps making mistake over mistake because his magic is both one of his strengths and his biggest weakness. I think that is a really interesting idea to develop in a fantasy novel. In addition to that, while Fitz's entourage keeps demanding he takes action and helps those he is sworn to, he is held back by a string of prejudices that are sometimes very uncomfortable to read, especially when it feels like a step back from his attitude in previous books. But I don't see that as a flaw in the writing, simply as a proof that Fitz is very much real, his opinions aren't fixed and he keeps evolving not always in a pleasant direction because that's life. But to make up for it, Hobb gifts us with passages such as: "You seek a false comfort when you demand that I define myself for you with words. Words do not contain or define any person. A heart can, if it is willing." *swoons*
Rep : just like the author said, it's difficult to identify clearly the characters' identity. In this book, Fitz appears to lean towards polyamour. There is certainly a non-binary secondary character.

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eleasily's review

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adventurous dark medium-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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themysteriouserk's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious tense 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

3.75

A wonderful and entertaining continuation of the second of Robin Hobb’s trilogies focusing on FitzChivalry Farseer and those who share his life and world (and the third of her overarching Realm of the Elderlings series). This one does a lot to grow our understanding of both Fitz and The Fool/Lord Golden/Amber and has plenty of insightful and impactful moments, but spends more time dealing with the fallout of the previous book and setting things up for the next than doing a lot of its own, despite some intriguing political machinations and new information on the books’ unique magic system.

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