My Brave Journey Setting Forth into The Realm of the Elderlings
***Spoilers for The Farseer Trilogy by Robin Hobb ahead***
Author’s Note: When I began my blogging journey through The Realm of the Elderlings, I happened to start at the natural spot of about 75% through the second trilogy. So, in the event that any human soul stumbles upon and happens to follow my journey, I thought it might be nice to share a few reflections on The Farseer Trilogy and The Liveship Traders up to my first post.
These early reflections only scratch the surface, but if you enjoy this glimpse into my descent into Hobb-induced madness, I hope you will check out my in-depth reaction pieces to the later series. (Where else can you go for predictions of polyamory involving boats?) Without further ado…
The Farseer Trilogy
As someone who holds every word of The Farseer Trilogy in the highest esteem, I can conceivably see how this series isn’t for everyone. (I mean, those people are of course horrifically wrong, but that’s their right.) So here’s what I’ll concede: Is it the fastest-paced story ever told? No. Does Assassin’s Quest drag a bit at times? Perhaps.
But damn it, I don’t care. This story was absolutely for me. I was right there alongside Fitz on every Eda- and El-cursed step of his quest. If anything, a bit of suffering along the way (I’m looking at you, coterie) only deepened my immersion.
A little about me to set the stage: I occasionally enjoy a bit of romance in my literary endeavors. So what a nice surprise to find out this was the greatest love story of all time- just between Fitz and me, rather than any characters on the page.
I can’t quite say what it was that drew me to this journey, but one thing’s for sure: I could never have anticipated the ride I was about to embark on. There were a few omens early on that made it clear I was going to need to buckle the fuck up.
First, right as I received the Libby notification that Assassin’s Apprentice was available to check out, I came across a social media post asking people to share the most emotionally devastating books they’d ever read. This post was clear it wasn’t after your standard heartbreak, it was a call for the truly soul-crushing reading experiences. So imagine my surprise when, lazily scrolling through the replies and making half-hearted mental notes on books I should probably avoid, I came across the very (what I’d been assuming jaunty) fantasy book I was mere moments from diving into.
Now, I’ve read plenty of sad tales through blurry eyes and sobbed for my fictional brethren, but that’s not my preferred reading experience. So this post felt like a bit of a harbinger. In retrospect, it was probably fortuitous to get a heads-up for what I was in for. Beware: tough times ahead!
The next red flag came toward the end of Royal Assassin. I, sweet summer child, innocently opened the chapter menu on my Kindle to see how many chapters remained until the happy ending. (Obviously the plot to flee Buckkeep would go off without a hitch. No problemo.) Instead, I was greeted by this upcoming trifecta of chapter titles: “Dungeons,” “Torture,” and “Execution.” *Gulp*
It doesn’t take a detective to piece together that the escape plot might be headed in an unfortunate direction.
By the time I finished Royal Assassin, I felt properly oriented to the realm of pain I had entered. Did that stop me from bumbling my way through Assassin’s Quest with hope in my heart at every turn? No, it did not. An optimist at my core, I clung to hope that every plan for Fitz and the gang would work out and they would all achieve their heart’s desires and live happily ever after. It was a trying time for us all.
So much happened over the course of the trilogy, and now that my mind has fully taken up residence along the Cursed Shores, I know this will be insufficient. But here are some reflections from my time in the Six Duchies:
FitzChivalry
Where else could I start? I love this character so, so dearly. Protect this ManBoyWolf at all costs. “Dear Robin, can my guy know one moment’s peace and happiness? I beg of you.”
Maybe that’s where we find him when we find him when we pick up his story again – happy, in love, smooth sailing. (I can’t help myself!!!!)
He’s not perfect, but I will be a Fitz apologist ’til the end of my days. (Can’t wait for Robin to make a liar out of me.)
The Burrich/Molly of it all
This was when I really knew there were no limits to my suffering. Yes, the hints were there. But surely, SURELY, she would not have SBF’s* true love end up with his father figure romantically. I’m still in denial that Fitz didn’t reunite with Molly and his child, and that they, along with crazy Uncle BurrBurr, didn’t just walk off into the sunset. I suppose I’m grateful we didn’t have to witness Molly making him choose between her and Nighteyes. The bar is in hell.
*SBF = Sweet Baby Fitz.
Nighteyes
I will not acknowledge the aging of Nighteyes or consider what may come in future books. This is pack.
At random points in random days, I’ll suddenly think to myself, remember when Fitz was suddenly a sailor/warrior for a summer? That was a wild time.
Verity: I’m not sure about you.
Regal: I’m extremely sure about you.
My favorite comedic relief: Rizz King Fitz™. I’m obsessed with everyone trying to fuck him while he thinks his dashing scar makes him ugly. Even Kettricken has to be like, “Sorry to break it to you, but you’re hot.”
And in that vein, Fitz’s steadfast struggle to resist temptation, remain true to Molly, turning the ladies down left and right, only to have to Skill-witness Molly getting it on with his surrogate father and immediately boning down Starling on the riverbank. Just A+ work here.
Chade
I would be remiss to not mention Chade. Below is my Chade. Anyone else?
There’s so much more I could say, but my memory is foggy and I’ve officially relocated to Bingtown, so I’ll keep it here for now. Hopefully, if this project sustains, I will one day re-read Farseer and provide chapter-by-chapter reactions. I imagine it will be fun (I live in a constant state of denial) to revisit the beginning after experiencing the totality of RotE.
Future thoughts for when I rejoin SBF in the story:
I am incredibly curious where we pick up with Fitz and where his story goes. I feel like we got a good amount of info into his future, but I can’t really recall the details. In my hazy memory, some things seemed laid out pretty definitively, like Fitz never seeing certain people again. Do Molly, Burrich, his child with Molly, Chivalry’s wife (oh god what is her name?!?!) go the rest of their lives never knowing he’s alive?
The Fool
As I finish this post, I realize I haven’t even mentioned the Fool once- tough look for arguably the second most important character. I don’t know what to make of the Fool. I never developed much of a strong emotional connection to him. It seems the Fool will be an integral character in the story moving forward, so I’m open to a slow-burn love story between us. Entertain me, Fool!!
I am loving the change of pace in Liveship Traders. After finishing Farseer, I saw posts suggesting not to worry too much about missing Fitz, you are in for a good time in Liveship. And hoo boy, am I having a blast!
I can’t imagine what is going to happen when these worlds collide (I’m sure just a lot of getting along and joy and ease for the characters!), but I’m excited to find out!
If you enjoyed these tip-of-the-iceberg reflections, I hope you’ll stick around for the real chaos. My Reactions from the Realm series dives deep into the trenches of each trilogy, starting with Liveship Traders and continuing through Tawny Man (and beyond, gods help me).
Catch ya on the Cursed Shores!
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