Realm of the Elderlings

Reactions from the Realm: Fool’s Errand, Chapters 16-20

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Badass Fitz Returns!

***Spoilers for The Tawny Man Trilogy through chapter 20 of Fool’s Errand . Heavy references to the events of Farseer Trilogy and Liveship Traders***

Fire up the Mystery Machine, things are getting pretty spooky in Galekeep! I am really loving the mystery vibes of Fool’s Errand. When it was revealed that we were in cat country, I should have expected things to get weird, and the atmosphere at Galekeep did not disappoint. Everyone is hiding something, Fitz is looking foine in his fancy clothes, and utter disaster lurks around every corner.

In my last post, I noted that it was great to have Fitz and Nighteyes reunite. What I failed to realize is that their time apart was actually a blessed mercy on us: giving us a break from the unrelenting slow march toward Nighteyes’ death. This is fucking brutal. I feel like I am in an emotional guillotine. The blade is going to drop and I am going to be destroyed. I know Nighteyes is prideful, but can we please fashion him a little saddle or something? Watching him push himself to the limit – all while recovering from a cat attack (did I say I liked cats before? Fuck cats!) – is a lot to handle. Fitz, who is very generous with his own life force, does a little more skill healing/life infusion, which Nighteyes flat-out forbids him from doing again.

I’m beginning to fear that the relative lack of emotional destruction in Liveship Traders compared to Farseer Trilogy lulled me into complacency. Time to get my head back in the game. We are in the Six Duchies now. Constant vigilance!!!!

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Reactions from the Realm: Fool’s Errand, Chapters 11-15

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Release the cats!

***Spoilers for The Tawny Man Trilogy through chapter 15 of Fool’s Errand. Heavy references to the events of The Farseer Trilogy and mentions of Liveship Traders***

After taking our time settling back in with Fitz and Friends – catching up on things we missed and reorienting ourselves to the slower pace of the Six Duchies – things seem to be taking shape in our story.

We’re back in Buckkeep, and everyone is back on their bullshit. The Fool and Chade concoct a ruse to bring Fitz back into the fold unnoticed, which naturally involves treating him like dogshit around the clock. Oh well- it’s the only way! They can’t risk him having even a single item of comfort in his hidden, windowless sleeping chamber, yet they’re somehow fine relying on an even-Clark-Kent-would-be-unimpressed level of physical disguise. Which is to say, there is no disguise. Just the trust that a servant’s outfit and a few half-hearted mannerisms (which Fitz consistently botches) will suffice. I suppose by now they assume that as long as Fitz is getting the raw end of the deal, things will work out.

The Plot Thickens

We’ve got a missing prince, and Detective Fitz is on the case! I thoroughly enjoyed watching him go full Sherlock Holmes. We get scenes straight out of Law and Order: Six Duchies:

Fitz: “Begin the night before he disappeared…”
“… and tell me all that you know.”

I didn’t quite realize the Venn diagram between assassin training and detective work was practically a circle, but I’m not going to question it.

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Reactions from the Realm: Fool’s Errand, Chapters 6-10

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You spin my head right round, right round

***Spoilers for The Tawny Man Trilogy through chapter 10 of Fool’s Errand . Heavy references to the events of Farseer Trilogy and mentions of Liveship Traders***

Friends. We are ten chapters in. Not a damned thing has happened. And I am riveted. I could hang out at The Fitz and Wolf BnB, shooting the shit with whoever wanders up the lane, indefinitely. I don’t know what sorcery Robin Hobb is working, but I am enjoying every minute of it so far. I am especially impressed by her ability to recap past events with the lightest of touches. We never feel like we are getting a clunky info-dump. The reminders of earlier events are delivered so naturally, it just feels like reminiscing.

For a moment, I was extremely concerned that the aforementioned (see previous post) Double Fooling was coming to fruition. When The Fool started talking about another self-proclaimed White Prophet – a “she” who preceded his path – I was quaking. Fortunately (I think?), it became clear that this false prophet lady was not, in fact, Amber, but rather the pale ghost-ship lady from way back in Farseer. I love the setup of a rival evil prophet and catalyst (add Kebal Rawbread to our insane names list), and I am excited to revisit this unsolved mystery. The whole forging business was super gnarly, so I am looking forward to reopening this case.

One of the things I’m loving about the start of Tawny Man is how clearly the connections between the Farseer Trilogy and Liveship Traders are emerging. At first, Liveship Traders feels like a completely separate story, divorced from the events up in the Six Duchies. Of course, there were little hints and mentions of our friends in the north that became more apparent and pronounced as the story unfolded. But now, the ties feel strong and deliberate. (Fitz even took a little “nothing-to-see-here-just-a-man-and-wolf” vacation to Bingtown while we were away!) The parallels between the Wit and the liveship/dragon-human bonds have been jumping out to me. And with a potential big bad on a ship emerging, so many great possibilities to incorporate our favorite southern seafarers into the mix. (Let it be known: if there is a future with Fitz sailing into a naval battle aboard ShipFitz, I will spontaneously combust.)

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Reactions from the Realm: Fool’s Errand, Chapters 1-5

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Merry Fitzmas!

***Spoilers for The Tawny Man Trilogy through chapter 5 of Fool’s Errand . Heavy references to the events of Farseer Trilogy and mentions of Liveship Traders***

We are so back, baby! Reuniting with Fitz and Nighteyes in the Six Duchies feels like slipping on a well-worn shoe. This is pack! I was downright giddy when I opened Fool’s Errand and was thrust back into the headspace of my main ManBoyWolf. Don’t get me wrong – I loved my diversion to the Cursed Shores – but Fitz remains my #1 boy. (We’ve been through a lot together!) If Liveship Traders was like going on vacation – new places, fresh faces, exciting excursions – then Fool’s Errand feels like coming home. Right away, we get the full Fitz experience: he’s lonely, he’s stubborn, everyone wants to fuck him, and he’s even sitting by the hearth at Chade’s feet. Ahhhh… we are in familiar territory, friends.

It shouldn’t have surprised me just how easy it was to sink back into Fitz’s world. By now, his inner monologue feels almost as recognizable as my own. We seemingly haven’t missed too much during our time apart: Fitz is now 35 going on 85, retired from the catalyst game, and living his best cottagecore life with Nighteyes and Hap. But alas, someone clued Sa in to Fitz enjoying a moment’s peace, which means it’s time to shake things up.

In these opening chapters, Fitz gets the Ebenezer Scrooge treatment with his very own “Ghosts of Fitzmas Past” showing up on his doorstep. Let’s break down the highlights:

Chade

Chade drops in unannounced to catch up and resurrect all of Fitz’s past traumas. We get a helpful update on the old Buckkeep gang, along with a totally reasonable ask: come train the children you were forced to abandon in the magic that all but destroyed you. At least he brought brandy!

He also nonchalantly drops emotional bombs. Hey Fitz- your bio daughter Nettle? She’s just like Burrich (cool!), more so even than the five (!) sons he shares with Molly, the woman you loved and were also (practically) forced to abandon. Chade was clearly sick the day they provided sensitivity training during bastard assassin school.

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Reactions from the Realm: Ship of Destiny, Chapters 37 – Epilogue

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I am… happy?

***Spoliers for all of The Liveship Traders. Mentions of The Farseer Trilogy***

Sa damn. My journey through The Liveship Traders trilogy has come to an end. And what a conclusion it was. I feel the need to stare off into the lack for a bit and process the experience (and by process, I mean immediately jump to the Kindle store and purchase The Tawny Man trilogy, of course). I’m genuinely in awe of what Robin Hobb accomplished: the characters she created, the storylines she wove together, the seeds she planted for what’s to come, and the expansion of her brilliant world and lore. I truly loved every second I spent in this series… yes, even the ones spent on the Serpent Tangle Struggle Bus.

We pick back up in the post-battle night that refuses to end. Tintaglia is ready to take charge on the beach, but she meets her match in stubbornness: Wintrow- who’s gotten a taste of power and isn’t about to give it up, no matter if his challenger could eat him. She decides to let the humans return to the ship and pretend they have a say in anything, as long as it doesn’t cramp her agenda. As everyone congregates in the Motley’s best conference room, I was wondering exactly when the last time any of our characters had gotten any shuteye was when – right on cue – Althea proceeds to nod off while the future order of the world is being hashed out.

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Reactions from the Realm: Ship of Destiny, Chapters 33-36

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King for a Day

***Spoilers for Liveship Traders through chapter 36 of Ship of Destiny. Mentions of Farseer Trilogy***

I am two for two on reading Kennit death scenes right before bed – and this one packed an emotional gut punch. After recent events, we were well past any ability to root for Kennit, but even after he crossed into irredeemability, complicated feelings prevailed. And it’s not just us. Many of the characters are also struggling with complex emotions in the wake of Kennit’s demise. It is clear his death will continue to create ripples of impact among those left behind. The highs were high and the lows were in hell, but Kennit’s return to Paragon for his final moments provided a poignant and touching end to his story. Throughout the Liveship Traders trilogy, Kennit puts Robin Hobb’s unmatched character development skills on full display. He will certainly go down in my personal pantheon of fantasy characters.

This section of chapters is full of interpersonal and political maneuvering, plus, you know, a casual boat battle raging in the background. The Jamaillian warships and nobles were annoying me. Like, chill with the catapults. People are trying to reunite and have conversations, thanks. In the midst of all the chaos, I found myself mostly caring about whether Reyn and Malta still found each other cute (spoiler: they do!! Squeee!), which proves once and for all that I am, deep down, just a teenage girl at heart.

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Reactions from the Realm: Ship of Destiny, Chapters 30-32

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Spill the Tea, Fam!

***Spoilers ahead for Liveship Traders through chapter 32 of Ship of Destiny. Mentions of Farseer Trilogy***

Well, folks. It’s happening. Our storylines and characters are colliding. I have been predicting a convergence in Divvytown, but it looks like this showdown may be destined to occur out on the high seas. (When half the main characters are boats, I probably should have seen that coming). Which is a good reminder to never leave port without your hair and makeup done. You never know when you’ll bump into multiple family members plus your crush while sailing open water.

An especially fun aspect of this Liveship Traders journey is having the awareness of all that’s going on around the Cursed Shores while the characters remain in the dark about events beyond their own little corners. Anticipating their reactions to the batshit happenings unfolding elsewhere in the story is almost as fun as the batshit happenings themselves. Which is why I loved the scene of the Vestrit-family slumber party (complete with Satrap Cosgo playing the role of the friend who is over it and just wants to go to sleep), where Wintrow, Althea, and Malta catch each other up on their increasingly wild tales. Do you think Althea felt a little one-upped when her most shocking revelation was shagging the captain, while Wintrow had turned tattooed slave and back, and Malta is now a part-dragon Satrap whisperer? Tough to compete with these two.

(Jek during Wintrow/Malta story time)

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Reactions from the Realm: Ship of Destiny, Chapters 26-29

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The Great Gaslighting

***Spoilers for Liveship Traders through chapter 29 of Ship of Destiny. Mentions of Farseer Trilogy.***

Content warning: These chapters include depictions of rape and gaslighting. Here at wizardwordship, I generally strive to provide light-hearted reactions, humor, and possibly fumble my way into an occasional insight. This post touches on heavier themes as necessitated by the story. I will do my best to discuss with the appropriate care and respect.

Up to this point, Captain Kennit has been the ultimate anti-hero for me. Charismatic and dashing, it has been impossible not to feel captivated by him. We have spent a lot of time with him as he ascends to power and does some inadvertent good along the way. I have often wondered where his arc was headed. Could he break good and happily settle down in Divvytown with Etta? (As if this is my first Robin Hobb novel). But with his rape of Althea, our questions about Kennit are unequivocally answered. He’s a monster. It’s horrifying and deeply unsettling to witness his inability to rise above his past and shut the door on redemption.

I went all the way back to Chapter 1 of Ship of Magic, where we first meet Kennit pursuing a prophecy on Treasure Beach. The Other tells him:

“You take that which is not yours, Captain Kennit, and claim it as your own. No matter how much falls into your hands, you are never sated.”
Then:
“That task, that feat, that deed which haunts your dreams will blossom in your hands.”
And finally:
“The heel that destroys that which belongs to the sea shall be claimed in turn by the sea.”

Robin doesn’t hide the truth from readers. The power of her storytelling lies not in surprise, but in the inevitability – and guaranteed emotional fallout – of it all.

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Reactions from the Realm: Ship of Destiny, Chapters 22-25

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Gird Your Loins, The Endgame Approaches

***Spoilers for Liveship Traders through chapter 25 of Ship of Destiny. References to The Farseer Trilogy***

It feels like we are getting a bit of a reset in these chapters – or perhaps more accurately, a stage-setting for the final showdowns. My Kindle tells me I have about seven hours of read time left in my Liveship Traders adventure (say it ain’t so!), and I can see the pieces starting to shift into place for the grand finale.

In my recent post catching everyone up on my Liveship Traders journey up to the point where I started blogging regularly, I called Wintrow the “chaos agent we deserved.” I was *this close* to saying he was giving big catalyst energy, but decided to let him walk his own chaos-causing path. But then we get Amber telling Paragon, “I have been called a fool as often as I have been called a prophet.” Ding! Ding! Ding!

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Reactions from the Realm: Liveship Traders: Previously on the Cursed Shores

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We’re not in the Six Duchies anymore, Toto.

***Spoilers for all of Liveship Traders (Ship of Magic, Mad Ship, and Ship of Destiny) up to my Ship of Destiny blogging journey that begins at chapter 11. Light mentions of Farseer Trilogy, no direct major plot spoilers***

If you’ve been following along, you know I started blogging my journey through The Realm of the Elderlings at the exceedingly logical point of about 75% through the second trilogy. The good news is, that’s only the sixth book in a sixteen-part literary universe, so there is plenty of ground ahead of me to cover. Still, it felt wrong to neglect my beloved Farseer Trilogy (Fitz + me forever) and the first three-fourths of Liveship Traders.

I already shared a post to give some (wildly insufficient) broad-stroke thoughts on Farseer, so Liveship Traders, come on down!

After following Fitz as he grew from boy to assassin to sailor/warrior to wolf-man to rizz lord to hermit (a tale as old as time), diving into Liveship Traders was a real breath of fresh sea air. I’d picked up vague rumblings that Liveship Traders was a good time. Basically, “don’t worry about missing Fitz, there’s a whole cast of wacky characters waiting for you along the Cursed Shores.” So I downloaded the full trilogy to my Kindle (because it’s comforting to see you have 80 hours left in your read), downed second breakfast, and dove in!

And what an adventure it has been!

I have been absolutely eating up Liveship Traders. The characters are rich (bow down to Queen Robin), the pace is quick, and the story keeps me on my toes. You never know when someone’s going to lose a limb!

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