17. Fool's Fate

I just finished Fool's Fate, and I have to say...whoa!   That one was the culmination of the all the character building and plotting of the previous books in the Realm of the Elderlings.   This one I couldn't put down.  A bunch of loose ends finally come together for a very satisfying conclusion.   I don't want to give anything away, but I was glad to finally read this book in the series.  I know Fool's Assassin picks up the story, but I think I'll rest this series awhile.    One concept that I really enjoyed was questioning was the Fool truly the White Prophet?  Or was he a false prophet?  Who determines what future the world will take?   The Pale Woman's vision for the future is in complete contrast to the Fool's.   But which would be better for mankind?  The Fool claims that dragons are necessary to keep man's domination of nature in balance.   I considered that for some time.   Unfortunately in our own time and world, it seems we are bent on destroying the earth... Robin Hobb's concept of needing another sentient, powerful lifeform in the world to balance our destruction is fascinating.

Overall, I give this last book in the Tawny Man Trilogy a 5...because I did end up buying both the Audible and Kindle versions.  I couldn't stop "reading" even at the dentist.   So the Audible sustained me while the dentist worked on a bad tooth.

16. Golden Fool

I finished the book 2 of the Tawny Man Trilogy last night.  Things finally started happening in the last few chapters!   The story picks up with Tom Badgerlock tying to build a coterie for Prince Dutiful...but unknown forces and factions conspire against the thrown.    Is there a spy in their midst?   (of course there's a spy...there are always spies EVERYWHERE).   Will Tom Badgerlock finally step into the light as claim his true name and place?  

I give this book a 4/5.  I did buy it on my kindle, but I don't think I need the Audible version as well.   This book seemed to drag a bit until the last few chapters.   Tom struggles with how to parent his young adult son, Hap.    I can relate to his struggles as the parent of teen...sometimes you have to let them flounder and be there to pick up the pieces.   Queen Kettriken combats the extreme prejudice against the Witted, but the prejudice is so deeply rooted she struggles to unite her people.    Prince Dutiful prepares for his betrothal quest.  Tom Badgerlock is torn between friendship and duty.

I will warn you...there is rape mentioned in this book but it's not graphically described.   Also be prepared for a very sudden ending!  I was just really getting into the action and BOOM.   It was the epilogue.   I bet the 3rd book is going to be very exciting!

11. Fool's Errand

I finally got around to starting the Tawny Man Trilogy.  The Fool's Errand picks up the story of FitzChivalry (or rather Tom Badgerlock) 15 years after the whole dragon and raiders thing.   Fitz longs for a simple life away from the court and its intrigue.  However, that is, of course, not his fate.   Queen Kettricken summoned him back to Buck to look for the wayward Prince Dutiful.  Did Prince Dutiful run or do the enemies of the crown conspire to ransom him for their own advancement?   Will Fitz be able to find the boy and convince him to come back to marry the Out Islander princess to bring peace to the Six Duchies?  

Overall I thought this book moved fairly slowly, but it was still an enjoyable read.  I have to say I'm frustrated and wish Fitz would just come out of hiding.   He's been hiding in all the books, but it seems as if that's not going to happen any time soon.  

I rate it a 3/5.  I'm perfectly content reading the library's book.  

Robin Hobb Books (Books 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, and 11)

The Farseer Trilogy (Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin, and Assassin's Quest) 
The first book of the new year was Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb.  This books is the second book in the Farseer Trilogy.    These books follow the story of young bastard, Fitzchivalry as he struggles to save the kingdom from Zombie-like creatures called the Forged.    Basically the Forged have had their prefrontal cortex shut offline and are incapable of the 9 functions of the cortex (as outlined by Daniel J. Siegel in Mindsight...see my last blog post).   Of particular note, they cannot communicate, feel empathy, or modulate fear.   These are truly terrifying creatures!  These books tended to wind up fairly slowly with the first 3 books representing a lot of world building and character development.     My absolute favorite part of this series is the wolf, Nighteyes, and his bond with Fitz.  The developing friendship between Fitz and the Fool is fun to read as well.  Be warned!  These books do break 3 of my rules of peril:  cannibalism, child abuse, and rape.    All the instances of this were not described in an overly graphic way.   However, the when I read fantasy, I read to get away...so in my opinion those things lessen the enjoyment of the books...  So I rate this serious a 3/5 stars

The Liveship Traders Trilogy (Ship of Magic, Mad Ship, Ship of Destiny)
In some ways, I enjoyed these more than the Farseer Trilogy.  In some sense it's a coming of age tale of the youth of Vestrit family.  Althea ventures out on the open sea to save her family's liveship from pirates. A live ship is a ship that is given sentience through generations of a family giving their memories at death to the ship. This series has some of my favorite themes such as voyages to far off lands and exploration of deserted cities.    Malta Vestrit grows into womanhood and learns responsibility.  At first, she was such an irritating character, but I learned to appreciate her tenacity and strength.   Overall, these were fast moving and fun reads.  However, they deal with some pretty heavy subject like the linger mental effects of child abuse.  Be wary...there is rape and child abuse in these books!  So 3/5 for me....


My scale...
1 - I almost quit reading.  I had to force myself to continue.  Probably not going to finish the series.
2 - Just ok.  Easy to put these down to go do the dishes.  May take a week to get through...
3 - I liked them, but the library version is fine.
4 - I really enjoyed them.   These are worth buying at least 1 version.   
5 - Don't talk me I'm reading.   Order a pizza to feed the children!  Read as fast as I can and will read again someday. I bought the Audible versions and ebook so I can seamlessly move between the versions.

Ps. I'm trying to stop the 2 spaces after periods, but I'm struggling. So forgive the weird, inconsistent spacing.