Thank you for joining me on possibly the best reading journey of my life.

It's hard for me to express what I felt after finishing the series. It felt real, these were real people and saying goodbye to them was so hard. The ending was perfect and Hobb nailed it.

"Give me a face you could love," is a quote from Liveships that popped right into my head when two characters meet for the first time, and it absolutely brought everything right home.

The series is so good, period. Some people read only assassins apprentice and are disappointed and say that its overrated. It is sad, really. The series goes deeper into its characters than anything ive ever read. The way the threads weave in and out of each other, its magical. It is a journey i have thrice braved, i am reading it a fourth time. And it never lost its magic. Im glad you loved the series so much. Your review is great, just perfect. Fitz's boy thanks you ;)

Hey... I watched all your videos about The Real of the Elderlings, I never commented before because I don't speak English, today I read in English and I can understand most of the videos, but it's not easy. The first trilogy I read in my language, Portuguese. I read Tawny Man in Spanish and when I got to the last trilogy I had to read it in English (because I had no other option), I probably missed a lot, but that didn't stop Robin Hobb from jumping to my first place and Assassin's Fate becoming my favorite book and end of series. Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this great work, definitely the best read ever.

"I don't think I'll read anything quite like this again" is EXACTLY how I feel. I finished Assassin's Fate over a month ago and I'm still in mourning for that reason 😭 Absolutely can't wait for the liveshow!!!

Perfect timing, I just finished this book today. I'm left more or less speechless over Hobb's mastery of character and character relationships. This ending was raw and heartwrenching and bittersweet and perfect. I feel like I need some time to properly process that it's actually over. Oof, what a ride.

Best series ever! Period.

I am surprised when people say this series is sad. Yes Fitz goes through so much. But there is so much joy in the series. Really amazing writing by Robyn Hobb. There is no other series quite like this. I can read this again and feel the same.

Finished this last book finally after reading the Farseer series on and off over 15 years. The farseer books are most immersive book experience ive had. Fitz, the wit, the skill, the fool, all of it just resonated with me so much growing up. Its so great to finally see other people who were as touched by this series as i was.

I like how you moved to one side of the couch so your face doesn't block the poster of Bobby B in the background very good stuff.

Me looking at fools errand “ time to get you finished my son”

I've read so many great stories over the years but RotE has always remained first in my heart. Hobb really makes you experience the journey with her characters. I've enjoyed hearing your thoughts along the way and look forward to the liveshow!

For me this trilogy just tops Tawney Man, I cried so much throughout it. I have read that some people are not happy with this trilogy but for me it is perfect and Bee is just fucking AWESOME.

Thank you for making these reviews. I felt so alone for many years when reading these books and feeling completely consumed by them but not having anybody to talk to about them. Still, too few people know about it. Having more exposure will help so many people to find out about it and experience it for themselves, I'm sure. Thank you for that.

I usually don't enjoy deaths being off screen, but I did not mind regarding those in Realm of the Elderlings Hobb still gives you catharsis and that attention to the deaths, even if they are off screen. "Chade's boy wept." Wow. A quote that has stayed with me for some reason is "hardship dulls the gentler parts of the soul." The subtext of that just rocked me! Amazing review! I felt so empty when I finished Assassin's Fate, and it is actually the book that made me start writing reviews. I began just so I could talk more about the characters. I kind of denial that it was over aha. Robin Hobb is one of my favourite authors, ever. It has been so awesome following these reviews over such a long period of time. Looking forward to the future Hobb chats! Will

It's lovely to watch a review by someone who loved the series as much as I did [though I started 20 years ago and did a reread before the final trilogy]. I spent the final 40 pages completely bawling (something I also did at the end of Tawny Man). One of the reasons I love this series so much is that Fitz is so human. He is emotional. He doubts that anyone really loves him, yet he loves everyone around him so much that he has constant guilt that he has failed them even when there was nothing he could have done about it! Despite the many times that people prove to him that they do love him, he never quite believes it, so that even toward the end he will not ask the Fool to join him in Wolf Dragon. The only creature he truly believed loved him was Nighteyes. When Bee yells at the Fool, “He loved you more than he ever loved any of the rest of us!” it hurts but it’s also true. And the Fool becomes more vulnerable himself in this series. He was always a mystery to us as he was to Fitz but here he is broken and uncertain of Fitz. And in the end it is Fitz who knows that it is himself, the Fool and Nighteyes that make a complete creature. Yes, Fitz and all the characters around him are fictional but they become real people to the reader. If RH does decide to write more based around Bee, I'll be there like a shot but if not, then it's just perfect as is.

[Spoilers] My favourite symbolisms about this book: 1. The circle of where "Don't do what you can't undo, until you've considered what you can't do once you've done it" originating in Clerres and ending in Bee's mouth when Fitz's dies. 2. Fitz last journey accompanied by three youths: a royal bastard, a stable boy and an assassin's apprentice. Will mention that probably again in the discussion which will probably be the only one I'll be able to watch live since Farseer, and I will - even if it's in the middle of the night.

I cannot agree more with your comments. I too have spent the last 6 months in Robin Hobb's world. I haven't cried so much over a book in years and become quite so obsessed with the characters.I have really enjoyed your reviews, couldn't have done it any better!

Thank you so much Jimmy! It has truly been a pleasure watching you go through this journey and I'm so happy that my favorite series became yours as well. Nothing I have read before or since has come close to this experience. Robin Hobb is truly a treasure for sharing this with us. Welcome to the pack!

[Spoilers] Chade's death, wow. Weirdly the quote from this book most memorable to me was "I'm just a stableboy with a knive", don't know why🤔❤️ I cried through the last 100 pages because I was so scared of it not ending right. But thankfully, I loved the ending.

Thank you for sharing your raw emotion about this book and how it wrecked you. It made me feel less alone. I finished Assassin's Fate a few days ago and just like you said, there is this huge hole in my day. I want to go back to spending my time with Fitz and the Fool!

Literally just finished this last book... Was in tears. I read the first trilogy many many years ago and just went through all nine Fitz books. I grew up with the original trilogy. Now to re-read the liveship books and go onto the dragon/elderling books. Totally agree - best books I've ever read. I love the realism of the characters, the character development, I could go on and on... I met Robin at a book signing years ago. What she wrote in my Assassin's Apprentice book was amazing.

You’ve done such a great job reviewing all of these books. I loved the discussion videos too! It’s been a few years since I have read the books. I have convinced myself that I need to do a re-read asap!

Oh Jimmy, I feel your loss! I am crying now just thinking about the ending, and yes when you re read these books they will still capture your heart and it will hurt all over again, because we love these people, we have spent decades with them, sharing their lives in minute detail. You can read and enjoy other writers, but you will not care as much for any other characters as you do for these ones, just brilliant and utterly heartbreaking......and after all the years that I have been reading these books, waiting impatiently for each one to be published, this series is still simply the best reading experience of my 60 years....the best.

I loved how all the series came together at the end. Also, that three word sentence. I sobbed. I didn't even know I cared that much about that character. The ending. Perfect and heart breaking. I've heard she wants to write another book about Bee. I go between dying for it and not wanting it. Thanks for all this content. I can't wait for the huge discussion!

I'm with you -- All-time favorite. Just an incredible examinations of a pair of lives, of a friendship, of an era in any fictional world (secondary or no). Can't imagine it being topped. Also, did you read Hobb's dedication at the end. That started the tears right back up for me. I felt this book intensely for many days, and it still resonates in my being, what? four years later? Incredible. It's been fun reexperiencing it through you. Thanks.

Thanks for the ride. Inspired me to start the whole saga again. You say, there are friends, you can meet in this books. that's right, Fitz is a friend for about 20 years now. And the Fool, Nighteyes, Molly, Kettricken ... Your fondness for the later books tell me, that it is really important to visit the tawny man again, I think, I read this trilogy only once, Farseer and Liveships ... about 4 - 6 times ... I really appreciate booktube to discover one of my biggest loves in Fantasy and the series with no bad book in between ...

Wasn't able to watch this in one go because just hearing you mention names made me feel so emotional and nostalgic. Thank you for making me feel so much and as always, you talk about the most important stuff in the right way. I feel very similar to you in regard of the series. As I said before, I love Rain Wilds and (maybe because I'm 19 and hence not too far from the age range of the characters in that series) really like the characters - especially how realistically Hobb wrote characters during puberty. I loved seeing the RW characters (seeing Rapskal makes me often more sad than angry, because I loved him so much before the 'change') as much as seeing the LST characters. I loved how Wintrow's arc ended here - it finally felt like the right end for him, even more for it taking so long.

Awww senor nueces.this is a very touching tribute to your reading journey tbh the best recommendations are those that are extremely heart felt.i cannot wait to get to know more about it.😍🤠. As always you are such a great guide.

I’m about to start this book, which means I can finally watch your spoiler series talk. 🎉 I am so excited and terrified to be done, but I’m excited to make character and book ranking videos!

I have loved seeing these characters again through your eyes. The reread is even better! I'll see you on the spoiler discussion. We are Pack.

Thank you so much for giving me a forum for discussion and an outlet for Realm of the Elderlings. It was great to reminisce again! You have the best Hobb content on KZfaq! Btw, Paragon is the best Liveship! Just ask The Fool 😂

Thanks so much for providing the best reviews of a fantastic series of books. I hadn't read any fantasy for about 20 years, then read a few shorter trilogies (by other writers), which were middling to very good, but this series by Robin Hobb grabbed me like nothing else I've read in decades. What an experience! And what a great reminder of how thoroughly encompassing and meaningful excellent fantasy writing can be.

Thanks you for all the amazing RoE reviews. I appreciate them immensely : )

I want to reread the whole Realm so much. Wonderful discussion of this touching, masterful finale.

Loved to hear thoughts from someone who got as emotionally destroyed as me reading it. Thanks for baring your thoughts and emotions

I had to come back to this video to see the second half after finishing the book. I still had a few short stories left that I wanted to finish, but the urge for needing to see what happens was too much. And of course I needed to see the spoiler half of your review! I just finished less than an hour ago, and holy moly... I don't know what to do with my life. I'm empty.

The best book in fantasy. don't @ me

Really enjoyed following your journey through the realm of the elderlings! I agree that assassin’s fate is the perfect conclusion to Fitz’s story, and realm of the elderlings is a masterpiece in regards to epic fantasy series. I recommend you read the Wilful Princess and the Piebald Prince, if you haven’t already. The short novella takes place way before the first trilogy, covering through first-person narration the lives of two important farseers. This novella shows the origins of the intense prejudice toward the wit that plagues the first trilogy as well as shining a light on the historical figure of the Piebald Prince, a farseer that Fitz has been compared to a lot. Some other short stories in the realm of the elderlings include: “The Inheritance and Other Short Stories” This collection includes short stories such as “Cat’s Meat”, “The Inheritance”, and “Homecoming” all of which take place after liveship and exist within the world of the realm of the elderlings. “Her Father’s Sword” (takes place during the first farseer trilogy) was published in The Book of Swords edited by Gardner Dozois along other stories such as the hidden girl by Ken Liu and The Sons of the Dragon by George R.R. Martin “Blue Boots” (explores the customs of minstrels) published in the book Songs of Love and Death: All-Original Tales of Star-Crossed Love, edited by George R. R. Martin and Gardner Dozois. “Words like Coins” (on amazon)

I just finished this book a couple of days ago and I feel like nothing else can ever live up to these books. I also felt that way after finishing ASOIAF years ago. Back then I kinda stopped reading because I was so sure I could never love another book series the same way. Curious to see what you pick up next to get through the book hangover!

Wow 😮 you’ve read all the books!!! I want to read Robin Hobb books slowly because once I will finish all the books it will upset 😢 me... just like Robin as a writer... thank you for a wonderful video 📽🎬 from uk 🇬🇧 city of Robin Hood... 👋

Home. Friends. These are my words for RoTE too. I promise you, the depth, the beauty, the intricate story weaving - all of it, it's still there on the re-read, and you get ADDED nuance, ADDED pathos, ADDED subtext... *SPOILERS* Fitz literally coming 'face to face' with Paragon, was a moment that I'd waited so long for, and Robin didn't disappoint. I'm going to add a few things before the live spoiler discussion for you to ponder. Fitz is told multiple times, that he and Nighteyes have bonded too closely. In the times they exist in the Skill-River, their bond holds Nighteyes together. I truly believe that Nighteyes is present in the Stone Wolf too. The off-page deaths kind of relate to the other point. Fool's understanding of time, and our place in it. Make changes for the good, because time goes on after you, and it's up to you to make it better for those who come after. We lost so many along the way, and all of them impacted the events that followed in one way or another - just as we know the conclusion of Fitz and Fools lives will (because the camera just moved away - the story is still going) effect the future of those still standing on the last page. Finally, re-reads are where you discover this - *pay attention to the prophecies*. Some of them 'fit' multiple events, some of them seem to be for events we can only hope Robin Hobb gets around to writing about in the story's 'future', and some are simply given so early in the saga, they're forgotten by the time they play out. Looking forward immensely to the spoiler discussion.

I finished the series two months ago and I still can't forget about it. I miss characters in particular who are so complex, and I miss Fool the most, which is my beloved character, probably of all in anything..

You're so right about being able to jump back into series and be with your friends again. The only thing that bugs me is that I'll have to re-read Burrich taking Fitz's girl! I just can't get over it no matter what the circumstances were

So after watching a few of these reviews, I finally purchased my very first Robin Hobb book. I just got Assassin's Apprentice on my Kindle. (Btw, has anyone ever mentioned that the map of the Six Duchies looks like Alaska, but upside down?)

Ohohoh, the worms. When I realised whats about to happen, man 😭

Such a great series i feel like not enough people know about it.

I have read lots of books with good endings, lots with great endings, but i think Assassins Fate is the only book ive read, much less the final book in a series, that has a perfect ending. i saw it coming a mile away but it wasn't even slightly diminished because of it.

I know I'm super late to watching this, but can you let me know what you are using for your purple light you are using in the background?

different vibe like that it seems more of a flow and run-through of ur thoughts rather then the youtube video commercialization vids, i liked ur podcast content alot more then these and it seems a diff vibe here, def do a character analysis

This book had me sobbing at work

Apologies for this absurdly long and kind of sentimental diatribe below which I'm sure has more than a few grammar/spelling mistakes. When you said it felt like this series was written for you; yeah I absolutley feel that too. I first read Farseer and Tawney Man when I was a somewhat angsty teenager and it had a huge effect on how I saw and even still see the world today. I really related to Fitz' struggles at that time. Especially the wanting to forget, the wanting less emotions, the feelings of loss, feeling like an outsider and yet being present in groups, the feeling of wanting to run away from the world but feeling duty bound to see whatever I have to be here for to the very end... I could go on I'm sure but I'd just be rambling. Years later, I never expected another Fitz book after Fools Fate but when I was at University Fitz and the Fool released. Coming back to those characters and living with them in Fools assassin it was like revisting that earlier version of myself as well and I could see how, as you say, the decisions of the characters had led them to where they were and how the misunderstandings and judgements books earlier, had led to their relationships to be what they were in Fools Assassin. And I could see how I, while being in a much better place, still bore the scars of my past self into new relationships, how old ones had morphed and how I was still vaguely shaped by them. The slice of life style made Fools assassin one of the best reading experiences of my life. Then in 2017 I was in hospital for doing something incredibly foolish (pardon the pun) when I cut my hand on a fence while drunk. Assassins Fate came out and I read it straight through while in hospital, so now when I look down at the scar on the palm of my hand it reminds me not to be a fool, but also of the Realm of the Elderlings and how it taught me about people and life, entertained me and moved me throughout the years. Growing up, I didn't know anyone apart from my mum or my sister who had read these books so it was a hard being unable to discuss the books with anyone except for them, so thank you for expanding my horizons in relation to these books. P.S Sorry for rambling, I don't comment much but this felt worth saying, and like the books had a similar impact on you as they did on me. I'd like to thank you for all your reviews and discussions, your enthusiam is infectious and hearing someone speak so passionatly about these books I have loved has removed any doubts I may have had about these books being great literature (despite being some of my favourite). Finally thank you for letting me reminisce and think a little deeper about these books, and my life, through watching your reviews of these great books. All the best.

I just finished this last night, and the ending was perfect. Hate to be that guy, but, Fitz gave Per the pin he got from Kettricken. Burrich found the stag pin when Fitz fell off the wagon and went feral with Nighteyes after the Forged attacked the cabin.

Loooooove this book and it remains my favorite series. It took me exactly one year to finish the series. Assassin's Fate was an amazing ending. There might be other books I like better than individual RotE-books, but the series really is greater than the sum of it's parts. No other series goes into this emotional depth. It feels like home. The only problem with Assassins Fate I had was the first third, it was a bit dull and repetitive, but the rest makes more than up for it.

Not watching yet to stay completely blind, but I’m finishing Assassin’s Quest and I’m loving it. These characters and relationships are so real, intimate, and in depth, that the seemingly smallest or most subtle scenes or words carry so much emotion behind them.

I feel like I'm alone in absolutely disliking this final trilogy. I felt slighted as a reader. The emotional beats Hobb hit with the finale were perfect, but our road there was...rough. 1. The torture was gratuitiously written that I became deadened to it. How many times did we have to see Bee captured and recaptured? Did we really have to know how tortured the Fool was...again? Did Fitz truly have to face such a cynical death in the hands of...parasites? Did we have to know that yet another character was SAed just for the sake of it? In the first three trilogies, torture MEANT something, by book 16, it got formulaic and old pretty quick. 2. Some plot lines were conveninently abandoned and others are outright plot holes. What is the Skill River? Where did Fitz disappear to in the final chapters of Fool's Fate? And the return of Nighteyes felt cheap and unearned. What was up with that? What about language barriers in this world? How was EVERYONE in Clerres speaking in "common" (whatever that means) when back in FF, Hobb made it a point to have Prilkop and the Fool communicate in the Whites language. How did the Whites Skill command Icefyre, despite having limited knowledge on the Skill for years, so much so that the Pale Woman had to rely on Regal's scrolls? What about the timeline of this world? From calculations, Boy-O and Kennitsson should be around their 30s, yet the book describes them as being in their 20s? What exactly did Althea gain from this whole saga? Clerres carrying out mass genocide all in the name of some prophecy felt shallow. And what of the Elderlings who lived in other Elderling cities? We only know about what happened to the ones in Kelsingra. You mean to tell me, that ALL of them died? Including those in the other cities? What?! 3. The character assassination of the Fool was upsetting to read. The final trilogy was called F&F yet Fool was barely present in Book 1, bedridden in Book 2, and Book 3 was riddled with Amber drama. For 9 books we're led to see the Fool favourably and he became a beloved character but Hobb completely changes that in the final trilogy making Fitz and Bee not trust him, and in Bee's case, complete hatred? And the most disappointing thing is that Hobb handwaves this as just "the Path". Hobb's inclusion of the Liveship characters felt clunky and fan servicey. You'd think they'd have more agency than being glorified chauffeurs! There are so many complaints I have but overall I was extremely disappointed with how she wrapped things up, but hey, to each their own. I was left wondering what exactly was the point of everything, and I was glad it was over.

I also thought the ending was just about perfect, but sort of the opposite about its relationship with Assassin’s Quest. The last sentence of that book hit me incredibly hard, and has stuck with me through the years. This book, as a result, was inevitable and incredibly emotional. I have one major reservation about this book. MAJOR SPOILER COMING. The enemies are not well drawn. Not quite as bad as Regal (but I think there are good reasons for Fitz’s one dimensional portrayal of him. Here, their entire world is immediately threatened by Fitz, and they need to stop him. So they hit him with a dart which will cause a long, excruciating death? This was just bad, in my opinion. Not only is what they did incredibly stupid; it also is there mainly to serve a plot necessity. That treatment made sense for its earlier victim, who was a betrayer and was not an immediate threat. Fitz was someone they just needed to kill or incapacitate, immediately. I still don’t get it. Oh, and you probably know this already, but Mike and Philip will be discussing this soon.

I finished this series about two months ago, and I can't pick up anything new since then.

SPOILER! Fitz, Fool and Nighteyes goes into the stone wolf.

How do you feel about her announcement that she is writing a new book featuring Bee?

I've put off reading this book since October of last year. I can't bring myself to do it 😭😭😭

Man, what an incredible ending. 😭

Bee becoming the Destroyer was great but then you realize shes still a 9 year old kid....

Man, I wish I had that experience with this book. Like I've said in other comments. Elliot Hill (narrator on Audible) completely took me out of this last trilogy. I just couldn't get there. I didn't shed a single tear this whole last book and I knew that I wanted to and needed to weep for these characters but I just was so far removed from the story because of the narrator I couldn't get to that place. Especially with Chade and when Fitz was carving his wolf. Ugh, I might give it another go to see if I can get into that headspace.

It's such and emotionally hard book to read! I read the whole Fitz and the Fool trilogy this summer and at the end I had this hangover-like feeling that I tried to cure with the Space Opera by Kat Valente (which is probably very unfair to Space Opera) and it didn't quite work. SPOILERY COMMENT AHEAD: It's not even just all the death and destruction. I felt so sad that Fitz and the Fool had so much distrust between them and that they both thought the other one didn't really love them. I felt sad that Fitz and Bee never got to have a better relationship and neither did the Fool and Bee. And that Kettricken felt like staying behind and spending time with her grandson and Bee was a sacrifice. She is not old enough to feel like that, but there has been so much loss in her life.