Thanks a ton for finishing this journey with me, amigo. It really helped having someone read along with me.

Nothing impacted me as much as the ending of Assassin’s Fate, it was just the most bittersweet ending ever

No surprise from anyone, that this makes me incredibly happy. I'm so looking forward to talking with you about this story, I'm certain the conversation will give us the chance to look even deeper at some of the things ❤Hobb ❤ writes so well. To the rumored writing, it's confirmed. She is writing within the RoTE world, and one of the new characters from this last trilogy will be in it. *I am beyond excited*

I think the ending is perfection. Tawny Man is still my favourite subseries. Really glad you enjoyed the entire journey 😊

As one of my favorite Booktubers ever, I’m glad you appreciate this series as much as I did.

Congrats on finishing this incredible adventure. I think the fact that you are lost for words says more than enough about the quality and impact of this series. Hobb is one of the only authors who has managed to actually make me cry, and her characters truly feel like family to me. I am glad that this ending resonated with you. Just hearing you talk about it makes me want to throw all my reading plans out the window and reread the whole thing all over again. Good luck with trying to fill that void and getting over the book hangover, haha 😆☺

Always thrilled to see my favorite trilogy of all time by my favorite writer of all time favorably reviewed by a friend and someone who’s taste is impeccable. Awesome sir!

"sublime literary journey" is exactly how I feel about this series. It is a whiplash of emotion, especially in the second book. I only wish I could have gone back and read most of the books in real time, so I could have spent more time with the characters.

Glad to hear your thoughts on this long journey! Also glad to hear it's in the same conversation with your favorites - the Realm of the Elderlings was the first series in my lifetime for me to ask if it surpassed The Lord of the Rings in my eyes. (It does). I really appreciated your thoughts at the end about the sense of connection to earlier acts -I really look forward to a reread of this series knowing where things ended up and seeing all of those connections that are there but now necessarily noticeable the first time around.

For me, the central theme of ROTE is making the most out of situations in life that don't go the way you planned

Excellent summation and some keen observations, particularly about themes. I was willing to overlook the messiness of the "bringing the whole gang together" stuff. I found it paid off pretty darn well. I had Assassin's Fate on preorder, and dropped everything when it arrived. On one occasion, I remember my wife coming through the room as I was reading and saying, "Are you crying *again*?" Lol. The tears were on a fairly steady drip through that last third, and then full faucet by "The End." Then, darned if Hobb didn't get me again with that final dedication. As you said, such a powerful emotional journey. A rare thing, and an experience I'll cherish for the rest of my life. (Also, I vote for Hobb going back to TROE with Bee as the primary protag, and Nettle as her somewhat "Fool-like" foil.) Lovely to watch you throughout your journey. Hope you're feeling better. You sound better. Onward!

Just finished “a fools errand” and it jerked my emotions at full tilt! 😢 .. but now that you’re done you need to Read “ The Soldier Son Trilogy, which I adore and most dislike, but I works love to hear a review on that series from you professor! You will love the Themes in this series!!

I hope to start the first trilogy this year.

I finished Realm of the Elderlings last year. If you copy and pasted my thoughts into a spoiler free video it would be this one. Tawny Man and Liveship are excellent trilogies. Two of the best in fantasy. Fitz and the Fool is indeed slightly flawed, but it has so much to do, so much to say, and so many characters to get resolutions for. The fact that it pulls off most of that with a few stumbles is incredible. I'm glad you loved the series as much as you did Philip! I have to say Realm of the Elderlings is definitely in contention for top spot for me. I'm going to take a while before rereading, but I think a reread will cement my thoughts much more firmly! Look forward to the spoiler discussions :)

Eager to pick up Fitz and the Fool soon, 2024 is the year I finish the story!

I loved these books. I listened to them on audio during a very challenging time in my life, and would be sitting on a London bus or tube with tears streaming down my face from these books

I enjoyed all the Fitz and the fool books though its been many years since I read them. Thanks for the video!

Great to hear your thoughts on the final trilogy! It is my favorite but it's like picking your favorite children - each has its own special and unique moments and themes.

But the most meaningful take-away from this series, something that we can all apply to our own lives is that it's important to get dewormed. I'll see myself out.

I have similar feelings. Fool’s Assassin was my favourite book in the series. The tie-in stuff in the next 2 books didn’t entirely feel natural to me but it didn’t hamper my enjoyment that much.

Happy to see you finish the series, Philip, and to see it resonate with you. I'm starting Liveship this year and am excited to resume in RotE. Thanks for all your content.

So happy you loved it. Such a bittersweet but satisfying end. You're making me want to read the whole thing again 😬

I have quite a while before I make it to these books but I enjoyed listening to your thoughts on them!

I ordered the entire series based off of recommendations. I have yet to read it yet but I'm so excited from what people are saying. I'm about 3/4 way through all of Malazan (Esselmont included) also reading Expanse and then have Dune to get through but after that Robin Hobb is next!!!

Listening to this video it's obvious that you had a blast with Realm of the Elderlings. It's understandable that you will miss the series and it's world. I will miss your Robin Hobb videos. Because, Philip, how will I get my reminders to go and read on right now, without another installment of your passionate thoughts on all things Robin Hobb?!

Enjoyed your thoughts on F&F and ROTE, Philip. I agree with you that Liveship and Tawny Man rose to the top for me. I found myself very frustrated with one main character in books 2 and 3 of F&F, but the ending was a huge emotional payoff. I'm looking forward to your discussions with Derri and others on the whole series.

Pretty similar to my thoughts. I finished Disquiet Gods, I'm almost caught up with Dresden Files, I'll be re-reading Fitz and the Fool over the next 3 months and I'll be done with ROTE re-read, and I think I'm caught up on Wars of Light and Shadow until you all do your discussion of Grand Conspiracy, so I'll try to finally get around to Edan 2 and 3 when Dresden is done I hope.

Firstly, congratulations for finishing the RotE! Secondly, an excellent trilogy to end the series in my opinion. The second POV, tying up all the threads, and giving us an ending that feels really satisfactory. Kettricken smiled, and so did I. Thirdly, it still is the second best for me - Tawny Man for ever 🙂!

I'm glad you liked it Sir. I'm almost done as well,72% into the last book and overall,this series is phenomenal. For me,Farseer>Tawny Man>Fitz and the Fool. Liveship Traders has become my favourite trilogy ever,and as a series,The Realm of the Elderlings has become my second favourite,above Stormlight and only behind Lord of the Rings.

Great review as always! Robin Hobb uses a loose outline. But she's mostly a gardener like you were saying.

Glad you enjoyed the ending! For me the flaws outweighed the strong emotional ending and left me feeling pretty sour, but I'll always love the first 9 books and they stil make up one of my favorite series

I loved the series. It is a slow burn series. Now to get you reading the Dandelion Dynasty series!

Haven't read it yet, but knowing that a trilogy lands the ending is honestly a plus--I have read a few with disappointing endings and made me not want to keep reading. Definitely intrigued by Hobb's writing! Thanks for sharing, and I appreciate that you kept it spoiler-free yet meaningful at the same time!

I'm about halfway through Ship of Destiny, safe to say Hobb will dominate 2024 for me 😊

My journey with the Real of The Elderlings has just started but I'm already devastated 😂

I've just started doing a re-read, currently on Assassin's Apprentice. It's so good.

I'm so glad you took the RoTE journey. I know you've read LOTR many times, I can't recall about Malazan. I wonder if on a re-read of RoTE if you'd feel it surpasses either of those. Either way, just very happy you found so much in the pages!

I'm starting my journy through the Realm of the Elderlings very soon .... And I will comming to you reviews for each book as we tend to agree on most book-relared things 😂✨ Prepare for potentially many questions 🤓😆😆

I really need to read this series :P

Thanks for all your introduction of Robin Hobb. I am interested in character driven and emotional protagonists. I wonder if you can tell me the lexile level for the first book of the series, for i may introduce to my book club among us English is a foreign language. The next question is while Hobb is a gardener time, which was proven in her interview, who do you think is the planner type? The third question for you is why do you only introduce fantasy? Thanks.

Anything I should know before getting into Robin Hobb?Thanks ❤

Philip chase my man

What a beautiful experience! Congratulations on finishing The Realm of the Elderlings! I often feel the same exact way about ranking books. With a powerful series like this one, every step (or book) plays a role in the journey. 🤍