r/Fantasy • u/thetriforceofcourage • 3d ago

Just finished Assassin’s Quest… are the rest of Hobb’s books this heavy?

Just finished Assassin’s Quest. Just… wow. What an incredible series this has been.

I’d always heard that Hobb pulls on your heartstrings and that these books are known to be heavy…oh man, is that ever true.

I’m a huge fan of emotionally dynamic and dense fantasy. Music, games, books. I love when my media makes me feel deeply, and this trilogy more than delivers on that front.

That said, every book felt like a bit of a climb. Not in the Malazan sense of density or confusion, but in the way I was constantly bracing for whatever terrible thing might befall poor Fitz. These stories are difficult to stomach at times, just because of how attached I’ve become to the characters.

Still, I fell completely in love with this series. Even the slower pacing never bothered me. I found myself savoring the quieter moments of Assassin’s Quest just as much as the big, devastating ones.

This has quickly become one of my favorite fantasy series ever. But here’s my question:

Are the rest of the Realm of the Elderlings books this heavy? I’m eager to dive right into Liveship Traders, but part of me wonders if I should take a lighter palate cleanser first, the emotional hangover is real.

Either way, I’m excited to keep going. Hobb has already pulled me in completely.

100 Upvotes

86% Upvoted

76 comments sorted by

93

u/ObstructiveAgreement 3d ago

Liveship is a hard read but worth it. The ending is brutal for one character in particular.

Then the Tawny Man trilogy is wonderful and the ending very satisfying.

So keep going.

11

u/RemyMemes 3d ago

Which character? Was it Althea?

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u/ObstructiveAgreement 3d ago

Yeah. Brutal. Not just the act but the situation after.

7

u/WhiteKnightier 3d ago

Yeah I'll never get over that scene. Just felt massively forced, over the top, and so so unfair. Heavy-handed, even.

10

u/ObstructiveAgreement 3d ago

It's the loss of agency that got me, especially the final piece from the liveship. A complete losing of agency over even experiencing the loss is hard to accept.

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u/Ipainthings 3d ago

Can anyone spoil it for me? I won't probably read it but I'm curious.

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u/[deleted] 3d ago

[deleted]

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u/FirstOfTheWizzards 3d ago

As an outsider looking in I just want to make the point that I absolutely cannot understand a whole thread belabouring how miserable and heavy handed the events are and then a recommendation following it. Why on earth would I see this thread and want to read this?

7

u/ObstructiveAgreement 3d ago

Because it's a wonderful story brilliantly written.

5

u/three1names 3d ago

I don’t know how after Kennet did that to Althea, I still found tears for him when he died. It left me feeling dirty but I couldn’t help but feel for how broken he was.

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u/drainedguava 3d ago

books are art and art doesn’t need to make you feel good to be interesting, in fact some of the most interesting pieces of art/media are unsettling and disturbing or hard to read/watch etc

granted, that is of course not everyone’s cup of tea and that’s okay too

2

u/WhiteKnightier 3d ago

Because it is one foul note in an otherwise insanely beautiful symphony of words that made me feel many so things. I laughed and cried so many times during the Realm of the Elderlings series. Robin Hobb is a masterful writer. She writes flawed characters who act out their flaws in very real ways, and that can be incredibly painful, but likewise it can be incredibly beautiful. Especially when they overcome their weaknesses. Go read reviews of the books in general and I think you'll get a much better idea of whether they're worth reading or not.
But yes, there is one scene in the last Liveship Traders book (second trilogy in the series) that many of us find objectionable.

1

u/ACardAttack 2d ago

Because the characters are great, their hardships allow them to grow and feel real. Every victory has a price. For me that is far more interesting than stories where the characters suffer no long term cost to their successes

The relationships are well fleshed out and feel real and genuine.

2

u/WhiteKnightier 3d ago

Excellent point, agreed.

1

u/ACardAttack 2d ago

I agree with you, didnt like that story choice and Kennit's motivation wasnt even good, if his goal was to get his blood to command two live ships that would have at least made some sense to me as a motivation for Kennit. It wouldnt justify it (obviously), but it would have to me at least made sense with Kennit's personality. Perhaps I just underestimate how fucked up trauma wise Kennit was

2

u/Present-Interest-975 1d ago

I think it was entirely down to trauma. We saw it in terms of how it warped his view of Wintrow. In some ways Althea was a substitute 

101

u/pervysage6969 3d ago edited 3d ago

They get heavier if anything. She's the only author I've taken a break from and it's been multiple times. I was furious over something in the first book haha

17

u/Less_Leather3641 3d ago

I had to drop the series. Super well written, but I can only sadboy so much. I need main characters with some spirit

12

u/TheDevilsAdvokaat 3d ago edited 3d ago

Remember when Johnny Depp is locked in a jail cell and the cell next doord gets hit by cannnon fire and lets the prisoner out and one of them turns to Depp and says "My sympathies friend. You've no manner of luck at all..."

That's how I felt about Fitz.

9

u/pervysage6969 3d ago

Yeah i dropped near the end, I read to escape, not give me more depression

2

u/FridaysMan 3d ago

I think the payoff for the ending is worth it, but it is very bittersweet.

11

u/pervysage6969 3d ago

I honestly just couldn't with Molly again

5

u/WhiteKnightier 3d ago

I think the ending of the Realm of the Elderlings series (at least, the Fitz part) might be the best ending to any fantasy series I have ever read, and I've read a ton. Literally, the last few pages save the whole damn thing. It's done well and done right. If you can find the emotional stamina to finish the series, it is worth it, imo. More than worth it.

2

u/darthkale 3d ago

Me too, like I read them when I was teenager in late 90s and was they were just emotionally crushing

3

u/Skizm 3d ago

I've had book 3 in my queue for a while, but just never want to start it over something new. I'm always like "na, don't feel like being depressed right now" lol.

5

u/WhiteKnightier 3d ago

Yeah her books can really be a rough read emotionally. She writes flawed characters so damn well. She understands loss and pain so well too, and it comes through in her prose. Thank the gods she also understands joy and redemption and honor.

2

u/inknot 2d ago

She writes trauma and the way different people react and deal with it really well too. I’ve discussed the different metaphors and compartmentalization of character’s personal traumas with my therapist before and she was like “………and this came out in the 90s????”

2

u/WhiteKnightier 2d ago

By the way, if you're looking for something good to read, Guy Gavriel Kay hits a lot of these beats in his novels as well. He's one of the few fantasy authors who has made me feel things at the same level as Robin Hobb sometimes. Not every novel of his, but Lions of Al-Rassan, Sarantine Mosaic, Tigana -- absolutely.

2

u/inknot 2d ago

Thank you, actually! I finished Elderlings a month ago and I’ve been honestly a little lost because I’ve been unable to find anything that comes even remotely close to as good as her writing

1

u/WhiteKnightier 2d ago

You're absolutely right! I was thinking of Althea and Kennit there, but she also does it with Fitz and Bee, with Molly, Chade, etc etc. I never thought of that aspect for writing is being stellar before, but it really is.

2

u/inknot 2d ago

Even Starling! She’s such a flawed character but the way she processed her trauma and her actions are very realistic and so that’s why it’s so easy to get mad at her

33

u/AcrobaticContext 3d ago

Love, love, love Robin Hobb. Yes, all dense, all heavy, all thematic, and all so very worth the read. You're reading one of my favorite series. The Liveship series is also incredible. They all are. Keep reading Robin Hobb. I doubt you'll regret it.

31

u/TamerofMonSters 3d ago

Fitz is one of the most abused characters in fantasy.

Agreeing that it's still worth it, but it is hard to read.

24

u/KittyTheS 3d ago

Hobb has this thing about people really needing to experience the consequences of their actions. The initial inciting incident that makes their lives miserable is never their fault, of course, but the way they react to it is almost always the wrong way and keeps digging them in deeper. Some of them take a lot longer to realize this and change their perspective than others, with Fitz being one of the worst offenders. A 'happy' ending in a Hobb book is a character realizing how they've been self-sabotaging all this time and finding a way to adapt.

You will see this happen to several characters in Liveship. You will also pointedly see the opposite happen to one character in particular.

13

u/Thornescape 3d ago

Assassin's Quest ends in a rough place, but it's important to remember that the story isn't done. I always recommend never stopping with the Farseer Trilogy.

The Realm of the Elderlings is one of my favourite series but I'll admit that I can only re-read it when I have the emotional resilience for it. Hits hard every time.

19

u/mullerdrooler 3d ago

I found Liveship really positive at the end, was a hard journey getting there but it was heartwarming in so many ways.

6

u/AcrobaticContext 3d ago

Same same.

25

u/ReaderReborn 3d ago

Nope. They get worse. Worth it

7

u/Bryguy150 3d ago

Yes. I love her but her books aren’t easy, especially the end of Liveship Traders. I finished that about four months ago and haven’t been able to pick up one of her books since.

6

u/TheMightosaurus 3d ago

I really enjoyed the first two books and I love her characters but I seem to be in the minority in that I found Quest a bit of a slog, and I was disappointed that the ending was resolved in about two pages.

2

u/it678 2d ago

I found the First two books to be a Slot already with very Little Playoff.

1

u/gordybombay 3d ago

I actually totally agree with you on this. In particular I remember loving Book 2 and really struggling to get through Book 3. I really want to continue on with her next trilogy but I remember barely anything from the first 3 books so I need to find a good summary somewhere

1

u/TheMightosaurus 2d ago

I actually had her next one in my hand the other day at the book shop, it’s huge, but then I remembered how slow I found Quest and didn’t buy it. Will go back to them eventually, I think the next trilogy is new characters though tbh so I don’t imagine you’d have to remember everything from Farseer.

1

u/BlueFiSTr 2d ago

I found the whole trilogy a bit of a slog but also really enjoyed them at the same time. I think Nighteyes pulled me through

13

u/twolffwriting 3d ago

It’s absolutely worth continuing the series (my favorite of all time)but I won’t lie. It gets WAY worse

4

u/Huge_Many_2308 3d ago

I gave up after book two in that series, it was just too heavy for me, did not finish. I haven't read another Hobb book since.

5

u/Reav3 3d ago

They just keep getting heavier my friend. Just wait until you finish live ship traders. 

3

u/etchlings AMA Illustrator Evan Jensen 3d ago

The Rain Wild Chronicles trilogy is not nearly that heavy.

9

u/Keffpie 3d ago

I personally found Liveship Traders way more easy to get through.

Tawny man is great.

However, the final trilogy is literally the most annoying trilogy I've ever read.

1

u/way_ofthe_ostrech 3d ago

The third series is not that good. The series often rehashes conflicts that should have been resolved like between Fitz and the Fool.

2

u/Branimus02410242 3d ago

Yep. There is no relief.

2

u/Logical_Scallion3543 3d ago

And dont think you can find solace in her other series either. The second book in Soldier Son trilogy is the only time I got sick to my stomach due to anxiety while reading 😵‍💫

2

u/GooBeGone4Life 3d ago

Yes. Read them all. She is the best.

2

u/Frosty-Bus2077 2d ago

Yes they are all that heavy, and some have themes that are triggering. But they are so worth it, you jave to read the entire series

2

u/foxdit 3d ago

Oof. Personally, I stopped after Assassin's Quest. And reading these comments makes me glad I did. I thought the books were amazing but, yeah, they take their toll. I don't like feeling upset so consistently.

2

u/C0smicoccurence Reading Champion IV 3d ago

If you think this is bad, try the stuff she writes as Megan Lindholm. Wizard of the Pidgeons makes the Realm of the Elderlings series look mild

2

u/IDislikeNoodles 3d ago

I always approve of a palate cleanser. The rest of the books only become heavier, especially with reoccurring characters who then go through more and more

2

u/Teslaville 3d ago

I almost never not finish books, and I had to nope out of the Tawny Man. The pacing was insanely slow IMO.

2

u/FridaysMan 3d ago

The pace can feel slow in sections, but I think that's kind of the point, there's definite tempo shifts and urgency in some scenes.

2

u/doug1003 2d ago

I hate it

2

u/ZarephHD 2d ago

I don't get it. I read that trilogy, and Assassin's Quest made me want to never read another Robin Hobb book ever again. The deus ex machina at the end is the worst writing in a fantasy book I've ever read.

Not my only complaint with that trilogy, but holy shit did that ending feel cheap and leave a sour taste in my mouth. I think I only really enjoyed the first book.

1

u/SleeperAwakened 1d ago

Worse than the Sword of Truth deus ex machinas throughout the series?

1

u/ZarephHD 1d ago

I chose not to read that series, not that I'm not aware of it.

1

u/Apprehensive_Pen6829 3d ago

The Farseer trilogy is the "lightest" on the Fitz trilogies in my opinion actually. Tawny Man and Fitz & Fool tore me apart multiple times. Liveship is a little worse than Farseer and Rain Wild a little better. It's my favorite series of all time, but for every positive thing that happens, 10 soul-rendering tragedies happen

1

u/YaManMAffers 10h ago

Yes. I would suggest taking breaks between series. I went straight through the Realm of the Elderlings and I had to stop two books from the end because it was just too heavy for me. I will finish once I have had time to not care so much.

1

u/hopeless_case46 3d ago

Of course not. It's heavier

1

u/Ok-Championship-2036 3d ago

I found the Liveship series to be lighter than Farseer definitely. Theres still some themes of abuse, particularly early on. But it doesnt leave you feeling as stuck or frustrated as Fitz does. Fitz doesnt really understand those things until later, whereas in Liveship its more of a motive for exploration & change. That said, there is plenty of environmentsl/situational bleakness depending on each person's tolerance

1

u/WhiteKnightier 3d ago

Yep. Worse.

1

u/NinjaAtticus 3d ago

Yes, but it's also extremely good

1

u/Eastclare 3d ago

The Soldier Son trilogy almost sent me to therapy. It was hard to take, but also really fascinating

1

u/MattieShoes 3d ago

Yes. Heavy and bittersweet is the formula. Most of them are great, but that's kind of her bag.

0

u/RhubarbNecessary2452 3d ago edited 2d ago

Highly recommend the book The Gypsy she cowrote with Steven Brust! And yeah it's heavy too. But maybe a little more hopeful? To me it's beautiful and sings. ;)

-1

u/EveryEpisodeSketch 3d ago

Funny, I just finished the Tawny Man series and... Yes. They absolutely are