truthlessofcanada's review against another edition
5.0
The Golden Fool is still a brilliant book with incredible characters, but some trilogy middle book syndrome was felt here, and it did not hit the brilliancy of the last 4 Hobb books, at least not for me.
later update: emotions stay in head, I still think about this book. I have in hindsight bumped the other 2 RotE books up, but had left this here because I want to keep it lower than Royal Assassin. Well I have found the obvious solution of also bumping up Royal Assassin
9.5
later update: emotions stay in head, I still think about this book. I have in hindsight bumped the other 2 RotE books up, but had left this here because I want to keep it lower than Royal Assassin. Well I have found the obvious solution of also bumping up Royal Assassin
9.5
hylian_pirate's review against another edition
5.0
By now, I can say that The Realm of the Elderlings is my favorite fantasy series. Although I enjoyed all the books in this series, I would rate this relatively high among them. At the time of this reading, it would probably be #4 (higher than Farseer but not Liveship Traders).
This book focuses a lot on the politics of the Six Duchies and how the monarchy is trying to maintain peace within its borders and with their neighbors. I don't particularly enjoy battles and wars in fantasy as much as the next person. I instead enjoy scenes of intrigue within a courtroom where multiple parties are discussing delicate topics and one miscalculated word could lead to war.
This book focuses a lot on the politics of the Six Duchies and how the monarchy is trying to maintain peace within its borders and with their neighbors. I don't particularly enjoy battles and wars in fantasy as much as the next person. I instead enjoy scenes of intrigue within a courtroom where multiple parties are discussing delicate topics and one miscalculated word could lead to war.
elliasjh's review against another edition
4.0
FITZ!!! YOU STUPID HOMOPHOBE!!!! HELLO!!??!?!?!
It's ok guys, he's still fingering stuff out, mkay.
Literally almost nothing happened for half of this book but I couldn't stop and that ending?!
WILD.
Full review (non spoiler + spoilers) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_njsSJJnHew&t=1158s
4 STARS!!!!
Twitter | Bookstagram | Youtube |
It's ok guys, he's still fingering stuff out, mkay.
Literally almost nothing happened for half of this book but I couldn't stop and that ending?!
WILD.
Full review (non spoiler + spoilers) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_njsSJJnHew&t=1158s
4 STARS!!!!
Twitter | Bookstagram | Youtube |
elliasjhh's review against another edition
4.0
FITZ!!! YOU STUPID HOMOPHOBE!!!! HELLO!!??!?!?!
It's ok guys, he's still fingering stuff out, mkay.
Literally almost nothing happened for half of this book but I couldn't stop and that ending?!
WILD.
Full review (non spoiler + spoilers) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_njsSJJnHew&t=1158s
4 STARS!!!!
Twitter | Bookstagram | Youtube |
It's ok guys, he's still fingering stuff out, mkay.
Literally almost nothing happened for half of this book but I couldn't stop and that ending?!
WILD.
Full review (non spoiler + spoilers) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_njsSJJnHew&t=1158s
4 STARS!!!!
Twitter | Bookstagram | Youtube |
ellias's review against another edition
4.0
FITZ!!! YOU STUPID HOMOPHOBE!!!! HELLO!!??!?!?!
It's ok guys, he's still fingering stuff out, mkay.
Literally almost nothing happened for half of this book but I couldn't stop and that ending?!
WILD.
Full review (non spoiler + spoilers) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_njsSJJnHew&t=1158s
4 STARS!!!!
Twitter | Bookstagram | Youtube |
It's ok guys, he's still fingering stuff out, mkay.
Literally almost nothing happened for half of this book but I couldn't stop and that ending?!
WILD.
Full review (non spoiler + spoilers) here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_njsSJJnHew&t=1158s
4 STARS!!!!
Twitter | Bookstagram | Youtube |
klaratoll's review against another edition
4.0
This was a little bit too slow even for my tastes at some points, but I still very much enjoy all the characters (however annoying and stupid they may be) and I'm probably going to binge the next book in the next few days.
dwheeler88's review against another edition
3.0
I know part of this series has an emphasis in the cyclicality of life, but Fitz never seems to really come into his own. He has never ceased to be his woe-is-me self. On top of that, now Chade is wallowing is self pity and the fool is hurt and withdrawn. I wish things would just start happening already!
thesinginglights's review against another edition
4.0
Oh Fool ...
This is the most enjoyable filler I've ever read. I mean this in the most endearing way.
You know the deal by now. Robin Hobb is a character-writer. Possibly the finest in any genre. The Fitz books have a level of intimacy that is almost unparalleled in any genre I've read. Characters breathe and behave in believable ways so much that when Fitz can't yet see someone's motivations, I am able to because I understand the characters, what they believe, etc. That is mastery.
Still, to achieve this, Hobb compromises in pace. In fact the main plot that is set up here doesn't even take place until Book 3, not really. It's a whole book of table-setting. Fortunately the politics and characters are colourful enough to make it interesting, even if it is a bit slow. But again, if you're in at this point, you know exactly what you're in for. Hobb doesn't change out of her formula. This style is par for the course. But we get rich and immersive characterisation. The climax of the book was pulse-pounded and advanced storylines that I didn't expect to enhance so if you want explosions, they're there too. Mostly, it was fun to check in with what feels like old friends, with some new interesting faces as well. Best realised is the way in which Fitz' life is becoming more entangled as he tries to balance his desires and duties. Somehow I get the feeling more tragedy awaits.
This is the most enjoyable filler I've ever read. I mean this in the most endearing way.
You know the deal by now. Robin Hobb is a character-writer. Possibly the finest in any genre. The Fitz books have a level of intimacy that is almost unparalleled in any genre I've read. Characters breathe and behave in believable ways so much that when Fitz can't yet see someone's motivations, I am able to because I understand the characters, what they believe, etc. That is mastery.
Still, to achieve this, Hobb compromises in pace. In fact the main plot that is set up here doesn't even take place until Book 3, not really. It's a whole book of table-setting. Fortunately the politics and characters are colourful enough to make it interesting, even if it is a bit slow. But again, if you're in at this point, you know exactly what you're in for. Hobb doesn't change out of her formula. This style is par for the course. But we get rich and immersive characterisation. The climax of the book was pulse-pounded and advanced storylines that I didn't expect to enhance so if you want explosions, they're there too. Mostly, it was fun to check in with what feels like old friends, with some new interesting faces as well. Best realised is the way in which Fitz' life is becoming more entangled as he tries to balance his desires and duties. Somehow I get the feeling more tragedy awaits.