A review by josiah17
Fool's Fate by Robin Hobb

adventurous dark emotional reflective sad slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

"I'd rather be forgotten for the things people think I've done. And I'd give it all if I could forget the things I failed to do."

On one hand, I want to rate this 5 stars simply because of how many emotions this book put me through. It was a full spectrum of sensations and internal reactions. Had me sitting in silence for minutes on end, huge pits in my stomach, watering eyes, all of it. Truly so so so emotional, which is immense praise for Hobb's writing and her characters. But I can't quite overlook my grievances with the ending and part of the climax, which I have often felt are Hobb's most evident weaknesses as a writer. The climax occuring in the middle of the book with its resolution felt a little rushed and disorganized to me. And I'm very conflicted about where Fitz ends up, in addition to the whole ending (last 50 pgs probably) feeling very rushed as well and almost completely glossed over near the very end. However, it may have taken another 100 pages or so of just dialogue and interactions for me to feel differently.

"Home is people. Not a place. If you go back there after the people are gone, then all you can see is what is not there any more.”

All in all, my complaints do not heavily diminish this reading experience or the trilogy as a whole. Fool's Fate is still a great final book to a spectacular trilogy. And in the meantime, I think I'm bumping The Golden Fool to 5 stars because at least one of these books deserve that, and I believe I ultimately enjoyed that one the most.

"In that last dance of chances
I shall partner you no more.
I shall watch another turn you
As you move across the floor.

In that last dance of chances
When I bid your life goodbye
I will hope she treats you kindly.
I will hope you learn to fly.

In that last dance of chances
When I know you'll not be mine
I will let you go with longing
And the hope that you'll be fine.

In that last dance of chances
We shall know each other's minds.
We shall part with our regrets
When the tie no longer binds.”
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