I haven't read anything by Robin Hobb... — Fool's Errand Q&A (2024)
I started reading the first trilogy - after the first book I bought a Kindle so I would have it with me all the time.
Robin Hobb has an interesting style - sometimes you might find it tough going (If I hadn't read the first trilogy all through, I wouldn't have got past the first few paragraphs of the Magic Ship in the second trilogy).
Many comments criticise the 'pacing issues'. The most difficult issue for me is dealing with some threads (like those snakes in the second trilogy). However, having ploughed through, I now reaped the rewards and am fully prepared for any further punishment.
Personally I am finding the second trilogy even better than the first and a very welcome break from the Farseer trilogy (which is tiring) for a week or two...
Skip what you like, but I'm learning to take them in the order they were created. You won't lose the continuity by reading another trilogy - or even a few books from another author - between books.
Reading reviews, sometimes it seems I'm in a minority; I really loved the first trilogy but I'm finding the second trilogy - now on the third - to be even better with better plot and more interesting and varied threads.
It's not just about the books themselves - it's also about the development of the world... and reading backwards/out of order means that some things which annoy/stimulate you as you go along would be removed.
Farseer - Liveship so far for me. No regrets, and no desire to rush through to the end.
A purist would say, read them all! And truthfully, there's a lot to reading them in order of publication. Robin has many layers to her writing and there are quite a few gems hidden in the stories. The Ships books change charaters and worlds, but they all do meet again, and it's quite satisfying.
Cree I would definitely start with the Farseer trilogy. There are a lot of references to the past that, if you read the first trilogy, will be more powerful.
The Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb (16 volumes): 4,071,000 (Farseer 756,000; Liveship Traders 925,000; Tawny Man 819,000; Rain Wild Chronicles 665,000; Fitz and the Fool 906,000)
She currently publishes under both her pen names, and lives on a small farm outside of Roy, Washington. Robin still frequently drives to the University Book Store in Seattle to autograph books for fans. She contracted COVID-19 in February 2023.
You can skip the Farseer trilogy if your primary interest is the dragons, but the Tawny Man and Fitz And The Fool trilogies will make more sense if you've read their predecessor.
Sean Carter Speaking on this book alone, apart from the trilogy or series because I haven't read them all yet, there is romance. It certainly doesn't take center-stage for most of the book but the romance that is there is very true-to-life.
Plot isn't that important in these books, I say you can definitely jump in and read them as stand-alones. Luna Claire Read them in order. It may be just my humble opinion, but I liked Outline best, then Transit and then found Kudos not as compelling.
Hobby: LARPing, Kitesurfing, Sewing, Digital arts, Sand art, Gardening, Dance
Introduction: My name is Amb. Frankie Simonis, I am a hilarious, enchanting, energetic, cooperative, innocent, cute, joyous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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