I know it was already recommended, but the books are so intricate and there's so many tie-ins together that a reread is going to bring you so much more than the first time you read it
I’m listening to the “is Fitz Happy” podcast. I’m finding it comforting to listen to after being done as I finished about a month ago. It’s a reread basically starting at the very beginning.
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I have such a hard time after finishing an epic series especially when I’m so invested in the characters. I had a hard time after Stephen Kings Dark Tower series and may not have read for a year after. Really would like to avoid that this go around!
Maybe something completely different rather than trying to recreate these vibes?
Murderbot by Martha wells or the Becky chambers monk and robot or long way to a small angry planet books are nice vibes, easy reads.
I genuinely can't think of anything actually similar, but if the 'long series with nuggets planted early to make sense later' appeals, Seanan McGuire's October Daye Is great (not finished, but 20 books so far I think so will keep you busy, and the publishers have committed far enough that she can make sure the plot winds up properly at whatever time they decide not to renew more books).
I second this suggestion. Have you read any Christopher Moore? I’d start with “Lamb: the untold gospel of Biff, Christ’s childhood friend”. It has absolutely nothing to do with prophets and dragons.
World of the Five Gods (fantasy) & Vorkosigan Saga (sci fi) by Louis McMaster Bujold are both great, she's a contemporary of Hobb but has her own style.
The Penric novellas in the Five Gods series are an especially nice wind down after more emotionally intense fantasy like RoTE
I read Dungeon Crawler Carl by Dinnerman (thr audiobook narrated by the incredible Jeff Hayes). It is the complete opposite of Hobb on every aspect and it was just what I needed to get me out of that longing of never being able to feel that new wonder at RotE
I tried reading other books in different genres, but it was hard going. So I decided to read the Soldier Son trilogy. The first book was tough at first because I needed time to get used to the new world, but I could recognize my beloved Margaret’s style, so after that it went more smoothly. Overall, I was satisfied with the trilogy, and it helped break my reading slump.
I just finished a few days ago and believe I started roughly 6-8 months ago. I do not have the ability to switch between things, so it was one after another till the end.
You finished all 16(? I’m fairly certain there’s 16, but maybe I’m wrong)?
I was just about to start my biannual read through, and just thinking about delving into that world again gets me all wistful and emotional— like visiting old friends, as cliche as that sounds.
I recommend going back to the beginning and not necessarily doing a full reread (yet) but going back to the roots of where it all began. Very nostalgic.
Hey, it's not even close to the marvelous work of Robin Hobb, but the Ile-Rien Fantasy books by Martha Wells gave me some Elderlings vibes, specially the last 3. My favorite is the first (The Element of Fire), but all books are solid. The Trilogy (The Fall of Ile-Rien), made me think a lot about the Elderlings, the lore style in the books is somewhat similar (no dragons tho).
Don't expect to find anything alike. It's actually a feature of the series to be unique; anything trying to copy such a work is doomed to pale in comparison to the original.
the only thing like ROTE is ROTE. you either start over or switch it up drastically.
i do a reread every year or two. almost done with Royal Assassin.
I know it was already recommended, but the books are so intricate and there's so many tie-ins together that a reread is going to bring you so much more than the first time you read it
Time for a reread!
I’m listening to the “is Fitz Happy” podcast. I’m finding it comforting to listen to after being done as I finished about a month ago. It’s a reread basically starting at the very beginning.
That's what I did. Finished and then immediately started a reread alongside Is Fitz Happy.
Oooh such a nice discovery! Thank you, subscribed immediately!
Thanks everyone for the suggestions, I have such a hard time after finishing an epic series especially when I’m so invested in the characters. I had a hard time after Stephen Kings Dark Tower series and may not have read for a year after. Really would like to avoid that this go around!
I reread the first nine immediately after, but I've been reading Malazan for the last two months and I adore it. Entirely different but just as good
Agreed! I read Malazan right after I finished RotE. It’s my second favorite series now (after this one haha)
Maybe something completely different rather than trying to recreate these vibes?
Murderbot by Martha wells or the Becky chambers monk and robot or long way to a small angry planet books are nice vibes, easy reads.
I genuinely can't think of anything actually similar, but if the 'long series with nuggets planted early to make sense later' appeals, Seanan McGuire's October Daye Is great (not finished, but 20 books so far I think so will keep you busy, and the publishers have committed far enough that she can make sure the plot winds up properly at whatever time they decide not to renew more books).
I read Murderbot afterwards, it was so different it helped. After a while you can read Hobb's other novels by Megan Lindholm. They are very good too.
Go for a completely different genre .... it helped me to let ROTE settle without mixing it up with another high fantasy.
I did a comedy book "The 100 year old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared." ... but you do you
I second this suggestion. Have you read any Christopher Moore? I’d start with “Lamb: the untold gospel of Biff, Christ’s childhood friend”. It has absolutely nothing to do with prophets and dragons.
World of the Five Gods (fantasy) & Vorkosigan Saga (sci fi) by Louis McMaster Bujold are both great, she's a contemporary of Hobb but has her own style.
The Penric novellas in the Five Gods series are an especially nice wind down after more emotionally intense fantasy like RoTE
I read Dungeon Crawler Carl as a palette cleanser after Robin Hobb’s books. It’s a pretty sizable tonal shift.
Currently doing this after my ROTE re-read. It's so much fun.
I read Dungeon Crawler Carl by Dinnerman (thr audiobook narrated by the incredible Jeff Hayes). It is the complete opposite of Hobb on every aspect and it was just what I needed to get me out of that longing of never being able to feel that new wonder at RotE
This! I'm currently listening to these, and the narration and overall production is incredible. Lots of fun to listen to.
I tried reading other books in different genres, but it was hard going. So I decided to read the Soldier Son trilogy. The first book was tough at first because I needed time to get used to the new world, but I could recognize my beloved Margaret’s style, so after that it went more smoothly. Overall, I was satisfied with the trilogy, and it helped break my reading slump.
Now it’s time to listen to spoilers podcast u/IsFitzHappy
I just finished it right now and came on reddit to say the same thing hahaha
Just out of curiosity, how long did it take you? Did you read them all at once or read other books in between?
I just finished a few days ago and believe I started roughly 6-8 months ago. I do not have the ability to switch between things, so it was one after another till the end.
But i also adore the spellmonger series by terry mancour.
Kingkiller Chronicle
You finished all 16(? I’m fairly certain there’s 16, but maybe I’m wrong)?
I was just about to start my biannual read through, and just thinking about delving into that world again gets me all wistful and emotional— like visiting old friends, as cliche as that sounds.
Yes, Realm of the Elderlings is a 16 book series.
I recommend going back to the beginning and not necessarily doing a full reread (yet) but going back to the roots of where it all began. Very nostalgic.
Hey, it's not even close to the marvelous work of Robin Hobb, but the Ile-Rien Fantasy books by Martha Wells gave me some Elderlings vibes, specially the last 3. My favorite is the first (The Element of Fire), but all books are solid. The Trilogy (The Fall of Ile-Rien), made me think a lot about the Elderlings, the lore style in the books is somewhat similar (no dragons tho).
Don't expect to find anything alike. It's actually a feature of the series to be unique; anything trying to copy such a work is doomed to pale in comparison to the original.
Terry Pratchett is a wonder that lifts you away. God I miss Nighteyes.