Every now and then on r/fantasy someone reads Assassins Apprentice and "doesn't understand the hype". And I always say, respectfully, you cannot know the emotional toll these 16 books take until you have read all if them. They are immersive and powerfully written, and so intentional and poetic.
I don’t even understand how anyone who enjoys fiction could not get the hype after Assassins Apprentice. I was skeptical going into it because I usually hate 1st person, but I told my wife after 2 chapters that I had found a really great author who was clearly writing a really great series. Just the whole way she introduced “the boy” and the Wit let me know that I was in for a wild ride.
It took me a while to get into it. Probably the whole first book. But my best friend really loved them so I wanted to go on that journey with her. So glad i stuck with it
Just finished Ship of Destiny yesterday, and I’m surprised anyone has that reaction after reading Assasins Apprentice. I know I have only read 6/16 books but each time I am sucked in, and every time one ends it feels like saying goodbye to an old friend.
I cant believe the people who fully skip Liveships either. Liveships are such a cool idea and the character arcs are so masterfully done. Like yhe trilogy has its faults but overwhelmingly Its a marvelous series
They were my least favorite of the 16 because of all the teen drama, but there was soooo much world building, they feel essential to the series. And even my least favorite Robin Hobb books are so much better than books written by other authors
I skip Liveships on rereads as I don't find I gain any more from them with rereading, whereas the Fitz books have deeper layers each reread. That said, I've read Liveships 3 times, so if I want to skip it, there is no question that I know I've given it full chances. My favorite characters are all in the Fitz books. Patience, Nighteyes, Riddle, Fennel, Jinna, Per, and some other secondary characters. Which makes it extra funny I prefer the Fitz books, because I don't much like either Fitz or the Fool.
I cant believe the people who fully skip Liveships either. Liveships are such a cool idea and the character arcs are so masterfully done. Like the trilogy has its faults but overwhelmingly Its a marvelous series that adds so much to the lore
Ya I agree it was such an original storyline/concept and her writing just makes you feel as though you were right there witnessing the conversations. I almost skipped but glad I didn’t. I just enjoyed Fitz & gang too much it was pretty compelling to just not but I’m so so so glad I did it.
I was hooked from the beginning, I knew when I read the first book I was in for an amazing journey with the other 15 and I wouldn’t be able to stop until I finished
I just wish the conclusion had been stretched out longer; I wasn’t ready to say goodbye and wanted a little more time with them. I think she ended it beautifully
It took me 8 years to be able to read them again. Read them last year and it wrecked me again but I will likely read them again but far sooner this time.
2nd reread of 2025 has bleed into 2026 with me in 60% Fool's Assassin. At some point, I need to stop being idle and finally post some discussions of my endless paper and tech notes. Writing isn't for the faint of heart... as Fitz knows all too well. While I don't burn any notes, my toxic trait is boxing them and buying them in the closet, box by box, as if to one day finally collect them into cohesive thoughts.
I finished Assassin's Fate earlier this week and I felt exactly the same. So glad I was home alone or my wife would have seen me completely in tears all through the last hour of the book.
It was beautiful and sad, but man didn't I want it to end.
I remember I mourned them like my dear friends after I finished the saga. It took me several days to start reading something else (The Murderbot diaries).
Every now and then on r/fantasy someone reads Assassins Apprentice and "doesn't understand the hype". And I always say, respectfully, you cannot know the emotional toll these 16 books take until you have read all if them. They are immersive and powerfully written, and so intentional and poetic.
I don’t even understand how anyone who enjoys fiction could not get the hype after Assassins Apprentice. I was skeptical going into it because I usually hate 1st person, but I told my wife after 2 chapters that I had found a really great author who was clearly writing a really great series. Just the whole way she introduced “the boy” and the Wit let me know that I was in for a wild ride.
It took me a while to get into it. Probably the whole first book. But my best friend really loved them so I wanted to go on that journey with her. So glad i stuck with it
Just finished Ship of Destiny yesterday, and I’m surprised anyone has that reaction after reading Assasins Apprentice. I know I have only read 6/16 books but each time I am sucked in, and every time one ends it feels like saying goodbye to an old friend.
I cant believe the people who fully skip Liveships either. Liveships are such a cool idea and the character arcs are so masterfully done. Like yhe trilogy has its faults but overwhelmingly Its a marvelous series
I also love the Rain Wilds books and am not sure why people skip those either!
They were my least favorite of the 16 because of all the teen drama, but there was soooo much world building, they feel essential to the series. And even my least favorite Robin Hobb books are so much better than books written by other authors
Me either, I love Rain Wilds!
I skip Liveships on rereads as I don't find I gain any more from them with rereading, whereas the Fitz books have deeper layers each reread. That said, I've read Liveships 3 times, so if I want to skip it, there is no question that I know I've given it full chances. My favorite characters are all in the Fitz books. Patience, Nighteyes, Riddle, Fennel, Jinna, Per, and some other secondary characters. Which makes it extra funny I prefer the Fitz books, because I don't much like either Fitz or the Fool.
I cant believe the people who fully skip Liveships either. Liveships are such a cool idea and the character arcs are so masterfully done. Like the trilogy has its faults but overwhelmingly Its a marvelous series that adds so much to the lore
Ya I agree it was such an original storyline/concept and her writing just makes you feel as though you were right there witnessing the conversations. I almost skipped but glad I didn’t. I just enjoyed Fitz & gang too much it was pretty compelling to just not but I’m so so so glad I did it.
I was hooked from the beginning, I knew when I read the first book I was in for an amazing journey with the other 15 and I wouldn’t be able to stop until I finished
Exactly
First time I read it I had to LITERALLY go outside and touch grass.
Best answer.
Fitz finally got to release himself, bonded with Nighteyes and Beloved, into the stream.
I just wish the conclusion had been stretched out longer; I wasn’t ready to say goodbye and wanted a little more time with them. I think she ended it beautifully
I’m still not ok. It’s been 2 years.
It took me 8 years to be able to read them again. Read them last year and it wrecked me again but I will likely read them again but far sooner this time.
It's been five years, and reread the series every year (sometimes twice)... still gets me.
I want to reread them right away 😭
2nd reread of 2025 has bleed into 2026 with me in 60% Fool's Assassin. At some point, I need to stop being idle and finally post some discussions of my endless paper and tech notes. Writing isn't for the faint of heart... as Fitz knows all too well. While I don't burn any notes, my toxic trait is boxing them and buying them in the closet, box by box, as if to one day finally collect them into cohesive thoughts.
Yes this! It has also been 2 years for me. I think I will re-read them this year.
Good bye nighteyes was savage. Still didnt prepare us for the actual end!!
That scene was devastating but one of the most beautiful things I’ve read.
I finished Assassin's Fate earlier this week and I felt exactly the same. So glad I was home alone or my wife would have seen me completely in tears all through the last hour of the book.
It was beautiful and sad, but man didn't I want it to end.
I remember I mourned them like my dear friends after I finished the saga. It took me several days to start reading something else (The Murderbot diaries).
When I started the last trilogy it felt like reuniting with a friend because I took a break after the rain wild chronicles, now I have to grieve him 😭