Rating: 4.25⭑˚.⋆ Date: 10/03/26 Format: Paperback

I feel as if someone has thrown me out of my own home after finishing this book omg 😭 Robin Hobb’s world building and character work is immensely rich and wonderfully done, the likes of which I’ve only ever found in Hajime Isayama’s works. The Realm of the Elderlings is such an interesting and unique world and the heart that went into the conception of this novel was evident all throughout the story.

Fitz is undoubtedly one of my favourite protagonists ever and I feel so much for him. The depiction of his loneliness and yearning for some form of connection were so beautifully done that my heart ached for this idiotic boy. His relationships with Burrich, Smithy, Verity, Nosy, and the Fool are so dear to me. The very idea of this lonely, scared boy finding some modicum of family in such a weird group of people (and dogs!) is so interesting to me. Verity’s kindness towards Fitz made me so happy because Fitz finally has someone who loves him like a parent, and believes in him more than he does in himself :( His constant determination to keep moving forward whilst dealing with innumerable setbacks was so inspiring!!

The politics of the world was executed wonderfully as well! Robin Hobb is a masterclass at ‘show, don’t tell’. She has single handedly proved that an author doesn’t need exposition dumps every few pages to introduce their readers to a new world. The amount of trust she has in her audience’s intellect is truly admirable. Instead of wasting pages filled with jargon, she gradually makes you familiar with Buckkeep and the Kingdom of the Six Duchies. The dialogue is perfect as well! It can be witty at times, but mostly it’s beautifully written. The ending truly had me in a chokehold and I was so worried for some of these characters!!

Anyway, this was a great reading experience and I’m really excited to read the next book in the trilogy!!