#robin hobb pls??

[obsob]

when ur trying to be a silly little flirty guy but your friend is too busy going through the most harrowing experiences known to man

[izzenithal]

this is a robin hobb callout post

[spending-life-pretending]

anyone looking for fantasy that is feminist but not girlboss-ified. anyone who has spent time debating whether tolkien and george r r martin are anti-women or not. anyone who is just desperate for a high fantasy world that doesn’t require you to overlook uncomfortable sexist tropes to enjoy. I am begging you to discover Robin Hobb.

[curiousscallop]

i actually really love when there's friendships in fiction that everyone thinks are actually romantic relationships that the author either accidentally or homophobically failed to make explicit because nothing makes me feel more seen than friends who "act like lovers"

[fitzyfitzz]

in the middle of 3 fantasy books… (plus some others)

[liqhtenup]

okay wtf is robin hobb doing in the 2nd chapter of Assassin's Fate

like im just there trying to enjoy some fitz and the fool simple scenes AND SHE PUTS SOME MOLLY SEX SCENES THAT FITZ IS REMEMBERING

robin...

ROBIN I DONT WANNA HEAR ABT IT STOP

like babe we understood u wanted to stop ppl from shipping fitz and the fool together but WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT

as im seeing what the paragraph is gonna look like, im reading it super fast and forcing myself to forget the only two words i made my eyes see...

if anyone opens my book at this page, they'll see the paragraphs are crossed with pen

[thatswhatsushesaid]

fool like "h-how droll...! 😳"

i am going go walk into the ocean

[blinkbones]

The LIveship Traders - Ship of Magic -- Robin Hobb

I remember reading through most of this brick a few years back, but I didn't actually remember the story. I vaguely recalled that Hiémain (Wintrow in the original...? I think...?) made me uneasy bc I didn't understand him, that Althea's story made me feel tense, and that Malta was annoying. OK SO. I HAVE SO MANY NEW OPINIONS.

First of all I hated Kyle with fire in my guts for most of this book. Oh, he's so well written. I just got audibly and vehemently upset at his bullshit several times. I wished for his death many times just because his chapters made me so angry. Great character 10/10 I hope he dies.

Althea made me a lot less scared -- and I guess that's mostly because I'm an seasoned adult now, and in the meantime I discovered I was nonbinary and started living as myself as well... So her (admittedly very dangerous) stunt as a crossdresser and as someone going into a hard job is a lot less scary -- like, yknow, I've kinda lived some of that. And I survived it. So she can, too. I also saw through her naive arrogance this time. She's also a 10/10 character and I like her a lot.

Hiémain Wintrow ooooh Wintrow... I love him. His musings hit very close to home, perhaps especially because I became a recluse intellectual in the meantime lol... I think about what he thinks all the damn time. The tension between his feeling of absolute interconnectedness (like mycelium...) and the discomfort of actually being disconnected from real life. yknow. Touch grass. Touch a ship deck. How your principles strain against everyday strenuous work. How your biggobrain speaking habits can fall flat with regular people who didn't decide to spend months poring over X thought or Y text. And is it all worth it, and should you give up your principles? Or stick to them? Maybe reshape them? The transformation is painful. I loved Wintrow so much and I'm so excited to see what he does next. At the end of this book, he felt like the character with the strongest sense of self out of them all, and in that sense, I suspect he might be the toughest overall. All the others are struggling.

Definitely not least of all our favorite bipolar pirate LOL oh this man. I say bipolar bc that's what my healthcare friend diagnosed him as from my whatsapp rants. He's SO funny and I support him in his unhinged pursuit. I love how he's lucky MOSTLY because he doesn't say what he thinks and people fill in the blanks helpfully. Here's to keeping your mouth shut sometimes. 10/10 also.

Ok I loved every other character as well and the romances are so good actually like... finally some good heteros!! finally some good food!!! google is robin hobb bisexual or is she just that good ,

PS: ok I forgot to update my opinion on Malta: she's sooo annoying 10/10 great character. As a now adult I am so worried, pls child pls listen to your elders a little I beg

[witchertits]

I was wondering if you would maybe have a book/book series recommendation for a fan of the Witcher series ( the books and Netflix(preferred season 3)) and most high/epic/dark fantasy? I'm looking for another mostly female centric series that's just as dark as the witcher but with at least a slightly happier ending. Something that's tragic but not with a tragic ending. I really liked the emphasis on family in the witcher. I also specifically liked the father daughter duo but it's not required. I completely understand if you don't have any recommendations or simply just don't feel like/want to. Feel free to pls 100% ignore this I just figured I would shoot my shot.

Hey! I'm gonna start by saying I have not read these books, but this is what I'd do for a patron. I'm using a database called NoveList Plus. I have to log in with my library card, link found on my local library's free database resources.

REFERENCE UNDER THE CUT 📚

First I searched for the last wish and clicked the "series read-alike" button. This returned 9 results of fantasy series with short summaries:

Tawny man Hobb, Robin Reason: Though the Witcher novels are fast-paced and the Tawny Man novels are more leisurely, both star dangerous assassins at work in fully realized fantasy worlds. Compelling writing and careful description bring these intricately plotted tales vividly to life.

Shadowdance novels Dalglish, David Reason: These world-building fantasy tales focus on the adventures of deadly assassins where magic, monsters, and bold exploits rule the day. Fast-paced and intricately plotted, they're set in realms where a conscience is as valuable as brute strength.

Vlad Taltos novels Brust, Steven Reason: These world-building tales of fantasy adventure feature amazing magic, the most unusual creatures, and assassins with hearts of gold. Though the Vlad Taltos novels are more offbeat and witty, both series are action-packed, fast-paced, and intricately plotted.

Wizard king trilogy Corrie, Chad Reason: These series have the themes "sword and sorcery" and "scum and villainy"; the genre "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "wizards," "assassins," and "magic."

Elric Saga Reason: These series are world-building, and they have the theme "sword and sorcery"; the genres "fantasy fiction" and "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "wizards," "magic," and "imaginary kingdoms."

Book of Swords Saberhagen, Fred Reason: These series are action-packed and world-building, and they have the theme "sword and sorcery"; the genre "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "wizards," "magic," and "magic swords."

Riyria revelations Sullivan, Michael J. Reason: These series are world-building, and they have the themes "sword and sorcery," "scum and villainy," and "rightful heir"; and the subjects "wizards," "assassins," and "mercenaries."

Reborn Empire Madson, Devin Reason: These series are compelling, gritty, and world-building, and they have the genres "fantasy fiction" and "epic fantasy"; and the subjects "assassins" and "imaginary empires." 

Sword of the south Weber, David Reason: These series are world-building, and they have the themes "sword and sorcery" and "dark lord"; the genre "fantasy fiction"; and the subjects "wizards," "magic," and "imaginary kingdoms."

The cool thing about NoveList is how it can filter results. So let's look at the last wish's catalog entry to see how it's described:

Genre: fantasy fiction, short stories, translations, page to screen Themes: Sword and sorcery Storyline: action-packed, world-building Pace: fast-paced Writing style: compelling Subject headings: assassins, monsters, wizards, magic, duty, imaginary creatures, imaginary kingdoms, swordplay

Next, I went to advanced search. I can do a ton of things here, like look up books mentioned only on NPR, books only by a female author, only award-winning books. I typed in search terms "strong female protagonist" and "happy ending" then filtered for fantasy only in the sidebar. All of the results here are for teens, but hey, YA has come a long way in the last 20 yrs it's pretty decent these days! You'll notice they're pretty heavy on fairytales, but if you're looking for happier endings don't write off YA. We have 7 results:

Mechanica Cornwell, Betsy "A retelling of Cinderella about an indomitable inventor-mechanic who finds her prince but realizes she doesn't want a fairy tale happy ending after all"

Bitterblue Cashore, Kristin Eighteen-year-old Bitterblue, queen of Monsea, realizes her heavy responsibility and the futility of relying on advisors who surround her with lies as she tries to help her people to heal from the thirty-five-year spell cast by her father, a violent psychopath with mind-altering abilities.

Tales from the Hinterland Albert, Melissa Journey into the Hinterland, a brutal and beautiful world where a young woman spends a night with Death, brides are wed to a mysterious house in the trees, and an enchantress is killed twice—and still lives.

The queen will betray you Henning, Sarah After a thousand years of political stability, the realm of The Sand and Sky is up for grabs. Four kingdoms, four rulers vying for the ultimate prize, sovereignty over the entire continent: A ruthless old king spinning webs, whose schemes encompass generations. A widowed queen whose only credo is all kings must die. A runaway queen whose unexpected return upends everyone’s plans. And a prince-in-waiting determined to wait no more. Standing against them are a dispossessed princess and her stable boy love with a surprising claim of his own.

Circle of shadows Skye, Evelyn Eager to prove themselves in a peaceful kingdom, two magic apprentice warriors on the brink of graduating infiltrate a camp of mysterious soldiers who lead one of them on a transformative mission of deception.

Beast: a tale of love and revenge Jensen, Lisa Granted her wish to see her handsome but cruel master suffer, a servant girl is astonished when her employer is transformed into a gentle beast who patiently tends roses, writes poetry and regrets his past actions, until an innocent beauty arrives to break the spell.

Unchosen Blair, Katharyn A horrifying curse, swoon-worthy sea captains, and the power of one girl to choose her own fate.

"Strong female protagonist" "epic fantasy" and "hopeful" brought a couple new ones:

Half the world Abercrombie, Joe Seeking to avenge her dead father, fifteen-year-old girl soldier Thorn learns harsh lessons in the ways of war in the king's army while falling in love for the first time.

The wolf of Oren-yaro Villoso, K. S. A queen of a divided land must unite her people, even if they hate her, even if it means stopping a ruin that she helped create.

"Strong female character" and "fantasy" refined by "adult" and "time period: medieval" gave me several more results:

Winternight trilogy Arden, Katherine Spirited, fierce Vasya, daughter of a wealthy boyar, inherited her grandmothers' magical gifts, dangerous amongst religious intolerance, fierce politics, and rival magics. As her powers grow, so do their consequences, along with her need to right wrongs. These emotionally stirring and lush literary historical fantasies are riddled with fairy tales and folklore, bringing 14th century Russia vividly to life.

Armed in her fashion Heartfield, Kate A historical fantasy set in fourteenth-century Bruges about a widow who leads a raid on a Hellmouth to save her daughter.

Dark earth Stott, Rebecca After their father, a legendary blacksmith accused of infusing his swords with dark magic, suddenly dies, his daughters are faced with enslavement and must escape to the Ghost City where they find an underworld of rebel women living in secret.

Divine heretic Moyer, Jaime Lee The voices whispering to Jeanne d'Arc that she is fated to put a king upon his throne claim to be sainted angels. Jeanne knows they're lying.

The golden wolf Hartsuyker, Linnea After Freydis is kidnapped, Ragnvald and his sister Svanhild each grapple with a difficult decision as they peruse their destinies and honor their ancient gods in the conclusion to the trilogy, following The Sea Queen.

The lost queen Pike, Signe Reveals the untold story of Languoreth--a forgotten queen of sixth-century Scotland and twin sister of the man who inspired the legend of Merlin--as her family fights for the survival of their kingdom against the encroaching forces of Christianity and the Anglo-Saxons.

So! Hopefully that helps. If your library has this database or a similar one it's really fun to play around with. And if I didn't help any, go visit your local librarians, they don't bite! If you don't already have a card, get one, and you can probably read ebooks & audiobooks for free!

[nine-blessed-hero]

Yoinking an open tag from @bretongirlwrites

I'm on a little bit of a K'Rin kick, so I'll do this for her. (I know this is supposed to be a Skyrim thing, but IMO most of the questions are generic enough I can make it about Oblivion)

Favourite tavern

Rin doesn't drink (ignoring that one time in Aleswell), and with a Guild chapter in each town she rarely needs to use an inn's bed.

But at a push, she'd say the Cheydinhal Bridge Inn. It's cosy, clean, and Mariana Ancharia runs a respectable business.

Favourite drink

Some kind of fruit juice (apple, blackberry, tomato) or small beer (a la what IRL medieval peasants would have drunk).

Travelling companion

None. After the events during the Knights of the Nine, Rin cannot stand the idea of losing anyone else like that.

When Raminus mentions it might be beneficial for the apprentice wizards to accompany her, she baulks at the idea of dragging one into danger - if Geimund, a trained warrior, didn't survive, then what hope for an untrained welp?

This also hits home when she meets the Adoring Fan. She's unnecessarily rude to him in an attempt to dissuade him from following her.

Wealthy or not

As a skilled alchemist, Rin has a healthy income (when time allows), however most of her income goes to keeping her enchanted items charged or feeding the poor. I'd put her on the lower end of comfortable.

Worships the aedra or the daedra

Aedra, with a primary focus on Mara, and secondary focuses on Zenithar and Stendarr. Part of this is how she was raised, but part of this is after a lot of self-reflection during the Knights of the Nine pilgrimages she performs.

Biggest fear

That she's met her biological parents... and killed one or both in self-defence. There is nothing to indicate who they were, she might even only be half-redguard. Rin has no idea. The first time she was attacked at a camp by a redguard woman, Rin had nightmares about it for ages, the "what if" sending her into a nosedive.

Pet peeves

When people are unduly rude to beggars. In her early days, she was too timid to do anything about them but made up for other people's rudeness by pressing food, medicines and money into the beggar's hands. As she gained fame, Rin became bolder about confronting these types of people.

Do they like being Hero of Kvatch/ Champion of Cyrodiil?

She is ambivalent about both titles.

Jauffre asked her to do a task; that task entailed closing an Oblivion Gate, so she did so. It's nothing really to make a fuss about, but people will do so regardless of what she wants, so she may as well be gracious about it.

Similarly, she isn't keen on being Champion, but she understands duty; and her duty is to support Ocato and the Elder Council in their efforts to rebuild Cyrodiil. Her thoughts are always with the common folk, keeping peace and remaining compassionate to their issues; literally being their champion. She thinks that's what Martin would have wanted.

Favourite faction

Perhaps surprisingly, it's the Thieves Guild. She strongly admires the Grey Fox's commitment to protecting the poor of each city and his "robin hood" approach to thievery.

An object of sentimental value

I've struggled with this question a lot. I've kept plenty of knickknacks from my playthrough, but none of what I've kept has seemed like something Rin would keep. And she has nothing to tie her to her old life either, except the house in Bravil.

I may come up with something later, but for now, I'll say she's too practical, and not sentimental enough to keep a specific item.

Hobbies

"Hob-bee? Hobb- No. Nope, sorry. Is that Ayleidoon?" Rin is too serious for her own good. Her "hobbies" include doing alchemy, running through her martial practice, and chatting with her fellow Blades.

Favourite city

She still retains a lot of love for her home of Bravil, but it's Anvil that has her heart. It's warm, the scenery (when she takes time to explore it properly) is beautiful, the food outstanding, and the people friendly. It's restive and tranquil; an easy place to love.

(But between you, me, and the walls, her favourite place in Cyrodiil is the West Weald)

Tagging: I don't know anyone who hasn't done this yet, so if anyone fancies it - you're tagged.

[blackidyll]

4, 8, 13, and 32 for the writing meme pls! :DD

this is from the weird questions for writers list!

4. What’s a word that makes you go absolutely feral? i like words that are kind of oddly spelled - hymn, myriad, idyll (hence my username). For a verb, coalesce.

but as for feral in a negative way? it's souvenir. i can never for my life spell it correctly, i always put in extra vowels. Spell check has to save me (as it just did!).

8. If you had to write an entire story without either action or dialogue, which would you choose and how would it go? oooooo story without dialogue is probably easier because i already write so. much. exposition as it is. it'll be interesting to go without putting in any dialogue, but there are ways for characters to communicate or express themselves without active dialogue, so i can probably figure it out.

i write dialogue-only snippets when i'm outlining fics and I always get the urge to fill in the blanks with descriptions of actions and so on. a dialogue-only fic for me will not want to stay dialogue-only upon edits haha.

13. What is a subject matter that is incredibly difficult for you write about? What is easy? haha! explicit sexual content! i can read it and plot it just fine, but when it comes to writing the minutiae of it i will combust. It's just easier for me to cut off/fade to black and leave the fic at a mature rating.

not necessarily easy, but i guess pining/longing/nostalgia? i've moved countries a lot when i was younger and it always feels like i'm missing someone or longing for something, and so when I write that kind of content it's easy for me to access my own feelings and channel that into my characters. It's a sort of bittersweetness where the sweetness is your feelings for the person/place/time but bitter because you're apart from whatever it is you're missing, and I like exploring that dichotomy.

32. What is a line from a poem/novel/fanfic etc that you return to from time and time again? How did you find it? What does it mean to you? @derpinathebrave asked the same question so i'll tackle a poem/novel example here and a fanfic one for them!

the last two lines of Clementine von Radics' poem, "Mouthful of Forevers" really stuck with me. I encountered this poem through a Sam/Lucifer SPN fic, How To Fall; the author included poems/excerpts from songs/prose at the beginning of every chapter. The fic has such a visceral depiction of Lucifer's motivations and this poem was just incredibly apt for that point of the fic, as well as being a beautiful work in its own right. Here is the last stanza of the poem:

I know sometimes It's still hard to let me see you In all your cracked perfection, But please know: Whether it's the days you burn More brilliant than the sun Or the nights you collapse into my lap Your body broken into a thousand questions. You are the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I will love you when you are a still day. I will love you when you are a hurricane.

A line from a novel - definitely this one from Robin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings series: the Fool's "And I set no limits on that love." It's a recurring line in the series (iirc) as the Fool tries to explain his love to Fitz, and Fitz constantly struggles with understanding/coming to terms with it. I think us fans tend to have mixed feelings about how the Fool and Fitz's relationship is depicted in the series, but that passage where Fitz skill-links with the Fool and experiences the Fool's love for him is just so profound. The Fool's love defies boundaries - it is not romantic or sexual or even platonic, it just is. He loves Fitz, and his love is limitless. I remember reading this book in high school and finding out a friend read it too, and the first thing we both said to each other? "I set no limits on that love." Even though there were (at the time) nine whole books in the series, out of thousands of other lines this one resonated with us the most.

That entire passage is just incredible so I'm gonna stick it under this read more.

"Would you have more than this?" The Fool's voice was less than a whisper. I discerned a challenge in his words, but could not understand it.

"Yes, please. Try," I bade him.

Beside me at the table, I was aware of the Fool making some small movement but my vision was unfocused on the room and I had no warning of his intentions until his hand settled on my wrist. His fingertips unerringly found their own faded gray fingerprints, left on my flesh so many years ago. His touch was gentle, but the sensation was an arrow in my heart. I physically spasmed, a speared fish, and then froze. The Fool ran through my veins, hot as liquor, cold as ice. For a flashing instant, we shared physical awareness. The intensity of it went beyond any joining I'd ever experienced. It was more intimate than a kiss and deeper than a knife thrust, beyond a Skill-link and beyond sexual coupling, even beyond my Wit-bond with Nighteyes. It was not a sharing, it was a becoming. Neither pain nor pleasure could encompass it. Worse, I felt myself turning and opening to it, as if it were my lover's mouth upon mine, yet I did not know if I would devour or be devoured. In another heartbeat, we would be one another, know one another more perfectly than two separate beings ever should.

[…]

Just as I opened my eyes, the Fool's thought uncurled in my mind like a leaf opening to sunlight.

And I set no limits on that love.

[stellar-jay]

i am in a little lull in the beginning of ship of destiny and I am begging miss robin hobb to cut to the paragon again and in general cut to them more often in this book. please I'd watch the paragon, althea, brashen, amber, and that one mountain chick do an-y-thing. id watch them do laundry. id watch them debate the merits of the penny. they're so fun pls let them talk

[haridraws]

His garments were black, trimmed in silver, as were his boots. It sounds a somber combination - did not the silver run riot as embroidery round his summer cloak, and silver-edged white lace at his cuffs and throat? Silver bound his fair hair back from his high brow, fine black gloves coating his hands like a second skin. He was a slender youth, his skin was a sun-kissed gold, as was his hair, and his features were fine.

[evisen]

do you want to talk about the best soulmate story ever?

[wizardnaturalist]

I understand fitz's unwillingness to reveal himself to burrich and I can see why he chose not to, but I really think he should've told burrich he was alive. Not only is burrich carrying an immense guilt that hes not responsible for, but it may also have helped to lessen his fear of the wit. Burrich doesnt deserve that fear he has of his own magic, and his kids don't deserve the manifestation of that fear

[tsjon3s]

I've been reading The Farseers Trilogy after a friend recommended it. Really enjoying it. I'm currently in the back end of royal assassin, and regal is stressing me TF out.

Verity just left and everything's gone to shit. I have no evidence of my suspicion but Regal is either in kahootz with the red ships, or he's content just standing by and letting things devolve so long as he can be king of the ashes.