Fantasy Buddy Reads discussion

Starting 01/29/2017

I've read the prolog till now, not so much new, so it's a realy slow start!

(view spoiler)[I can't believe that Fitz won't go back to court. I guess Burrich will appeales to his conscience. (hide spoiler)]

It's a little bit confusing at first in Chapter 1 - all of a sudden that type of skilling - but then you get it real fast and the pace picks up in Chapter 2. I wouldn't have suspected that of Shrewd - plots and assassination attempts yes but not the real deal!

oh my...! This book is turning out to be great. I just can't put it down! Just one more page...just one more chapter. I'll sleep late again tonight!!!

Laura wrote: "It's a little bit confusing at first in Chapter 1 - all of a sudden that type of skilling - but then you get it real fast and the pace picks up in Chapter 2. "

I appreciate it that we get to know a bit more about the skilling (view spoiler)[but also it seems a bit strange to me, that Fitz won't notice that he is in the kings head, nearly the whole time... Why else would the fool call him 'majesty' all the time? And I am really exited what is now happening to Molly! (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2 wasn't such a big surprise as we know about his journey back to Bocksburg from the last chapter of Assassins apprentice. I like the relationship between burrich and fitz (view spoiler)[espacially when fitz thanked burrich and told him that he was a father to him all the time and jjust didn't notice / appreciate it enough. (hide spoiler)]

I am really sorry Anni! I know you set the pace at 1 chapter a day but I couldn't keep it! For me this book is not one that I can keep aside to read something else in between. It is addictive! I tried reading other stand alones in between to keep to the set pace but often found myself wondering what will happen with Fitz next while I was reading about smth else. So I finally gave up! I just finished Chapter 18 yesterday night and am waiting for tonight again to continue. I love the relationship between Verify and Fitz and the way the bond between Fitz and Nighteyes develops. I see the Fool in a totally new light now and he has become one of my favourite characters. And I often feel like boxing Fitz's ears for the rash way he behaves, without thinking. But then I wonder what I would have done in his place... I'll keep going back to the chapters I have just read and comment with you when you reach them but I'll go on at a faster pace. I cannot help it! I find this book even better than the first! Keeps you at the edge of your seat, teeth clenched waiting for the next thing to happen. And it has a lot of feeling too. I just love books that dwell even on feelings!

Nevermind, reading should be fun! Do you manage the spoiler tags? Cause you don't respond to mine? And I would prefer you would use some. It's a minor thing but now I guess (view spoiler)[fitz would keep the wolf, which I suspected but not know so far... (hide spoiler)]

I finished chapter 5 yesterday :) In some reviews I have seen people mentioning that these book is even more slow-paced as the first and nothing much is happening. So far I can't agree, I love the worldbuilding and how the people interact. (view spoiler)[I haven't expected molly to show up this early and now I am very curious what will happen to her next. But I can't imagine fitz as an assassin with a wife... I also like him saving the wolf, but when he went on his mission to get rid of virago, did he leave him alone? (hide spoiler)]

Oh and I am really curious why everyone seems frowned upon the ability to communicate with animals. I heard we will get the reason in The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince, so I might read that a s well :)

I don't manage spoiler tags still. I'll try today again. I can see them but still don't get how to use it myself. Sorry if I gave something away! I'll try not to next time. And hopefully I'll get the hang of the spoiler tags today.

by the way I agree Anni. I also found this book the opposite of slow. It seems really fast-paced to me too.

It's actually very easy you just have to put the word 'spoiler' in these brackets < > infront of your sentence and '/spoiler' in < > afterwards. There ist an example when you click at the button (some html is ok).

Thank you. I read the example but I understood I have to put the words themselves in between those brackets, not the word spoiler in between them before and after the paragraph I want to hide. I'll try the way you explained tonight.

You're welcome. Don't forget this / before the second spoiler in the brackets, just to make sure it will work this time ;)

Thank you again Anni. Me and new gadgets don't quite go hand in hand. I am more of the old fashioned diary writing girl. Everybody nowadays seems to even have their to do list on phones or computers but i still keep mine on a notebook. Don't even know how to install all the apps on a new phone when i buy it. My husband does that for me. Pen and paper are my type of tool and checklists made by hand even for my son's therapy program and daily routine fit me a lot better than computer made ones. I find it more comforting in holding a pen rather than typing on the computer.
(view spoiler)[As regards the wolf during Fitz's trip to kill Virago, you will get your answer in chapter 7 but I won't tell how exactly it happened 'cause i don't want to ruin it :)). (hide spoiler)]

Yey! I finally got it!

I'm going to start this one tonight

I have to say, After the prologue, I'm already fully captivated!

(view spoiler)[ I didn't expect Fitz to be damaged in so many ways after the incident with Regal. It makes total sense, being poisoned twice, beaten and near drowned... the emotion is so strong right from the start, I love it! (hide spoiler)]

Some reviews say that this book is boring. To me it was quite the contrary.
(view spoiler)[Emotion will be dominant throughout the whole book as far as I got till now and that makes it great for me. I knew that Fitz was going back with Burrich from the end of book 1 but I hadn't known he had ever considered otherwise... I mean thought of giving up. I didn't think he would even consider it but in the end it makes perfect sense after all he went through. (hide spoiler)]

I read those reviews too and it was the opposite for me too. Very engaging book right away

Wow , I just finished Chapter 3 and I had to take a few minutes to collect myself. That was very intense! (view spoiler)[the conversation between Molly and Fitz was so sad :( it's so unfortunate that Fitz has to keep his assassin business to himself and can't explain his illness to Molly or Patience. (hide spoiler)]

I found that really unfair too! But wait and see... it gets worse!

how are you doing with Royal Assassin? I will not start on Assassin's Quest until at least one of you finishes. though I have to admit my hand itches to grab it :)).

I took a break to read Bear and the Nightingale but I should be done later today. I will resume this one right away. I hate leaving things unfinished haha!

I finished 25% so far.

ok. get back in touch again will you when you start. sane goes for me with the unfinished things - that's why the itch for book 3:).

Rob wrote: "I took a break to read Bear and the Nightingale "

Same here, I'm done with chapter 8 so far. I love how human the protagonists are. For example Verity, that they sometimes don't know what to do and whats right or wrong. Can't stay the allways right and glory and so unbelievably beautiful heros in some books...

I totally agree with you Anni. That is one of the things I loved most in these books. That the characters seem so very real with flaws and imperfections just as any normal human. Not all knowing and all good-doing heroes.

I just started reading this again and i'm at chapter 11.

I also Agree Anni. The characters are really great! speaking of great characters. I reeeeeally enjoy the Fool! He makes me laugh out loud and I can't contain it!

next to Fitz, the Fool is the one I like best too.

Chapter 13

(view spoiler)[ I loved chapter 12 and 13. The scenes with Fitz and Molly are so deep and well written, writing skill is very much displayed. The part when Verity 'joined' Fitz to hunt the Forged was great, and Verity's speech after the battle... and Fitz "They are my people." Wow!

This author knows how to deliver these powerful one-liners and I love it! (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[I loved that too. And the fact that the feelings seem so natural.. you can easily identify yourself with any of the characters. And I found myself getting caught in and asking myself what would i have done?! And that makes it a fabulous book for me. (hide spoiler)]

Rob wrote: "Chapter 13"

(view spoiler)[I agree with both of you! I enjoyed these chapter very much. The scene between Molly and Fitz was really well written and mediated. But now I fear for Molly, I can't get myself to see a happy future for the two. So I'm scared something terrible will happen to her :/
I like how Verity try to teach Fitz and I'm looking forward to the training with Burrich and the axe. (hide spoiler)]

I've already read the farseer trilogy but I'd love to join y'all when you get to Tawny Man :)

Hacen wrote: "I've already read the farseer trilogy but I'd love to join y'all when you get to Tawny Man :)"

That would be great! I really like the series so far. I'm on board for the next one!

Chapter 18
(view spoiler)[ Argh, Regal! I would really like for Fitz to just get rid of him but I understand why he shouldn't right now.

I love how Verity can enter Fitz's mind. (hide spoiler)]

(view spoiler)[ Chapter 18 was one of my favourite! The relationship between Verity and Kettriken - heart-wrenching!! I loved that!!!
The mind-merging thing is cool too but i also found it a little bit creepy that the two of them were so "united" that Fitz was seeing and feeling Kettriken instead of Molly sometimes. And I suppose it would have been the same for Verity. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 25

(view spoiler)[ Finally they clash with the red ships! yay! It felt like they were indestructible until the first battle. Fitz with an ax is great! I wish he would remember a bit more of the battles but we get the essentials so that's great.

I didn't believe Verity was dead after that "report". It would be a bad way to kill off a important character, I think. With all the communications being intercepted or lost, It makes sense that something like that was fabricated.

I really enjoyed the mystery of the Fool but now I just feel sorry for him. He seems lost with the King in such a bad state and the beating. (hide spoiler)]

Argh I can' t keep up with you two :(

Anni wrote: "Argh I can' t keep up with you two :("

I can slow down. I have lots of books I need to catch up with :)

What do you think of the book so far?

That would be great! I really like it! :) It is not the book, but the missing time to read... I love the characters, except from regal of cause! But still he is so well written and a perfect person to hate and blame. And am really curious whats going on with the whole pirate/Forged thing!

we have Elantris buddy read starting tomorrow so there is another break and then there is The Alloy of Law also on the 26th. Maybe you'd like to join for that one also Rob! I am keeping busy even with the Lions of Al-Rassan so I don't think about Farseer :). And I totally agree with you Anni: Regal is just the perfect villain to hate! Reading is a lot more fun this way - sharing comments and thoughts about it - so I don't want to start the last book until you two also catch up!

Chapter 19

(view spoiler)[Argh! Regal and Wallace made me sooo angry! I don't understand why they don't help the king? Even if they can't kill Regal why not Wallace and/or replace him with someone you can trust? Someone who don't drug the king...

And I am curious about Veritys mission! (hide spoiler)]

And while reading Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[What is going on with Chade?? (hide spoiler)]

By chapter 19
(view spoiler)[i was already under the impression that Regal wants to kill his father and that Wallace was his man to do it! It was just my impression by the way! The plot still twists and turns so unexpectedly that you really don't see stuff coming. (hide spoiler)]
And by Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[i was asking myself the same thing. Still didn't get the full answer to that though - I'll wait for your thoughts on it. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 20
(view spoiler)[ I felt the same way at that point. Regal is so frustrating! It's also frustrating that nobody can say anything without being accused of treason. (hide spoiler)]

I finally finished Chapter 25 (Yey!), the last chapters were a bit slow-paced and kind of tough for me...(view spoiler)[ It's not that there is nothing happening, but I miss a little action and details. As you mentioned before Rob, that battle whereupon we waited so long, happened in a couple of pages.

And I also agree with you, that Verity can't be dead. I don't think and really hope that Robin Hobb would do this to us. Ooooh and Regal is so frustrating, I haven't expected I could hate him more, but as he mocked Kettricken at the banquet it happened! (hide spoiler)]

Anni wrote:

(view spoiler)[Some of those chapters felt a little slow paced for me also but not as much as to make it boring. It is worth the wait. And as regards the battle, it was enough for me. I didn't feel the need to get any other details regarding it. However it showed that those ships and their crew were not indestructible (yey!) and I loved the connection between Fitz and Nighteyes during it. I wondered however if it was normal or a little too much to give in to so much animal instinct... (hide spoiler)]

Great points! I think my favorite parts of these books is the the characters are very real and the author makes the reader feels emotions... for example, the hatred for Regal. It feels so perfectly realistic! From words to mind, Fitz's emotions become my own in a great way.

I agree with you Laura, it wasn't boring just slow.
And the Comprehensibility of the characters definitly belong to the books strength.

Chapter 26

(view spoiler)[I do not get why it is possible for Regal to name himself the successor, while the crown princes wife is pregnant? Of cause someone have to gowern the kingdom till Veritys child is old enough, but this wouldn't make him crown prince. Or do I get it wrong? (hide spoiler)]

I couldn't put it down and I finished :)

(view spoiler)[ I'm glad there is a third book because if the story ended like that I would have been very upset. I did not like how Fitz FINALLY tried to kill Regal at the worst possible time and failed miserably.

Again, these books have great characters and emotions but sometimes, as a reader, I am almost expecting things to happen because the foreshadowing is dangled in front of me only to be taken away or is left to the next book. What happened to Will, Verity's quest, Molly, Patience, etc. Did Fitz really get buried (semi) alive and lived? Are the Red Ships really taking over?Rosemary is an assassin in training? Elderlings? What about the white ship? The next book has lots of explaining to do. I loved the book but have mixed feelings about the end. I understand that the story was planned to continue with a third book but I would have preferred at least a bit of closure.

At this point, I would hate myself if I didn't read the next book. I hope we start soon! :) (hide spoiler)]

Rob wrote: "I couldn't put it down and I finished :)

Yeay!!!

(view spoiler)[ Fitz trying to kill the two from the coterie the way he did was plain stupid according to me. I felt like literally boxing his ears for that!
I have the same questions as you Rob and I was itching for such a long time to pick up the next book to know what's next. I'm so glad you finished it also... Now I'll be able to get my answers soon :). It's a trilogy so I was expecting loose ends. And for a plot this complex I was expecting a lot of them anyway :).
From what I understood Fitz slipped into a sort of coma and was buried that way.
I loved the emotions in the book and I personally didn't have any problems with the characters. To me they all seemed human - perfectly imperfect and flawed just as real people - making mistakes and reacting just as any one of us would.
I gave the book 5 stars because it drew me in so much that I was literally able to feel with the characters and for them; because I loved the story, the writing, the plot and the characters. And because it is one of the very few books that actually brought tears to my eyes in the end.
This one definitely goes up in my all-time favorite and to re-read list.
I also hope that we start soon! (hide spoiler)]

Anni wrote: "I agree with you Laura, it wasn't boring just slow.
And the Comprehensibility of the characters definitly belong to the books strength.

Chapter 26

[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[The crown is passed to male descendants not female ones. It didn't make any difference that Kettriken was pregnant, she was still a woman and the child was not born yet which made Royal the last "supposedly" surviving male heir to the throne. If the child was already born, the crown would be his and Royal would have been able to appoint himself only as regent. (hide spoiler)]