Fantasy Book Club Series discussion

I felt the need to chat but didn't want to spoil for anyone or read any for myself.

I feel the book is shaping up nicely. Fitz is still lovely and I love the way he can't help himself falling back into politics. The 'betrothy girl' is interesting and I'm wondering whether the figurine found by Dutiful on the Other's beach is related to her.

I have welled up but not actually cried about Nighteyes, when Fitz told Hap. I dreamt about wolves last night!

I find it annoying that Fitz is being treated as a servant, he is of the royal line after all.

Helen wrote: "I felt the need to chat but didn't want to spoil for anyone or read any for myself.

I feel the book is shaping up nicely. Fitz is still lovely and I love the way he can't help himself falling ba..."

Yes, I found many things in this installment intriguing. And yes, the girl is interesting. I like Dutiful a lot, even with that godawful name. And yes, Fitz' treatment is irritating.

See, in a lesser fantasy novel, you'd know there was going to be an Awesome Reveal, where the guy who's been treated like a servant gets to go "ahHA! Do you not know that I AM OF THE ROYAL LINE!? HA! That showed you!". And we'd all cheer.

But this is Hobb, so it's just as likely that he'll always be treated as a servant. Or that he'll be revealed as a prince but only after there's a revolution or aliens invade and nobody cares anyway.

Gods, that was so frustrating back in Fool's Errand, I thought. Actually, it was frustrating way back in Assassin's Quest. You just want the guy, just once, to whip out a "DON'T YOU KNOW WHO I AM!? Bow before my awesomeness!". Or "yeah, I found about that when I saved the world that time. Plus, after a decade of scholarship, I'm also one of the world's leading experts on that subject. Oh yeah, I remember when I was talking to that stone dragon that time, he definitely mentioned something like that. And now that you mention it, back when I was wandering through the jungles just for the hell of it I remember hearing about it. Did I mention I can rip you apart from the inside with my mind alone? DID I? Not that I have, to, being an assassin who could kill you in a thousand ways even if I weren't able just to rip you apart from the inside with my mind alone (if you try to read my mind, anyway)".

But no. Chapter after chapter of being overlooked and spoken down do. Gyahhh!

Wastrel wrote: "See, in a lesser fantasy novel, you'd know there was going to be an Awesome Reveal, where the guy who's been treated like a servant gets to go "ahHA! Do you not know that I AM OF THE ROYAL LINE!? H..."

LOL, no, that's just not Fitz, but I do understand the urge.

I laughed so much at your comments Wastrel. Not going to get back to it until tonight. I'm hoping Hobb isn't going to kill any one this soon as I'll break down!

Interesting thought about the beach figurine, Helen. That hadn't crossed my mind, but I suspect it'll come into play at some point.

I'm not sure what happened with the princess when the old woman came into the room - some kind of sorcery? I'm glad Fitz is a keen observer of the islanders because something big behind the scenes is definitely going on!

I think with Hobb there is always something big behind the scenes - and then somethign biiger behind that also. She gives a great sense of depth to her books, I think - no matter how much you find out, you still feel ignorant about what's really going on.

Sandra aka Sleo wrote: "Wastrel wrote: "See, in a lesser fantasy novel, you'd know there was going to be an Awesome Reveal, where the guy who's been treated like a servant gets to go "ahHA! Do you not know that I AM OF TH..."

LOL - I can definitely relate...
I usually console myself with thoughts like...
Stupid idiot, he could squash you like a bug, before continuing on... :-)

The only thing which really drove me nuts in the early books was not knowing for sure whether the Fool was male or female.... now, I just accept that I'll probably never get a set answer! :-) Either way The Fool, Fitz and Althea remain my favorite characters!

Though I need to add that Paragon is also up there! even if he isn't human (oid) LOL....