I read this one a couple months ago and Hobb RIPPED MY HEART OUT REPEATEDLY and I still haven't forgiven her for it. Love the writing style she has, freaking gorgeous and perfect, exactly what I fell in love with when I got into fantasy in the early 90s. I agree about the cover, I purposely shopped around used stores until I could get the whole trilogy with the original covers. The Fool is my FAVORITE character, so looking forward to reading more about him.
The names are explained: the original conqueror king got the nickname "Taker" and started a tradition of naming royal children after the virtue he wanted them to possess. And there are rumors nobody quite knows if true that this naming has some magical power and actually influences/forces them to embody that virtue. The peasants totally believe this, so this royal naming convention makes them feel extra confident in their leadership and proud of the royal family.
While I'm not sure it could be considered 'dark', it's a bit somber... with very introspective characters. It's not a harsh/brutal page-turner with tons of twists, but it's very well-written and definitely NOT the classic black vs. white type of fantasy.
I’ve just finished this and I can’t believe I waited so long to read it. Completely agree on the writing style, understated but so compelling and impactful. Btw there is an extract in italics early on which explains the aristocracy named their children based on the traits they wanted them to have. They thought names had mystical properties which could mould the person’s character and destiny.
I definitely agree with most of this. I just finished this book and her style is very eloquent and beautifully written. I didn't find the book to be incredible but i did enjoy it. The names didn't bother me. I kind of liked it that way
Like you I read Robin Hobb as each book was published, desperate for the months, sometimes years to pass for next book! I remember when I first met the 6..ish year old Fitz and i just fell in love. First with the lonely child so desperate for love and friendship, he broke my heart! He continued to break it as we follow him and a motley of characters through all the years of his extraordinary life stretching well into his 60s. Hobbs writing is so good, her characters so finely drawn that you live each triumph and feel each loss as though you were there! It is only as each trilogy is read and the series progresses and all the pieces start to fit into the puzzle, that you truly appreciate what an absolute masterpiece the Realm of the Elderlings is.
I think I remember somewhere in the Farseer it's explained that they name the child based off the qualities they hope they will embody. (Which is like naming your daughter Chastity- she's probably gonna be a stripper).But it's been ages since I've read them. Desperately need to reread.
Took me so long to get around to Robin Hobb but once I did, she became one of my top 5 fantasy authors. I am trying to go slowly through her books because I feel like I’ll never find an author like her once I finish them all.
Not to rain on your parade, Brian, but this book, ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE, came out in April of 1995 (I was working at Crown Books at the time) - *not in 1997*.
I felt so bad for Fitz. Robin Hobb really put him through a lot. I love her writing . I almost didn't make it through the end of Royal Assassin. It was depressing for me.
After I read the book I thought about the names. The only thing that made sense was the names are describing how The main character viewed them in his head.
BRIAN LEE DURFEE Reviews haha. If history is any indication probably. I’m actually a niner fan . I’m from Modesto ca. So it’s a weird season for us too
I accidentally ordered the first three Wheel of Time novels in this elongated new format and it's awful, lol! I'll read them anyway. And of course you're right about the beautiful original Assassin's Apprentice cover. It blondified the tan, black-haired characters, but other than that it was soooo perfect and beautiful. They never should have redone it. Thank you for your review - I've recently read it and I'm looking forward to being destroyed by the rest of the series.
Right on time im listening to Assasins quest right now. I do not care for Fitz because of his stupidity, but for some reason I keep reading. After I finish Assassins Quest im gonna move to liveship. I love her style. Its very floral but still interesting.
Alas I donated all my R Scott Bakker books to the Utah State Prison libraries....I do review Erikson and martin and Abercrombie. I will likely do Mark Lawrence here soon
@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS cool, I've exhausted all these except Mark Lawrence??? Similarly hard edged? I started with the old Conan so I enjoy me some serious darkness & dismemberment 🤗 OK here full disclosure... Could not stomach Brent Weeks or Sanderson outside of WoT wrap...😑 On Weeks, I felt like I was endlessly waiting on... Some F'n bite😤 Just saying, had to voice it, any counter points?
"Dick" "lame ass." Sounds like someone who actual believes in policies to help people out, but had to suck it up and vote for the lesser of 2 evils (again) hoping that we can maybe get some progressive change im the future. Maybe I'm projecting.
If you like this video perhaps you'd like my top 40 fantasy series of ALL TIME!!!!!! czcams.com/video/bHLaOL0eoQo/video.html
I read this one a couple months ago and Hobb RIPPED MY HEART OUT REPEATEDLY and I still haven't forgiven her for it.
Love the writing style she has, freaking gorgeous and perfect, exactly what I fell in love with when I got into fantasy in the early 90s.
I agree about the cover, I purposely shopped around used stores until I could get the whole trilogy with the original covers.
The Fool is my FAVORITE character, so looking forward to reading more about him.
those Michael Whelan covers are DOPE am i right!
The names are explained: the original conqueror king got the nickname "Taker" and started a tradition of naming royal children after the virtue he wanted them to possess. And there are rumors nobody quite knows if true that this naming has some magical power and actually influences/forces them to embody that virtue. The peasants totally believe this, so this royal naming convention makes them feel extra confident in their leadership and proud of the royal family.
From everything I’ve heard, this sounds like the perfect series for me
While I'm not sure it could be considered 'dark', it's a bit somber... with very introspective characters. It's not a harsh/brutal page-turner with tons of twists, but it's very well-written and definitely NOT the classic black vs. white type of fantasy.
I’ve just finished this and I can’t believe I waited so long to read it. Completely agree on the writing style, understated but so compelling and impactful.
Btw there is an extract in italics early on which explains the aristocracy named their children based on the traits they wanted them to have. They thought names had mystical properties which could mould the person’s character and destiny.
been waiting for you to start your hobb reviews brian looking forward to them also love those Michael Whelan covers.
I definitely agree with most of this. I just finished this book and her style is very eloquent and beautifully written. I didn't find the book to be incredible but i did enjoy it. The names didn't bother me. I kind of liked it that way
Great video! Been meaning to start with this series for a while and seems like the reasons to fast-track it just keep piling up!
Robin Hobb has written so much now. I am glad i started 25 years ago reading them
Like you I read Robin Hobb as each book was published, desperate for the months, sometimes years to pass for next book!
I remember when I first met the 6..ish year old Fitz and i just fell in love. First with the lonely child so desperate for love and friendship, he broke my heart! He continued to break it as we follow him and a motley of characters through all the years of his extraordinary life stretching well into his 60s. Hobbs writing is so good, her characters so finely drawn that you live each triumph and feel each loss as though you were there!
It is only as each trilogy is read and the series progresses and all the pieces start to fit into the puzzle, that you truly appreciate what an absolute masterpiece the Realm of the Elderlings is.
I don´t blame you, I got the US and UK hardcover versions of the illustrted editions of Assassin´s Apprentice and Royal Assassin.
It's got bastards of course you like it 😊 but seriously about 80% through this and loving it!
I think I remember somewhere in the Farseer it's explained that they name the child based off the qualities they hope they will embody. (Which is like naming your daughter Chastity- she's probably gonna be a stripper).But it's been ages since I've read them. Desperately need to reread.
I believe this is right ^^ I wanna say it explains early in Assasins Apprentice
Took me so long to get around to Robin Hobb but once I did, she became one of my top 5 fantasy authors. I am trying to go slowly through her books because I feel like I’ll never find an author like her once I finish them all.
thats cool!!! glad u like her
Who are the others in your Top 5?
Not to rain on your parade, Brian, but this book, ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE, came out in April of 1995 (I was working at Crown Books at the time) - *not in 1997*.
I felt so bad for Fitz. Robin Hobb really put him through a lot. I love her writing . I almost didn't make it through the end of Royal Assassin. It was depressing for me.
After I read the book I thought about the names. The only thing that made sense was the names are describing how The main character viewed them in his head.
it is any difference between the hardcover and the soft cover? like the writing, the quality of the publisher's work etc
I love robin hobb. Bet you enjoyed watching the raiders crush the chiefs. That was a great game
Indeed. A pleasant surprise. Now watch them lose their next 5
BRIAN LEE DURFEE Reviews haha. If history is any indication probably. I’m actually a niner fan . I’m from Modesto ca. So it’s a weird season for us too
I just read the first two books. There names is part of a farseerer tradition. There name is supposed to be how they act I believe.
Cool. I knew it was something like that but couldn't remember exactly
I accidentally ordered the first three Wheel of Time novels in this elongated new format and it's awful, lol! I'll read them anyway. And of course you're right about the beautiful original Assassin's Apprentice cover. It blondified the tan, black-haired characters, but other than that it was soooo perfect and beautiful. They never should have redone it. Thank you for your review - I've recently read it and I'm looking forward to being destroyed by the rest of the series.
I'm sorry you accidently bought the crappy versions of Wheel of Tine
2:15 tall rack editions
Right on time im listening to Assasins quest right now. I do not care for Fitz because of his stupidity, but for some reason I keep reading. After I finish Assassins Quest im gonna move to liveship. I love her style. Its very floral but still interesting.
LiveShips just had more action from start to finish. Many of the other books are more retrospective and contemplative in tone.
I haven't gotten far with the one book I tried, but she's a way better writer than Megan Lindholm.
Robin Hobb's books are easy for someone whose English is their second language?
Asking Brian if he's read something is like asking if a bear shits in the woods.
mos def
Meh😑, hobbs a bit soft for me...
How about some R Scott Backer???
Let's get some Heavy Fantasy😈
Alas I donated all my R Scott Bakker books to the Utah State Prison libraries....I do review Erikson and martin and Abercrombie. I will likely do Mark Lawrence here soon
@@B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS cool, I've exhausted all these except Mark Lawrence??? Similarly hard edged?
I started with the old Conan so I enjoy me some serious darkness & dismemberment 🤗
OK here full disclosure... Could not stomach Brent Weeks or Sanderson outside of WoT wrap...😑
On Weeks, I felt like I was endlessly waiting on... Some F'n bite😤
Just saying, had to voice it, any counter points?
Mark Lawrence is super dark fantasy lol but really good
I dont really care for this book. Tried it. DNF. To slow and boring.
Just give me the fucking review
I do it my fucking way.
"Dick" "lame ass." Sounds like someone who actual believes in policies to help people out, but had to suck it up and vote for the lesser of 2 evils (again) hoping that we can maybe get some progressive change im the future. Maybe I'm projecting.
damn i forgot i talked about the election at the end of this video