The Tawny Man Trilogy by Robin Hobb Book Review & Reaction | a High & Low Point For The Series

[@PhilipChaseTheBestofFantasy]

Great to hear all your thoughts here, Mike! I’m still finishing Fool’s Fate, but I can say that I won’t be calling you a heathen since I get your criticisms even as they seem to bother me less. I’m excited to chat about Tawny Man with you, Madison, Scot, and Jake!

[@airbenderdogs]

The long, drawn out “nothing is happening” is definitely FOR ME. This is my favorite series of all time, and the longer she lets me stay in the world with the characters, the better. The only thing that has disappointed me is that Hobb is some of my first foray into fantasy literature as an adult, and character driven stories are my primary desire…and I found the best author first 😢 where to go from here!

[@HughRawes]

Have you read The First Law trilogy by Joe Abercrombie? That's got some of my favourite characters in fantasy and I can't recommend it enough if you want a character-driven story.

[@airbenderdogs]

@@HughRawes I have not but I will add it to my to-read list!!

[@Lukas-ht9xm]

The Cosmere universe is pretty damn good with the "found family" theme. Especially the Stormlight Archives books. If you like Fitz for the beautiful tragedy which he represents, you will love the main character, Kaladin. He is a broken man, who's unexpected friendships save his life.

[@MasonOuimet]

If you don't mind branching out from fantasy, into something like western, Larry McMurtry is one of the greatest character writers we've ever had. His book Lonesome Dove, which a lot of people say is one of the greatest books ever written, has some of the greatest character development you'll EVER read. I haven't read the sequel, Streets of Laredo, or the two prequels, Dead Man's Walk and Comanche Moon, but the first book is all you need to see how AMAZING of a character writer Larry McMurtry was.

[@MrDperigo]

Great review! I’m someone who really struggled with Assassin’s Quest when I read it like seven years ago. Finally picked up Liveship Traders last year and now rank it as my favorite trilogy of all time. Then burned through the rest of ROTE the rest of the year. I totally get your criticism with the slow parts in Tawny Man. I think I would’ve felt the same if I had continued with the series way back when, and I probably would have hated the slowness of certain sections. But just being at a different place in life now has made it so that I now love those slow moments, and would take all of the slice of life, menial tasks if it meant I could spend more time with these beloved characters. I love how the books made me slow down my reading and be completely fine with taking my time through the story. Hobb is now easily my favorite author but I don’t know if I would really recommend her books to most people.

[@stephenwolberius]

I think beautiful prose really isn't appreciated enough anymore ^_^. There's a golden ratio between nice prose and conciceness where it really takes you into the story, without bogging down or simply not delivering the emotion.

[@JoffJk]

I'm not sure why but I don't like the wheel of time comparison. I guess that I never find the way Hobb writes a chore.

[@RedFuryBooks]

I think your criticisms are valid, and appreciate you just knowing why it works for a lot of people and why didn't work for you. Fool's Fate is still my #2 in the series, but I get it. I hope you continue to enjoy the series overall!

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

Don't let people discourage you about Rain Wilds. There is some teenager angst but I just tried to focus on the other parts of the story. Those parts are important to what we learned in Liveships (or didn't learn but wanted to know more of). Focus on the Dragons and the villan.

[@Ulmo90]

Great review of Tawny Man Mike! I read the trilogy last summer and absolutely loved it, probably the best books I read in 2022. I really loved Fool's Errand for the same reasons that you loved it. I also loved the other books, about Fitz finding his place, moving around the legacy characters without them knowing and slowly reveeling himself to them, however, his return is not what he tought and he struggles a lot as a father, leader and caretaker. I agree that Golden Fool and Fool's Fate were a bit slow at times, similarly to Assassin's Fate. Sorry that not everything worked for you, I look forward to your spoiler talk with the gang

[@xcBlackDiamond]

Damn, I think there's a lot that happens in GF that pushes the series forward. The coterie relationship?!

[@blacknbluecollarreader]

Excellent review. I can't wait to jump into Hobb. I am a character driven reader and I keep hearing she is a master at character work. Great review man.

[@MrPtrlix]

Kinda have the same thoughts myself. The death of that character was like when a TV series suddenly gives a side character lots of screen time; you know they're gonna die. But I absolutely loved the books. I love that Fool's Fate have like a six ending chapters, reminded me of lotr's ending. The slice of life is amazing with Hobb's prose.

[@Lukas-ht9xm]

It's been a couple of years since I read Tawny Man, who is the character that gets brought back to die? if you dont want to spoil others, be cryptic about it, I'll figure it out.

[@jarredbusbee4381]

Golden Fool might my my favorite in all of ROTE but I love hearing your opinions

[@MaxFidler]

Like I loved Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin, All three Liveship Traders books - and Royal Assassin was like you said, ended really well, started really well but the middle was like not great. I am aiming to ready Tawny Man at the end of the year. Im really excited about it.

[@BaldBookTuber]

Fantastic review! Looking forward to our panel discussion.

[@antwilkphotography]

I love Hobb. I've been through the realm of the elderlings 3 times now and would gladly read them again

[@thiagosilva-gm6dr]

Good morning, I don't care about spoilers, I would like to know if there is an LGBT romance between Fitz and Tolo, or just a relationship between Fitz and Molly?

[@coreydinardo5525]

Maybe it's just me but telling me a book will make me cry is absolutely the best way to convince me to read a book, lol.

[@theflyingnick]

Fool's Fate is my favorite book of all time. I don't care about the popularity of my opinion and neither should you Mike. I hope you enjoy the rest of your journey through the Realm of the Elderlings.

[@alynam82]

This may sound weird, but I can't watch this (but I'll play it w/sound turned off to count as 'watched'). I'm one of those people that wants to go into this completely blind. If anything, it shows how much I'm into this series. I still got Liveship to read, then I'll be back and watch after I read Tawny Man 😁 I'm not like this with everything, just the select few

[@godmathias]

Excellent review Mike. I dont agree with you on everything here, but you did a fantastic job giving your honest impression.

[@pembie2]

I think the best thing about this series is the way the book covers look lol by sounds of it haha

[@Dwish305]

Great review!

[@ashleyholbird4287]

I read assassins apprentice and really liked it but my TBR is so big I can't find time for the second one lol

[@sjkrum320]

I agree 100% about this and WoT being brother sister series. That's a great way to put it. I'm over half way done with Foos's Fate and I think you gave something away that's about to happen. Don't feel bad though if I wasn't exactly where I am in the story, I never would have guessed and I still might be wrong. But now I'm sad because I think I know what's coming 😢

[@Lukas-ht9xm]

probably your own fault for watching this review early then...

[@coryleekoch3659]

Agree to disagree, but I love your honesty and content.

[@kingzzz6509]

I know that you enjoyed The Liveship Traders, but would it be ok to read all of the Fitz books and then come back to Liveship and Rainwild, or would your recommend the order that you are reading them in?

[@goldplayer2003]

Would it be ok? - yes Do I recommend the order that he is reading it? - yes

[@PR_Punk1]

honestly no, you can, but you would be lacking context that is needed for the books to have the impact they where designed to have. You are going to be lost.

[@kingzzz6509]

@@PR_Punk1 Ok, I just wasn’t sure if the story would be better if you read everything about Fitz, and then going back and experiencing the other stories.

[@sjholmesbrown]

@@kingzzz6509 There are characters from Liveship that appear in Tawny Man, if you haven't read the second trilogy you won't know who they are.

[@kingzzz6509]

@@sjholmesbrown Ok, sounds good.

[@zwcook]

I think killing those characters is mostly about how it shapes Fitz.

[@janceanderson1198]

*spoilers for Fools Fate* You are not the only one who thought bringing back Burrich just to kill him was a little bit emotionally manipulative by Hobb! I thought, I was the only one, thanks for sharing your opinion Mike, great video as always

[@PR_Punk1]

I'm really loving these series reviews style of reviews instead of the book by book reviews, or only first books reviews!!!!

[@henriettel.n9626]

Great review! I see your criticism, and it is valid.. Personally, it didn't bother me so much (love is blind I think), but I do believe you will like the last trilogy better (but with criticism there as well😅).. When you are heading to the rainwilds, keep in mind that you are reading 4 books that were meant to be two books, so you will definitely notice that in the way the books are structured. Don't think they will be your favorite, but I'm glad you are not skipping them. Can't wait to follow you on your journey through the realm😊

[@Lukas-ht9xm]

love might be blind, but you need to see something to even get to love

[@the__shrike]

As I'm sure you're aware, many consider the Rain Wild Chronicles the weakest of the series. However, I think the series pays off as long as you read the fourth book, Blood of Dragons. A lot of what is in the other books is kind of slow setup for this fourth book, which I personally thought was really good. It also provides a great deal of context for the final Fitz trilogy.

[@safinan8008]

Hi 👋 thank you for the video I’m just fan of Robin Hobb books!! 📚

[@jonathonglover6488]

I really like that you keep your opinions honest, and don’t soften them for your audience. I remembered enjoying this trilogy very much, more so than the first trilogy (especially after the slog that was Assasin’s Quest) but not as much as ‘Live Ship’ trilogy. A word of warning, the first two books of the ‘Rain Wild’ are awful. An absolute slog. Hobb does relationships well (although they fall flat too in RWC) but she does not to do road trips well. The last 5 books all range from good to excellent for me. Thanks for the review.

[@AGreenG]

Fools Errand is great. I liked GF more than I thought I would. Didn't like Fool's Fate much. It felt like the many endings of RotK.

[@damiang1442]

I liked the ending of this trilogy. But I have to admit, it felt pretty convienient, almost like a make-a-wish or fanfic scenario.

[@johannesderuig3381]

I understand that feeling, but the emotions it conveyed to me because of that feeling that they earned it, and how greatly i wished it upon them, makes it great for me

[@Arsenal.N.I7242]

O no ...Rain Wilds next. Get ready for the slog of a lifetime.

[@PR_Punk1]

It thought the same, I feel he is going to get the same gut punch as he got with lightbringer book 4 😂

[@stevedavis1269]

Have you read David gemmel yet? Druss is a great character but waylander is also amazing. Thanks for all you info mate. Thanks from the UK

[@Wracu]

As someone who had WOT as his #1 series, I don't think the comparison to ROTE is apt at all. Hobb's writing is far superior to Jordan's and that's what makes these slower moments awesome unlike the slog.

[@kallor02]

Esticaste bro

[@giants8585]

I used to have the NWO Wolfpack shirt when I was in middle school, thats my golden era for wrasslin'

[@raswartz]

Nah, you're right. This one is a slog. The slow warm-up in Fool's Errand is fine, but Fool's Fate is dreary.

[@bookreadingbilly8329]

Tawny man had some good moments for me, but boy did it drag at times.

[@spyroskampanos7965]

I don't care about prose and I like my books to have plot, so I don't really want to read Fitz's story.I am interested in liveship traders though.can I start from the second trilogy?

[@Skreenz99]

You can read Liveship as a standalone series.

[@jellevanbreugel325]

Yes, the story of Fitz makes me cry every time! Criticize me for that and i might have to drop my pacifist ways..... 😂

[@conorsowersby1274]

If you’re comparing this trilogy to the slog then you might be DNFing the rest at some point. Dragon books are brutal. This trilogy is by far the best fitz trilogy. Fits and the fool is SLOW. It’s obvious that Tawny man was original conclusion. ROTE should have been 7-10 books total

[@locolima279]

I flushed RotE after the turd that was Ship of Magic. Haven't looked back so far. Glad to see a balanced review.

[@amy_harboredinpages]

📚🥰📖

[@maliakimmel9093]

I loved the trilogy but I agree on the slog. I didn’t mind it too much because I love slice of life, but the journey to the outislands and the journey on the glacier was longggg. So much traveling, it was a lot at times. Fitz and the Fool trilogy is a lot faster paced and amazing (heart wrenching yet amazing) I hope mike jumps back in the F&F trilogy!

[@AllanonTM]

It's not just you. Wrote this as a comment on your Assassin's Quest review 2 years ago, and will stand by it: "Hobb's books are excellently written character studies, frozen in time and transported by glaciers, she is calling plots." This is where I dropped off, and reading some of the other comments, it might have been for the best. :) Different tastes and all...

[@aldan7812]

Nope, I'm with ya mike on this trilogy being the weakest, and could have been cut in half - the last trilogy, is the best. You'd best have a tissue box around for most of that mate.

[@annajohansson3707]

This is my least favourite trilogy. Yes I like Rainwilds better - sue me!

[@ayan5416]

I would skip the Rainwild if I were you

[@alynam82]

Watch, Rainwild will turn out to be his favorite of the Realm

[@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD]

No! There is big world building with answers to questions we've been wanting to know since Farseer.

[@ayan5416]

@@alynam82 It wont he hates ya and romance stuff

[@ayan5416]

@@Thecatladybooknook_PennyD Ahaha. True. And he probably wont skip but if he did not like the last book I think he really wont like Rainwild

[@Selitos676]

@@alynam82 book 2 is all trashy, boring angsty teen romance, aka what he hates the most. I predict he is going to announce his break from the series after that lol