The Kennit/Wintrow/Etta relationship is so fascinating to me. They're 3 characters who in a world very ruled by social expectations all buck the archetype of what they should be- as well as what youd expect from those characters in another fantasy novel. *spoilers* Like another great Robin Hobb weird relationship, it blurs the line between what the characters want it to be, and a murkier co-dependant romantic triangle with very confusing feelings on each side. Kennit refuses to see Etta as a real person despite needing her at every juncture, but has a fixation on Wintrow which is partially an uncomfortable attraction and partially projecting himself on to him. Etta practically worships Kennit , but the Kennit she loves doesn't exist- in reality shes learning to love herself, and her actual emotional connection is with Wintrow. Wintrow sees through Kennit to an extent, but also cant rationally protest any of his actions, so chooses to see him as the wise king he is on the surface- complicated by his jealousy over Etta and the Vivacia, which he tries to suppress. It's fantastically messy.
I am envious of you reading this for the first time. The way Hobb spins her narrative and weaves it all together is beautiful. A true master of her craft.
@@mikesbookreviews maybe not, but we should not forget this is 16 book series. Thought every trilogy can be read by its own, the whole series is complete works.
I felt like that subplot is extremely clear by the end of this part. I actually exclaimed out loud when he said he has no idea whats going on with them lol
I am glad to see you read and review this series of books! The Liveship Traders was probably the series that threw me directly into the fantasy genre of reading from the sci-fi realm. I haven't looked back since. I am sure that you will enjoy the last of the series as much as you did the first two.
I just finished The Mad Ship tonight. I loved the world building in this one-it further expanded the events of Assassin’s Quest and made The Farseer Trilogy make more sense to me. Can’t wait to continue!
The serpent parts got morr clear throughout the third book. I loved how this book changed my views of Malta and some other characters. Loved this one and all the characters
I loved your coffee cup (!), I marvel at Hobb, I really really enjoyed your review and I am looking forward to your journey through the realm of the elderlings! Hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did😊 Love from Norway
Same...im trying to knock out The Bound and the Broken in time for book 3 in January and also Sun Eater....I get through a book a month in hand and one on audio as well...sigh...so little time...
Right with you here! I never thought I would get invested in Malta's arc, but Queen Hobb did it somehow. And I also got terribly invested in the Wintrow/Kennit/Etta heart of the story while also being compelled by Althea/Brashen. Also with you on not needing sniveling Cosgo here on his ship journey, though that at least had some payoff in the last book. This was close to a perfect book two!
I realised what was happening with the serpents since the start of the series. I'm not even on the 3rd book yet. Mind you, I was very traumatised by what happened to Fitz's uncle at the end of the first series. The magic system got burned into my mind and because of that the connection to the serpents and certain other important elements was a bit obvious IMO.
@@madisongoodyear5040 Josh’s recent chat video inspired me to make sure I have a copy of all 18 books, so Im eager to get going! 😀 I’m thinking maybe one a month starting Feb?
Robin Hobb reads very, very slow to me. It's not that her stories are bad, or unsatisfying, as a whole, but for some reason, they don't grab me and pull me in as much as other authors like Sanderson or Abercrombie. Her climaxes are satisfying, but the build up is pretty sloggy at least to me. I'm thinking I might enjoy breaking them up more instead of binge reading.
Kayan Kollyn ❤ The great fantasy adventure book series by V VN Mangukiya 😊 Mystical and esoteric world of Kayan kollyn is amazing. Waiting for your review 😊
I think a fair but also unfair criticism of Hobb is the confusing aspects of her story. In this series case its the dragons. It's fair because she does do it, its also unfair because she did it intentionally to make it something to give you a lightbulb moment later. If you're the kind who needs everything answered immediately and straight forwardly, she isn't going to work for you. However she offers great lightbulb moments that make you want to reread the story to view it differently. She's a 4-D chess quality writer.
I have only read up to this book but i found since assassins quest the climaxes of the books have been really underwhelming but the rest of the story is really entertaining.
The only parts I disliked were the Paragon chapters. There was a lot of technical ship stuff and a lot of repetition and it got sloggy and boring until they actually set off. Otherwise, I love everything else about the series so far.
The Kennit/Wintrow/Etta relationship is so fascinating to me. They're 3 characters who in a world very ruled by social expectations all buck the archetype of what they should be- as well as what youd expect from those characters in another fantasy novel. *spoilers*
Like another great Robin Hobb weird relationship, it blurs the line between what the characters want it to be, and a murkier co-dependant romantic triangle with very confusing feelings on each side. Kennit refuses to see Etta as a real person despite needing her at every juncture, but has a fixation on Wintrow which is partially an uncomfortable attraction and partially projecting himself on to him. Etta practically worships Kennit , but the Kennit she loves doesn't exist- in reality shes learning to love herself, and her actual emotional connection is with Wintrow. Wintrow sees through Kennit to an extent, but also cant rationally protest any of his actions, so chooses to see him as the wise king he is on the surface- complicated by his jealousy over Etta and the Vivacia, which he tries to suppress. It's fantastically messy.
I am envious of you reading this for the first time. The way Hobb spins her narrative and weaves it all together is beautiful. A true master of her craft.
Glad you continue to enjoy this series! Trust in Hobb - all will make sense!
I get it after finishing SoD. Just not sure I ever needed POV chapters from the serpents.
@@mikesbookreviews maybe not, but we should not forget this is 16 book series. Thought every trilogy can be read by its own, the whole series is complete works.
The serpent thing works itself out. There’s still some very significant “a-ha” moments coming. Hobb is an excellent storyteller.
I felt like that subplot is extremely clear by the end of this part. I actually exclaimed out loud when he said he has no idea whats going on with them lol
🥰🥰 this makes me immensely happy! I’m so glad you’re loving this series. She’s such a masterful storyteller, and you have much to look forward to!!
Thanks for the little push in getting me back to the Realm.
I am glad to see you read and review this series of books! The Liveship Traders was probably the series that threw me directly into the fantasy genre of reading from the sci-fi realm. I haven't looked back since. I am sure that you will enjoy the last of the series as much as you did the first two.
Glad to see another hobb review. I love these books!
Glad to see you going through this series. I only just started on Robin Hobb this past year and its been a wonderful roller coaster.
I am really happy to see this because I think Robin Hobb doesn't get enough love and I think she is amazing.
I just finished The Mad Ship tonight. I loved the world building in this one-it further expanded the events of Assassin’s Quest and made The Farseer Trilogy make more sense to me. Can’t wait to continue!
Ship of Destiny is quite good.
I'm really excited to see your final thoughts after Ship of Destiny. What a phenomenal series!
The serpent parts got morr clear throughout the third book. I loved how this book changed my views of Malta and some other characters. Loved this one and all the characters
I loved your coffee cup (!), I marvel at Hobb, I really really enjoyed your review and I am looking forward to your journey through the realm of the elderlings! Hope you'll enjoy it as much as I did😊 Love from Norway
I literally finished book one as the notification for this video popped up. Absolutely loved it. Can't wait to dig in to The Mad Ship tonight 😁😁😁
I can't wait to start this...probably in January.
Same...im trying to knock out The Bound and the Broken in time for book 3 in January and also Sun Eater....I get through a book a month in hand and one on audio as well...sigh...so little time...
Right with you here! I never thought I would get invested in Malta's arc, but Queen Hobb did it somehow. And I also got terribly invested in the Wintrow/Kennit/Etta heart of the story while also being compelled by Althea/Brashen. Also with you on not needing sniveling Cosgo here on his ship journey, though that at least had some payoff in the last book. This was close to a perfect book two!
The Launch of the Paragon is my favorite chapter in the Realm of the Elderlings. I get chills every time I think about it.
Bookmarked to come back soon, brother. Starting this in Jan!
Can't wait!
Super glad to see a book review!
I love paragon's arc in the full series...
Yaay I'm so happy you like it. I too loved Ship of Magic more, but it's still really good!!!
I realised what was happening with the serpents since the start of the series. I'm not even on the 3rd book yet. Mind you, I was very traumatised by what happened to Fitz's uncle at the end of the first series. The magic system got burned into my mind and because of that the connection to the serpents and certain other important elements was a bit obvious IMO.
Great review.
Thank you
Nice review.
I really enjoyed mas ship I'm really am glad I gave this series a try
Really glad to hear the nautical-ness hasn’t put you off, mate. It’s all soooooo good. Can’t wait to start my RotE re-read next year. 😀👌🏻
When are you thinking you’ll re-read? I don’t know how long I’ll be able to resist one myself!!
@@madisongoodyear5040 Josh’s recent chat video inspired me to make sure I have a copy of all 18 books, so Im eager to get going! 😀 I’m thinking maybe one a month starting Feb?
@@madisongoodyear5040 I’m starting with Farseer in Jan…
@@MattonBooks there is NO WAY.. I can sneak those in at the beginning of next year 🙈🙈🙈🙈 stop tempting meeeee!
@@madisongoodyear5040 And here I thought you were unstoppable. I am disappoint. 😜
Robin Hobb reads very, very slow to me.
It's not that her stories are bad, or unsatisfying, as a whole, but for some reason, they don't grab me and pull me in as much as other authors like Sanderson or Abercrombie.
Her climaxes are satisfying, but the build up is pretty sloggy at least to me.
I'm thinking I might enjoy breaking them up more instead of binge reading.
Have you tried reading The Wandering Inn series? It's great (I apologize if you've already answered this)
Kayan Kollyn ❤
The great fantasy adventure book series by V VN Mangukiya 😊
Mystical and esoteric world of Kayan kollyn is amazing.
Waiting for your review 😊
Out of curiosity, do you like Farseer or Live Ship better? I haven’t read anything by Robin Hobb, but I’m curious about your opinion.
Liveship is far better by farseer. And almost everyone agrees on it
I’ve read the same amount of Hobb as you, and I can assure you that Live Ship is better
I loved Farseer and was bored with Liveship and stopped after the first book in that series.
Liveships is a bit more polished and tighter, though Tawney Man, series 3 which is a direct sequel to Farseer is the strongest imo.
Liveship is definitely better than farseer in my opinion
I think a fair but also unfair criticism of Hobb is the confusing aspects of her story. In this series case its the dragons. It's fair because she does do it, its also unfair because she did it intentionally to make it something to give you a lightbulb moment later. If you're the kind who needs everything answered immediately and straight forwardly, she isn't going to work for you. However she offers great lightbulb moments that make you want to reread the story to view it differently. She's a 4-D chess quality writer.
What's not to understand about the serpents? The book explains it all, they are part of a cycle: egg>serpent>cocoon>dragon>egg.
Thanks.
I have only read up to this book but i found since assassins quest the climaxes of the books have been really underwhelming but the rest of the story is really entertaining.
Man, you gotta bring back the old intro....
The only parts I disliked were the Paragon chapters. There was a lot of technical ship stuff and a lot of repetition and it got sloggy and boring until they actually set off. Otherwise, I love everything else about the series so far.
Hi 👋 like ur review video. I liked mad ship 🚢 book this series was so good by Robin Hobb!! Happy reading to you!! 🎥⚔️📽
If any of the Hobb books gets adapted it should be Liveship
Rob and Tyrion never fought lol. Did you mean Tyrion and Stannis/Davos? 🧐
Hobb knobers! Haha