Assassin's Fate [Oct 15, 2020]

[Jenna, I'd be free if not for Temper & Edgewalker]

Assassin's Fate - Robin Hobb

October 15, 2020.

[Barry]

Starting today.

[Siobhan]

I'm starting today too. :)

[Barry]

Ch 7

Bee (view spoiler)[
Oh, Bee ... I hope you won't suffer too much until you're rescued by your father at Cleres. (hide spoiler)]

Kelsingra (view spoiler)[
Why is Fitz so affected by the Skill River in Kelsingra this time around? I think the last time they were in the area in the first trilogy, he didn't have too much negative symptoms and was able to function day-to-day. Is it just because he inadvertantly opened his mind to the Skill current while healing those Kelsingran citizens?

Also, why do the dragons seem to affect negative changes to the people? I mean I understand that they change their humans to resemble dragons, but I thought with their Skill abilities, they would be able to affect the changes without negative health effects on the humans? Is it just because the dragons think the humans are beneath them, like Tintaglia and Icefyre seem to think so. But, the General's dragon seems a bit different than the other dragons? I think Herby is her name? She seems to actually care about the General.

And why did Malta connect the Whites with Chalcedeans? I thought Amber and Fitz were talking about going to Cleres not Chalced?

And I guess it makes sense that the Whites were, allegedly, the ones who wanted to get rid (and perhaps eventually got rid) of the dragons, considering that their economies appeared to depend on agricultures. So, I can imagine that the dragons would be bad for businesses. But, the question is how? How did they get rid of the dragons and eventually the Elderlings pretty much simultaneously?

I guess you could create some sort of confusion while they're still in the serpents forms. Maybe they did something to change the geographies of the Rain Wild River so that the serpents couldn't come up the river and had to spend far too much time out on the sea.

But, it still doesn't explain how they also got rid of the Elderlings at pretty much the same time. I assume every Elderling eventually transformed into a dragon, so they could just wait for them to naturally transform into dragons and then into serpents? (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Chapter 4 (view spoiler)[ I've never felt so claustrophobic as when reading that chapter!! Omg what a horrible death that could have been. I'm so glad Bee managed to escape! Thank goodness for Wolf Father keeping her calm ❤️
I really hope she gets away from these scum bags now! (hide spoiler)]

[Bea]

Up to chapter 8

(view spoiler)[Poor Bee is definitely going through a lot...I still hope that she somehow manages to team up with Vindeliar so he can be saved in the end. All of these poor young people deserve better.
Reppin and Alaria only acted that way out of fear and because they didn't know better and now they were left behind or sold of. I felt sorry for them both,even though they were not nice to Bee.

And we got a but more backstory on Clerrey and the Fool. It's hinted that he must have endured some sort of sexual abuse, probably from both one of the four and on his way to the Six duchies. It's so sad to see how broken he is by all the horrible things that happened to him.

Standing up to a dragon takes serious balls!
It really shows how little the dragons think of humans when they value their 'posessions' more than their health. (hide spoiler)]

[Bea]

Up to chapter 12

(view spoiler)[It's so cool to see all the Liveships/Rainwilds characters again!
Oh my, Paragon is quite jealous! (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Barry wrote: "Ch 7

Bee
.
Kelsingra .."

RE Fitz (view spoiler)[ He wasn't as affected by the skill current last time because they had been regularly dosing themselves with Elf bark before they realised that dulled the skill right?
And I think you're right he opened himself too much with the healing.

RE the dragons - you learnt a lot about this in Rain Wild Chronicles which I wish you'd read with us!!!
It's not that they're causing negative changes on purpose, they're just not actively guiding the changes as they should because humans are so insignificant to them. Mainly Tintaglia and Sintara, a lot of the other dragons have better relationships with their keepers. Heeby and Rapskal are the cutest! He helped her learn to fly before any of the other dragons deigned to bother.

They are going to Cleres, maybe via Chalced? I can't remember what bit you mean with Malta connecting them.

The Elderlings and dragons - I think if the dragons died out they wouldn't have been able to continue shaping the Elderlings and prolonging their lives unnaturally, so they would have died eventually like humans. No dragons, no new Elderlings. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Bea wrote: "Up to chapter 8.."

(view spoiler)[ Seriously!! Poor Bee :( she can't catch a break!! My heart is aching for her and Wolf Father trying to protect her.
I also feel sorry for the two women that were with Dwalia. They just sold Alaria as a slave to get some money?! Fucking evil.

Poor Fool as well, such an awful back story :( (hide spoiler)]

[Bea]

About halfway through.
I can see where this is going, (view spoiler)[Fitz is going to die a tragic death and the Fool will probably die too because Robin Hobb WILL rip out our hearts, right? 😭 (hide spoiler)]

Anyway, this is good! So far maybe the best in the series!

[Siobhan]

Chapter 9 - (view spoiler)[ Leftrin and Alise! ❤️ Aww I love them. 20 years of Tarman running back and forward to Kelsingra! Wow, I knew time had passed but hadn't quite reckoned 20 years! So long! Everyone is so old 😅
Sedric and Carson have a child!!! 😭❤️ Possibly the least selfish thing Jerd has ever done?! (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Chapter 10! (view spoiler)[ Fitz, meet Paragon!! :D Been waiting for this!! So funny everyone staring at him as if they know him 😅 (hide spoiler)]

[Bea]

Up to chapter 26

(view spoiler)[Those chapters in Clerres were quite intense!
But Prillkop's still alive!
Dwalia kind of had it coming, but then on the other hand, we don't know what led her to be this way and in how far she's only a victim of white indoctrination herself.

But what a horrible situation for Althea and Brashen and the whole crew! I totally get why they're mad.
I hope there will be some kind of good solution for them in the end.
(hide spoiler)]

[Bea]

Siobhan wrote: "Chapter 10! [spoilers removed]"

Oh, you're about to start reading the intense parts!

[Siobhan]

Bea wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Chapter 10! [spoilers removed]"

Oh, you're about to start reading the intense parts!"

Oh dear!! Can Hobb get more intense?! 😅

[Barry]

I'm up to Ch 21. So far it's been really really superb. I've been enjoying the reunion between the various characters. And I'm expecting an awesome convergence at the end to finish the whole thing with a huge bang.

Siobhan wrote: "Barry wrote: "Ch 7

Bee
.
Kelsingra .."
"

Malta (view spoiler)[
I'm curious because if I remember correctly, when Amber told her of their quest to Cleres to kill the Whites, Malta immediately told Amber that the Traders also had some beef with the Chalcedeans. I don't know how Malta was able to figure out that Dwalia had hired Duke Ellis of Chalced (if Amber had mentioned that fact), or Malta had a different train of thoughts ... Maybe I just misremembered how what she replied to Amber. (hide spoiler)]

Elderlings (view spoiler)[
The newer generation of Elderlings at Kelsingra didn't seem to have equally long lifespan as the Elderlings from the old tales did they? While I agree that the Elderlings wouldn't have the long lifespan without the dragons, I think perhaps the current crop of dragons might be too callous or insensitive to the humans like you said. That's why the changes wrought by the dragons had such negative effects on so many people.

But, on the other hand, some of them, like General Rapscal, seemed to have access to Silver/Skill. But, I guess there's no one to teach them of the Skill Healing, so they still wouldn't survive without the dragons.

But, they seemed to indicate that if you're touched by Silver you'd die? I thought the Silver is the essence of the dragon magic, which would give you the Skill, or at least temporary Skill abilities, just like Vindelier had the ability to manipulate other people's minds temporarily through his Skill-like ability from the serpent's spit.

I'm just surprised that the Elderlings seemed uninterested to experiment with the Silver. Chade would've had a grand old time experimenting with it, to his own detriment. (hide spoiler)]

The Servants (view spoiler)[
Bit by bit Hobb is revealing the connection between the Servants and the demise of the dragons. One way for them to prevent dragons existing in this world is by confining them at the Others Island as stunted serpents.

But, the bigger question of why they seem to be totally against the dragons hasn't been answered yet. There have been some hints, but I don't have a coherent answer yet for the reason. The best of my guess is that the pure Whites originally were related to the Elderlings, that's why the Whites are able to have prophetic dreams. And the Elderlings' abilities to create technologically more advanced stuff made the Servants jealous or felt threatened? And they hatched a plan to usurp the power of the Whites by becoming their Servants?

But, the whole scenes flashbacks of Cleres is just so sickening. So cruel for the sake of cruelty. I truly hope Dwalia suffer at the end. Altough, in the meantime, I hope she gets to have lots of sex with that ship captain and leave Bee and even Vindeliar alone. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Barry wrote: "I'm up to Ch 21. So far it's been really really superb. I've been enjoying the reunion between the various characters. And I'm expecting an awesome convergence at the end to finish the whole thing ..."

I see what you're saying Barry!

RE Malta (chapter 7) (view spoiler)[ ahh I know what you mean, and I think they mentioned the people working for Dwalia to steal Bee were Chalcedeans, and maybe mentioned Ellis by name. (hide spoiler)]

RE Elderlings (chapter 7 ish) (view spoiler)[ The new generation of Elderlings don't have the same long life spans *yet*. They're only in their 30s in human time. But their dragons should prolong their lives the same as the old Elderlings ones.
I think dragons have always been callous and insensitive and not cared much about the humans/Elderlings. But this crop of dragons lost all their ancient memories from being serpents far too long, so they don't actually know what they're doing. They started turning their keepers into Elderlings accidentally, and one of the wise dragons did remember and warn them it would be dangerous if they didn't properly control the changes. So I think they just don't really know how, hence the children :(

The Silver - yeah they found a well of it in Kelsingra when they arrived, and it made the dragons strong and start to grow properly, even helped them fly. There were Elderling memories of people falling into it and dying. They're all terrified to touch it, but we know the Fool has been able to.
Remember when Verity had it on his hands he knew he couldn't touch Kettricken. Maybe you only don't die it you're born with it in your veins like our Skill using friends! :) The keepers/young Elderlings don't really know anything about the Skill magic. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

I'm really loving this book so far by the way! It's excellent! I can tell it's going to be an epic conclusion. ☺️

[Barry]

Ch 27(view spoiler)[
Oh, Bee ... what have you become. At first I feared that she'd be broken by Symphe and Dwalia, especially considering how merciless Hobb could be to her characters. But, what she's become ... seems worse. I just hope the Fool and Fitz could bring some sanity and goodness back to her. (hide spoiler)]

[Barry]

Bea wrote: "Up to chapter 26

"
(view spoiler)[There's a prophecy from Prilkop that said "two become one and one becomes two". The two become one refers to Paragon. Is the "one becomes two" referring to Fitz & the Fool combining to becoming dragons or liveships? (hide spoiler)]

[Bea]

Barry wrote: "Bea wrote: "Up to chapter 26

"
[spoilers removed]"

Yeah, something like that might happen...

[Bea]

Up to chapter 47

(view spoiler)[So Fitz is gonna die of worms??! After 9 books? Wtf why Robin Hobb??? (hide spoiler)]

[Bea]

Finished. I...I don't really know what to say right now, honestly.

(view spoiler)[Why did Fitz have to die such an ugly death?
I had suspected he'd die, but wouldn't we all have wished he'd be able to spend some more time with Bee? But then she has changed, hasn't she?

You could really feel the distance between him and the Fool in this book...I would have wished that we had gotten a moment of reunion between them from Fitz's Pov in the end. We can only speculate much of them is still there. But it's a nice thought that the wolf might be following and protecting Bee and Co. (hide spoiler)]

[Anni]

Siobhan wrote: "Barry wrote: "RE Malta (chapter 7)"

Not sure why I opened that spoiler (and only that), as I haven't started thr book yet. But I'm quite sure Amber told them his name at their dinner.

[Siobhan]

Chapter 22 (view spoiler)[ Oh, Chade 😭😭
My heart hurts! (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Barry wrote: "Bea wrote: "Up to chapter 26

"
[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 27

But (view spoiler)[ Paragon is one who is going to become two dragons.

Maybe the two becoming one is Fitz and the Fool sacrificing one of them to save Bee.

I'm worried at this point that Fool doesn't know who the Destroyer is. Does he still think Bee is the Unexpected Son when it's Fitz? What if he chooses futures to save the wrong one :(

I'm glad Bee killed Symphe and Dwalia! I hope she kills the lot of them. All this time and she can rescue herself! I just wish she had left right away instead of going back to her cell, what if her new strength wears off! (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Chapter 34 (view spoiler)[ OMG FITZ NO!
Bee is so much stronger in the skill than him and she's untrained! I'm so glad Per is at least imperceptible. Vindeleir is dangerous and evil now!! :(
God I was just crying happy tears at Nighteyes' and Fitz's reunion "I was with the cub. She needed me far more than you did" 😭😭❤️ ... And now this!! (hide spoiler)]

[Barry]

Siobhan wrote: "Barry wrote: "Bea wrote: "Up to chapter 26

"
[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 27
"

I think part of the theme that Hobb wanted to address with regards to the prophecies is (view spoiler)[that yes with the prophecies there are possible paths that the future can go into, depending on the decisions made by some key characters. But, ultimately, the one who shapes the future is each individual person. Yes, there were prohecies regarding the Destroyer, or the Unexpected Son, or whoever doing whatever role. But, somebody has to make the decision to be that person/role. That the future is not pre-ordained.

That's why in real life I don't think much of people who claim oh such and such signs indicate that such and such future will occur. Such hogwash. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Barry wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Barry wrote: "Bea wrote: "Up to chapter 26

"
[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 27
"
"

Am I safe to open this spoiler before I finish? :)

[Barry]

To be on the safe side probably not.

[Katie]

Just finished Fool's Quest today >_<
I know you all are in the thick of this one and our character's fates...but I hope to join you all soon next week ^^

[Siobhan]

Katie wrote: "Just finished Fool's Quest today >_<
I know you all are in the thick of this one and our character's fates...but I hope to join you all soon next week ^^"

Will be here Katie!!

[Siobhan]

Barry wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Barry wrote: "Bea wrote: "Up to chapter 26

"
[spoilers removed]"

Chapter 27
"

I think part of the theme that Hobb wanted to address with regards to the prophecies is that yes wi..."

I think you're right :)

[Siobhan]

I finished! (view spoiler)[

Haven't cried that much in a long time! I think it was a perfect bitter sweet ending. Closure.

Fitz and the Fool did become one, with Nighteyes too. So beautiful!
I knew when Nighteyes said Fitz had worms that it would be parasites from the blow darts in Cleres :'( I knew if the Wolf said he was dying then he really was! I'm so glad the whole family got to be together for him carving his "dragon". And they'll live on forever in that! <3
I'm so glad Fitz got to say his piece and tell them all how it was going to be! Per will always be with Bee <3 Kettricken will look after them, Spark has a place. I loved it. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

Okay, so I'm finalllly back on this forum. Reading all of your thoughts on the book. I'm at Chapter 45 right now and am going to try and finish today.

Gosh this book has so many emotions. I'm so worried about how it will end >_<

[Anni]

Uhm... I haven't started it yet, but I'll for sure come vack and read your comments when I'll finally make a start :D

[Katie]

Oh no! Really Anni??? Lol. It’s all good. It will be a wonderful book whenever you get around to it ^~^ So much happens O.O

[Katie]

...I just finished the novel. So so many feelings at the end there. Gosh. I need to process some things before I write something here. ^^;

I was looking up to see if anyone made Elderling inspired music playlists on youtube. I did find this one from a poem featured in Fool's Fate. <3

In that Last Dance of Chances

[Siobhan]

So so many feelings Katie!! Such an amazing book ❤️

Ooh playlist is a great idea!!

[Katie]

Ending Spoilers~
(view spoiler)[What an end for our dear Fitz. Oh how he suffered. :( I was given false hope when he made it out of those flooded tunnels. But then to have fallen to those parasites from Clerres. Truly evil people. >_<

I truly wanted Fitz to reunite with Bee. Sadly it wasn't meant to be. But Bee...that little one is a survivor. She has grown so much ... not all of it good ... but she did what she had to. I really hope that with Per and Kettritchen she can learn to be kinder once more. And hopefully live a better live with less danger >_<

I had not even expected for Fitz to make his own 'dragon'. That part had me tearing up. The carving of their wolf :'( I'm so so glad that they got to say their goodbyes. ((I was a little upset when Nettle didn't believe Bee at first...so I'm glad everyone made it in time))

And to trick the Fool even. I mean it was meant to be. Fitz, the Fool, and Nighteyes forever together. Guarding their pack. I truly can't see a better ending.

I'm just so sad it's over :( (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Katie wrote: "Ending Spoilers~.."

100% agree, it was bittersweet, but it just seemed like the right ending!!

[Katie]

❤️ ❤️ ❤️

[SolidM]

I've just finished it. Has anyone else experienced this "emptiness" feeling right after having read it?

[Katie]

teivah wrote: "I've just finished it. Has anyone else experienced this "emptiness" feeling right after having read it?"

I totally know what you mean >_< I hope she continues to write more in this series. She has mentioned on her blog she might.

[SolidM]

Oh really?? I missed that information. Let's get our fingers crossed. I'd like so much to have some news about Bee :(

[Emma]

I felt like the whole Big Picture story was satisfyingly complete but so sad it was over.

[Katie]

In her blog update in Goodreads somewhere she wrote “To Bee or not to Bee, that is the question”. So we shall see ^^

It is a very tragic tale 😢

[SolidM]

Katie wrote: “To Bee or not to Bee, that is the question”

Oh gosh, this is so beautiful 😢

[Katie]

<3

[SolidM]

I'm still in a depressing mood to be fair ^^
It's been one day and I still can't start any other fantasy / SF book without having my mind thinking "I'm sure it's not going to be as good as The Farseer Trilogy!"

It's going to be difficult to start another book series...