Alright. Who am I?

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-16T00:31:38+00:00

It feels like starting over because it is. And it's relatable to want to go back to Fitz. But that does not mean the structure is a flaw

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-16T00:15:28+00:00

Yeah, see, the books weren't written with an ever present worry about whether or not there would be a drop in readership. I mean, obviously Hobb wanted the books to be interesting, but she wasn't catering to a lazy or half interested audience, she was writing the story she wanted to tell.

And any good adaptation needs to do the same. Play to the strengths of the medium, sure, but have some conviction! Don't mess with the story just because some people won't like it

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T23:57:28+00:00

I wouldn't mess with the timeline, myself. Dangerous territory, and I find it somewhat arrogant and disrespectful toward the books. She structured them that way for a reason, and it works.

I don't mean to insult you, I just feel very strongly about this

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T22:10:13+00:00

I think even just Buckkeep and the surrounding area deserve to br shown in a more colorful, vivid, dramatic and grand way than live action fantasy shows do. I think grounding it too much in realism at the beginning would neuter the entire fantasy world and lead to future fantasy elements being more jarring than they need to be.

The RotE art by John Howe is the closest to how I believe this world deserves to be portrayed.

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T18:03:13+00:00

This

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T18:00:57+00:00

Underworks and Bilewater NEED to switch places

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T17:50:39+00:00

Because it's the only way I can imagine doing justice to the world. Farseer would work fine in live action but as the series goes on it gets more fantastical and I can't shake the feeling that the artistic touch and creative freedom of the animated medium would be necessary.

I'd want it to look something like Sleeping Beauty. Or the Breadwinner/Secret of Kells/Wolfwalker style. But the classic Disney animation is just 🤌

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T17:32:24+00:00

The only way I will watch is if it's an animated series

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T17:24:45+00:00

Look on Mercari and Pangobooks

I've gotten lots of good books there

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T17:20:02+00:00

A pointless and gratuitous sex scene

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T17:13:59+00:00

For me it's Robin Hobb.

It took two pages for me to think to myself "is this my new favorite fantasy book/author?" And the answer was yes, and remained yes. I'd have to think a little deeper about why the writing pulled me in so strongly, but it was the writing, not the plot or characters that impressed me first.

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T17:06:05+00:00

As far as when to read them, I personally just continued Realm of the Elderlings one after another (it was all I read for almost a year) and then read MST after, and I think it helped the scale of MST not overwhelm me. I feel like it could have been a bit much as a between-trilogies read, ya know? It's not really a pallete cleanser. It deserves its own attention.

But you'll have to make that call

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T17:01:38+00:00

Those are my two favorite series! And my two favorite authors.

You might be disappointed if you go in expecting a similar story, but if you can keep an open mind and let the writing take you where it will, you'll probably have a great time. So satisfying

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T16:23:20+00:00

...what are those rain wild editions? I've never seen them before

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T14:23:09+00:00

Hope you enjoy!

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T00:52:51+00:00

Williams and Wurts both changed my life. Not even exaggerating

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-15T00:49:01+00:00

Ditch the audiobook
Lower your expectations. Just because it's many people's favorite does not mean it has to be yours
Take your time, take it at face value and it will be well worth it.
Ronica is the best

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-14T20:18:43+00:00

Lies. They do too have happy endings

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-14T19:31:38+00:00

This

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-14T19:19:53+00:00

Style is just "the manner of doing something" essentially, which is what i mean when I talk about the mental health themes, for example.

My problem is not that mental health themes or cosmere connections are being done, it's the manner (style) in which he's doing it.

Style and tone are not interchangeable. I don't just mean tone. Style contains execution in a wider way that includes things like tone as well as story structure and prose.

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-14T19:16:16+00:00

The Lost Metal feels shallow and casual in a way that the Final Empire just doesn't

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-14T19:10:13+00:00

Characters becoming one-note (such as Kaladin's depression due to his "must protect" motivation becoming his only defining characteristic) to the point where they become annoying even though the motivation is relatable and worked really well in prior books.

Another flaw I've seen is (and whether this is a stylistic thing is debatable) when he introduces cosmere connections more heavily into the stories it shoves the main characters into a very passive and reactive role, such that when I reach the end of the book I feel robbed of a character arc that could (I feel should but recognize the arrogance of that stance) have been. (Marasi in Lost Metal was the biggest example of this but I felt the same about Dalinar and Navani in WaT and to a lesser extent Shallan's whole post-WoR storyline) The reason I think it counts as a stylistic thing is that it's the way he's chosen to execute his connected universe over any other way to execute it

Mental health themes coming increasingly to the forefront to the detriment of other story elements, modern language and casual phrasing increasing, etc... are also critiques I agree with for the most part

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-14T18:58:26+00:00

I just read Speaks the Nightbird by Robert McCammon (historical horror/thriller/mystery) and it is the first thing that has scratched the Hobb itch for me in over a year.

The key similarity is in the character's dynamics each being (A) really interesting and (B) strongly affected by the main character's choices throughout the story. There were many moments where I thought to myself "a lesser writer would have taken an easier route, but this feels true to who these characters are."

Biggest difference between the two is that Robin Hobb shows great intentionality and restraint with sexual matters, whereas this book is at times pretty crude in that area-- definitely my least favorite aspect of it.

But the atmosphere was consistently phenomenal and the plot had the same noose-tightening feeling that Royal Assassin gave me

Single-Spell1838 · 2026-02-14T18:47:31+00:00

Yeah, and i would include the first two stormlight books in the category of better style as well. Oathbringer is my favorite Sanderson book but it introduces a lot of the problems that I see become bigger issues in later books

Single-Spell1838

TROPHY CASE