Fool's Fate (Tawny Man 3) - Robin Hobb

⭐ 10.0/10

(Originally written by Tim)

The Tawny man trilogy has been my least favourite Hobb series so far, and I was worried about this final book. But I think this has easily been the best book in the entire saga (9 books in). It has the most plot out of any of these books, and it felt like a true conclusion to this world (even though there are 7 more books!?). I have read so many fantasy series that are unfinished, and even the ones that are finished usually leave me wanting more in the finale. The was seriously so cathartic and satisfying, I was blown away with how well all the plot threads were tied up.

I can't really use names without spoilers (although who on this site will ever read this), but its been a long saga for many of them and I think every single one had a satisfying arc. The main character specifically, whose POV we have been with for so long, shows a lot of growth and change. These books are very internal, with very few large events or battles. This one has so many major moments, and I loved the change of pace, rewarding all the groundwork that has been laid over all these books.

This book more than any of them has the most clear plot, with a quest the characters embark on. The way this quest ties together the other books, answering questions since I have had since the first one, was incredible. Its so satisfying to see an author's world unfold, and when their intent was made clear it was it was a very memorable moment in my reading life. I've loved how vague the magic in this world has been to this point, and you are learning about it as the characters do, in a world where magic used to be ever-present but has since died out. I have fallen in love with this world, I'm not actually sure I have read a series this satisfying since LOTR. I think a huge part of my enjoyment of this book was also reading this entire tome in essentially a week on a dock at a cottage. I haven't had a chance to really dive in to a book in forever, and I am so grateful that this was the book I was on at this time in my life.

There are 2 series left in this universe, and although this one feels like a capstone I am excited to see where it can go, with a bunch of characters from the last series that I want to revisit. The door has been left open for more adventures, but regardless of how those books turn out I have a hard time imagining anything topping this. It has all the best elements of other books I love like ASOIAF or Kingkiller or Stormlight, and the foundation of all the previous books really allowed this one to soar.