Mariah Larsson views the series as ecocentric in nature, questioning the intrinsic value of human over other forms of life. The re-emergence of dragons in the series poses a challenge to anthropocentrism, or the supremacy of man's place in the world, with humans forced to re-adjust in relation to a stronger, more intelligent predator. [15] The Wit, an ill-regarded ability associated with the animal world, is shown through Fitz's perspective as a natural extension of the senses and as an interconnectedness to all living things. [16] Reception [ edit ]

Pulley, Natasha (July 10, 2015). "Character is in the Details: Robin Hobb's Golden Fool". Tor.com. Macmillan.a b Brown, Charles N.; Contento, William G. (2010). "Hobb, Robin". The Locus Index to Science Fiction: 2003. Locus. Distracted by the Fool’s perilous health, and swept up against his will in the intrigues of the royal court, Fitz lets down his guard . . . and in a horrible instant, his world is undone and his beloved daughter stolen away by those who would use her as they had once sought to use the Fool—as a weapon.

The book continues interplaying the narration between Fitz and Bee, with some chapters told by Fitz and some by Bee. This book doesn't explore much of the world, and in fact only really takes place in three locations, with one of the locations eating up probably 90% of the book. But the way that Robin Hobb describes things in such a beautiful way allows you to picture everything that is happening with vivid quality, and paired with the knowledge of this world that has already been given to the reader in previous books, there isn't a world that feels more real than this one in all of fantasy. Nevare Burvelle is the second son of a second son, destined from birth to carry a sword. The wealthy young noble will follow his father—newly made a lord by the King of Gernia—into the cavalry, training in the military arts at the elite King's Cavella Academy in the capital city of Old Thares. Bright and well-educated, an excellent horseman with an advantageous engagement, Nevare's future appears golden.I was disappointed that like Burrich, Chade died off-screen. The end of his life made sense. His years catching up with him (how old was he really? At least a hundred years old, right?) and his taking risks with the Skill finally taking its toll. I think that we could have had a scene showing Fitz being with him when he died. As much as I disliked him in this trilogy and the previous, I still think he was a great character. I didn't much care for the plot point of the liveships using Silver to turn into dragons. Aside from how it felt like Amber betrayed Althea and Brashen (though I understand why she had to do it, I don't understand why she hid it from them and Fitz), it felt like it made the ending of the liveships' story in Liveship Traders less meaningful. To me it felt like in the ending of Liveships, the liveships accepted their circumstances and tried to make the best of them. It felt like the message was about having a new lease on life, and when in this trilogy they could suddenly turn to dragons, I felt like it diminished from that message. And the fact that Silver can turn them into dragons felt convoluted and even a little deus ex machina-ey. This inevitably leads to a common question – can readers just read the books about Fitz and skip the Liveship and Rain Wilds books? The answer depends largely on what you want to get out of them. In such a long series, we are regularly offered reminders of who everyone is and what has happened to them and brief explanations are offered for new readers as well. So it is, of course, possible to read only the books narrated by Fitz and understand, broadly speaking, what is going on. I continue to adore Nettle, and her relationship with Fitz. The first time she called him "Da" and almost every time after that, I felt a warm feeling and happiness that she was able to forgive him and have that relationship with him. I was happy that she found happiness with Riddle and Hope.

The Fool going with him without any doubts, any misgivings, any worries about Bee or the future was the only true ending for him. One of the most beautiful scenes in the entire RotE. Beloved with his Beloved, forever. Fitz, the Fool and Nighteyes. Like the three-faced carving.I can vividly remember staying up until 3am, increasingly distressed, reading through the section of this book from the moment Fitz finds the Fool’s dead body to his revival. It didn’t seem possible that there was any way to make this better – although this is fantasy, it is not the sort of fantasy where death is cheap. The only slim hope was Fitz’s death and revival at the end of Royal Assassin, and although that did not seem possible here, I was determined to read on until I knew for sure. Added to that was the horrific nature of the Fool’s death (there was flaying involved) and the awful descriptions of how Fitz found him. I could not and would not stop until it got better. Somehow, eventually, it did.

In the final series Fitz and the Fool, the Fool is asked about their child, where he has not given birth to one but one exists. While this might indicate, that the Fool has male genitals, it doesn't mean that the Fool also has to identify as male.

Flood, Alison (July 28, 2017). "Robin Hobb: 'Fantasy has become something you don't have to be embarrassed about' ". The Guardian. Fitz’s young daughter, Bee, has been kidnapped by the Servants, a secret society whose members not only dream of possible futures but use their prophecies to add to their wealth and influence. Bee plays a crucial part in these dreams—but just what part remains uncertain.