Is Fitz Happy?

Following a tumultuous wedding, Fitz and Burrich spend a long time recovering in the Mountain Kingdom. Crimes are forgiven, amends are promised, and loyalties are questioned. We discuss FitzChivalry's shifting thoughts, how much Regal gets away with, and the meaning of an earring. 

Embroiled in a plot to take the throne, FitzChivalry and Burrich desperately try to think of a plan to warn the Royal family before confronting Regal. Fitz is at the end of his strength, struggling to stay above water, and reaches out with all of his power to try and change the future for the better. This episode we discuss character motivations, the Skill (and our lack of knowledge about it), and...

The plots and schemes of being an assassin have caught up to FitzChivalry in the Mountain Kingdom. He doesn't seem to have all the information he needs, and yet he is still ordered to complete his mission with Prince Rurisk. Fitz is without his mentors and must puzzle this out for himself. This episode contains more of Regal and Galen being hate-able, tragedy for Fitz, a reluctant reunion with Bur...

After Fitz spent a miserable night recovering, Rurisk speaks frankly to him. Diplomacy wins out in FitzChivalry's mind and they spend the next day with the wedding festivities. Feasts, gifts, and an unexpected reunion brings joy and wonder to Fitz along with an understanding of another culture. However, Regal only wants to further his own goals and orders Fitz to complete the mission before the we...

FitzChivalry gets an introduction to the Mountain Kingdom from the gardens, statues, colorful buildings, and all the way to the tree-grown palace. Fitz is waited upon and gets his first glimpse of the royal family of King Eyod, Rurisk and Kettricken. Fitz tries to navigate and regain his footing when his secret is revealed. He stumbles his way back his tent to reflect on the next steps of his miss...

Trying to reconcile what Galen had done to his mind, FitzChivalry remains lonely before the trip to the Mountain Kingdom. He has a few conversations before leaving with Chade, Patience, and The Fool where Fitz receives advice and two gifts. Traveling across the Six Duchies, the young assassin contemplates how to complete his task and why he was chosen to do so. In this episode, we discuss Mountain...

In this episode, we discuss Forged Ones, Fitz's moping, and his first assigned kills. We're introduced to Verity's tower and the sheer power Verity is wielding to try and save the Six Duchies. Fitz gives his strength inadvertently but also learns a lot about the last few months and his own memories. Realizations about Galen's full intentions are revealed and familial relationships are put on the b...

Fitz is depressed about the upcoming Skill test that he is convinced he can't pass. He says goodbye to Burrich and Smithy before heading out, only to be dropped off in an extremely dangerous area. We discuss the implications Fitz's dreams, his relationship with Burrich, and his over-reliance on the Wit. Skill, Wit, stealth, fighting, Raiders, Forged Ones, and one brave dog all appear in this actio...

Fitz is determined to prove his worth and learn the Skill despite Galen's interference. He also advocates for women's individuality but misses an opportunity with Molly. He gains new perspective on Galen, his relationship with Molly, and what he wants for the future.   Content Warning: This week includes discussion about mental health, depression, suicide, and implications of inappropriately aged,...

We discuss more of Galen being a garbage person (go figure) and Fitz's surprising aptitude for the Skill in this episode of Is Fitz Happy? The Farseer ability runs strongly in Fitz and his prior training has made him a great student with a determination to learn his magical inheritance. Galen attacks Fitz and leaves him at a very dark and low place, thinking he will never see his hated student ali...

Fitz settles into another rhythm, only to be disrupted once again.  Enter Galen.  After an emotional release and a somewhat happy beginning with Patience, Galen ruins everything like he always does. With a dire warning from Burrich, Fitz starts his lessons in the royal Farseer magic, the Skill, and they definitely don't go well. We discuss Galen's methods, his character, and debate about his voice...

More on Lady Patience's thoughts, potential feelings, and actions. Fitz starts to learn new things, gets introduced to a new friend, Smithy, and has a talk with the Fool. Angsty teen Fitz loosens the hold on his heart and lets sincerity shine through in this discussion of Assassin's Apprentice. After the chapter discussion, Luke and Emma talk about their favorite POVs among other small topics.

This episode we have a long discussion of Lady Patience, Burrich, Chade, the royal family, bastards, and Fitz's feelings. Chapter 12 has Fitz realize he has met his father's wife 3 times before knowing who she was and get a surprise (only to him) revelation about Chade. Galen comes into view with Skill training appearing on the horizon and we leave on a fitting, ominous note from Chade.

The origin of the Pocked Man as well as Eda and El are discussed before we dive into the aftermath of Forge. Unrest is growing in the Six Duchies with the increase of raids. Fitz is clueless with Molly, Verity is clueless about ruling (with King Shrewd ignoring his duties), and again Fitz is clueless as to who this mysterious noblewoman in the kitchens is... All that and more, discussing Chapter 1...

Fitz's whirlwind journey continues where we left off, with both him and Chade on the way to Forge aboard a boat. Fitz doggedly follows Chade with the horses and blindly wanders into our first encounter with Raider-Forged people. Fitz has to grapple with a newly discovered sense and the beginning of consequences that will impact the Six Duchies for the years to come.

Fitz finally eats, saves a dog, and becomes a dream seer all in the space of an hour. Along with some discussion on the Fool's origin and about Chade's drug use, Fitz sets off on an unforgettable trek to Forge.

A new game is afoot, and Fitz gets his wish to travel. Ch. 8 of Assassin's Apprentice brings us crotchety Lady Thyme and Fitz's first real mission. He gets a taste of the high table, fashion, and fine dining. Also, he has to face the fact that Verity isn't all that diplomatic. Join us in the conversation!

Chapter 7 of Assassin's Apprentice starts on a sad note with the aftermath of last week's episode. We get to digest some of Fitz's feelings towards Chivalry and how that affects his father figures. Also, a "chance" meeting and discussion with the Fool, horse manners, and a real task is laid before Fitz.

Fitz has an up and down, emotional day. Good news, two reunions, and a huge, emotional blow. Chapter 6 of Assassin's Apprentice introduces more heartbreak and also more love into Fitz's life.   In regards to the elaborations and corrections from episode 5, answer's straight from the source herself. The whole thread is very interesting and Robin Hobb has a few more responses besides the one I linke...

Fitz trains, pulls pranks, learns how to make a weasel dance, and has an ultimate test put before him. Chade and Shrewd conspire to see where Fitz's loyalties truly lie and it pushes him close to the edge. Chapter 5 of Assassin's Apprentice brings us the harsh reality being a king's tool and how wonderful (and misguided) Burrich's parenting can be.

We're beginning to get a glimpse of who Fitz becomes and where his path starts in this week's episode of Is Fitz Happy. Fitz gets sucked into the world between the walls of Buckkeep's Master Assassin, Chade. Join us in discussing chapter 4 of Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb!

Finally, the introduction to the Fool and King Shrewd. Fitz unknowingly breaks his routine with Burrich and is put into prince training 101: How to be a soldier. New rooms, a new teacher, a new promise, and no new friends. Join us for Chapter 3 of Robin Hobb's Assassin's Apprentice! "Don't do what you can't undo, until you've considered what you can't do once you've done it."

We're taking a look at Burrich's pain and actions in this week's episode along with Fitz's introduction to Buckkeep. Wit, bloodlines, and loss are brought into our young protagonist's life while he makes new friends and loses another in chapter 2 of Robin Hobb's Assassin's Apprentice.

We dive into Chapter 1, The Earliest History and discuss the introduction of our main character, FitzChivalry. Along with the introduction of some of the most influential characters to him, we talk about the defining early moments of Fitz's life.

Welcome to Is Fitz Happy?, a chapter by chapter reread of Robin Hobb's Realm of the Elderlings. We'll be diving into the plot, characters, theories and connections to the other books, and general spoilers. New readers beware! Join us on an in-depth look into one of our favorite series.