Is Fitz Happy?

Our favorite insane Liveship, Paragon, is surprised to find Althea approach him. After some discussion with him, Althea finds a place to hunker down on board for the night and wait for Brashen, who comes back to sleep on board, as well. Meanwhile, Kennit and Sorcor have failed to catch a liveship, but have caught wind of their first slaver to attack.  We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, boo...

We follow Althea as she walks to the docks to speak with Vivacia. Reassuring her that Wintrow will be a good companion eventually, Althea also tells Vivacia that she has a plan to get the ship back. In the midst of all the talks, Althea becomes wary of Vivacia's burgeoning personality and possible vengeful attitude. Althea hurries away to think on her future, her ship, and her next steps, but befo...

Part 2 of this chapter is possibly even more frustrating than the first half. Ronica and Kyle discuss Althea, Wintrow, and the future of the family's finances. Ronica can't believe the plan is slipping this far away from her original vision and sees Kyle grasping more and more control for himself. She has to reassess the dynamics and direct Kyle's thoughts towards his next trip away. However, that...

Althea overhears Kyle, Ronica, and Keffria's argument over Wintrow and goes to eavesdrop on it. After Kyle insults her, she storms in and the family starts to air out their grievances. Kyle flexes his status and bullies Wintrow in to getting his way. Ronica tries to keep the peace, but Althea ends up leaving her childhood home for good.  We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liv...

This chapter kicks off the many intertwining plot threads. We see Brashen and Paragon's friendship, as well as a glimpse into how the liveship keeps madness at bay. Kennit and Sorcor have a discussion about the future and Kennit is able to convince Sorcor to pursue a liveship in exchange for chasing slavers. Finally, we discuss Wintrow's future and more of Kyle's manipulation and abuse of his fami...

We return to the Vestrit home and discuss Kyle and Keffria's relationship, Keffria's role, and the decisions Kyle is making. Meanwhile, Brashen walks Althea home away from prying eyes and they happen to walk past Amber, our favorite bead seller. Althea manages to compliment and insult her in one breath and then they head back home. Brashen drops her off but not before Kyle angrily confronts both,...

Wintrow is left feeling adrift watching his family bury Ephron and introduce Vivacia to the rest of the traders. He is unfamiliar with the traditions and is ready to head back to the monastery. However, like calls to like and Wintrow volunteers to spend the night on Vivacia, starting to create a bond with the liveship. Meanwhile, Brashen has been remotely babysitting Althea, who needs to sleep off...

Ephron Vestrit is quickly brought aboard his ship, Vivacia on a litter. Standing by, Brashen is hit with the reality of his impending death. All of the family gathers to witness the final transference of essence to awaken The Vivacia. Ronica's plan and Kyle's gambit come to fruition to bypass Althea, to her despair and rage. Join us in discussing Brashen, Althea, and other viewpoints of this pivot...

The Vivacia heads back home to Bingtown, but not before Althea starts drowning in the ship's memories. We get insight into Wintrow's thoughts about his old home and Brashen's about his fears for the future and concerns for Althea. The homecoming isn't what Althea is expecting, however. Her father, Ephron, and patriarch of the Vestrit family, is soon to die.  We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Ho...

Kennit sails back to port in Divvytown and muses on the his plans for the future. Trying to convince Sorcor of the benefits of a king is harder than he imagines, and Kennit falls into a depression. After selling his wares, Kennit winds up at Bettel's Bagnio to visit Etta to try and shake this mood.  We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elder...

Davad Restart intrudes upon Ronica and Ephron's privacy to relay an offer to the Vestrits. Ronica and Davad discuss current affairs, land wars, and politics in Bingtown. Ultimately, Ronica is against the New Traders and their ways, and Davad thinks change is inevitable. Ephron agrees with Ronica and says not to let them get a foothold in Bingtown. We discuss the opinions Davad and Ronica hold, as...

Ronica Vestrit is waiting for her husband to die. In her musings, we learn more about Bingtown, it's politics, and societal pressures. We talk about if Ephron Vestrit is a good or bad person, and the decisions both of the parents have made.  We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Brashen is haunted by serpents in his dreams and Kyle Haven during his waking hours. Althea is dreaming of her liveship, Vivacia, awakening and is also haunted by Kyle. And finally, we meet Paragon, a ship haunted by his past and surprisingly not Kyle.  We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Luke and Emma pick up this week with Kennit strolling the beach of Other Island. With his ship, the Marietta, anchored at this treacherous place, time is of the essence. Kennit meets and speaks to the Other, gets his prophecy, and hightails it back to the ship. However, the magic of the island tries to ensnare and trap him. We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders...

Striding across the island is Captain Kennit. We meet this self assured but ruthless sailor while he tries to collect treasures from the fabled Others. Meanwhile, a priest in training, Wintrow Vestrit, creates some art with the Skill. Welcome to the Liveship Traders! We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Emma and Luke are welcomed in to Liveship Traders with the serpants. We are introduced to Maulkin, Shreever, and company. The tangle is grossly described and we start to see some similarities to dragons.  We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

'Old' man Fitz is writing down his thoughts about his life, while Nighteyes is chilling and Hap is doing chores. He discusses Starling visiting him and his lingering addiction to the Skill. Loneliness has not stopped eating away at him and he is not happy.  We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

FitzChivalry and Nighteyes stand in the quiet remains of the battle in the Stone Dragon Garden. They gather themselves and some supplies to move away while Fitz ponders his next steps. However, they run into Will trying to crawl towards the Skill Pillar and Fitz takes advantage of the opportunity to peek in on Regal with the Skill.  We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farse...

Fitz and Nighteyes are in a fight for their life after chasing Will through the Skill Pillar to the Stone Dragon garden. Confronted with Regal's soldiers, Fitz has no hope until the Dragons start to stir. The 'Elderlings' finally rise to Six Duchies defense.  We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Verity-as-Dragon rises. The Six Duchies savior flies off with goodbyes and Regal's soldiers come to claim the quarry. Part one of the finale fight is full of melancholy, coteries, magic, and dragons.  We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the Farseer Trilogy in The Realm of the Elderlings.

Verity offers FitzChivalry a way to help out and Fitz accepts with the caveat of seeing Molly, Nettle, and Burrich one more time. As all with all bargains Fitz makes, this turns out poorly and he sees the start of Molly and Burrich's relationship and tells Verity to get on with his plan. Fitz hobbles to Girl-on-a-Dragon to meet the Fool, give memories, and block out his pain.  We're reading Assass...

Fitz returns through the Skill pillar and warns the company of Regal's army. Meanwhile, Verity is feeling a renewed sense of hope for his dragon with Kettle's help. Fitz feels left out and eventually drifts to Verity's dragon, where Kettle confronts him with some harsh truths. The end of this chapter steals the early hope away and leaves the company with a lifeless, but complete, statue and the dr...

Rebuffed by Verity, FitzChivalry falls asleep after trying to offer help to fill the dragon. He Skill dreams to Burrich, Molly, and Nettle when Regal's soldiers try to kidnap the baby. He talks to the Fool, mopes about not being able to help, and tries to resist his Skill addiction. He is finally given a task by Verity to awaken the dragon statues. And so, Fitz walks once more through the pillar. ...

Fitz and the Fool head to Girl-on-a-Dragon to investigate, Kettle rebukes them, and Fitz shames her for withholding knowledge. This leads to Kettle pledging her service to King Verity with FitzChivalry having to attempt to unblock Kettle. A revealed betrayal later, the Fool and Nighteyes give Fitz strength to set Gull and Kestrel free.  We're reading Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb, book 3 of the F...

Emma and Luke have made it to episode 100! Meanwhile Fitz and company are adjusting to seeing Verity, once again. The Fool gets Silver on his fingers, Kettle is grumpy about everything, and Kettricken needs comfort. Verity is as present as he can be, but it isn't what anyone needs. His dragon calls to him. Fitz provides what companionship he can to both Kettricken and the Fool, who has a fascinati...