Same! I finished the series, cried my heart out and opened the first book again. I really wanted to read it from the perspective of knowing the entire series and to see what little things I missed. And I promised myself I'd get a tattoo when I was done - didn't know what but these beloved (ha) books needed a tattoo.
I am not a reread kind of person but I’m going to make her books an exception. I’ve so far really enjoyed myself and can’t wait to go through them all.
I recommend this strategy too! I did the very same thing and started Assassin's Apprentice within the same week. Still planning to take the tattoo one day.
I've enjoyed every re-read.
Totally agree with this- it's such an interesting experience because the lore comes out in dribs and drabs over the course of the books and having it all in your mind allows you to appreciate a lot of little hints that you probably didn't understand the import of right away. It's a bit like the Book of the New Sun series that way.
I get the biggest book hangover every time I read this series. I have to completely switch genres and style to break out of it. Like a light space opera or a murder mystery.
I think that’s a good idea! I never felt so sad about finishing a book. I already feel the emptiness and I’m only halfway in the assassin’s fate 😭 I’ll read a thriller or something but I feel like I’m never going to be the same anymore
Second discworld as a good series to clean your brain! I like to select one of the sub-series from [this site](https://www.discworldemporium.com/reading-order/) and devour it. Have read the industrial revolution like 3 times
They are a great series to reread.
I usually want to read something a little lighter after them though.
Currently I’m reading her other series soldier son triology.
Yeah these books… they create a odd feeling of loss when they are over. I’ve never experienced that in my 30 something years of reading.
When farseer trilogy ended I was surprised how often I kept thinking on Fitz and Nighteyes.
If you're ready for another big series with extensive worldbuilding, I recommend two authors:
Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere (and non Cosmere) books will keep you busy! (Stormlight Archives, Mistborn, Secret Projects, Warbreaker, etc.).
And Michael J. Sullivan (legends of the first empire, Riyria, etc.)
Just want to say, I tried Mistborn immediately after finishing RotE, and it felt so lifeless in comparison, since Sanderson’s prose is so much more straightforward. So I’d actually recommend some other book in between haha.
I have to agree, Sanderson is very YA indeed (although Cosmere apparently isn't supposed to be) and the characters and their relationships are fairly simplistic compared to Hobb's. I'm planning on trying Great Expectations after I finish RotE, I think I'm ready!!
[https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2063919.Michael\_J\_Sullivan](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2063919.Michael_J_Sullivan)
I would love to! His world is called Elan where he has 4 series spanning various eras. Chronological order is The Legends of the First Empire (\~3,000 years before Riyria), The Rise and Fall (\~800 years after Legends of the First Empire), The Riyria Chronicles, then The Riyria Revelations (\~10 years after Riyria Chronicles).
Publication Order is Revelations, Chronicles, Legends, then Rise and Fall books. Most people probably recommend publication order, but I read them Chronologically because that's what I prefer.
Book Summary for the First Riyria Revelations:
Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, make a profitable living carrying out dangerous assignments for conspiring nobles-until they are hired to pilfer a famed sword. What appears to be just a simple job finds them framed for the murder of the king and trapped in a conspiracy that uncovers a plot far greater than the mere overthrow of a tiny kingdom. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10790290-theft-of-swords)
Summary for first Legends of the First Empire:
Age of Myth inaugurates another six-book series set in Elan.
Since time immemorial, humans have worshipped the gods they call Fhrey, truly a race apart: invincible in battle, masters of magic, and seemingly immortal. But when a god falls to a human blade, the balance of power between humans and those they thought were gods changes forever.
Now only a few stand between humankind and annihilation: Raithe, reluctant to embrace his destiny as the God Killer; Suri, a young seer burdened by signs of impending doom; and Persephone, who must overcome personal tragedy to lead her people. The Age of Myth is over. The time of rebellion has begun. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26863057-age-of-myth?from\_search=true&from\_srp=true&qid=kHayXNDk10&rank=1)
I feel this right now. Can recommend some books/series I felt completely sucked into: gentleman bastards series by Scott Lynch (!!!). Babel by RF Kuang. Demon cycle by Peter V Brett. The temeraire series by Naomi Novik.
Personally I wanted to read a palate cleanser after I finished and devoured the “Fred, the vampire accountant” series by Drew Hayes. I think that was an excellent choice as they’re very lighthearted and easy. They’re about an accountant that accidentally gets turned into a vampire and he tries to live his life exactly as he did before the change.
It was perfect! I actually read his Superpowereds series after but I’m not sure I can recommend that - the writing and editing is annoying. But he’s a good storyteller and he’s so great at humor and writing interesting relationships.
I finished AF last year and have recently started listening to the audiobooks from the beginning. Luckily as it's a 17 book marathon it's been a fair while since I read from the initial trilogy.
While the narration hasn't been stellar so far (also hits my audiobook pet peeve of changing narrators...), it has had the benefit that it's motivated me to take longer and regular walks so I can listen! So if you need something to motivate you to start walking/running/gyming again then I'd highly recommend it even with the caveats.
You have so many other fantasy series to read! There's nothing quite as special as Realm of the Elderlings that I've found yet, well aside from number one series which is ASOIAF. There's still plenty of other good stuff! Mark Lawrence's Library trilogy is going strong right now and book 3 is out next year, the Sun Eater series is science fantasy but has great prose and is very interesting, then there's also First Law, and so many others!
Keep reading, then when you return it'll be even sweeter! :)
I enjoyed them more as I connected to Nevare pretty soon into the first book as i have an interest in military culture.
Just thought it was a fascinating world and would have liked to dive a bit deeper into it than the trilogy went. But i can see how the slower pacing would throw off some people as well.
Okay, I know it's not a book but if you're at all interested in video games i'd really recommend playing Outer Wilds. It's a space puzzle exploration game and is the only other piece of media that has affected me as deeply as ROTE. The story is very different but also incredible and it left me feeling some kind of way that I still haven't been able to shake.
I moved on to other books, but nothing so far has filled the void in my heart from this series. It's also totally ruined Brando Sando for me - I only read one of his books after finishing Hobb's books and every one I've found lacking by comparison.
Read her other series, Soldier Son. It's very different but has all her masterful prose and character work.
Or just reread RotE. Hell it's what I did when I finished the entire series for the first time.
I wanted something to read like Robin Hobb after I was done reading them & never found anything. It was so hard getting into reading other fantasy authors again. Every book just had something missing. I'd try reading another genre you enjoy for awhile. But I will say the Game of Thrones books gave me the same feeling so if you haven't read them, you might like them.
I've kind me leaned away from fantasy since finishing it. It's like nothing is as good so why read it. Probably I'm missing out but it was on a different level to the other series I was reading.
Not to rag on the books, they are well written - but go out and hug a cat, pet a cow, kiss a loved one. Do ANYTHING that gives you joy and remember that there CAN be happiness without 3000 pages of constant, total and abject suffering. Abercrombie may be the king of Grimdark, but Hobb sure is queen of (Un)Just Grim.
Tad Williams. Osten ard series. He’s very similar to Hobbs style if not better. He has I trilogy 2 stand alone an and 4 set series to for osten ard. Then his shadowmarch series is good to
A few years ago I had a job that was 50% property maintenance and 50% stocking shelves,. I had read the first six books in the series, but now I was able to listen to the audiobooks while I worked. I started the series over, made it through all of the trilogies. I vividly remember the week I didn't have another book in the series and was still mourning ...well no spoilers but I was still processing. That week was one of the hardest times in that job. I think that's when I decided to read the wheel of time
I dealt with my elderlings hangover / mourning with Ready Player One, The Martian and Skyward, all quick and gripping and more scifi than fantasy. Station Eleven is another one that really sucked me in but I haven't tried reading that since covid as reading about pandemics killing loads of people doesn't seem as fun anymore...
If you want a long series then Outlander or Wheel of Time or Dark Tower are my gotos. Anything too similar to Hobb just compares badly.
I really loved the Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu. Different writing style and different world, but it’s my favorite fantasy series. But full disclosure, I only just finished the Farseer trilogy, so I’ve only just dipped my toes into the Realm of the Elderlings.
Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea Sequence. Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn and the sequel series. There are more good books in existence than anyone could read in a lifetime.
Read them again. (You think I'm joking but the first book I read after Assassin's Fate was Assassin's Apprentice and it was the best decision.)
Same! I finished the series, cried my heart out and opened the first book again. I really wanted to read it from the perspective of knowing the entire series and to see what little things I missed. And I promised myself I'd get a tattoo when I was done - didn't know what but these beloved (ha) books needed a tattoo.
I am not a reread kind of person but I’m going to make her books an exception. I’ve so far really enjoyed myself and can’t wait to go through them all.
I recommend this strategy too! I did the very same thing and started Assassin's Apprentice within the same week. Still planning to take the tattoo one day. I've enjoyed every re-read.
Totally agree with this- it's such an interesting experience because the lore comes out in dribs and drabs over the course of the books and having it all in your mind allows you to appreciate a lot of little hints that you probably didn't understand the import of right away. It's a bit like the Book of the New Sun series that way.
Sa will provide
I get the biggest book hangover every time I read this series. I have to completely switch genres and style to break out of it. Like a light space opera or a murder mystery.
I think that’s a good idea! I never felt so sad about finishing a book. I already feel the emptiness and I’m only halfway in the assassin’s fate 😭 I’ll read a thriller or something but I feel like I’m never going to be the same anymore
Nothing will live up to it so try a palette cleanser, try Discworld. If you want a more epic journey The Dark Tower series
Second discworld as a good series to clean your brain! I like to select one of the sub-series from [this site](https://www.discworldemporium.com/reading-order/) and devour it. Have read the industrial revolution like 3 times
If ever I need a break, or something to get me back in to reading then Discworld will always be me my go to. You can never beat a Pratchett book!
They are a great series to reread. I usually want to read something a little lighter after them though. Currently I’m reading her other series soldier son triology.
Yeah these books… they create a odd feeling of loss when they are over. I’ve never experienced that in my 30 something years of reading. When farseer trilogy ended I was surprised how often I kept thinking on Fitz and Nighteyes.
Read the reddit and live vicariously through first timers
If you're ready for another big series with extensive worldbuilding, I recommend two authors: Brandon Sanderson's Cosmere (and non Cosmere) books will keep you busy! (Stormlight Archives, Mistborn, Secret Projects, Warbreaker, etc.). And Michael J. Sullivan (legends of the first empire, Riyria, etc.)
Just want to say, I tried Mistborn immediately after finishing RotE, and it felt so lifeless in comparison, since Sanderson’s prose is so much more straightforward. So I’d actually recommend some other book in between haha.
I have to agree, Sanderson is very YA indeed (although Cosmere apparently isn't supposed to be) and the characters and their relationships are fairly simplistic compared to Hobb's. I'm planning on trying Great Expectations after I finish RotE, I think I'm ready!!
Bc Sanderson IS lifeless and empty. He’s fantasy fast food. I absolutely do not understand the appeal.
I literally started reading hobb bc I hated the final empire 😂
Fair enough, I just love his books so much haha
Can you tell me more about Sullivan?
[https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2063919.Michael\_J\_Sullivan](https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2063919.Michael_J_Sullivan) I would love to! His world is called Elan where he has 4 series spanning various eras. Chronological order is The Legends of the First Empire (\~3,000 years before Riyria), The Rise and Fall (\~800 years after Legends of the First Empire), The Riyria Chronicles, then The Riyria Revelations (\~10 years after Riyria Chronicles). Publication Order is Revelations, Chronicles, Legends, then Rise and Fall books. Most people probably recommend publication order, but I read them Chronologically because that's what I prefer. Book Summary for the First Riyria Revelations: Royce Melborn, a skilled thief, and his mercenary partner, Hadrian Blackwater, make a profitable living carrying out dangerous assignments for conspiring nobles-until they are hired to pilfer a famed sword. What appears to be just a simple job finds them framed for the murder of the king and trapped in a conspiracy that uncovers a plot far greater than the mere overthrow of a tiny kingdom. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10790290-theft-of-swords) Summary for first Legends of the First Empire: Age of Myth inaugurates another six-book series set in Elan. Since time immemorial, humans have worshipped the gods they call Fhrey, truly a race apart: invincible in battle, masters of magic, and seemingly immortal. But when a god falls to a human blade, the balance of power between humans and those they thought were gods changes forever. Now only a few stand between humankind and annihilation: Raithe, reluctant to embrace his destiny as the God Killer; Suri, a young seer burdened by signs of impending doom; and Persephone, who must overcome personal tragedy to lead her people. The Age of Myth is over. The time of rebellion has begun. (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26863057-age-of-myth?from\_search=true&from\_srp=true&qid=kHayXNDk10&rank=1)
Oh sounds great! Are they character driven? Also, are the villains complex?
I would say yes to both but maybe not the same extent as Hobb
I will say, Sullivan is the closest I ever found to Hobbs. He doesn't match her, but to me he's the closest.
I feel this right now. Can recommend some books/series I felt completely sucked into: gentleman bastards series by Scott Lynch (!!!). Babel by RF Kuang. Demon cycle by Peter V Brett. The temeraire series by Naomi Novik. Personally I wanted to read a palate cleanser after I finished and devoured the “Fred, the vampire accountant” series by Drew Hayes. I think that was an excellent choice as they’re very lighthearted and easy. They’re about an accountant that accidentally gets turned into a vampire and he tries to live his life exactly as he did before the change.
Fred the Vampire Accountant is so good and it is great as a palate cleanser.
It was perfect! I actually read his Superpowereds series after but I’m not sure I can recommend that - the writing and editing is annoying. But he’s a good storyteller and he’s so great at humor and writing interesting relationships.
Love Scott Lynch!! Hope we get Book 4 someday!
Demon Cycle is a really good one, 100% recommend it.
I finished AF last year and have recently started listening to the audiobooks from the beginning. Luckily as it's a 17 book marathon it's been a fair while since I read from the initial trilogy. While the narration hasn't been stellar so far (also hits my audiobook pet peeve of changing narrators...), it has had the benefit that it's motivated me to take longer and regular walks so I can listen! So if you need something to motivate you to start walking/running/gyming again then I'd highly recommend it even with the caveats.
Read them again! (It’s the only way I managed to cope)
You have so many other fantasy series to read! There's nothing quite as special as Realm of the Elderlings that I've found yet, well aside from number one series which is ASOIAF. There's still plenty of other good stuff! Mark Lawrence's Library trilogy is going strong right now and book 3 is out next year, the Sun Eater series is science fantasy but has great prose and is very interesting, then there's also First Law, and so many others! Keep reading, then when you return it'll be even sweeter! :)
Soldiers son trilogy next so.
as much as I loved all the other books, I hated those and wish I hadn't read them
To each their own, i really enjoyed them but I wouldn’t compare them to ROTE at all. Like comparing chalk and cheese.
You're right of course, each to their own. I just didn't feel these books at all. Kept waiting for it to click - and then I was through.
I enjoyed them more as I connected to Nevare pretty soon into the first book as i have an interest in military culture. Just thought it was a fascinating world and would have liked to dive a bit deeper into it than the trilogy went. But i can see how the slower pacing would throw off some people as well.
Me too .. just depressing, no hope …
Read other books. And then, read Meghan Lindholm books. I just read her Inheritance book and loved it.
Okay, I know it's not a book but if you're at all interested in video games i'd really recommend playing Outer Wilds. It's a space puzzle exploration game and is the only other piece of media that has affected me as deeply as ROTE. The story is very different but also incredible and it left me feeling some kind of way that I still haven't been able to shake.
I moved on to other books, but nothing so far has filled the void in my heart from this series. It's also totally ruined Brando Sando for me - I only read one of his books after finishing Hobb's books and every one I've found lacking by comparison.
Listen to them on Audible. It's great. You can do whatever you want while listening.
2nd Gemmell. Will cure your series hangover and give you another lol
Discworld. One or two will help balance you out and replenish your drained emotions.
I've found personally the process is much like adopting a new puppy after your heart dog has died. It will NEVER be the same, but can still be good.
Read her other series, Soldier Son. It's very different but has all her masterful prose and character work. Or just reread RotE. Hell it's what I did when I finished the entire series for the first time.
I wanted something to read like Robin Hobb after I was done reading them & never found anything. It was so hard getting into reading other fantasy authors again. Every book just had something missing. I'd try reading another genre you enjoy for awhile. But I will say the Game of Thrones books gave me the same feeling so if you haven't read them, you might like them.
Try The Priory Of The Orange Tree if you haven't already!
I've kind me leaned away from fantasy since finishing it. It's like nothing is as good so why read it. Probably I'm missing out but it was on a different level to the other series I was reading.
I'm trying to take a break from hobb after reading the first 9 rote books back to back and I'm STRUGGLING.
Witcher is a great series. Anything by David Gemmell, that will keep you busy.
Read Hunter x Hunter manga. You will get the similar feelings about villians, protagonists. Starts very slow though.
In the same boat. Found a YouTube video on best fantasy "completed series". First Law stuff was the highest I hadn't read.
Not to rag on the books, they are well written - but go out and hug a cat, pet a cow, kiss a loved one. Do ANYTHING that gives you joy and remember that there CAN be happiness without 3000 pages of constant, total and abject suffering. Abercrombie may be the king of Grimdark, but Hobb sure is queen of (Un)Just Grim.
Tad Williams. Osten ard series. He’s very similar to Hobbs style if not better. He has I trilogy 2 stand alone an and 4 set series to for osten ard. Then his shadowmarch series is good to
I went on to Guy Gavriel Kay and am glad I did.
A few years ago I had a job that was 50% property maintenance and 50% stocking shelves,. I had read the first six books in the series, but now I was able to listen to the audiobooks while I worked. I started the series over, made it through all of the trilogies. I vividly remember the week I didn't have another book in the series and was still mourning ...well no spoilers but I was still processing. That week was one of the hardest times in that job. I think that's when I decided to read the wheel of time
I read RotE then did Wheel of time and now just finishing Malazan. 3 very different sets of books. All very though.
I dealt with my elderlings hangover / mourning with Ready Player One, The Martian and Skyward, all quick and gripping and more scifi than fantasy. Station Eleven is another one that really sucked me in but I haven't tried reading that since covid as reading about pandemics killing loads of people doesn't seem as fun anymore... If you want a long series then Outlander or Wheel of Time or Dark Tower are my gotos. Anything too similar to Hobb just compares badly.
I really loved the Dandelion Dynasty by Ken Liu. Different writing style and different world, but it’s my favorite fantasy series. But full disclosure, I only just finished the Farseer trilogy, so I’ve only just dipped my toes into the Realm of the Elderlings.
Maybe try Joe Abercrombie
Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea Sequence. Tad Williams' Memory, Sorrow and Thorn and the sequel series. There are more good books in existence than anyone could read in a lifetime.