Every Collection In The Realm Of The Elderlings Series, Ranked
Mary Kassel is a Senior Writer & Critic who joined the Screen Rant team in 2023.
After graduating from Emerson College with a degree in Media Arts Production, Kassel started at Screen Rant with a focus on the critical analysis side of movies and television while continuing to work on set in film production.
At Screen Rant, Kassel primarily writes for the Classic TV section, mining their encyclopedic knowledge of television history for content. However, they also contribute to the Books team and review both film and television as a critic.
There's no way to rank the collections in Robin Hobb's epic fantasy series, The Realm of the Elderlings, without sparking some controversy. Beginning in 1995 with the publication of Assassin's Apprentice, it's a genre-defining work of fiction. Each of the five subseries in the sprawling fictional universe is unique, crafting distinct stories and adventures that will appeal to some readers more than others. The overlapping series are far from stand-alone fantasy books, as once you've delved into the first trilogy, it's almost impossible not to read all 16 volumes.
Firmly rooted in the tradition of high fantasy, the books have soft magic systems that give Hobb plenty of room to play with the extended universe and introduce new pieces of lore in every installment. While there are books that might not include certain beloved characters, instead focusing on brand-new settings and cultures, audiences must trust that Hobb will tie everything together beautifully in the end. The mythology and context gained from one novel will surely come back into play later on, making the series feel deeply interconnected.
With 16 total books in the series, taking on The Realm of the Elderlings is daunting at first. That is, until readers begin the saga and realize they're in safe hands with Hobb. Across the sprawling epic, there is a niche for every type of fantasy lover. Some books are single point-of-view, with others tackling multiple. From traditional medieval fantasy to swashbuckling pirate adventures, The Realm of the Elderlings has something for every type of fantasy reader. Regardless of your favorite installment, every sub-series is worth getting lost in.
5 The Rain Wild Chronicles
Dragon Keeper (2009), Dragon Haven (2010), City of Dragons (2011), Blood of Dragons (2013)
The only subseries that goes beyond the confines of a trilogy and clocks in at four novels long, The Rain Wild Chronicles is the fourth and second-to-last collection in the series. Returning to the mystical forests of the Rain Wilds, first introduced in Ship of Magic, The Rain Wild Chronicles might be ranked last, but it's far from lacking in quality and world-building. The four-book subseries lands in last place largely because it's a solid addition to the world, but no book stands out as one of Hobb's best.
Most of the characters in The Rain Wild Chronicles are new, and at this point in the series, it's a little more difficult to drop into unfamiliar points of view and relationships. The Rain Wilds themselves were one of the best parts of The Liveship Traders, giving more context to the backstory of the dragons and the source of magic in the story. Dragons take center stage in The Rain Wild Chronicles, making them the perfect series for readers who were excited that the mystical beings became part of the series.
This subseries increases in quality with each installment, with Hobb firmly in command of the story by the end of Blood of Dragons. The Rainwild Chronicles stand out for being some of the most lore-heavy books in the series, which can bog down the pacing. However, the quartet serves as a great lead-in to the final trilogy of the overarching story, and shouldn't be skipped.
The Rain Wild Chronicles are available for purchase here.
4 The Farseer Trilogy
Assassin’s Apprentice (1995), Royal Assassin (1996), Assassin’s Quest (1997)
The debut trilogy of The Realm of the Elderlings series, The Farseer Trilogy, will always hold a special place in the hearts of readers and fans of Hobb's work. Returning to the original trilogy today is a nostalgic treat, especially when you know how far Fitz and the Fool will come by the end of the entire series. Though some readers have trouble connecting with Fitz, as he's a deeply flawed protagonist, there's a lot to love about his character, and it's thrilling to watch The Realm of the Elderlings take shape across these pages.
The best medieval fantasy books have a lot in common with The Farseer Trilogy, which is one of the most traditional collections within the series. Following Fitz as he comes of age, develops his magical abilities, and fights against injustice in his kingdom, there are standard twists and turns, but that doesn't mean The Farseer Trilogy adheres to the reader's expectations. There's a reason the trilogy was successful enough to kickstart the series. Hobb's world-building is immersive from the first sentence.
The main criticisms that can be lodged against The Farseer Trilogy are that it's the least developed in terms of long-term planning and that Fitz is an unlikable narrator. However, Fitz's characterization in The Farseer Trilogy only makes his growth more satisfying, as Fitz, as an adult, is not the same rash young man who causes so much trouble as a heavy-handed assassin. It's not only the characters who change as the series progresses, but Hobb herself. The Farseer Trilogy is a fantastic start to the story, but Hobb hones her craft as it continues.
The Farseer Trilogy is available for purchase here.
3 Fitz And The Fool Trilogy
Fool’s Assassin (2014), Fool’s Quest (2015), Assassin’s Fate (2017)
The final, epic trilogy that bids farewell to Fitz, the Fool, and The Realm of the Elderlings as a whole; reading the Fitz and the Fool Trilogy is an emotional ride. Hobb doesn't rush her conclusion, instead taking her time to explore the enduring themes that defined every book within the series and pushing Fitz and the Fool to their limits. It's incredibly gratifying to see the stories of the beloved characters come full circle, as Hobb grapples with their challenges of getting older and passing their legacies on to the next generation.
Few series as sprawling as Hobb's are able to provide an ending that hits the mark, leaving readers content with the final thematic purpose of the narrative. However, the Fitz and Fool Trilogy achieves this. While it doesn't have the epic swashbuckling adventure and thrill of some of the earlier installments, this suits the tone of the trilogy. Hobb isn't afraid to engage with the darkness in her fantasy universe, but she doesn't succumb to it either.
Culminating in crossovers between every collection in the series, Fitz and the Fool proves that Hobb always had a plan and trajectory in mind for two of the best characters in the books: the titular Fool and Fitz. However, characters from The Liveship Traders and The Rain Wild Chronicles get their due throughout the final trilogy, leaving a cathartic impact that readers will never forget.
The Fitz and the Fool Trilogy is available for purchase here.
2 The Liveship Traders Trilogy
Ship of Magic (1998), The Mad Ship (1999), Ship of Destiny (2000)
The Liveship Traders subseries is one of the most divisive in The Realm of the Elderlings universe. The second collection, The Liveship Traders, sees Hobb take a big swing, as she leaves Fitz and the Six Duchies behind for an almost unrecognizable fantasy world. Though Bingtown and the Rain Wilds are hinted at toward the end of The Farseer Trilogy, it comes as a shock when readers are transported to this new location and must learn to love unfamiliar characters from scratch.
However, as a trilogy and story as a whole, The Liveship Traders is a near-perfect fantasy tale. For readers who struggled to connect with Fitz throughout The Farseer Trilogy and wished he would get out of his own way, Ship of Magic came as a relief. Breaking into multiple points of view and going deeper into the lore and history of dragons and magic that begin to be fleshed out in Assassin's Quest, the second collection works overtime expanding the world of the entire fantasy universe and setting the stage for the rest of the series.
There are plenty of readers and critics who hail The Liveship Traders as Hobb's definitive work, and for good reason. Without the world-building and character work done in The Liveship Traders, it's unlikely that The Realm of the Elderlings would've continued, allowing Hobb to pen the rest of the series. Hobb subverts fantasy tropes and expectations throughout the books, crafting complicated characters who go through a lot, and giving a new facet of the Fool's story that makes their role in the story even more compelling.
The Liveship Traders Trilogy is available for purchase here.
1 The Tawny Man Trilogy
Fool’s Errand (2001), The Golden Fool (2002), Fool’s Fate (2003)
The third collection in the series, The Tawny Man Trilogy, was an exciting return to the Fitz storyline after The Liveship Traders. However, the Liveship books shouldn't be skipped in favor of sticking solely to Fitz's point of view. The Fitz that readers catch up with in Fool's Errand is not the same man from The Farseer Trilogy. He's older, wiser, and ready for an adventure that's vastly different from the challenges he faced as a young prince.
In The Tawny Man Trilogy, Fitz and the reader are further immersed in the world of the Wit, and Hobb explores the prejudices that define the Farseer line and disrupt the path to peace in the Six Duchies. The relationship between Fitz and the Fool is one of the best in The Realm of the Elderlings, and gets more attention throughout the trilogy. Bringing together the separate pieces of The Realm of the Elderlings series with ease, The Tawny Man Trilogy is the best of Hobb's work.
The Realm of the Elderlings is a long book series worth your time from beginning to end. No matter which collection leaves the biggest impact, readers will find themselves caring deeply about Hobb's characters and their world. Fantasy books don't get better than The Realm of the Elderlings, and Hobb is at her best when crafting The Tawny Man Trilogy, making it the kind of series that stays with you forever.
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