We read and discuss the Realm of the Elderlings by Robin Hobb, one chapter at a time. This is a reread and so we talk about the whole story and spoilers!
Brashen, Amber, and Althea are hard at work to scrounge up laborers to fix up Paragon. The deadline is moving closer and the ship is definitely working against them to scare everyone away. Brashen an…
We explore viewpoints on the Vivacia regarding Kennit's manipulations, the ship's first taste of piracy, Wintrow's reticence for action, and Etta's love for the pirate. Meanwhile, Althea, Brashen, an…
With Althea home, Brashen and Amber lay out their plan to save Vivacia. Keffria, Ronica, and Althea are very skeptical of the plan to purchase Paragon, but Malta stays even-keeled. The family discuss…
Althea Vestrit drives Davad back safely to his estate. She confronts his serving staff for lazyness and Davad himself with his mindset of profit over morals. She ultimately leaves with a former slave…
Althea Vestrit gets ready for the Trader meeting, hoping to plead her family's case about rescuing Vivacia from Kennit and the pirates. However, the Bingtown Traders are fairly divided on current pol…
Wintrow confronts Kennit about his missing father, Kyle. Kennit, of course, turns the situation back on Wintrow and implies Vivacia agrees with the pirate captain, not Wintrow. Wintrow has a discussi…
Captain Kennit is on the mend, and it's time to take action. He journeys out to Keyhole Island and his mother with Sa'Adar, Kyle Haven, and some former slaves in tow. We talk about Kennit's tragic ba…
We catch up with Brashen, after his meeting with the Vestrits, wallowing in despair. He decides to sleep at the one place he's welcome at, Paragon, where he meets Amber; harsh truths are revealed and…
We delve into Althea's reaction to Brashen and his news about Vivacia. She misses him but is still convincing herself she doesn't have feelings for him. Malta is also reacting to the news of her fath…
Malta desperately tries to stir up an argument at home since she's bored after Reyn has left. Luckily, Brashen has landed in Bingtown and is very excited at the possibility of seeing Althea on his wa…
Content Warning: We discuss sexual violence througout this episode, but especially starting around 40:30.
Companion Serilla is enroute to Bingtown aboard Satrap Cosgo's flagship. They are accompanie…
Maulkin, Shreever, and Sessurea are dwindling quickly. They are surrounded by serpents who cannot recall who they are, but one green serpent rises to the air to sing. They all listen and Maulkin is a…
After leaving Kyle Haven's room, Wintrow is confronted by Sa'Adar. The crazed priest is still seeking revenge on Kyle and tries to sway Wintrow to his side, but Wintrow resists and goes to check on K…
Brashen is backing up his captain in his dealings, when he comes across a familiar portrait that Althea had commissioned. He learns of Vivacia's fate and that she is close by, in Divvytown. Wintrow m…
Amber and Althea catch up, but their conversation grows tense around the Bingtown Trader secrets. Amber tells Althea that the Traders must adapt. Althea is disturbed (especially about Paragon possibl…
Althea Vestrit leaves her family home to deliver news to the Tenira family still onboard Ophelia. During her walk back, she remarks on the changes to Bingtown and is met by Amber. Althea brings the w…
Althea Vestrit returns to her family house, worried about the reception she'll get. However, when she arrives, she notes that the grounds look unkempt and there is a party being thrown. Through heari…
Althea has performed well as first mate on board of Ophelia. However, as they approach Bingtown, she returns to her guise of a common crewmate and learns of the Chalcedean presence in her city. The T…
Wintrow dives after a dead Kennit, while Vivacia tries to hold the pirate together. Kennit is nice for once, and Etta is commanded to be nice to Wintrow. Upon awakening, Wintrow awkwardly talks to Et…
Davad Restart is a walking faux pas. He lucks his way into crashing the courting meeting with the Khuprus family and talks with Jani and Ronica. We learn more about Malta's feelings for Reyn and Reyn…