Fool's Assassin

Robin Hobb is one of my favorite fantasy writers, and I was incredibly happy when I first heard the news that she was writing more about the two characters in this trilogy title. While this was a slower book that spent a lot of time setting up the rest of the trilogy, I loved every moment of it even before Exciting Things happened at the end. I am in awe of Robin Hobb???s ability to make me care about her characters so much that I want to read everything about them whether they're involved in interesting events or just going about their everyday lives at home.

Full Review: http://www.fantasybookcafe.com/2015/08/mini-review-of-fools-assassin-by-robin-hobb/

Such great start for the last section of Fitz's story!
As always, Hobb's writing is spectacular. She took some elements of the Rain Wild Chronicles (2 narrators specificaly) and used them here with great success.
The idea behind the book is brilliant and I'm excited to see where she will take it in the next 2 books.

4.25 out of 5 stars – see this review and others at The Speculative Shelf.

In Fool's Assassin, we return to our beloved protagonist, FitzChivalry Farseer, who is living a peaceful life as Tom Badgerlock at Withywoods manor. Of course, said peace is quickly disrupted by events that threaten Fitz's closest family and friends.

I would happily read an entire book about Fitz puttering around his retirement home, fixing things, and training apprentices (he's certainly earned the break), but I'm equally delighted to see him called back into action. There is no permanent retirement for the “Witted Bastard”.

The narrative arc here is less defined than in previous Fitz books, as Robin Hobb once again delves into the dizzying array of complex characters and relationships that are so engrossing to read about. Even though these books are ostensibly about Fitz, no one book feels the same and with the addition of a wonderful new character POV, fresh life has been breathed into Fitz's tale once more. The book ends with the first real cliffhanger I can remember in all of Hobb's books — as if I need any other reason to read more of this series...

Executive Summary: I enjoyed it, though not as much as [b:Fool's Fate 45108 Fool's Fate (Tawny Man, #3) Robin Hobb https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388181998s/45108.jpg 2960725], and if anything it's heightened my sense of dread that this trilogy will ruin that book's ending.NOTE: I always strive to write spoiler free reviews, but this one may fall a little short. Since people may be used to that from me I wanted to give a little warning. Some of my comments about the book as a whole may be considered spoilery by those like me who are especially sensitive to them. I don't talk about plot at all, but some of my comments about the characters/book structure may affect your reading and I'd hate to do that to someone.Audio book: I never planned to do this one in audio. I've done the other 13 books in Ms. Hobb's Elderling series in text and pre-ordered the hardcover of this at least 6 months in advance. But I got offered to do the audio a week before the book came out and I had a hard time passing it up.I really didn't like Elliot Hill much at first. He grew on me by the end though. I don't normally hear characters speaking in my head as I read and haven't had any issue listening to books I had previously read and finding the voices wrong.I did here for some reason. Fitz just didn't sound right to me. Same thing with Molly. Bee seemed fine, but really she sounded almost like Molly. I liked his voice for Chade though.Mr. Hill does a few voices and accents and does a fine job of it. It just took me a very long time to get used to. By the end though I seemed to get over it. I likely won't do the audio again unless I get another review copy, but I'd guess many people won't have the same issues I did with it.Full ReviewWhen I first heard confirmation that the rumors of a new Fitz and Fool series were true, I was full of mixed emotions. I loved [b:Fool's Fate 45108 Fool's Fate (Tawny Man, #3) Robin Hobb https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388181998s/45108.jpg 2960725] (My Review). I've enjoyed all of Ms. Hobb's books but that's the only one I've given 5 stars too. I was just so satisfied with how it ended. Sure there were questions, but all the big things were resolved.So would this book ruin my favorite book? Well not yet, but it certainly hasn't alleviated my fears that the events of this trilogy won't tarnish things for me.Like many books by Ms. Hobb, things start out slow. I don't mean that in a negative way however. Somehow she is able to write in such a way that I don't mind the day to day life of her books. Despite my trepidation, it just felt nice to be back with characters I love. If you're looking for a lot of action or a flashy start, you'll be disappointed. I imagine that anyone picking up this book is already going to be a Robin Hobb fan and used to her style though.More than anything, Ms. Hobb's writing is able to evoke strong emotions in me as I read. Love, anger, happiness, frustration. Few other authors can make me despise a new character so quickly or completely. Similarly Fitz continues to frustrate me with the way he does things in a way that is just all too human. Often times the protagonist in a fantasy book faces external adversity and rises to the occasion. Meanwhile Fitz is frequently his own worst enemy. Poor Ms. Hobb loves putting him through the ringer too, and this book is no different.I had three issues with this book costing it that fifth. The first one I suspect many long-time Hobb fans will share. The other two may largely depend on the reader.The series is called Fitz & Fool. The book is called Fool's Assassin. So why did it take so long for us to see the Fool? Sure he's mentioned often enough, but I want to spend time with him just as I am spending time with Fitz. So far this series seems a lot more like Farseer than Tawny Man in that regard.The second thing was the addition of a POV besides Fitz. I guess I'm a very jealous reader. I originally hoped it was a one off thing early in the book, but when it turned out to be a regular thing it bothered me. I felt robbed of time I could be spending with Fitz. By the end of the book it grew on me and I came to look forward to those chapters nearly as much as I did the Fitz ones.The final issue I had was the ending. I know this is the first book of a trilogy, but I hate cliffhanger type endings, and this one seemed pretty bad to me. If you're the type of person who hates waiting for the next book, you may be better off waiting until the final book is either published or has a release date. It's going to a be a LONG wait for me until book 2.Overall I really liked, but didn't love this book. I'm still pretty nervous about what may happen next. I think that above all shows how great a writer Ms. Hobb is to fill me with both a sense of anticipation and dread for the next book in the series.

I agree with other reviewers who don't want to give anything away. So instead, I'll give this book my highest praise; praise that listeners of the Sword & Laser know to be true.

I stayed up on multiple nights, IN BED, reading this book without falling asleep. I actually had to put the book down, consciously, to go to bed.

This may not sound like a big deal (“Oh, the book didn't put her to sleep? Good for her I guess.”) but it really truly is. I so love these characters. It was so wonderful to see them again, and meet the new ones along the way. So much heartbreak and love, sadness and reconciliation. It makes we want to read the trilogy of trilogies again, which is kind of intense. I need to remember all the things I've forgotten! Thanks, Robin :)

Another great read from Robin Hobb as we return to the world of Fitz. New characters are introduced and we meet many familiar ones who have moved on with their lives since the previous trilogies.
The story has more of a domestic flavour at times, we seem to focus more on interactions between the characters than on action, although there are some riveting sequences to remind us why “assassin” is in the title.
I look forward to reading the next installment.

FitzChivalry has left his life as an assassin behind him. Now, as Tom Badgerlock, he can live a quiet life with his soulmate, Molly. Once in awhile, his thoughts wander to his old friend The Fool, but those thoughts only cause him pain, so he tries not to linger on them. He has finally settled into his new life, and enjoys it more and more as the years pass. Then, pale strangers start popping up, and he just knows his old life has caught up with him. When I first started this book, I felt like I was missing something. That's when I realized I should have read The Farseer series first. But, by then I was already sucked into the story and didn't want to stop. This is fantasy at its best!!!. Eventually I will go back and read that series, but for now, I have to know what happens in this one.

I thought that the book was really well done and it was amazing to come back to these characters and storyline. The only thing that prevented me from giving it 5 stars is that I felt that Fitz has done so much for the Farseer throne and is now in his 60's and still is not respected and listened to even though he has earned it. It makes the story work and thats what frustrated me enough not to give it 5 starts.