Ratings143
Average rating4.3
The acclaimed Farseer and Liveship Traders trilogies established Robin Hobb as one of the most splendidly imaginative practitioners of world-class fantasy. Now, in Book 2 of her most stunning trilogy yet, Hobb continues the soul-shattering tale of FitzChivalry Farseer. With rich characters, breathtaking magic, and sweeping action, Golden Fool brings the reluctant adventurer further into the fray in an epic of sacrifice, salvation, and untold treachery.Golden FoolPrince Dutiful has been rescued from his Piebald kidnappers and the court has resumed its normal rhythms. But for FitzChivalry Farseer, a return to isolation is impossible. Though gutted by the loss of his wolf bondmate, Nighteyes, Fitz must take up residence at Buckkeep and resume his tasks as Chade's apprentice assassin. Posing as Tom Badgerlock, bodyguard to Lord Golden, FitzChivalry becomes the eyes and ears behind the walls. And with his old mentor failing visibly, Fitz is forced to take on more burdens as he attempts to guide a kingdom straying closer to civil strife each day.The problems are legion. Prince Dutiful's betrothal to the Narcheska Elliania of the Out Islands is fraught with tension, and the Narcheska herself appears to be hiding an array of secrets. Then, amid Piebald threats and the increasing persecution of the Witted, FitzChivalry must ensure that no one betrays the Prince's secret--a secret that could topple the Farseer throne: that he, like Fitz, possesses the dread "beast magic."Meanwhile, FitzChivalry must impart to the Prince his limited knowledge of the Skill: the hereditary and addictive magic of the Farseers. In the process, they discover within Buckkeep one who has a wild and powerful talent for it, and whose enmity for Fitz may have disastrous consequences for all.Only Fitz's enduring friendship with the Fool brings him any solace. But even that is shattered when unexpected visitors from Bingtown reveal devastating secrets from the Fool's past. Now, bereft of support and adrift in intrigue, Fitz's biggest challenge may be simply to survive the inescapable and violent path that fate has laid out for him.From the Hardcover edition.
Series
3 primary booksThe Tawny Man is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 1985 with contributions by Robin Hobb.
Series
16 primary books19 released booksThe Realm of the Elderlings is a 19-book series with 16 primary works first released in 1985 with contributions by Robin Hobb.
Series
3 primary booksDie zweiten Chroniken von Fitz dem Weitseher is a 3-book series with 3 primary works first released in 1985 with contributions by Robin Hobb.
Reviews with the most likes.
Full review at SFF Book Review.
While I consider this the weakest instalment of Robin Hobb's trilogy of trilogies, I can't deny that anything the woman writes is beautiful. The language is precise, yet gorgeous, the characters don't need introduction at this point.
But as the plot goes, it was pretty weak, and most of the book is spent setting up events that are probably going to happen in the next - and final - volume in the Tawny Man trilogy. There were some action-filled moments and even though I've never needed a lot of fast-paced action to be happy with a book, the conversations, intrigue, and introductions of new characters became tedious very fast.
So all of that said, instead of a fantastically great book, this is merely a very good one.
Robin Hobb???s TAWNY MAN trilogy, and the FARSEER trilogy that precedes them, are some of the finest epic fantasies ever written. FitzChivarly Farseer is probably my favorite character in all of fantasy literature and he???s at his best in the TAWNY MAN books. Golden Fool, the middle book in the trilogy, is nearly a perfect novel, and so is its successor, Fool???s Fate. I re-read Golden Fool last week because it???s just been released in audio format by Brilliance Audio (superbly narrated by James Langton) and I wanted to re-visit the series before reading Hobb???s newest book, Fool???s Assassin. Though I???ve read over a thousand fantasy novels since I first read Golden Fool, the book was just as superior as I remembered. Read More: http://www.fantasyliterature.com/reviews/golden-fool/
It's tiresome to read too much of Hobb's books in a row. The books are great, but it's taxing on the reader.
My recommendation: read them over a relatively long period, and maybe consider reading some lighter material in between.
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