Fool's Assassin
Book I of the Fitz and the Fool Trilogy
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4.5 • 548 Ratings
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- $3.99
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- $3.99
Publisher Description
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
Nearly twenty years ago, Robin Hobb burst upon the fantasy scene with the first of her acclaimed Farseer novels, Assassin’s Apprentice, which introduced the characters of FitzChivalry Farseer and his uncanny friend the Fool. A watershed moment in modern fantasy, this novel—and those that followed—broke exciting new ground in a beloved genre. Together with George R. R. Martin, Robin Hobb helped pave the way for such talented new voices as Scott Lynch, Brandon Sanderson, and Naomi Novik.
Over the years, Hobb’s imagination has soared throughout the mythic lands of the Six Duchies in such bestselling series as the Liveship Traders Trilogy and the Rain Wilds Chronicles. But no matter how far she roamed, her heart always remained with Fitz. And now, at last, she has come home, with an astonishing new novel that opens a dark and gripping chapter in the Farseer saga.
FitzChivalry—royal bastard and former king’s assassin—has left his life of intrigue behind. As far as the rest of the world knows, FitzChivalry Farseer is dead and buried. Masquerading as Tom Badgerlock, Fitz is now married to his childhood sweetheart, Molly, and leading the quiet life of a country squire.
Though Fitz is haunted by the disappearance of the Fool, who did so much to shape Fitz into the man he has become, such private hurts are put aside in the business of daily life, at least until the appearance of menacing, pale-skinned strangers casts a sinister shadow over Fitz’s past . . . and his future.
Now, to protect his new life, the former assassin must once again take up his old one. . . .
Praise for Fool’s Assassin
“Hobb knows the complicated workings of the wayward human heart, and she takes time to depict them in her tale, to tell her story sweetly, insistently, compellingly. . . . A book meant to be inhabited rather than run through.”—The Seattle Times
“[FitzChivalry Farseer is] one of the best characters in fantasy literature.”—Fantasy Book Review
“[Hobb’s] prose sparkles, her characters leap off the page.”—Tordotcom
“Modern fantasy at its irresistible best.”—The Guardian
“Fantastic . . . emotionally rich storytelling.”—Library Journal (starred review)
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
It's been 10 years since Hobb concluded the Tawny Man series and ostensibly brought to an end the accounts of FitzChivalry Farseer and the Fool in Fool's Fate but now Fitz is back to star in a new trilogy, and the adventure and intrigue is as electrifying and mesmerizing as ever. Posing as Tom Badgerlock, the humble middle-aged caretaker of an estate for the Farseer crown, Fitz believes himself content with his life. He maintains the unassuming fa ade of country squire even as a series of unusual events hints that his past as court assassin is behind him. First an old friend pushes Fitz to shelter a couple of Farseer by-blows from harm at his estate. Then Fitz himself becomes a father again, to a miraculous and peculiar child. Though a leisurely beginning slows the plot slightly, the fully realized characters and vivid prose show that Hobb remains a supremely talented author of epic fantasy.
Customer Reviews
Cover to Cover
As if any ebook has a cover ... once begun, I was unable to stop. The Fool's Assassin picks up just after the ending of the previous trilogy, adding a new generation of intrigue and mystery. I am captivated by this world of magic, but even more captivated by the use of foresight and visions to weave a complex and ironically unpredictable twists. Hobb's talent is in creating that rare pressure of storytelling, the kind that forces you to read on past fatigue, past reasonable bedtimes. Too soon, I find myself having to get ready for the day not having had nearly enough sleep because I could not resist a few more pages. And now I have gone and done it. I have finished the book all too soon and I immediately regret it. This is the kind of book that any author would be envious to have written.
Fool's Assassin
Only Robin Hobb can write epic fantasy that makes me weep as much as it brings me joy; that brings me to a new yet familiar world; shows me the blackest of betrayals and the bright bonds of love.
She is a SkillMaster, truly(fans will know the significance of this; those of you new to Hobb will have newly discovered the inherent compliment).
This foray into a new chapter of these now familiar and well-loved characters in the Farseer saga(the entirety of all the titles are technically entitled 'The Realm of the Elderlings' and is the broken down into separately named trilogies) is wonderful. Hobb never fails to amaze! As soon as this book was released, I did practically nothing but read and drink enough coffee to keep me fueled. It was a sleepless two days from start to finish because it gripped my attention so thoroughly, and kept me wrapped up in that world.
I highly recommend all of the Farseer trilogies in this continuing saga.this is actually the first time I've taken the time to write a review, partly because I'm caught up in the afterglow, but also because of the magic of her writing.
Finally
I prayed for this day to come. Thank you Hobb for continuing my favorite tale of all time!!!