Fool's Assassin

This is one of those books you didn't know you needed until you actually start reading it. Kind of like that old friend you don't realize how much you really missed and liked until you have a reunion. Fool's Fate showcases Hobb's master of the character-driven fantasy. This is one of her better books. Of course, there is no point to start reading Fool's Assassin until you've taken down her two previous trilogies about the characters, but if you have, Fool's Assassin is a welcome return to her world. I still love her original The Farseer trilogy as her best with the strong coming of age themes present and wonderful new world that Hobb deliciously explores the boundaries of during those first three books. Fool's Fate is a different sort of book, the character is now a middle-aged man, wealthy, successful and retired. His unexpected return to his former role brings a new perspective with it this time -- one of patience and wisdom, not the untamed passions of youth.Don't expect a book of action though. This is a very slow paced novel with Hobb slowly revealing the edges of the plot and delightfully lingering about the day-to-day events. It's clear she's writing this one for the fans. And to that, she succeeds. If you loved her previous works and how she tells her stories, then you'll enjoy this one immensely. If you didn't, then you won't. Simple enough.

Books in The Farseer Books Series (4)

Booklists having this book

Best Fantasy Books of 2014

These our our picks for the best fantasy books of 2014. 2014 was a phenomenal year for fantasy and there was a stack of highly anticipated book released by some of... Read more

Other books by Hobb, Robin

Assassin's Apprentice

How could a story about the apprentice of an assassin not be grimdark? It couldn't, that's how. This first entry sparked off three trilogies about the one protagonist, which contain... Read more

Farseer Trilogy

Robin Hobb has received significant praise for her Realm of the Elderlings world, which spans four series and several other short works. However, among that epic list, The Farseer Trilogy... Read more

Assassin's Quest

Fool's Errand (the Tawny Man)

Golden Fool (the Tawny Man)

Fool's Fate (the Tawny Man)

Fool's Assassin (the Fitz And The Fool)

Fool's Quest (the Fitz And The Fool)

Liveship Traders Trilogy

A nautical fantasy featuring pirates, dragons, and magic? What's not to love? To top it off, Liveship Traders is filled with fantastic women. Ronica, the widow of the liveship's former... Read more

Mad Ship (liveship Traders)

Assassin's Apprentice

Hobb is one of the best characterization writers in the Fantasy genre. Her characters are vividly real, leaping out of the pages into our minds as living characters. She has... Read more

Ship Of Destiny

The Dragon Keeper

Hobb’s Farseer trilogy incorporates a dragon theme into the mythos of the world, though dragons are not really a tangible presence in the day-to-day happenings of the book. Her not-quite-a-direct-sequel... Read more

Dragon Haven

City Of Dragons

Blood Of Dragons

Fool's Assassin

This is one of those books you didn't know you needed until you actually start reading it. Kind of like that old friend you don't realize how much you really... Read more

Fool's Quest

The Farseer Trilogy

One of my favorite fantasy trilogies of all time and one of the best audiobook trilogies. YouÃƒÂ¢ll fall in love with the characters and their stories thanks to Robin HobbÃƒÂ¢s... Read more

Assassin's Fate: Book Iii Of The Fitz And The Fool Trilogy

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • The stunning conclusion to Robin Hobb’s Fitz and the Fool trilogy, which began with Fool’s Assassin and Fool’s Quest“Every new Robin Hobb novel is a... Read more