This second book in the Fitz and the Fool trilogy carries on directly from the end of the first .
It deals mainly with the consequences of Bee's disappearance and the stabbing of the Fool.
A vast array of characters, including new ones, feature, taking the reader back to all the previous trilogies.
The author excels at characterisation and plot. There's plenty of action, lots of revelations but too much introspection in Fitz's case - in my opinion.
Thoroughly enjoyable and engaging, it is highly recommended but, if you haven't read any of the previous novels, it may not make a lot of sense.

Okay, I guess I see where the comments are coming from, but I still can't get over the fact that you have to read 6 to 13 books within this Realms of the Elderlings world to get to this point. Sure, you could skip all those earlier trilogies and quartet, but why would you want to jump in about sixty years after the story started?

 

So, one book dedicated to showing just how awful rape is, just feels like an excuse to show more rape—and in detail this time.

 

Just in: Infodumps stuffed within dialogue, are still infodumps.

 

Other than that, this fundamental change in Fitz didn't feel fully explained especially considering the story is told from his perspective and with his first person voice. "You are you" is damn far away from "I could never".

 

Answer to the question on top is: No cookie for Hobb.

Last week I stumbled on this. And while I can agree with the sentiment that we need authors and stories that clearly, unequivocally, debunk these tropes about abusive rapists as romantic, I would not call Robin Hobb such an author.

 

Or in other words: One handsome rapist doesn't undo years and multiple books of using rape as a shortcut.

 

There was a rape in The Liveship Traders-trilogy, you say. Yes, there was and the rape as well as the aftermath were poorly done. The situation was too close to reality in all the other ways like victim blaming and people believing the rapist over his victim, but when the hero's magic dick heals the heroine-victim, it's all for naught. And let's just ignore the fact that Hobb conflates homosexuality and paedophilia and uses those as an explanation for said rape. Like we haven't read those tropes before.

 

Fitz is an unreliable narrator, you say. If that's the case, you'd think he'd have mentioned an instance during the Red Ship Wars where one of the Six Duchies soldiers had behaved less than gentlemanly or ladylike and where those strayed puppies had been guided back to the rightful path. He doesn't. Or more to the point, she, Hobb doesn't. Fitz is self-involved dolt, so I guess that makes it okay for the narration to use "raping and pillaging" as a shorthand for villain. Hint: it doesn't.

 

I believe everything Hobb has churned out since The Assassin's quest has been partly written in response to criticism of her previous books and in part for the monies. It is a positive sign that she's evolving as a social justice story teller, but it's not enough to earn a cookie from me.

 

I'm back to shouting at a book. The man talks and talks but doesn't hear my curses. Not that it's his fault that I'm raging: they aren't his words. They're Hobb's.

 

And we're back to raping and pillaging. What's a Hobb book without infused rape culture? No one knows, because it doesn't exist.

 

Also, the miscommunication is getting ridiculous. It's worse than most annoying examples in romances.

 

If there were any good will left in me for these books and the author, I would call this manoeuvre ingenious, but there isn't any and I won't. Instead of seeing it is as something building on existing canon, I see this explanation for Bee's existence as the author breaking her own canon and throwing away what little was left of my love for the series.

 

I still love the characters but dammit if I'm ever trusting Hobb again.

Fool’s Assassin is the first book in Fitz and Fool’s third trilogy. It’s extraordinary. You must read the previous six though to get the full experience. It’s worth it. I can’t recommend it enough. It’s enriched my life so, I can’t imagine living without Hobb’s work. This is a Hobb classic, which has everything: beautifully written, full characters, rich world building, and an invigorating plot.
Hobb mentions how her heart always remained with Fitz and with this novel, she’s returned home. I feel the same. For me, this is more than just a favorite series. It’s personal and resonates in a way I can’t describe outside the closest friends who know my own story. I’m so glad to return and didn’t doubt Hobb’s ability to bring it home at all.

Point of view alternates between Fitz and another new favorite character. I haven’t fallen for someone this hard for someone since Fitz and Fool.

Fitz has aged and grown but still bears scars from his time as Catalyst. I connect with his need to constantly apologize. Yet unable to break habits pounded into flesh and drilled into thoughts. Classic Fitz being so insecure, rash, and at times dense, I can't help loving him.

Oh, Fool. Oh, you beloved Fool. Hands down my favorite character of all time.

Molly’s so sweet, loving, and strong as is Nettle. Every character is grounded and well-rounded. Background characters, like servants aren’t flat or bland. You’ll learn plenty of their names, whether you love or hate them.

Like their first book, Assassin’s Apprentice, it’s a slow buildup of relationships and dynamics before shit hits the fan. Most action and world-shifting changes don’t happen until the end. Even then, it’s more subdued than recent books. Before, Fitz was in the middle of world altering battles and politics. Now he’s an older man enjoying much deserved rest and reluctantly dragged into such doings. Too bad his calm doesn’t last long. Don’t for a second think this old wolf can’t or won’t protect his own.

I loved their everyday life at Withywoods. There are no mortal struggles, just mortals juggling the mundane: family dynamics and duties, neighbors and their kids, chores, jobs, learning, loving, and leaving. It's engaging and captivating, speaking to daily truths.

Even facts you see before Fitz does aren’t problematic. It draws out tension without ever breaking my patience, tolerance, or disbelief. It’s masterly achieved to provide gripping suspense waiting for the ax to fall because nothing remains peaceful for the royal bastard.

It’s such a roller coaster of emotion, hope, and turmoil. I was crying several times before hitting page 150. I don’t think I could ever do this experience justice. Homeward Bound was the first movie to rend me and stitch me back together. That, including every profound moment since then still doesn’t come close to this.

It’s beyond breathtaking and heartbreaking. Time-outs were required throughout to digest and recover; it’s that hard hitting. Even when responsibilities got in my way (dear god, nothing stays clean) I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I never left the Six Duchies and a part of me never will.
There’s so many questions still! The ending is…oh my lord; the Grand Canyon doesn’t have shit on this chasm Hobb leaves you clinging to. It’ll haunt me until I can continue the tale. I loathe cliffhangers but it’s a sensible separation place. Continuing would require another book or two; the fact I can’t have those now is my main gripe. (Please continue publishing every year, please!)
I’m sure I sound like a hopeless fangirl and this review does no good besides showing how much I love it, yet it’s all I can write. My friend and I were reduced to shouting “OH MY GOD” back and forth.
God, now I want to cry again.

So beautifully written. Descriptive, vivid, and engaging even when it’s just everyday chores. Everything springs to life.

Torn between wanting to read it quicker and make it happen now and never wanting it to end. Why can’t this be the never-ending story? I’d gladly live out my life in this world.

AND my friend got me an autographed copy!!! :DD