ashbrochevid's review
5.0
This book was like visiting an old friend. The kind of friend where, you sort of catch each other up on all the new things that have been happening in your life, but really you just want to sit and reminisce about the past. That's what this book was to me.
There were so many new things that had happened in Fitz's life, but it was the old things that really made me love it. The brief appearances of Kettricken, the mentions of Nighteyes (I will never be over Nighteyes. never.) Some may say that this book started off slowly, that there wasn't a lot of action in it, but so what? That's not what the beauty of this book was. And I'm sure, in time, we'll get to all that action, if the ending is any indication.
No, my favorite part about this was settling down with an old friend, and remembering how much I love Fitz as a character, and as such, love his family and his household. He can be a bit dense sometimes, but he's still FitzChivalry Farseer. Reading this book makes me want to go back and re-read the previous two trilogies again. Robin Hobb has such a gift for story telling, and not just about plot or action or any of that stuff that has come to be common place in fantasy, but to really tell the story of someone's life. Only she could make the day to day happenings of Withywoods as interesting as they are written. I loved every second of the time spent there and I love the world of the Six Duchies she has created.
But I especially love Fitz, even if he is an idiot sometimes. Some things never change.
There were so many new things that had happened in Fitz's life, but it was the old things that really made me love it. The brief appearances of Kettricken, the mentions of Nighteyes (I will never be over Nighteyes. never.) Some may say that this book started off slowly, that there wasn't a lot of action in it, but so what? That's not what the beauty of this book was. And I'm sure, in time, we'll get to all that action, if the ending is any indication.
No, my favorite part about this was settling down with an old friend, and remembering how much I love Fitz as a character, and as such, love his family and his household. He can be a bit dense sometimes, but he's still FitzChivalry Farseer. Reading this book makes me want to go back and re-read the previous two trilogies again. Robin Hobb has such a gift for story telling, and not just about plot or action or any of that stuff that has come to be common place in fantasy, but to really tell the story of someone's life. Only she could make the day to day happenings of Withywoods as interesting as they are written. I loved every second of the time spent there and I love the world of the Six Duchies she has created.
But I especially love Fitz, even if he is an idiot sometimes. Some things never change.
eefera's review against another edition
5.0
This book wrecked me. After reading the Farseer trilogy, I didn’t realize right away that the Tawny Man trilogy preceded this one instead of coming after it. So I read it out of order.
Bee Farseer is an incredible little character, and I am completely in love with her potential. She has her childishly frustrating habits, but her insatiable desire for learning and understanding is beyond endearing.
Fitz and Molly. Their relationship in this book was everything I never knew I needed. Her death was a huge emotional blow even though I knew it was coming.
Fitz and the Fool’s friendship may stand as my favorite literary relationship of all time. I absolutely love them, and this book’s end after a culmination of Fitz struggling to reconcile himself that the Fool was gone for good was heartrending.
Robin Hobb’s high fantasy is much less action based and much more a deep delve into the minds and hearts of her characters and what each of them face in this unreliable world. Her artistry shows in the care she takes to weave magic into the simple moments and things that oftentimes are missed by other authors.
I loved it. I’m terrified to read the next one, but I can’t wait to return.
Bee Farseer is an incredible little character, and I am completely in love with her potential. She has her childishly frustrating habits, but her insatiable desire for learning and understanding is beyond endearing.
Fitz and Molly. Their relationship in this book was everything I never knew I needed. Her death was a huge emotional blow even though I knew it was coming.
Fitz and the Fool’s friendship may stand as my favorite literary relationship of all time. I absolutely love them, and this book’s end after a culmination of Fitz struggling to reconcile himself that the Fool was gone for good was heartrending.
Robin Hobb’s high fantasy is much less action based and much more a deep delve into the minds and hearts of her characters and what each of them face in this unreliable world. Her artistry shows in the care she takes to weave magic into the simple moments and things that oftentimes are missed by other authors.
I loved it. I’m terrified to read the next one, but I can’t wait to return.
shewasonlyevie's review against another edition
5.0
Somehow Robin Hobb was able to make Fool's Assassin a natural continuation that was supposed to be wrapped up (with the conclusion of the Tawny Man trilogy) while seamlessly weaving story and characters into and throughout the already established lore and history of the Realm of the Elderlings. There is no sense of force in continuing Fitz's story from the end of Fool's Fate, and Robin Hobb is able to remind yet still awe you with the depth and care of her characters, making you despise some and fall in love utterly and completely with others, both old and new.
highking_vixen's review against another edition
5.0
Truly, awfully slow. I love this book, don't get me wrong, but everyone is so annoying. Fitz is trying to live his life, trying to get himself together since Molly died. The servants do nothing else but gossip, Shun need to shut her mouth, FitzVigilant flirting with his half sister is laughable (yes, I spoiled myself on that bit) and REVEL DIED. OMG I hate that Revel died. He's the only one who actually tried, and he's not afraid to show his disapproval with Fitz and his decisions. Yet, he still does his best. Yes this is a Revel post now (jk).
I feel awfully bad for Fitz. His loyalty is always going to be put to the test huh? I love the Farseers, as a character, but damn most of them are annoying. I feel awful that he's so lost in taking care of his daughter. And now Bee's gone and I sure hope Per is okay cus I'm gunna lose it. He's the only one who didn't get bothered by Bee. He was nice without asking for anything in return. I love this kid.
I am greatly pissed at this book, and then I realized that's what made it great. Everyone is believable and the whole interactions felt genuine. I grew fond of the characters, as much as I loathe a select few. A truly engaging writing from Hobb!
I feel awfully bad for Fitz. His loyalty is always going to be put to the test huh? I love the Farseers, as a character, but damn most of them are annoying. I feel awful that he's so lost in taking care of his daughter. And now Bee's gone and I sure hope Per is okay cus I'm gunna lose it. He's the only one who didn't get bothered by Bee. He was nice without asking for anything in return. I love this kid.
I am greatly pissed at this book, and then I realized that's what made it great. Everyone is believable and the whole interactions felt genuine. I grew fond of the characters, as much as I loathe a select few. A truly engaging writing from Hobb!
grumpyalchemist's review
5.0
This book was amazing. I could not stop listening. I spent hours, curled up in my bed just listening.
Obviously, I had the audiobook version and I highly recommend it.
Robin Hobb is at her very best in this book; enthralling and then, when you least expect it, devastatingly heart wrenching.
Obviously, I had the audiobook version and I highly recommend it.
Robin Hobb is at her very best in this book; enthralling and then, when you least expect it, devastatingly heart wrenching.
old_tim's review against another edition
5.0
This is a beautiful, moving primarily domestic fantasy. Some spoilery thoughts on my blog
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2014/08/every-creature-is-given-both-place-and.html
http://fedpeaches.blogspot.com/2014/08/every-creature-is-given-both-place-and.html
nathanj439's review
4.0
I had a hard time starting this book because I didn't want to put Fitz through more trouble. Eventually I gave in and turned the page.
Of all the ways I expected the story to go, this was definitely not one of them. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Of all the ways I expected the story to go, this was definitely not one of them. Looking forward to seeing what happens next.