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eddie_qr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
geirlover33's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mattdavenport's review against another edition
5.0
9.0 / 10 - Exceptional
Describing these books remains such a puzzling challenge for me. On one hand, I loved every second of reading Fool's Assassin, with plenty of heartstring moments of both joy and sadness. I lost sleep and operated tired because I simply couldn't put the book down and go to sleep. At the same time, in hindsight, not to much actually happened in the overall plot, at least for 240k words worth of story. That's a common comment I've had on especially the trilogy-opening books in Hobb's works, and that trend continued here. Nevertheless, by the end of the story a good bit has actually happened, and the set up for the last two books is absolutely insane.
We also have a new primary POV character to match with Fitz, and that character was done, once more, EXTREMELY well. The two of them constantly made me smile in joy or frown in consternation, and a lot of the imagery and dialogue on the nature of love and relationships really struck a chord with me.
In all, the book was mostly pretty slow, and it doesn't have quite enough excitement or epic-ness to get above some books that I've enjoyed on a similar level, but I do ultimately think the quality of the book and the veraciousness and joy with which I tore through it makes it deserve 5 stars.
Describing these books remains such a puzzling challenge for me. On one hand, I loved every second of reading Fool's Assassin, with plenty of heartstring moments of both joy and sadness. I lost sleep and operated tired because I simply couldn't put the book down and go to sleep. At the same time, in hindsight, not to much actually happened in the overall plot, at least for 240k words worth of story. That's a common comment I've had on especially the trilogy-opening books in Hobb's works, and that trend continued here. Nevertheless, by the end of the story a good bit has actually happened, and the set up for the last two books is absolutely insane.
We also have a new primary POV character to match with Fitz, and that character was done, once more, EXTREMELY well. The two of them constantly made me smile in joy or frown in consternation, and a lot of the imagery and dialogue on the nature of love and relationships really struck a chord with me.
In all, the book was mostly pretty slow, and it doesn't have quite enough excitement or epic-ness to get above some books that I've enjoyed on a similar level, but I do ultimately think the quality of the book and the veraciousness and joy with which I tore through it makes it deserve 5 stars.
lubinka's review against another edition
5.0
I hate, HATE cliffhanger endings! So, off to the second book (although I feel that I'm missing something here, as if I just walked in on a story that has begun long before my arrival). I'm afraid I'll have to read more of her books.
lurath's review against another edition
4.0
With this book we dive back into the world of FitzChivalry Farseer - and oh, how I missed the Six Duchies!
This new series picks up many years later and introduces a new POV character. That's right: Fitz isn't the only one whose eyes we get to look out of! I must say I was wary about the new POV character despite how much I loved Hobb's Liveship series (which is set in the same world), which to me showed she can juggle multiple viewpoints masterfully. It's always a bit different when the POV characters are told in the first person. I needn't have worried. The new POV is fresh and completly distinct from Fitz's voice. The added bonus to this is that we get to see that, yes, Fitz is an absolute single-minded doofus sometimes (i.e. often) and it's not just his view of the events that gave this impression.
A note to readers: this book needs to be a follow up to the others in the series. You won't really know what's going on, otherwise.
My main complaint about this book and the book that follows (as of writing this review the 3rd in this series has not been released) is that I don't feel a connection with some of the other characters, though that could be developed further later. Dutiful is the prime example that jumps to my mind.
This new series picks up many years later and introduces a new POV character. That's right: Fitz isn't the only one whose eyes we get to look out of! I must say I was wary about the new POV character despite how much I loved Hobb's Liveship series (which is set in the same world), which to me showed she can juggle multiple viewpoints masterfully. It's always a bit different when the POV characters are told in the first person. I needn't have worried. The new POV is fresh and completly distinct from Fitz's voice. The added bonus to this is that we get to see that, yes, Fitz is an absolute single-minded doofus sometimes (i.e. often) and it's not just his view of the events that gave this impression.
A note to readers: this book needs to be a follow up to the others in the series. You won't really know what's going on, otherwise.
My main complaint about this book and the book that follows (as of writing this review the 3rd in this series has not been released) is that I don't feel a connection with some of the other characters, though that could be developed further later. Dutiful is the prime example that jumps to my mind.
kair_ree's review against another edition
4.0
Robin Hobb certainly knows how to set things up. This is a meandering story, but, if you've read all the books that came before, it's lovely to wander along with it. While there are frustrating elements (the central mystery has a blatantly obvious answer, but the characters are unable to see it because that's what needs to happen for the very small amount of plot in this), I found myself forgetting my incredible disappointment with the previous books in the series and just going along for the ride.
This book is emotional, poignant, and, for most of the time, quiet. There are musings on how to be a parent, a partner, a friend, a child, and beautiful sections about grieving. I cried several times and had my heart in my throat as well.
I love Fitz. I love the Fool. No matter what happens when this all finally resolves, the success of the series at making the reader care about these two characters can not be denied. I found that my hurt over the things that happened in previous books was falling away and that, in truth, I love these books (aside from the Rain Wild Chronicles), warts and all.
This book is emotional, poignant, and, for most of the time, quiet. There are musings on how to be a parent, a partner, a friend, a child, and beautiful sections about grieving. I cried several times and had my heart in my throat as well.
I love Fitz. I love the Fool. No matter what happens when this all finally resolves, the success of the series at making the reader care about these two characters can not be denied. I found that my hurt over the things that happened in previous books was falling away and that, in truth, I love these books (aside from the Rain Wild Chronicles), warts and all.
sopbasa's review against another edition
5.0
Damm.
Evenly paced and with two povs which was fun.
You don't have to read the tawny man trilogy before this but I'd recommend that you do so. I hadn't but realized quickly that there where chunks of information that I was missing and bonds with characters that I didn't have.
Yeah Robin Hobb hits you in the feels.
Evenly paced and with two povs which was fun.
You don't have to read the tawny man trilogy before this but I'd recommend that you do so. I hadn't but realized quickly that there where chunks of information that I was missing and bonds with characters that I didn't have.
Yeah Robin Hobb hits you in the feels.
beefgir's review against another edition
4.0
this book.
it was not my normal kind of book. was not filled with action and adventure. its very much not the thing i normally invest my time in. and there is a lot of time to be invested.
robin hobb is one of the best authors i have ever read. in a very different way. she hooks you with charicters. you become invested in the characters. and then the story plays out. even if not a lot is happening, you are invested. and she has a way of writing a lot, without making you bored.
this is not a thriller. it is a continuation of the story of fitz. i dont remember all of fitz story because i read the last book years ago. but apparently a lot happened in the last series. if you have never read any of the previous books, then i would not recommend picking this up. not that its bad, just you would understand it much more if you knew the background. it was a very good read.
it was not my normal kind of book. was not filled with action and adventure. its very much not the thing i normally invest my time in. and there is a lot of time to be invested.
robin hobb is one of the best authors i have ever read. in a very different way. she hooks you with charicters. you become invested in the characters. and then the story plays out. even if not a lot is happening, you are invested. and she has a way of writing a lot, without making you bored.
this is not a thriller. it is a continuation of the story of fitz. i dont remember all of fitz story because i read the last book years ago. but apparently a lot happened in the last series. if you have never read any of the previous books, then i would not recommend picking this up. not that its bad, just you would understand it much more if you knew the background. it was a very good read.