aurumm's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
joliendelandsheer's review against another edition
5.0
Review first published on my blog The Fictional Reader
I was actually supposed to read this during the #MakeMeRead read-a-thon, but this book is quite long so I didn’t make it. I read and reviewed the first book in this trilogy in the beginning of the year, which you can read here. I really liked the first book, but I have to admit I enjoyed this one more.
The Farseer trilogy follows FitzChivalry, a bastard of the King-in-Waiting Chivalry. In the first book, we follow his childhood mostly. In Royal Assassin however, Fitz is an adult trying to navigate court life.
I love this series because it is so character-driven. I feel like I truly get to know all of the characters in Fitz’s life, not just Fitz himself. I adore many of the characters, such as Verity and the Fool. I am in love with the Fool! He’s such an interesting character, and we received a lot more information and interaction with him in this book. I can’t wait to read the next ones and see more of him. I do feel a bit sad that Verity was absent in a lot of this book. He adds a great dynamic to the court life, and not seeing him every day made me truly feel his absence.
There are also certain characters I don’t really love, such as Molly. I like the fact that she wanted to earn money to start her own shop in candles, showing her independence in this way. But her relationship with Fitz is such a mess: constantly thinking badly of the other, lying, believing other people’s lies… I just didn’t root for them. I also think that the Queen changed too much. She was such a fierce and independent woman before her wedding. Now, as a married woman, she is always trying to look for her husband’s approval. She’s still smart and strong, but has lost so much of her personality (in my opinion).
I think Fitz became far more mature in this book. He’s had to grow up, and adjust to his circumstances. He’s had to learn to stop living because life has changed for you. He’s learned that just because you aren’t the same person, that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything anymore. I like his character a lot, although I have to admit that I became frustrated with him at times. I wanted him to act sooner. You know part of what’s going on, try and do something!
I genuinely loved this book. I read it on vacation by the pool, and it engrossed me for hours at a time. I love the characters, and the intricate schemes and plots woven into the story. I love that we get to know the side characters in depth as well. Some of them have become my absolute favorite -like the Fool. And that ending! What? What?
I was actually supposed to read this during the #MakeMeRead read-a-thon, but this book is quite long so I didn’t make it. I read and reviewed the first book in this trilogy in the beginning of the year, which you can read here. I really liked the first book, but I have to admit I enjoyed this one more.
The Farseer trilogy follows FitzChivalry, a bastard of the King-in-Waiting Chivalry. In the first book, we follow his childhood mostly. In Royal Assassin however, Fitz is an adult trying to navigate court life.
I love this series because it is so character-driven. I feel like I truly get to know all of the characters in Fitz’s life, not just Fitz himself. I adore many of the characters, such as Verity and the Fool. I am in love with the Fool! He’s such an interesting character, and we received a lot more information and interaction with him in this book. I can’t wait to read the next ones and see more of him. I do feel a bit sad that Verity was absent in a lot of this book. He adds a great dynamic to the court life, and not seeing him every day made me truly feel his absence.
There are also certain characters I don’t really love, such as Molly. I like the fact that she wanted to earn money to start her own shop in candles, showing her independence in this way. But her relationship with Fitz is such a mess: constantly thinking badly of the other, lying, believing other people’s lies… I just didn’t root for them. I also think that the Queen changed too much. She was such a fierce and independent woman before her wedding. Now, as a married woman, she is always trying to look for her husband’s approval. She’s still smart and strong, but has lost so much of her personality (in my opinion).
I think Fitz became far more mature in this book. He’s had to grow up, and adjust to his circumstances. He’s had to learn to stop living because life has changed for you. He’s learned that just because you aren’t the same person, that doesn’t mean you can’t do anything anymore. I like his character a lot, although I have to admit that I became frustrated with him at times. I wanted him to act sooner. You know part of what’s going on, try and do something!
I genuinely loved this book. I read it on vacation by the pool, and it engrossed me for hours at a time. I love the characters, and the intricate schemes and plots woven into the story. I love that we get to know the side characters in depth as well. Some of them have become my absolute favorite -like the Fool. And that ending! What? What?
christineandersen's review against another edition
4.0
This took me over a month to read, and not a lot happened in this book, but it was a delightful audiobook experience. I'm not fully invested or obsessed, but I do like this world and am looking forward to the rest of the Realm of the Elderlings series!
allisonwunderland's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
penosa16's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
_erika's review
4.5
fitzchivalry my beloved
its a beautiful beautiful book and series so far. why not a five? it did get frustrating that nobody actually did something about regal.
i like verity but he could have done so much more. he was the heir of the throne and one of the strongest skilling users but he pretty much supervised his boats neglected his wife and send fitz on deaths missions alone even when it was unnecessary.
everybody knows chivalry was murdered and noone batted an eye. why not do the same with regal???? verity has enough reasons and could easily find a way.
i thought shrewd had to have some ominous plan so as to be so stupidly deceived at the beginning but oh well.
at one point i even thought chade was on regals side for how much he was against fitz acting against him.
everything that fitz (and molly) suffered is on those he put above him. he trusted the promise of a greater plan that never came and gave his whole life away for that.
Spoiler
its a beautiful beautiful book and series so far. why not a five? it did get frustrating that nobody actually did something about regal.
i like verity but he could have done so much more. he was the heir of the throne and one of the strongest skilling users but he pretty much supervised his boats neglected his wife and send fitz on deaths missions alone even when it was unnecessary.
everybody knows chivalry was murdered and noone batted an eye. why not do the same with regal???? verity has enough reasons and could easily find a way.
i thought shrewd had to have some ominous plan so as to be so stupidly deceived at the beginning but oh well.
at one point i even thought chade was on regals side for how much he was against fitz acting against him.
everything that fitz (and molly) suffered is on those he put above him. he trusted the promise of a greater plan that never came and gave his whole life away for that.
deservingporcupine's review against another edition
5.0
Oh. Well that was soul crushing. If I could drop into the world of any book, it would be this one, so that I could stab Regal through the heart.
I don’t even know how to recover from that ending. But there are seven more books about Fitz? I’m thoroughly lost in the Six Duchies.
Brilliant storytelling. I’m so glad I finally gave this series a try.
I don’t even know how to recover from that ending. But there are seven more books about Fitz? I’m thoroughly lost in the Six Duchies.
Brilliant storytelling. I’m so glad I finally gave this series a try.
lreay89's review against another edition
5.0
I really really really loved this book. It is how fiction is supposed to be. A book that you fall into, that completely encompasses you and makes you forget about the world. This is definitely a book to be read by people who have enjoyed [a:George R.R. Martin|346732|George R.R. Martin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1351944410p2/346732.jpg], I would even go as far to say that I have enjoyed this book and the series (so far) more then GOT, mainly due to there being less characters to keep track of.
I don't usually particularly like books that are written from a first person perspective but this one is still well rounded and rich. You may not get the same insight into characters thoughts and feelings (I would love to know what's going on in Regal's head) but I think the Fool and Chade give clarity to situations when Fitz is being narrow minded and stubborn.
I also love that this book did not end with a happy ending, it means I have a reason to read the last instalment of the series to find out whether good does indeed triumph over evil. I have seen other reviews who have said they hated the fact that Regal has been able to get away with so much especially as we essentially know his flawed character now from [b:Assassin's Apprentice|12479382|Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1)|Robin Hobb|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1406623170s/12479382.jpg|171715] but [a:Robin Hobb|25307|Robin Hobb|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1397885202p2/25307.jpg] does address this throughout the book. I have highlighted a particularly pertinent observation from Chade on this. Regal is the quintessential younger cosseted child, everyone just thinks he is a spoilt brat who needs chastisement but that essentially he is good. This book addresses so much of human behaviour and family behaviours (ie a parents love for a child even if he is doing terrible things, how those terrible things might be put down to lack of discipline or drink/drugs, how parents have a lot of influence over their childrens behaviour, how a scenario that may seem very straightforward to those who are harmed can be spun effortlessly to seem the complete opposite). Fitz clearly points it out later in the book that none of the nobles seriously think they have anything to fear from Regal they just think he is a spoilt child, they cannot fathom that he would kill his own father, brother and sister in law. It is an alien thought to them. I think this is very close to true human nature, no one wants to think the worst of another human being and killing your own family has to be one of the most reprehensible crimes that exist so we look for explanations of behaviour and choose the one that fits our ideals of someone.
I also love the character of Fitz. I believe we see him grow a lot in this book from a child into an adult who is wrangling with the responsibilities that have been thrust upon him. His frustration at not being able to master the Skill yet his cautious joy in being able to use the Wit and bonding to his wolf Nighteyes. I especially like how Hobb has given the illegitimate assassin the Wit as his main magical power, it sits beautifully with Fitz's character of an outsider. Fitz is showing us that being a bastard who assassinates people and uses a magic that is seen as being dirty actually doesn't make you a bad person, in fact he has more honour and integrity in his little toe then Regal has in his whole body. He is the ultimate anti-hero. Fitz does moan a lot about circumstances that are out of his control but again I think this is very true to human nature. I am late 20's now and lot's of people moan about how difficult their lives are. No one is ever happy with the situations they find themselves in, its the ultimate grass is always greener scenario.
His love of Molly also comes to fruition and to its ultimate demise, something which is also very true to life.
I find this book so amazing because it does feel real, the scrapes Fitz gets himself into aren't easily overcome and tied up neatly by the end of the book with Fitz getting exactly what he wants, he has to sacrifice constantly, balance different relationships and compromise his own happiness.
I look forward to immersing myself into the final book of the series to see how Fitz develops further. This is fantasy but with enough recognisable to be completely relatable.
I don't usually particularly like books that are written from a first person perspective but this one is still well rounded and rich. You may not get the same insight into characters thoughts and feelings (I would love to know what's going on in Regal's head) but I think the Fool and Chade give clarity to situations when Fitz is being narrow minded and stubborn.
I also love that this book did not end with a happy ending, it means I have a reason to read the last instalment of the series to find out whether good does indeed triumph over evil. I have seen other reviews who have said they hated the fact that Regal has been able to get away with so much especially as we essentially know his flawed character now from [b:Assassin's Apprentice|12479382|Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1)|Robin Hobb|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1406623170s/12479382.jpg|171715] but [a:Robin Hobb|25307|Robin Hobb|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1397885202p2/25307.jpg] does address this throughout the book. I have highlighted a particularly pertinent observation from Chade on this. Regal is the quintessential younger cosseted child, everyone just thinks he is a spoilt brat who needs chastisement but that essentially he is good. This book addresses so much of human behaviour and family behaviours (ie a parents love for a child even if he is doing terrible things, how those terrible things might be put down to lack of discipline or drink/drugs, how parents have a lot of influence over their childrens behaviour, how a scenario that may seem very straightforward to those who are harmed can be spun effortlessly to seem the complete opposite). Fitz clearly points it out later in the book that none of the nobles seriously think they have anything to fear from Regal they just think he is a spoilt child, they cannot fathom that he would kill his own father, brother and sister in law. It is an alien thought to them. I think this is very close to true human nature, no one wants to think the worst of another human being and killing your own family has to be one of the most reprehensible crimes that exist so we look for explanations of behaviour and choose the one that fits our ideals of someone.
I also love the character of Fitz. I believe we see him grow a lot in this book from a child into an adult who is wrangling with the responsibilities that have been thrust upon him. His frustration at not being able to master the Skill yet his cautious joy in being able to use the Wit and bonding to his wolf Nighteyes. I especially like how Hobb has given the illegitimate assassin the Wit as his main magical power, it sits beautifully with Fitz's character of an outsider. Fitz is showing us that being a bastard who assassinates people and uses a magic that is seen as being dirty actually doesn't make you a bad person, in fact he has more honour and integrity in his little toe then Regal has in his whole body. He is the ultimate anti-hero. Fitz does moan a lot about circumstances that are out of his control but again I think this is very true to human nature. I am late 20's now and lot's of people moan about how difficult their lives are. No one is ever happy with the situations they find themselves in, its the ultimate grass is always greener scenario.
His love of Molly also comes to fruition and to its ultimate demise, something which is also very true to life.
I find this book so amazing because it does feel real, the scrapes Fitz gets himself into aren't easily overcome and tied up neatly by the end of the book with Fitz getting exactly what he wants, he has to sacrifice constantly, balance different relationships and compromise his own happiness.
I look forward to immersing myself into the final book of the series to see how Fitz develops further. This is fantasy but with enough recognisable to be completely relatable.
laixmari's review against another edition
5.0
I Came Out to Have a Good Time and I'm Honestly Feeling So Attacked Right Now™
sherekaren's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5