A review by and_so_it_goes
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb

adventurous dark emotional slow-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

4.5

I enjoyed this! The pacing was better, but in exchange I felt more divorced from Fitz as a character, mostly because I didn’t really care too much about his romance. The plot is constant throughout the novel yet again, and the ending lines made me tear up. However, it does have middle book syndrome where not much really happens besides
Regal gaining power and Shrewd dying. Molly and Fitz’s relationship was especially annoying given that Molly should’ve broken up with Fitz ages ago, though I can appreciate the idea that he is too attached to his duty to have a good romantic bond. They have too many false breakups that go nowhere.


The female characters have a lot more focus in this book, and Kettricken is my favorite. I love her and I hope she makes it through the entire series. I loved
Fitz drunkenly saying he saw Patience as a mother figure. Also, Burrich in general. His and Fitz’s relationship is so full of conflict, anger, and love.
Some of the plot drags on. I enjoyed the first book more because kid Fitz was different and the tone shifted to be more plot-oriented, but by the ending I was enraptured.

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