A review by josiah17
Fool's Errand by Robin Hobb

adventurous dark emotional mysterious slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Edit 9/25/24: I think about this book and trilogy way more than I anticipated. I don't think Fools Errand is perfect, but it's so so lovely and it's 5 stars to me now.

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Original review:

"Some speak of the savagery of beasts. I will ever prefer that to the thoughtless contempt some men have towards animals."

After not loving The Farseer Trilogy, what a wonderful surprise this was. I wasn't particularly excited to get back to Fitz's story after such a fantastic trilogy in the Liveship Traders, but I was swept away with adult Fitz and his fatherhood. Adult Fitz is simply far more enjoyable to read about than Fitz as a teenager. Beginning this book with him, his son Hap, and Nighteyes on their little homestead was such a lovely treat. I actually care about Fitz now and his relationship with Hap and his companions. I absolutely love The Fool now and I was so happy to see Nighteyes again, and even Chade and Kettricken.

Hobb's prose remains just spectacular. It somehow felt even more enriching with this book, perhaps because this might be the most enjoyable book in Realm of the Elderlings thus far. The plot was not my favorite, and I felt some of the resolution may have been a little convenient. But it really didn't detract from the overall reading experience. Nor did I feel the pacing dragged at all when I felt it often did throughout the Farseer Trilogy.

I just had a great time with this one. The last 50 pages broke my heart and left me empty inside though. Which of course means I'm starting the next book immediately 😀

Nighteyes why couldn't you live forever 😭
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