A review by lreay89
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb
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.