Fool's Assassin: Book I of the Fitz and the Fool Trilogy

Robin Hobb

Aug 2014 · Fitz and the Fool Book 1 · Sold by Del Rey

About this ebook

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER

Nearly twenty years ago, Robin Hobb burst upon the fantasy scene with the first of her acclaimed Farseer novels, Assassin’s Apprentice, which introduced the characters of FitzChivalry Farseer and his uncanny friend the Fool. A watershed moment in modern fantasy, this novel—and those that followed—broke exciting new ground in a beloved genre. Together with George R. R. Martin, Robin Hobb helped pave the way for such talented new voices as Scott Lynch, Brandon Sanderson, and Naomi Novik.
 
Over the years, Hobb’s imagination has soared throughout the mythic lands of the Six Duchies in such bestselling series as the Liveship Traders Trilogy and the Rain Wilds Chronicles. But no matter how far she roamed, her heart always remained with Fitz. And now, at last, she has come home, with an astonishing new novel that opens a dark and gripping chapter in the Farseer saga.
 
FitzChivalry—royal bastard and former king’s assassin—has left his life of intrigue behind. As far as the rest of the world knows, FitzChivalry Farseer is dead and buried. Masquerading as Tom Badgerlock, Fitz is now married to his childhood sweetheart, Molly, and leading the quiet life of a country squire.
 
Though Fitz is haunted by the disappearance of the Fool, who did so much to shape Fitz into the man he has become, such private hurts are put aside in the business of daily life, at least until the appearance of menacing, pale-skinned strangers casts a sinister shadow over Fitz’s past . . . and his future.
 
Now, to protect his new life, the former assassin must once again take up his old one. . . .

Praise for Fool’s Assassin
 
“Hobb knows the complicated workings of the wayward human heart, and she takes time to depict them in her tale, to tell her story sweetly, insistently, compellingly. . . . A book meant to be inhabited rather than run through.”—The Seattle Times
 
“[FitzChivalry Farseer is] one of the best characters in fantasy literature.”—Fantasy Book Review
 
“[Hobb’s] prose sparkles, her characters leap off the page.”—Tordotcom
 
“Modern fantasy at its irresistible best.”—The Guardian
 
“Fantastic . . . emotionally rich storytelling.”—Library Journal (starred review)

Ratings and reviews

Once again Robin Hobb shows a lack of common sense when it comes to social interaction. Once again a protagonist is left standing there, accepting mistreatment without ever defending themselves. Once again they must stand there, and, even though they're in the right, accept that they're wrong for no conceivable reason. it's really frustrating since otherwise it's an excellent book. It's just infuriating to stand there and look at someone, who you know the thoughts of, do something so incomprehensible for not apparent reason.

An incredible tale that moves quite slowly, similar to the first book of the Tawny Man series. Despite it's relative slowness, it continues Hobb's wonderful tradition of highlighting the various joys and struggles we face as we age and grow in life. And it all builds to culminate in a riveting, moving finale that sets a promising stage for the next installment.

I just finished Fools assassin it was 1 of the best of Ms. Hobb's books that I have read and as this point I have read most of them. My only problem is a do not know how I can possibly wait for the next installment become available. Once again I am drawn into the life of Fitz Chivalry Farseer, and now his daughter Bee. The return Of the Fool is bittersweet. I only can hope that the next installment is already written and will be available soon Robin Hobb has become one of my life's favorite authors.

About the author

Robin Hobb is the author of the Farseer Trilogy, the Liveship Traders Trilogy, the Tawny Man Trilogy, the Soldier Son Trilogy, and the Rain Wilds Chronicles. She has also written as Megan Lindholm. She is a native of Washington State.