Book Review: "Assassin's Quest" by Robin Hobb

(Farseer #3)
My Rating: 
Why? Robin Hobb writes deep, realistic characters that go on a classic fantasy fiction quest anyone can enjoy. Her writing style and themes set her apart from most other fantasy fiction authors.
Cost: New $7.19/Used $0.01 (Available on Kindle and Nook.)

Buy Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb on Amazon.

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Plot Tease

FitzChivalry confronts his destiny as the catalyst who holds the fate of the kingdom of the Six Duchies...and the world itself. King Shrewd is dead at the hands of his son Regal. As is Fitz—or so his enemies and friends believe. But with the help of his allies and his beast magic, he emerges from the grave. The kingdom also teeters toward ruin. Only Verity's return—or the heir his princess carries—can save the Six Duchies.

But Fitz will not wait. The journey casts him into deep waters, as he discovers wild currents of magic within him—currents that will either drown him or make him something more than he was before.

Full Book Review

You guys. Robin Hobb. She is my favorite fantasy fiction author by far at this point, followed closely only by Martin and Tolkien. The last half of this book totally blew me away. All that aside, I still have a bone to pick about Assassin's Quest in this book review. 

Let's start with the good: characters. Once again, Robin Hobb is the queen of highly developed, human characters. Naturally this is fantasy fiction, so by "human" I mean fallible, conflicted, passionate people, rather than any specific race. This makes her book a real treat to read - definitely set apart from most fantasy books these days. (I'd say Martin's "Song of Ice and Fire" compares, but I can't think of anything else.)

Fitz is a man that's seen a little too much for his years at this point, but he's still learning. The first half of the book is Fitz's journey to settle things, especially regarding his family and his country. By the time he begins to search for Verity, he's already been through hell and back.

But it's the last half that really changes him. What he lost at the end of the last book, he fully regains in a moment of badarsery in the conclusion of this one. Due to some events that will remain un-spoiler'd, he finds himself in a small group of people, working towards a goal that could truly turn their world upside-down. True to Fitz form though, of course, he doesn't seem to recognize the import of their actions until near the very end—if at all.

I'm going to try not to go overboard here like I always do but: fantasy fiction simply doesn't have enough characters like the Fool. This perplexing, intriguing, hilarious person had me laughing my butt off one minute and holding my breath in suspense in the next. Essentially, Robin Hobb's skill as an author can be perfectly demonstrated in this character.

When Fitz finds him again, the Fool's grown into a young man with a very different set of responsibilities than those of a court jester. Even if you don't love him, he'll give you something to think about. As a character he develops more in this book than in the first two. It's in Assassin's Quest that he truly takes on the role he's always claimed to hold: that of White Prophet. The interplay between he and Fitz is awesome and truly special. I find the Fool teaching me something about love that I get few other places.

He also adds an element of the old world to the story that complicates things in a fun way. But you'll have to just read it for all of that! Okay, okay. On with the book review.

Introducing us to some new characters, Robin Hobb really hits some fun fantasy archetypes with Starling and Kettle. Starling is your classic travelling minstrel looking for a good story: but she manages to have a deep effect on Fitz and become an interesting foil for the Fool. I've found her to be a rather polarizing character, actually. Kettle will make you both frustrated and attached at the same time, which is always good. Don't you love it when the author pits you against yourself?

While all of this is fantastic and I love it completely... I have a small complaint. The first half of the book is slow. Really slow. Like, I was tempted to skim it a few times. Fitz has to go and work his old life out before he can move on to a new adventure. It has it's moments, but it dragged spectacularly. I wish Hobb had just condensed some of the wandering for us, somehow, rather than making us live it with Fitz.

Now that I've warned you about that: go get this book and keep reading. When you get to the end, the lives of these characters will have truly affected you. Also you may totally love them. Don't miss out on that! (Also don't forget that Fitz's story continues in the Tawny Man series; first book is Fool's Errand!)

Talk Back!

What really makes or breaks a book for you? The characters? The plot? A twist ending?

Is there a fantasy book that has truly changed your perspective? Or a character?

If you've read this book:

Have you found such deep characters in any other series? I'm dying to find other characters like these.

Do you believe in the mission of the White Prophet and Catalyst?

Did you like Starling or not?

"No. This is right. I feel it. I am the Catalyst, and I came to change all things. Prophets become warriors, dragons hunt as wolves." - Fitz 

"Rubbish! Mere plumbing, when all is said and done. Why is it important?" - Fool 

(This book review is not sponsored in any way. All opinions are mine.)