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


(Fitz & The Fool #2)
My Rating:  5/5


Plot Tease
After nearly killing his oldest friend, the Fool, and finding his daughter stolen away by those who were once targeting the Fool, FitzChivarly Farseer is out for blood. And who better to wreak havoc than a highly trained and deadly former royal assassin?

Fitz might have let his skills go fallow over his years of peace, but such things, once learned, are not so easily forgotten. And nothing is more dangerous than a man who has nothing left to lose... 

Book Review
The story of Fitz and The Fool picks back up exactly where it left off in Fool's Assassin, standing on the edge of a knife, searching for a way out.

Prophet and Catalyst have definitely gotten themselves into a messy place, and ultimately I wasn't sure how Robin Hobb could manage to guide us out of it. But Fool's Quest is full of surprises and dramatic moments that don't disappoint.

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


(Fitz & The Fool #1)
My Rating:  5/5

Plot Tease
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. At least, until the appearance of menacing, pale-skinned strangers casts a sinister shadow over Fitz’s past . . . and his future. 

Book Review
So I sat down to write this review, and all I could think was: "Oh my dear Sa I can't even Robin Hobb," along with "What are you doing to me and my heart"

When I heard that Robin Hobb would pick up Fitz's story once more after 11 years of silence, I have to admit I was floored. In so many ways. There was excitement, of course, and a sheer feeling of incredulity that the story of Fitz and Fool wasn't over. Along with that, though, was fear. Fear that all of my hopes and dreams would be crushed when this long-awaited next installment was published, and that I would have to watch in horror as my favorite characters suffered heartache and pain.

Well anyone who know Fitz knows that we can't escape any of these books without a little heartache - but oh boy was I in for a wild, unexpected ride when I finally got my hands on Fool's Assassin.

Book Review Update: University Student + Final Exams


Hello Bookish Friends!

Until the end of April I will only be posting a book review once per week (plus quote-of-the-week/other features). Why? Well, mostly to retain what sanity I still have. I'm a university student, and it is Final Exam time. I didn't want to just mysteriously disappear on you!

So, all my fellow students, I wish you luck with end-of-the-year stress. It's almost over. And then you will be able to read what you want!

TL;DR: Because of final exams I will only be reviewing books once a week until the end of April. 

What's the first book you're going to pick up this summer? Mine is "1984" by George Orwell.

Also, you can now follow YLFE's book reviews with Bloglovin, if that's your style.

Quote of the Week: Markus Zuzak


"The Book Thief" - Markus Zuzak
In honor of my most recently reviewed book comes this veiled quotation. Do you see?


[image from Google]

Book Review: "Book Thief" by Markus Zuzak


Book Thief book review example cover
My Rating: 
Why? While this is certainly not a classic 'fantasy' book, Zuzak tells an incredibly touching story from a very unique character perspective. It's a great mix of the fantastic and history.
Cost: New $4.17/Used $1.49 (Available on Kindle and Nook.)

Plot Tease
It's just a small story really, about among other things: a girl, some words, an accordionist, some fanatical Germans, a Jewish fist-fighter, and quite a lot of thievery...

Set during World War II in Germany, this book is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she can't resist—books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

Full Book Review
While "The Book Thief" is not your typical 'fantasy' book, I think it can still fall into the genre. Zuzak takes an incredibly unique narrative perspective: the point-of-view of Death in Nazi Germany. Think about that for a second.