Royal Assassin (The Farseer Trilogy, Book 2)
"Fantasy as it ought to be written . . . Robin Hobb's books are diamonds in a sea of zircons."--George R. R. Martin Fitz has barely survived his first hazardous mission as king's assassin. Battered and bitter, he vows to abandon his oath to King Shrewd, remaining in the distant mountains. But love and events of terrible urgency draw him back to the court at Buckkeep, and into the deadly intrigues of the royal family. Renewing their vicious attacks on the coast, the Red-Ship Raiders leave burned-out villages and demented victims in their wake. The kingdom is also under assault from within, as treachery threatens the throne of the ailing king. In this time of great danger, the fate of the kingdom may rest in Fitz's hands--and his role in its salvation may require the ultimate sacrifice.
Praise for Robin Hobb and Royal Assassin "[Robin] Hobb continues to revitalize a genre that often seems all too generic, making it new in ways that range from the subtle to the shocking."--Locus "[Royal Assassin] reaches astonishing new heights. . . . The Farseer saga is destined for greatness--a must-read for every devotee of epic fantasy."--Sense of Wonder
Praise for Robin Hobb and Royal Assassin "[Robin] Hobb continues to revitalize a genre that often seems all too generic, making it new in ways that range from the subtle to the shocking."--Locus "[Royal Assassin] reaches astonishing new heights. . . . The Farseer saga is destined for greatness--a must-read for every devotee of epic fantasy."--Sense of Wonder
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Community Reviews
Royal Assassin (Book 2 of the Farseer Trilogy) By Robin Hobb
Some things to remember when reading this book: this is not the Heroâs story and Fitz is not a Hero. Robin Hobbâs writing is always brilliant even when the story seems stalled.
I give this book, like the first in the series a 5 star rating. it is tough because at times it is frustrating, but in the end I think the frustration comes from the absolutely amazing way that the author sucks you into the lives of these characters. It is Fitz and who he is that is sometimes maddening. It is the utter feeling of helplessness as events unfold in front of the reader making one want to shout at the characters. Thatâs excellent writing. These are not cardboard cutout super heroes. This story is a tragedy driven by the very human faults of all the characters.
The second book in the series opens not long after the events concluded in book 1. Fitz is convalescing in the mountains having been poisoned (twice), beaten, and drowned and yet somehow still alive.
He isn't doing well, as the combination has left him with lingering aliments including seizures. The book gets off to a slow start as the story spends too much time in the mountains as Fitz contemplates his fate.
He eventually gets back to Buckkeep and the story is pretty slow and frustrating until nearly the end. There are repetitive scenes with the King who is deteriorating (poisoned, self-medicating, or is he being killed after all?), while no one seems to be able to act. Regal plots politically. Verity continues Skilling to protect the kingdom. Fitz goes on an all too brief stint with the newly minted fleet before returning to the claustrophobic and repetitive life at court.
Fitz seems ever the observer in this intensely troubled time. He is sent out on missions to kill forged ones but for the most part he talks. He talks with Verity, Lady Patience, Queen Kat, King Shrewd, and his mentor Chadeâ¦there is a lot of talking going on and not so much action.
He reconnects with Molly who has been taken on as a servant to Lady Patience. At first he must watch her from a far having been warned that he isn't to compromise her reputation â there is a lot of that in this story. The society is a prudish one to say the least. Despite the warnings and the danger, they become lovers and Fitz pursues the right to marry her with no luck. The King has other plans for Fitz.
Fitz rescues a wolf cub and despite all bad experience he has had and his own intentions, he bonds with the creature called Nighteyes. He must keep the relationship secret and somehow manages to do that until nearly the end.
Verity decides that they are losing the war with the Red Ships, who they are no closer to understanding than in the first book, and throws a Hail Mary by going on a quest to find help from the perhaps mythical Ederlings.
After he leaves things really go to hell in the Kingdom as Regal solidifies his hold going so far to claim Verity is dead. Fitz knows he is not as he is able to contact him via Skill.
By the end of the novel, all the plans and machination of Burich, Fitz, and Chade are shattered. Everyone except Burrich and Chade believe Fitz dead. King Shrewd is dead. Regal is in power; crowned as King. Verity is still missing. Kettricken is pregnant and in hiding. The six duchies are split and in a mess as Regal flees inland abandoning half âhisâ Kingdom.
Throughout the first two books all the âmagicâ has been subtle and mental â mostly consisting of telepathy and some mental influence. There are hints of healing powers too, but in the end Burrich essentially brings Fitz back from the dead. It is far greater magic than has been hinted before in the book.
I immediately started book 3 when I finished this one. Seriously, I was riveted.
Some things to remember when reading this book: this is not the Heroâs story and Fitz is not a Hero. Robin Hobbâs writing is always brilliant even when the story seems stalled.
I give this book, like the first in the series a 5 star rating. it is tough because at times it is frustrating, but in the end I think the frustration comes from the absolutely amazing way that the author sucks you into the lives of these characters. It is Fitz and who he is that is sometimes maddening. It is the utter feeling of helplessness as events unfold in front of the reader making one want to shout at the characters. Thatâs excellent writing. These are not cardboard cutout super heroes. This story is a tragedy driven by the very human faults of all the characters.
The second book in the series opens not long after the events concluded in book 1. Fitz is convalescing in the mountains having been poisoned (twice), beaten, and drowned and yet somehow still alive.
He isn't doing well, as the combination has left him with lingering aliments including seizures. The book gets off to a slow start as the story spends too much time in the mountains as Fitz contemplates his fate.
He eventually gets back to Buckkeep and the story is pretty slow and frustrating until nearly the end. There are repetitive scenes with the King who is deteriorating (poisoned, self-medicating, or is he being killed after all?), while no one seems to be able to act. Regal plots politically. Verity continues Skilling to protect the kingdom. Fitz goes on an all too brief stint with the newly minted fleet before returning to the claustrophobic and repetitive life at court.
Fitz seems ever the observer in this intensely troubled time. He is sent out on missions to kill forged ones but for the most part he talks. He talks with Verity, Lady Patience, Queen Kat, King Shrewd, and his mentor Chadeâ¦there is a lot of talking going on and not so much action.
He reconnects with Molly who has been taken on as a servant to Lady Patience. At first he must watch her from a far having been warned that he isn't to compromise her reputation â there is a lot of that in this story. The society is a prudish one to say the least. Despite the warnings and the danger, they become lovers and Fitz pursues the right to marry her with no luck. The King has other plans for Fitz.
Fitz rescues a wolf cub and despite all bad experience he has had and his own intentions, he bonds with the creature called Nighteyes. He must keep the relationship secret and somehow manages to do that until nearly the end.
Verity decides that they are losing the war with the Red Ships, who they are no closer to understanding than in the first book, and throws a Hail Mary by going on a quest to find help from the perhaps mythical Ederlings.
After he leaves things really go to hell in the Kingdom as Regal solidifies his hold going so far to claim Verity is dead. Fitz knows he is not as he is able to contact him via Skill.
By the end of the novel, all the plans and machination of Burich, Fitz, and Chade are shattered. Everyone except Burrich and Chade believe Fitz dead. King Shrewd is dead. Regal is in power; crowned as King. Verity is still missing. Kettricken is pregnant and in hiding. The six duchies are split and in a mess as Regal flees inland abandoning half âhisâ Kingdom.
Throughout the first two books all the âmagicâ has been subtle and mental â mostly consisting of telepathy and some mental influence. There are hints of healing powers too, but in the end Burrich essentially brings Fitz back from the dead. It is far greater magic than has been hinted before in the book.
I immediately started book 3 when I finished this one. Seriously, I was riveted.
I love the main character Fitz and the supporting characters, especially The Fool and Night Eyes. The intrigue is interesting as well. Unfortunately, the bad guys are too one-dimensional and the book should have been trimmed down a bit.
Second book is a little slower than the first one in the buildup but the conclusion is amazing and intense.
Ahhh I loved it so much, Robin Hobb's brilliant writing and story had me reaching out to this book and read it nonstop. I strongly recommend this trilogy
I don't think I have cried so much at the end of a book since the 6th harry potter book. this book was absolutely amazing, heartbreaking, and just entirely frustrating to feel so helpless. thus is the credit to robin Hobb who does such a fantastic job pulling these emotions from you.
without giving away too much, I have never hated an antagonist as much as I hate this one. he is slimy as he is fickle and I hope, against all hope that he gets what is coming to him in the next book. I am well aware of the fact that this is long series but surely at some point, he will get what is coming to him.
if you haven't tried this fantasy series then I would urge you to. yes it is long and yes it seems like forever to get to the meat of the plot but when it comes together, it is the most amazing thing you will have read in a lifetime.
without giving away too much, I have never hated an antagonist as much as I hate this one. he is slimy as he is fickle and I hope, against all hope that he gets what is coming to him in the next book. I am well aware of the fact that this is long series but surely at some point, he will get what is coming to him.
if you haven't tried this fantasy series then I would urge you to. yes it is long and yes it seems like forever to get to the meat of the plot but when it comes together, it is the most amazing thing you will have read in a lifetime.
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