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Rate: 5/5

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Medium: Kindle-ARC

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Release Date: May 9, 2017

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Overview (No Spoilers): Eagerly anticipating the release of the Assassin’s Fate, the final installment of the Fitz and the Fool trilogy, I was beyond excited to receive the ARC early last week. Having left Bee and Fitz in their precarious situations in October of 2015, I had to struggle to remember key events and characters in the preceding novels for the first couple of chapters, making my initial progress proceed at a snail’s pace. Slowly, and with the assistance of Google, the fog began to clear allowing this marathon tale to take shape, thereby drawing me back into the fold. Throughout this series, Hobb weaves a story that contains such a plethora of details that is thoroughly satisfies my analytical soul. Prior to this trilogy, I had not read any of the previous series by Hobb that employs the same realm and key characters, as well as detailing the notable adventures, which are mentioned throughout these new novels. As the Fool’s Assassin was my introduction to Hobb as an author, I was initially worried that my lack preceding knowledge regarding world building and depth established by the former series (The Farseer Trilogy, Liveship Traders Trilogy, The Tawny Man Trilogy, The Rain Wild Chronicles) would hinder my overall enjoyment and comprehension of the trilogy. In contrast, despite the potential aforementioned handicap going into the Fitz and the Fool Trilogy, I became thoroughly engrossed, relishing in the level of detail and the skill at which Hobb was able to reference past events and relationships without leaving new readers behind. I’m sure I would have had greater appreciation for trilogy and key interactions had I read more of her work, however this set of work was able to easily stand on its own. it was not necessary to s. Overall, this delightful adventure containing elements of survival, rescue, and dragon, was impossible to put down, as such, I have no qualms about labeling this final installment a perfect conclusion to the Fitz and the Fool trilogy.

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Additional Insight (Spoilers Abound):

• There were so many prophesies/dreams sprinkled throughout, most of which I could only guess as to the meanings. If this book were Game of Thrones, I would closely scrutinize each one, however Hobb’s detailed writing styles made the dreams vivid and fun to ponder.
• Will any of the liveships choose to remain as ships? How will they be different than ‘real’ dragons since they have human memories? What was Paragon’s other dragon’s name?
• Dwalia was such an evil character! I kept hoping that Vindeliar would side with Bee and leave her after all the abuse he suffered, however every time he would betray Bee’s hopes, worked to cement my heart against him. What happened to Alaria who they sold into slavery? Was Dwalia actually Bee’s Catalyst?
• I’m so curious about the Elderlings! I wonder if the other series/trilogies cover this interesting people?
• What happened to Kerf?
• What did it end up meaning that Fitz was ‘marked’ by a dragon? Was it actually Verity?
• I felt so conflicted toward the Fool/Amber throughout this book.  He continually kept things from Fitz, as well as made plots behind his back. Honestly, I really didn’t like his character at all. This was the main point that I pondered if having read more of Hobb’s work that I would have been more understanding of his character.  When he drugged Fitz at the end, right before their rescue mission it was the last straw for me.
• Leading up the the big battle I found myself rather annoyed at the storyline for being ‘safe’ due to all the key character surviving. Post battle, with so many missing it looked like heartbreak would ensue, however one by one the missing people were found, most improbably being Lant and Fitz, until in the end there was only one key death, Kennitsson.  Of course eventually there was the slow ‘death’ of Fitz, which worked to remedy the happily ever after aspect.
• The end of the book when Fitz was carving his ‘dragon’ was terrible sad. I think I cried for a good half hour while reading that section.  It was the perfect conclusion the the trilogy, and I would gather to the series as a whole because it reflected back on many characters and stories from the past. What happens now that Fitz is a ‘wolf’? Is he actually a wolf or will he resume back to stone? This wasn’t fully explained, instead Verity’s tale was heavily referenced.
• What will happen to Bee now that she is an orphan? Will she be able to stay friends with Per and Thick? What about Lant and Spark?

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Vocabulary Builder:

When reading it is common that I encounter words that I’m not privy to the exact definition, however it is easy to infer the meaning of the aforementioned word based on the context of the sentence and story. As such, new to the Critiquing Chemist, you’ll find an additional section that includes vocabulary words that I encountered upon reading the book being reviewed and either had to look up the definition or it is a word in which I would like to add to my repertoire. This endeavor is easier when in the Kindle format, and potentially impossible with audiobooks, however I’m going to attempt to continue this section for all future book reviews. I’ll be using the definitions from the Merriam-Webster Dictionary.

Striate: to mark with a minute groove, scratch, or channel especially when one of a parallel series

Gravid: pregnant

Avariciously: greedy of gain

Miasma: a vaporous exhalation formerly believed to cause disease

Impetus: a driving force; stimulation or encouragement resulting in increased activity

Nexus: a connected group or series

Conflagration: a large disastrous fire

Offal: the viscera and trimmings of a butchered animal removed in preparing it for market or for consumption

Dolt: a stupid person

Coquettishly: a woman who endeavors without sincere affection to gain the attention and admiration of men

Avid: characterized by enthusiasm and vigorous pursuit; very eager and enthusiastic

Prescience: foreknowledge of events

Espaliered: a plant (such as a fruit tree) trained to grow flat against a support (such as a wall)

Dory: a flat-bottomed boat with high flaring sides, sharp bow, and deep V-shaped transom

Chivvied: to tease or annoy with persistent petty attacks

Portico: a colonnade or covered ambulatory especially in classical architecture and often at the entrance of a building

Scrying: crystal gazing; divination

Contravened: to oppose in argument

Davit: a crane that projects over the side of a ship or a hatchway and is used especially for boats, anchors, or cargo

Adage: a saying often in metaphorical form that typically embodies a common observation

Adroitly: having or showing skill, cleverness, or resourcefulness in handling situations

Fatuous: complacently or inanely foolish

Redolent: exuding fragrance

Perforce: by physical coercion

Foibles: the part of a sword or foil blade between the middle and point

Salable: capable of being or fit to be sold

Behooves: for advantage

Enervated: lacking physical, mental, or moral vigor

Ensorcelled: bewitch, enchant

Recalcitrant: obstinately defiant of authority or restraint

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