Rate: 5/5
Medium: Kindle-ARC
Release Date: May 9, 2017
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.
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?
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
I loved this review of yours. I found it so interesting and entertaining that I devoured it! I loved the vocabulary section! 🙂
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Thank you so much for the kind sentiments! I’m so happy you liked my post. I’ve found that the vocabulary sections now make me more cognizant of the words I’m actually reading.
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This is one book that, regardless of reviews, would be snapped up like hot cakes 😆 can’t wait to get stuck in!
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The Assassin’s Fate was such a good conclusion! I’m sure you’ll love it!
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Another great review blog post.
In fact two good reviews on the same day 😉 You clearly enjoyed the book a great deal and I particularly liked your comment towards the end of the post
“…when Fitz was carving his ‘dragon’ was terrible sad. I think I cried for a good half hour while reading that section…”
I will add the trilogy to my [every growing 😉 ] “books to read” list. BTW I noticed that you received an advanced readers (ARC) copy. I wonder when it will be on general release?
The Science Geek
http://www.thesciencegeek.org
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Thank you! Thank you! And yes there was a lot of crying. My poor dog didn’t know what to think. This book actually came out May 9th. I had to do some marathon reading to get through this very long book in the week I had. 🙂
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I love this series so much! I got the ARC but I am reading all the other books over again first before I start. I’m currently on book 7 of 15. 😀 I totally skipped your spoiler section, because I just know it’s going to be a rough finish to the series. I can FEEL it coming.
You really should do yourself a favor and read the first books. It is wonderful.
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Oh I’m glad you skipped the spoiler section then! I really need to go through and read the rest of the books! I worry that I missed out on key details by not reading the previous series.
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I’m about to start Liveship so I have a bit to go.
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I really need to read the rest of the trilogies! I absolutely love how much detail is included in the novels!
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I like the vocabulary section! I may have to check out this series.
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Thanks Maria! If you like detail you’ll love this series!
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Yes other series cover the Elderlings. I also totally hated the Fool but I have read all the series and it didn’t have a mitigating effect on my feelings! I think the reason I prefer the earlier trilogies is because they feature more of Fitz and less of the Fool. Also, I had the same problem as you did at the beginning of this one, because it had been too long since I read the previous one. So I too spent a good deal of time on Google! :–)
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I’m glad I wasn’t the only one that felt a bit rusty when starting this book up! 🙂 I’m glad I wasn’t the only one that didn’t like the Fool. I kept feeling guilty like I should have loyalty for his character because of some backstory I’d missed. I’ll have to read the other books too! 🙂
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I’m glad you liked it!! I totally looked up a lot of those words too haha. Reading makes you smart. ;P
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Thanks Niki! It was such a good book! I added words too that I knew but want to incorporate into my regular vocabulary. I need to make a better effort in actually using them. 🙂
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Awesome review! I particularly like your list of words at the end as well 😀
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Thanks! I’ve really enjoyed incorporating a vocab list from the books I’ve been reading!
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You’re welcome!!
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I love Robin Hobb’s books, but for some reason I’ve put off reading this latest trilogy. Now the last book is out there, maybe it’s time to dive in.
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I really need to read the rest of her books! This trilogy was my introduction to Hobb and I loved her detailed writing style.
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They are definitely worth reading. You might also be pleased to hear that Robin Hobb is actually Megan Lindholm. She’s written under both names, so there’s even more books to add to your list!
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Oh goodness! Thanks for catching my mistake! Thank you as well for the suggestions. I will definitely be reading more of her work.
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I love Robin Hobb’s world building. I haven’t read this series yet, so I will be sure to add it to my list.
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Loved the review. Fool’s one of my favorites. By the time he appears in this trilogy, he’s been traumatized and compromised; the torture at Clerres doesn’t begin to cover it. To get that, though, you must read the earlier trilogies, especially Tawny Man.
Also, some of his decisions recall Fitz, especially the one where he drugs his friends to go off on his own. Fitz does exactly that in Fool’s Quest. Again, reading the earlier trilogies would help understand this mirroring.
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Thanks!! I really need to make an effort to read more from this literary realm! Thanks for the motivation to read more!
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Love reading about an evil character it spices the story up
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I absolutely agree Suzanne! It adds depth to a story instead of having this evil enigma that has little to no character development.
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