Reviews

Fool's Quest by Robin Hobb

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topdragon's review against another edition

5.0

Wow…

While this is, indeed, the second novel of the Fitz and the Fool trilogy, it is also the eighth novel to feature Fitzchivalry Farseer as the focus character as well as also being a part of the even larger universe of the Realms of the Elderlings so I urge readers to not attempt to read this one for your first Robin Hobb experience. That should be obvious but, alas, there are those that will try anyway.

Since book one of this trilogy ([b:Fool's Assassin|19288321|Fool's Assassin (The Fitz and the Fool, #1)|Robin Hobb|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1393886110s/19288321.jpg|26474462]) ended on a cliffhanger, I was thankful that book two picked up immediately afterward. I will not offer a plot summary but will divulge that this book, near the end does tie in with other Robin Hobb novels that are not part of the strict Farseer books. Characters from the Liveship Traders books and the Rain Wild Chronicles make an appearance but it is not at all necessary to have read those books to enjoy this one.

As for this book, what can I say? It’s Robin Hobb at her finest! Her characters are as multi-dimensional as ever and her settings absolutely come alive with vibrant color. Fitz is an amazing character, meaning he is a likeable protagonist even though often frustratingly flawed in his actions. And the Fool…well, this character is just as intriguing and mystifying as ever. Numerous other characters from the first book and a few new ones as well populate the landscape and all seem to have cool stories of their own. The plot includes several major revelations and at least one that I have been waiting through many novels to finally have occur. I happen to have been up way past my bedtime reading that part (when I really should have been sleeping) and my shout of joy woke up my poor sleeping wife. Some readers complain that Ms. Hobb writes long, wordy books. That is true but that is cause for celebration as never a word is wasted and her prose always leads us on an amazing journey, offering not only a “what’s-going-to-happen-next” story but also complex and fulfilling character interaction. Whether writing of palace intrigue, swashbuckling heroics, cultural intricacies, or world politics of the Six Duchies, Ms. Hobb weaves a spell. As always, I want more; loving the time I get to spend with these characters. When I finished reading the novel, I closed it with a sigh and a feeling of having just completed another Robin Hobb masterpiece.

But it’s not complete. Not just one cliffhanger ending this time but two… How can I possibly wait another year for the final book in this trilogy?

lesserjoke's review against another edition

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4.0

A marked improvement over the start of this trilogy, but still rather slow-paced and occasionally a bit tedious in how it retreads familiar territory from earlier in the Elderlings saga. (Of course Fitz is going to insist on doing something risky alone, only for his friends and allies to ambush him with their assistance. Of course he's going to be repeatedly chided for not having better control over his telepathic Skill magic and corresponding mental walls. Etc., etc.)

At least the overall shape of the new plot is much clearer now, even if it still doesn't seem like a wholly necessary continuation of the series. As ever, author Robin Hobb tends to produce her most affecting scenes when working in a confined setting like Buckkeep, where she can strike colorful personalities off one another and chart the passage of time through gradually developing character relations. The immersive fantasy worldbuilding continues to impress, and a few moments draw keenly on the long history Hobb has built up in this setting to achieve genuine catharsis. It's also interesting to see the writer herself change in the way she writes about the potential fluidity of gender, here using different pronouns for the same person depending on how they are presenting at any given time.

Ultimately I don't know that we particularly needed to see a FitzChivalry version of Taken, nor do I care much for the expected tie-ins to the spinoff Rain Wild Chronicles as he pursues a band of kidnappers across the map. But for the most part this novel feels like proper Hobb again, which is definitely a promising sign for the likely conclusion that will follow.

[Content warning for incest and rape.]

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foolsassassin's review against another edition

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4.0

ch8 was the best thing to happen to me. AND BEE i love bee so much. also, the first half was definitely better than the second half imo. and fuck rapskal! i hate him