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anthrat's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
yeimyaileen's review against another edition
5.0
“An assassin is a tool,” he informed me in a hiss. “Somehow, I never got that across to you. We are tools. We do not do anything of our own volition.”
—
The pacing of this book is so excellent. Robin Hobb forces you to slow down and process everything that is happening to Fitz. My mouth was agape for every reveal in this book. The ending was so cool!
As opposed to the “coming of age” premise of book 1, book 2 deals with the consequences of living your life for your King (the lack of an organized religion in this book makes King feel like God). Chade and Burrich are such excellent characters that act as foils to Fitz’s future, while also being the only characters to act as parents to Fitz (is be damned to become like the men he loves?). Additionally, Fitz grapples with the idea of being A Man (vs. an animal) in all the forms it takes (a titleless bastard, a kingsman, a man in romantic relationships, a catalyst, a changer). banger banger banger
"No man is so dangerous as the man who cannot decide what he fears."
—
The pacing of this book is so excellent. Robin Hobb forces you to slow down and process everything that is happening to Fitz. My mouth was agape for every reveal in this book. The ending was so cool!
As opposed to the “coming of age” premise of book 1, book 2 deals with the consequences of living your life for your King (the lack of an organized religion in this book makes King feel like God). Chade and Burrich are such excellent characters that act as foils to Fitz’s future, while also being the only characters to act as parents to Fitz (is be damned to become like the men he loves?). Additionally, Fitz grapples with the idea of being A Man (vs. an animal) in all the forms it takes (a titleless bastard, a kingsman, a man in romantic relationships, a catalyst, a changer). banger banger banger
"No man is so dangerous as the man who cannot decide what he fears."
gothgrandma's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
chameleon_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
darylreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual content
krystallotuslang's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
tinlizzyd08's review against another edition
4.0
Darker than the first
Sheesh, Robin Hobb is a phenomenal writer. I leave my own world for days and get wrapped up in the one she created. My family will be glad I am done with this one so I can return to the land of the living again!
Fitz’s story continues in Book 2 and the story gets more and more hopeless. That is my only criticism, that the lows just keep getting lower and the highs aren’t satisfying enough to sustain me!
Fitz is leaving boyhood and this book sees him come into his own as a warrior, an assassin, and a man. The kingdom of the Six Duchies is falling apart, it’s a slow and ongoing train wreck that’s heartbreaking to witness. Fitz is desperately trying to hold it all together, to stay loyal to Verity and the crown, though no one seems too worried about staying loyal to him.
His friends are a bit better to him this book but I feel like it’s only because they need him on their side to do their dirty work more than ever. He’s so mistreated that it’s frustrating to read! I’m trying to convince myself to read another book before I start Book 3 just to give myself a break but I don’t think I can make myself wait to know how Fitz is going to come back from where we left him. Will this guy ever have some peace or joy?
Sheesh, Robin Hobb is a phenomenal writer. I leave my own world for days and get wrapped up in the one she created. My family will be glad I am done with this one so I can return to the land of the living again!
Fitz’s story continues in Book 2 and the story gets more and more hopeless. That is my only criticism, that the lows just keep getting lower and the highs aren’t satisfying enough to sustain me!
Fitz is leaving boyhood and this book sees him come into his own as a warrior, an assassin, and a man. The kingdom of the Six Duchies is falling apart, it’s a slow and ongoing train wreck that’s heartbreaking to witness. Fitz is desperately trying to hold it all together, to stay loyal to Verity and the crown, though no one seems too worried about staying loyal to him.
His friends are a bit better to him this book but I feel like it’s only because they need him on their side to do their dirty work more than ever. He’s so mistreated that it’s frustrating to read! I’m trying to convince myself to read another book before I start Book 3 just to give myself a break but I don’t think I can make myself wait to know how Fitz is going to come back from where we left him. Will this guy ever have some peace or joy?
karenina4777's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75