leodance20 's review for:

Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb

3.75

dark emotional reflective slow-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Character

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: No

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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This is a winding tale that takes a long time to get to where its going with half a dozen false starts along the way. It does kind of bother me how nebulous magical power is in the series. A character is strong because the author says so and how the Skill functions is never fully explained so we don't really know how to compare it to anything else with its bevy of seemingly unrelated abilities. I will also say, I don't like the overarching theme that one should sacrifice everything from their own life to the lives and happiness of those they love for those they serve while actively discouraging them to question those they serve, putting blind faith that they know what is right. Yes, Verity seems decent enough, he expresses remorse for what he has done to Fitz and all the while Regal exists as a counter example that power those not always find its way to those who are just or benevolent.

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Content Warnings

Minor: Rape