Fool's Quest (Fitz and the Fool, #2)

by Robin Hobb

"Ranking alongside George R. R. Martin as a groundbreaking master of fantasy, New York Times bestselling author Robin Hobb delivers the second book in her long-awaited Fitz and the Fool trilogy.The harrowing adventures of FitzChivalry Farseer and his enigmatic friend the Fool continue in Robin Hobb's triumphant follow-up to Fool's Assassin. But Fool's Quest is more than just a sequel. With the artistry and imagination her fans have come to expect, Hobb builds masterfully on all that has gone before, revealing devastating secrets and shocking conspiracies that cast a dark shadow over the history of Fitz and his world--a shadow that now stretches to darken all future hope. Long ago, Fitz and the Fool changed the world, bringing back the magic of dragons and securing both the Farseer succession and the stability of the kingdom. Or so they thought. But now the Fool is near death, maimed by mysterious pale-skinned figures whose plans for world domination hinge upon the powers the Fool may share with Fitz's own daughter. Distracted by the Fool's perilous health, and swept up against his will in the intrigues of the royal court, Fitz lets down his guard. and in a horrible instant, his world is undone and his beloved daughter stolen away by those who would use her as they had once sought to use the Fool--as a weapon. But FitzChivalry Farseer is not without weapons of his own. An ancient magic still lives in his veins. And though he may have let his skills as royal assassin diminish over the years, such things, once learned, are not so easily forgotten. Now enemies and friends alike are about to learn that nothing is more dangerous than a man who has nothing left to lose. Praise for Robin Hobb and Fool's Assassin"Fantasy as it ought to be written."--George R. R. Martin" Hobb knows the complicated workings of the wayward human heart, and she takes time to depict them in her tale, to tell her story sweetly, insistently, compellingly. A book meant to be inhabited rather than run through."--The Seattle Times"[FitzChivalry Farseer is] one of the best characters in fantasy literature."--Fantasy Book Review"[Hobb's] prose sparkles, her characters leap off the page."--Tor.com"Modern fantasy at its irresistible best."--The Guardian"Fantastic. emotionally rich storytelling."--Library Journal (starred review)"--

"After nearly killing his oldest friend, the Fool, and finding his daughter stolen away by those who were once targeting the Fool, FitzChivarly Farseer is out for blood. And who better to wreak havoc than a highly trained and deadly former royal assassin? Fitz might have let his skills go fallow over his years of peace, but such things, once learned, are not so easily forgotten. And nothing is more dangerous than a man who has nothing left to lose"--

• ISBN10: 0553392921
• ISBN13: 9780553392920
• Publish Date: 11 August 2015 (first published 30 July 2015)
• Publish Status: Remaindered
• Imprint: Del Rey Books
• Format: Hardcover
• Pages: 768
• Language: English

Reviews

[Jo]

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

As I said in my review of Fool's Assassin, I was unable to wait the whole year until the paperback of Fool's Quest was released to read this book, so I borrowed the hardback. I'm partly glad I did, but at the same time, I now have to wait a year for the third, and it's going to be so hard! Fool's Quest was brilliant!

While Fitz rushed through a standing stone to take the Fool to Buckkeep to be healed, raiders attacked his home and kidnapped his daughter, Bee, and Lady Shun, a woman under his protection. Away from home, believing Bee safe under the care of Lord FitzVigilant and Lady Shun, despite not fully trusting them, his concern for the Fool deepen. Tortured to the point of being unrecognisable by his own people, the Fool is nothing like his old self. Fearful and in so much pain, the Fool's is slowly dying. But the Servants of Clerres are out for the Fool's Unexpected Son, heard of in prophecies, and the Fool is adamant that the Servants must be stopped before they find him, and pleads with Fitz to journey back with him to kill every single last one of them. But when the news of Bee and Shun's abduction reaches Buckkeep, Fitz's only thought is to find his daughter, and kill those who took her.

I've been struggling to write this review for a while now. Quite a few of the major events of the book are spoilery, but as big as the book is, there's quite a lot of time where not a huge amount happens. It's only a little before halfway through that Fitz even hears about Bee, and it's quite a while after until there's any clue as to where they might be. We get a few chapters from Bee's perspective, though fewer than we did in Fool's Assassin, and with the kidnappers is a young man who has a magic similar to the skill that can make people not notice them, almost like they're invisible, so it's a long time before there's any idea as to where they could be. So a large part of the story is Fitz and the Fool together at Buckkeep, Fitz learning about the Fool's story and what happened to him, and the Fool trying to get better.

Saying this, it's still absolutely riveting reading, even though it feels like not a huge amount happens for a fair while. It's a hugely emotional story, in lots of ways, and there are some fantastic revelations. There was a moment towards the beginning of the book where I was so emotional because of how happy I was. Something good for Fitz, something truly wonderful, and I was so happy there were tears in my eyes - it was brilliant!

I could be wrong, but there was a point in the novel where I felt quite sure this might be the last trilogy in the Realm of the Elderlings books, or at the very least, the last for Fitz and the Fool. There are moments that are similar to those we saw in the Farseer Trilogy, the very first trilogy, and it almost felt like things have come full circle. They were, themselves, bittersweet moments, small as they were, but really quite important, especially for Fitz.

Fool's Quest is also a book that shows us just how much time has moved on since the Rain Wild Chronicles. Without giving away too much, we got to briefly see some familiar faces from the Rain Wilds, and although it was just a couple of moments, it was wonderful to revisit them, and see how their lives had moved on. I'm hoping there's the possibility of seeing a few more in the final book in the trilogy, Assassin's Fate (ominous title!), but I don't know. I do think there will be some threads from all series that will tie up together, though, in some way. These aren't so much hints, but just a feeling I have, that the next book might be the last in this world, and I'm really quite sad about it. Whether it is or not, I have a strong feeling Assassin's Fate is going to be extremely emotional, and probably quite sad.

A wonderful book, with an unbelievable cliffhanger ending! I cannot wait for Assassin's Fate, and all that will be revealed in that final book!

[layawaydragon]

Fool’s Assassin is the first book in Fitz and Fool’s third trilogy. It’s extraordinary. You must read the previous six though to get the full experience. It’s worth it. I can’t recommend it enough. It’s enriched my life so, I can’t imagine living without Hobb’s work. This is a Hobb classic, which has everything: beautifully written, full characters, rich world building, and an invigorating plot.
Hobb mentions how her heart always remained with Fitz and with this novel, she’s returned home. I feel the same. For me, this is more than just a favorite series. It’s personal and resonates in a way I can’t describe outside the closest friends who know my own story. I’m so glad to return and didn’t doubt Hobb’s ability to bring it home at all.

Point of view alternates between Fitz and another new favorite character. I haven’t fallen for someone this hard for someone since Fitz and Fool.

Fitz has aged and grown but still bears scars from his time as Catalyst. I connect with his need to constantly apologize. Yet unable to break habits pounded into flesh and drilled into thoughts. Classic Fitz being so insecure, rash, and at times dense, I can't help loving him.

Oh, Fool. Oh, you beloved Fool. Hands down my favorite character of all time.

Molly’s so sweet, loving, and strong as is Nettle. Every character is grounded and well-rounded. Background characters, like servants aren’t flat or bland. You’ll learn plenty of their names, whether you love or hate them.

Like their first book, Assassin’s Apprentice, it’s a slow buildup of relationships and dynamics before shit hits the fan. Most action and world-shifting changes don’t happen until the end. Even then, it’s more subdued than recent books. Before, Fitz was in the middle of world altering battles and politics. Now he’s an older man enjoying much deserved rest and reluctantly dragged into such doings. Too bad his calm doesn’t last long. Don’t for a second think this old wolf can’t or won’t protect his own.

I loved their everyday life at Withywoods. There are no mortal struggles, just mortals juggling the mundane: family dynamics and duties, neighbors and their kids, chores, jobs, learning, loving, and leaving. It's engaging and captivating, speaking to daily truths.

Even facts you see before Fitz does aren’t problematic. It draws out tension without ever breaking my patience, tolerance, or disbelief. It’s masterly achieved to provide gripping suspense waiting for the ax to fall because nothing remains peaceful for the royal bastard.

It’s such a roller coaster of emotion, hope, and turmoil. I was crying several times before hitting page 150. I don’t think I could ever do this experience justice. Homeward Bound was the first movie to rend me and stitch me back together. That, including every profound moment since then still doesn’t come close to this.

It’s beyond breathtaking and heartbreaking. Time-outs were required throughout to digest and recover; it’s that hard hitting. Even when responsibilities got in my way (dear god, nothing stays clean) I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I never left the Six Duchies and a part of me never will.
There’s so many questions still! The ending is…oh my lord; the Grand Canyon doesn’t have shit on this chasm Hobb leaves you clinging to. It’ll haunt me until I can continue the tale. I loathe cliffhangers but it’s a sensible separation place. Continuing would require another book or two; the fact I can’t have those now is my main gripe. (Please continue publishing every year, please!)
I’m sure I sound like a hopeless fangirl and this review does no good besides showing how much I love it, yet it’s all I can write. My friend and I were reduced to shouting “OH MY GOD” back and forth.
God, now I want to cry again.

So beautifully written. Descriptive, vivid, and engaging even when it’s just everyday chores. Everything springs to life.

Torn between wanting to read it quicker and make it happen now and never wanting it to end. Why can’t this be the never-ending story? I’d gladly live out my life in this world.

AND my friend got me an autographed copy!!! :DD