Fool's Assassin

Book One of the Fitz and the Fool Trilogy

By: Robin Hobb

Narrated by: Elliot Hill

Length: 27 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

Nearly 20 years ago, Robin Hobb burst upon the fantasy scene with the first of her acclaimed Farseer novels, Assassin’s Apprentice, which introduced the characters of FitzChivalry Farseer and his uncanny friend the Fool. A watershed moment in modern fantasy, this novel - and those that followed - broke exciting new ground in a beloved genre. Together with George R. R. Martin, Robin Hobb helped pave the way for such talented new voices as Scott Lynch, Brandon Sanderson, and Naomi Novik.

Over the years, Hobb’s imagination has soared throughout the mythic lands of the Six Duchies in such best-selling series as the Liveship Traders Trilogy and the Rain Wilds Chronicles. But no matter how far she roamed, her heart always remained with Fitz. And now, at last, she has come home, with an astonishing new novel that opens a dark and gripping chapter in the Farseer saga.

FitzChivalry - royal bastard and former king’s assassin - has left his life of intrigue behind. As far as the rest of the world knows, FitzChivalry Farseer is dead and buried. Masquerading as Tom Badgerlock, Fitz is now married to his childhood sweetheart, Molly, and leading the quiet life of a country squire.

Though Fitz is haunted by the disappearance of the Fool, who did so much to shape Fitz into the man he has become, such private hurts are put aside in the business of daily life, at least until the appearance of menacing, pale-skinned strangers casts a sinister shadow over Fitz’s past...and his future.

Now, to protect his new life, the former assassin must once again take up his old one....

©2014 Robin Hobb (P)2014 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

"Fantasy as it ought to be written... Robin Hobb’s books are diamonds in a sea of zircons." (George R. R. Martin)

"A gleaming debut in the crowded field of epic fantasies...a delightful take on the powers and politics behind the throne." ( Publishers Weekly) on Assassin’s Apprentice)

The Story Unfolds

This is a must read for fans of Fitz and the a Fool. Hobb is a wonderful story teller. My only complaint after listening to earlier works is the reader’s choice to give the Fool an accent. Otherwise, the performance is excellent.

Love Robin Hobb’s books

She creates an amazing world. Read all the trilogies! They all wrap back and connect in amazing ways.

Another success

I was wondering where this continuation could possibly go but was not disappointed. Despite a bit of a slow start, I was fully interested as we learned the story of “happily ever after” for FitzChivalry. My only issue was the whispering of the audio when representing skilling. It made it hard to hear and stay engaged.

Deeply immersive series

I feel as if I made the journey with Fitz in his ever intriguing life story, I find the characters equally intriguing and all are sometimes frustrating, like real people. Robin Hobbs spins a deep descriptive tale of a boy to manhood first person experience . Fool’s Assassin took a different and delightful turn when she introduced Bee’s character as a teller in the same tale. I’m looking forward to the next in series.

Oh Gods, Molly.

SPOILER ALERT:

This story is absolutely heart breaking. I think it hits very differently if you are a parent (and it might be really hard to listen to if you have ever lost a spouse.)

Our buddy Fitz, has finally found some true and much deserved happiness. He makes some hard decisions, based on loyalty and honor, and everything is ruined (So basically every story that happens to our favorite bastard.)
No one compares to Robin Hobb's character building and world creation. I don't love many real people as much as I love Fitz, Night Eyes and the Fool. (This is obviously an exaggeration. I'm not that heartless in real life, but don't get me started on Brashen Trell. I would gladly trade one of my real sisters for him to be real.)
The narrator of this book does a great job. I didn't love Bee's voice or the Fool, but Fitz... I didn't expect old man Fitz to sound so attractive.

If you are this deep into the Realm of the Elderlings, this is a must read/listen. It's a seriously emotional book that sets us up for a very intense adventure.

Takes a while but that's ok...

It gets better as it goes in this book, as does the rest of the series. It's worth getting into! The characters are always in tough spots and there's not a lot of "happiness" going around, but this is one of the classic series you can't afford not to listen to.

Pacing of the plot is really strong, helps you stay interested.

Favorite series from Hobb

I love everything Hobb writes, but this is my favorite series of hers. #characterdevelopment #enthralling #tagsgiving #sweepstakes

Listen at 1.5 speed

The performance staggers along but if you listen to it at a faster speed, 1.5 works for me, it isn’t to distracting.

Narrator is fine

The narrator of the book is just fine. I have no idea why there are so many complaints. He differentiates voices enough to easily tell the difference between characters.

Narrator was the best!

Wish he had done the next trilogy, keep it so alive with emotion.
Thank you was a great listen......