Fool's Quest

Book II of the Fitz and the Fool trilogy

By: Robin Hobb

Narrated by: Elliot Hill

Length: 33 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

New York Times best seller

Named One of the Best Books of the Year by Buzzfeed and The Independent

Ranking alongside George R. R. Martin as a groundbreaking master of fantasy, 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 Fool’s Quest

“A complex tapestry of adventure, betrayal, destiny, and unrelenting peril... Hobb’s expertise is evident as always.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Glorious and beautiful storytelling... Hobb lets rip with revelations, treachery, vengeance, sword fights and full on magical mayhem.” (SciFiNow)

“If readers have any doubt that Robin Hobb is one of the finest writers in the fantasy genre, then they haven’t read any of her work.” (SFFWorld)

©2015 Robin Hobb (P)2015 Random House Audio

Critic reviews

“Hobb finds a way to always show us more details of the universe she’s been building over the course of the four previous series.... The friendship of Fitz and the Fool brings danger to them both, but it’s one of the most touching in fantasy fiction.” (Library Journal, starred review)

loved the story, narration distractef

excellent book 2 waiting next one. wish narration was like the previous books

Another gripping tale in the series

I love the way Robin Hobb pits together a story! The only complaint I could muster would be a couple of voice the narrator chose, specifically Dutiful and Reyn's voices... Lent's is annoying but I am okay with that as he isn't a character in previous tales. Dutiful's is less annoying because it can be attributed to a child's growing up, but the way the narrator portrays Reyn, it seems whiny and kind of slimmy, sniveling maybe that is the word, at the Sam time and I never thought Reyn should be like that at all. He always seemed more like the guy you want in charge, like a controlled, calculating, unaffected by social pressure, going to do what is right no matter the cost - type of character.

But the story... OMG, the storyline is terrific!

Fitz and the Fool, my favorite pair

I'm always so moved by Hobb's stories, even when the characters are annoying me by their choices or thoughts. not my favorite voice characterizations of them or in particular Dutiful, Nettle, the wit master (I forget his name) and the Fool, all sounded so different this time it was distracting. I suspect it is because I listened to the stories in order. Had I heard this one first, this would be how they should be performed. The performances are so different from the first trilogy it was hard for me not to critique them every dialogue. It is still my favorite series. I love Bee and her development as well as her true friend Perseverance. I love the names in general, so clever still 5 novels later.

Absolutely amazing! Probably even better in paper.

What made the experience of listening to Fool's Quest the most enjoyable?

Robin Hobb's world is almost a second home by this point, and revisiting Fitz and the Fool is like settling in front of a warm fire with family. Story, characters, wold-building and events are effective and engaging.

How could the performance have been better?

When narrating a story with this much background, it seems like a narrator would familiarize him- or herself with the history and feel of the subject matter. The harsh accent assigned to the Fool is completely inappropriate for a character whose entry to the series revolved around teasing rhymes and fragile dolls. Whomever he has been in the intervening years, the Fool would re-adopt his local accent quickly (seeing as his other personas have always been accepted as relatively close foreigners rather than unheard-of aliens).

The Fool is half of the character this world revolves around - the story needs a portrayal true to his spirit. This version screeches against the feel of the series and of the character as a whole, and draws attention to the performance as separate from the story in a truly distracting, alienating way. He is key to this universe, and the story will never be well-told without an effective portrayal of him.

I strongly suggest the first two books have the Fool's voice re-recorded, and I know that I will set aside a day to read the physical third book if the narration is the same, rather than have the end jar so discordantly.

Any additional comments?

There is a certain masochism required to truly appreciate Fitz as a character. His near-narcissistic self-loathing has driven him through many and many a struggle. I find myself frustrated with him and his obsessive guilt-trips, but by this point it is a fond-sigh-and-pat frustration that doesn't change my overall joy in his tale. I wonder, and am curious, if readers unfamiliar with the first two Fitz trilogies would be able to take that from it.

I now want book 3

Entertaining book, well narrated. The author creates a connection with characters that makes me want more.

Good story, terrible narrator

I love pretty much anything that Robin Hobb writes, so I wasn't surprised that I enjoyed this book. The narrator, however, was so terrible he nearly ruined the book. Not only did he have awful voice interpretations of characters - creating uptight or slimy personalities out of warm or virtuous characters - but his pacing was off routinely. I may have to read the final book if the trilogy instead of listening to it, as I don't think I can deal with another book interpreted by this actor.

Terrible Narrator

The voices/accents were terrible. And why did everyone speak in halting sentences? The voices that grated on me the most was the Fool & The Elderlings. The last couple of hours was painful when I had to listen to Reyn speaking. I just hope the last book in the Trilogy is better. Narrators should be made to echo the original reader of a series. Unless of course they did it as badly as this one was done.
The story was good though. I love Robins stories. I am sad that the next book is the last of the Fitz & the Fools story.

:)

great sequel can't wait for the next book has just enough action and depth to keep listening and makes it so you don't want to stop

Excellent--despite terrible narration

Would you consider the audio edition of Fool's Quest to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, although I seriously considered switching early on due to the poor narration.

Would you be willing to try another one of Elliot Hill’s performances?

Absolutely not!

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both. Robin Hobb is a gifted author.

Any additional comments?

The accents used by the narrator were more than simply off-base; they were downright annoying--particularly the Fool's. PLEASE don't use him again!

Excellent Adventure

Robin Hobb's Fitz books don't disappoint. The characters are well drawn and interesting. The action goes in unexpected directions. I just wish there were not several more years before the next book in the series.

This book is most appropriate for mature audiences.