Fool's Assassin

Book One of the Fitz and the Fool Trilogy

De: Robin Hobb

Narrado por: Elliot Hill

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

Reseñas de la Crítica

"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)

Good seeing favorite characters. Not hearing them.

If you love the other FitzChivalry Farseer books, you'll love this one too! If you haven't read the other two Fitz trilogies yet, do yourself a favor and go read them all first. You won't be sorry. And do not read any more of this review. Then come back here.

Having said that, the middle part of the book did bog down a bit with too much information and detail for me. But when it was exciting, it was thrilling! Still, I will read all of the books in this series. I already know that.

The reader, however, gets in the way of the story. I'm not sure why Elliot Hill was chosen. Perhaps because the book switches between several voices telling the story and maybe they thought he was more suited to the non-Fitz characters. It didn't work. He was quite adequate, no doubt. But these books demand more than that. I gave him 3 stars for being adequate and then took one off because he wasn't Paul Boehmer or James Langton. I particularly dislike his portrayal of the Fool after the pitch-perfect performances of him by the other two men in the previous series.

As usual, Hobb builds a rich, compelling world with fascinating characters. She has a knack of creating characters that you fall in love with and want to nurture and protect. You laugh and cry with them. You feel it when they die.

This book slowly builds to a really heart-stopping ending that leaves you hungrily anticipating the next book. And now I have to wait a whole year. I'm glad I started reading these books only recently because I have devoured them all rather quickly.

Love the book and series, but

It’s weird to like a series so much while not really liking the main character. For someone that’s so smart in some things, she’s made him so stupid in others. The part that doesn’t sit well with me is the changing of narrators. This new guy, while good, seems like he never listened to any of the other books so he’s made up new voices for characters that aren’t anything like the last books. Some of them don’t fit at all. It’s horribly annoying. If it wasn’t such a good story, I would’ve quit after the first hour.

Narrator's first audio book?

Terrible narrator, especially for the final trilogy of such an incredible series! So disappointing that I will not be able to continue...who could?? Boring narrator with ZERO character voices. Reads like the words are fragile. I guess Fitz's story ends, for me anyway, after 20 minutes of this. So disappointing.

My usual series ....but I like it !

Would you listen to Fool's Assassin again? Why?

I'd listen again I actually love Robin Hobb.

Any additional comments?

So far this is the first book i've read in this series but I have a feeling that the other books will keep me interested.

Narration Frustration

What did you love best about Fool's Assassin?

Robin Hobb wrote it.

What didn’t you like about Elliot Hill’s performance?

almost all of the male characters sounded very feminine, For a while, i had to keep rewinding to determine who was doing the talking.After getting used to James Langton's steller narration for previous series, this was like listing to good music with busted speakers (you love the song but the sound super sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Any additional comments?

James Langton need an exclusive deal with any series involving these characters.

I love it!

Robin Hobb is amazing. Though I don't read(listen) to many books I feel as if she just paints the best picture, the picture she intends. I have listened to all the books she has written with Fitz. His life has had many ups and downs and I can't stop listening. So many things I don't know and so many wheels spinning. I think this book left us(the listeners) with a biggest cliff hanger she has ever left us. I am anxiously waiting on book two and will purchase it as soon as it is available.

I would really love to slap the narrator.

Almost all of the secondary characters are portrayed as pompass and the tone of voice used never changes regardless of what's happening.

Find a new narrator, ffs

Love this series, can't stand the narrator. I get it, he makes a great 9 year old girl, but that's where my compliments of him end.

the fools voice is soooo different, it's grating to the ear. his portrayal of Fitz is too young, and the queen sounds stuffy. Good god, you would have expected him to go back and take notes from the other books. Way to make one of my favorite series damn near unbearable.

Excellent start for a new trilogy.

Who was your favorite character and why?

The Fool may be my favorite character of all time because he is so unique, lovable and profoundly moving. That being said, Fitz carries the story with his integrity and rich inner life. Bee is also fascinating and lovable.

What does Elliot Hill bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Elliot Hill was a good choice and allowed me to listen to the book during every free moment when I could not read it. I found the accent for the Fool wrong and at that point switched over to the hardcover edition. I simply prefer Paul Boehmer's narration.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Please don't make a movie. Books are much better.

Any additional comments?

I have missed Fitz and the Fool a great deal and was so sad when I finished the Tawny Man series. I admit to a mild concern that this book would be a letdown. Instead, this novel exceeded my high expectations.

I found the storytelling wonderful and the nearly 700 pages flew by. Robin Hobb is truly gifted at world building and creating intriguing plots. I fell in love with the new character Bee. I had the Audible edition to listen to but I succumbed to the lovely U.K. edition when I saw it in London at Loncon 3. I listened to the audio version while falling asleep, walking, & flying from London. I thought I could pace myself but I read it whenever I had a free moment. The narrator for the audio version is good but reading the story is better. I cannot wait for the next book to come out

great story - so so narration

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

I really enjoy Robin's stories.. even more so when listened to.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Fool's Assassin?

Fitz healing the Elderlings.

Would you listen to another book narrated by Elliot Hill?

His main narration is overall good with a nice even tone and depth of emotion but many of the secondary characters have very whiny, irritating tones to the voices such as King Dutiful, King Rein and Chade. Even Queen Kettricken sounds like a nasal, pretentious snob. It was distracting as the voice portrayals did not at all match their character's behaviors in the book.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

yes