Fool's Quest

Book II of the Fitz and the Fool trilogy

De: Robin Hobb

Narrado por: Elliot Hill

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 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

Reseñas de la Crítica

“A complex tapestry of adventure, betrayal, destiny, and unrelenting peril . . . [Robin] 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

“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)

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.”—Tordotcom

“Modern fantasy at its irresistible best.”—The Guardian

“Fantastic . . . emotionally rich storytelling.”—Library Journal (starred review)

Loved the book

I was a little frustrated by some of the voices that were unpleasant to listen to. Perseverance had a lovely voice as did Fitz. But every royal had a quality I associate with a querulous, haughty, and overly fastidious old person, who looks down his or her nose at everything and everyone. This did not mesh with the personalities of the characters. In addition, there were quite a few very nasal voices such as Lant and Rain was painful to hear. Worst of all was the Fool sounding like a villain in a B movie. Cringeworthy and again seemed to me out of place. The Fool lived many years including much of his childhood in Buck, and was able to slip convincingly into one role after another so why the inability to pronounce so many letters? Painful to hear. On a minor note, I would have also appreciated a little more consistency with prior books as to pronunciation of names.

Exciting 2nd Book

Honestly the first book I had such mixed feelings. This book story made the first one worthwhile. Can't wait for the conclusion. Yet in a way I can because then it will all be over. If you are a fan of the series you cannot miss this book.

I LOVE THIS BOOK!

If you could sum up Fool's Quest in three words, what would they be?

Interesting, unpredictable, addictive.

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

When Fitz' true identity was made known to the court. When Bee was finally born. When Fitz and the Fool return to Kelsingra. The anticipation that Bee will be found.

What about Elliot Hill’s performance did you like?

He is easily understood and makes it easy to identify characters.

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

Fantasy at it's very best!

Any additional comments?

I love the way Robin Hobb develops such interesting characters. Her characters would be interesting even without the fantasy, which I find to be the most interesting of any fantasy author that I have read. I love all of her books and just wish there were more! I'm waiting impatiently for her next one to come out. All other authors pale in comparison. She is definitely my favorite author!

Hamlet Is a Dark Comedy By Comparison

I love this whole series, from the very 1st book in the very 1st trilogy thru this 2nd book in the very last (?) trilogy. It is story telling of the most entertaining kind & demonstrates a writing skill 2nd to none & with very few peers. Hobbs deserves to be mentioned in the same conversation as Tolkien & Vonnegut. I care about the characters. I feel, at least to a degree, their anger, love, emotional pain & conflict. I want them to succeed & fear that they will not. And I want Fitz to be happy for a change. That is my one & only complaint about this particular series. Hamlet, Romeo, or Juliet have nothing to complain about compared to Fitz. Yes, he is prone to make foolish decisions although his intentions are often good. But, come on! Let the man enjoy life without taking it all away from him. This trilogy is very depressing. Great, but depressing. I had to take a break for a bit because it was bumming me out. I care about Fitz & had to take a break from his self loathing, constant need to assume accountability for everything that ever goes wrong & his inability to conquer his demons. That being said, I will be immediately starting book 3, although I have a feeling it will be a dark road ahead.
Narrator does a superb job. Absolutely spot on.

The legacy of prior works colors the voice choices

The characterizations of the low folk do sound great, and the voice of Fitz is engaging.

However, most male nobility just sound like caricatures, and having listened to the previous related books it ruins their character. Dutiful sounds like a stereotypical English king, not the monarch raised to serve. A later king sounds even more whiny and nasal and wheedling despite him having been a charmer in a prior book.

Not noble, but notable, a female we know is read as first a woman, then as a man in apparent confusion over her name and her husband's.

Above all else, the Fool always sounds like an old man with a terrible Slavic accent, despite Fitz having said his voice was unchanged from their youth - some reduced enthusiasm is understandable, but this has none of the lilting amusement which made him endearing in his prior appearances.

In fact all the foreigners have accents that sound like variations of emphasis on the same bad accent, and several times the utter incorrectness of choice just drew me out of the story. I don't expect Mr. Hill to copy prior narrators, but the producers should provide some guidance when there are 13 prior related audiobooks so that wonderful characters we know don't become irritating caricatures.