Fool's Assassin

Book One of the Fitz and the Fool Trilogy

By: Robin Hobb

Narrated by: 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

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)

Narrator can break this

Narrator haven't bothered to check up on previous books in the universe so quite a few names are suddenly pronounced differently than previous installments.
Furthermore he has a very limited set of voices and has a hard time staying consistent on the voices if they haven't been in use for a short while...

Good story- absolutely terrible narrator

I never leave reviews on books, but I feel like if I don't get this vent out I'll explode with frustration. Story wise, this is one of Robin Hobb's slower books. But it's almost to be expected; she's setting the scene for the trilogy. There's a nice intense action scene towards the end that kept me on the edge of my seat.
However, the real reason I'm writing this review is to say how AWFUL a job Elliot Hill has done narrating! I don't mean lackluster like other narrators. I mean, he has completely changed almost everyone's accent/tone (he does an acceptable Fitz Chivalry thank goodness). Like, almost every other character in the book now has this haughty, snotty, speaking through clenched teeth voice. It changes the meaning of everything they say. And when they skill! He does this weird hoarse whisper-yell. What the heck, Elliot? They're skilling, not arguing in a library! And the fool!! Oh. My. Gosh. Our beloved. He has dismissed the perfection of the previous narrators and given him a weird, painfully spoken accent. I can't even describe it with justice.
So, after reading the reviews of book 2, instead of using my credit to get that one, I've decided to just buy the kindle version and read it myself. I wish there was a way to get audible to re-do a series/trilogy. They picked the wrong narrator. I'm sure he's a nice guy. I wish him well. I just hope he never, EVER, narrates another book I ever want to listen to. He has ruined this trilogy for me. Yes, it is that bad. Hopefully I'll be able to pick up the broken pieces in my own head when I read book #2 in the correct voices!

Robin Hobb, you are cruel

I have listen to all her books up till now. I listened as the books containing Fitz's became more and more painful. I love these book and find it so difficult to listen to them.

Beautiful.

Oh, the reader was really difficult for me for me to listen to. He was choppy and paused frequently. The audio quited at random times and it was generally annoying. Speeding up the audio helped a bit but was still frustrating to hear such a peice of art through such a filter.

Change of narrators

The change in narrators and the subsequent change in voice characterization is clumsy. For the most part Hill’s narration is spot on. However, his dramatization of established characters is just weird. Who knew that some characters (7 books in) were actually Scottish or Russian or any number of other accents that got glommed on to his/her character. I don’t blame Hill. He’s excellent. Some producer must’ve thought that these changes added to the story. NOT!

Awful NArrator

If you’ve listened to books by Robin Hobb before, how does this one compare?

Slightly annoyed by Fitz's seeming ignorance of something(don't want to spoil anything) for the entire book. He is suppose to observant and this is something that it should have noticed. It seemed off for his character.

How did the narrator detract from the book?

The voices were off and it drove me CRAZY how he pronounced names differently. The portrayal of Fitz and fool's voices was annoying. Not to mention they way he emphasized certain words which made the writing sound trite.

Review: Fitz and the Fool #1: Fool's Assassin

What did you love best about Fool's Assassin?

I loved being back with FitzChivalry the most. Seeing how his life turned and greeting the new additions to his life.

Who was your favorite character and why?

FitzChivalry, the Fool and Nighteyes are my favorite characters and as it seems with the lore of the books I also view them as one complete entity.

Have you listened to any of Elliot Hill’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not listened to any other performance by Elliot Hill before. After binge listening to the Tawny Man trilogy with James Langton as narrator, Elliot took a little getting used to as his interpretation of the characters voice was different from the past 120+ hours I'd just listened to, but overall he was very good.

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

It made me anxious - I knew going in that it would be a cliffhanger ending, and that the release date for the next book would be at least next year and the anticipation of waiting makes me anxious. When I finished the book I was no less anxious to know what happens next. It's a powerful story full of heartache and happiness and shocking revelations. This book made me both laugh and cry (and sob).

Any additional comments?

This encompassing series (Farseer Trilogy, Liveship Trilogy, Tawny Man Trilogy, and Fita and the Fool Trilogy) is by far amongst my favorite books of all time. It joins Robert Jordan and Terry Goodkind and I am in eager anticipation of the next book in this trilogy.

Slow at the beginning...

...weird at times, and absolutely lovely!

Elliot Hill is a master of his craft, as well as Robin Hobb.

Very good first book I had the pleasure of "reading" by said author.

Just as amazing

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

I've already read the other books twice so I know I'd read this one again.

What about Elliot Hill’s performance did you like?

He is a little slower of a reader but otherwise he does a good job.

love it!!

Where does Fool's Assassin rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

just like a majority of the reviews I read I was disappointed with the different narrator. I think that is not at any fault of Elliot Hill. its just that the previous narrator did such a great job and I already associated certain voices with the way the other narrator's voice. All of the feelings went away as I get further in the book. I also noticed a few comments about Fitz lamenting too much. He has sacrificed and lost so much I thought it was good. It gives the charectrr human characteristics. This was yet another instant favorite and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

She's done it again

Hobb is a master. New characters, twists and turns that were completely unexpected. Addictive and compelling. Getting the next book now because I just can't wait!