Fool’s Assassin: Book One of the Fitz and the Fool Trilogy

Robin Hobb is the most brilliant fantasy writer ever. In her new book, she revisits a universe she’s written before, that of FitzChivalry Farseer and his group of assassin friends. FitzChivalry lives in peace under an alias, Tom Badgerlock. Well into middle age, his wife, Molly, announces she is pregnant. After a bizarre pregnancy, Molly gives birth to a tiny girl and FitzChivalry’s past comes back to haunt him. A thread of futility runs through all of Hobb’s novels. Will poor Fitz ever catch a break?

Hobb has a knack for making her characters so lifelike that readers grow attached to them. They are thoughtful, multifaceted and ultimately flawed. After the birth of his daughter, Fitz wonders at her future and Hobb’s writing made me feel the hope and fear Fitz felt. It’s magical stuff.

I missed out on Hobb’s Tawny Man trilogy, which should probably be enjoyed before this newest installment. Still, the narrative explains a little of what happened in the 15 years after the Farseer Trilogy. Avid fantasy readers should definitely pick up “Fool’s Assassin,” or any book by Hobb. Her writing is absolutely riveting. After reading nine of her books, I have yet to be disappointed.