Fool's Assassin product reviews

It's been along time since I've read a good and genuinely different fantasy book - as with so many genres certain ideas start to get overused and become somewhat boring. This just happens to be one of those books. At first I was intimidated by it's sheer size but found that the pages seemed to turn quickly as I was thoroughly immersed in a new and exciting world with some common fantasy traits (magic, assassins, royal intrigue, dragons, etc) but written in a compelling and different way. This is the first book by Robin Hobb that I have read and it is written in the first person which is what previously put me off reading any of her earlier works. Oh how I wish I had read them or at least the other books related to this one (I'd definitely recommend reading them first) - it would certainly have helped me grasp the different characters and their relationships as well as the magic system a lot sooner. The world she has created is reminiscent of medieval times and while the author does touch upon some significant past events, she doesn't explain them in any great detail. I found the story to be somewhat convoluted but extremely well written - it's not often that I read a genuinely good book that leaves my buzzing with anticipation for the next one and bursting to share my excitement with friends.

In this book Robin Hobb makes a return to the Realm of the Elderlings and the lives of the Farseers. The story revolves around Tom Badgerlock, otherwise known as FitzChivalry, royal bastard of the Farseer line and former assassin. This book takes a look into his everyday family life which for the most part is quiet and peaceful. Now and again the author throws us a bone and the story will leap into action only to fizzle out again and have nothing come of it. This somewhat unusual pacing kept me coming back for more and there are all sorts of intricacies and mysteries that are carefully woven into the story which come to light towards the end of the book when things start to get really exciting. The ending is a bit of a cliffhanger and I can't wait until the next book to find out more.

I can't really say too much more about this book, as I don't want to spoil anything for long standing fans of the series, except that it's a must read for any fantasy fan.