Wednesday, May 10, 2017

Book Review: "Assassin's Fate" by Robin Hobb


More than twenty years ago, the first epic fantasy novel featuring FitzChivalry Farseer and his mysterious, often maddening friend the Fool struck like a bolt of brilliant lightning. Now New York Times bestselling author Robin Hobb brings to a momentous close the third trilogy featuring these beloved characters in a novel of unsurpassed artistry that is sure to endure as one of the great masterworks of the genre.

Fitz’s young daughter, Bee, has been kidnapped by the Servants, a secret society whose members not only dream of possible futures but use their prophecies to add to their wealth and influence. Bee plays a crucial part in these dreams—but just what part remains uncertain.

As Bee is dragged by her sadistic captors across half the world, Fitz and the Fool, believing her dead, embark on a mission of revenge that will take them to the distant island where the Servants reside—a place the Fool once called home and later called prison. It was a hell the Fool escaped, maimed and blinded, swearing never to return.

For all his injuries, however, the Fool is not as helpless as he seems. He is a dreamer too, able to shape the future. And though Fitz is no longer the peerless assassin of his youth, he remains a man to be reckoned with—deadly with blades and poison, and adept in Farseer magic. And their goal is simple: to make sure not a single Servant survives their scourge. - taken from Amazon.com

I received a free ARC through Netgalley.com in exchange for a review.

Wow. Doesn't seem like twenty years ago when I first came across Robin Hobb's first book, Assassin's Apprentice, and I haven't missed any books over the handful of trilogies based in this world. So, one more time I have fallen back into Fitz's story....

Possible spoilers ahead - 'Ware!

As the third book in the Fitz and the Fool trilogy, the story continues with Fitz and the Fool and a few companions are in the belief his daughter Bee is dead. That being the case, they plan on assassinating the Servants, all of them, in vengeance. At the same time, Bee who is alive is trying to escape her kidnappers. In the long-short of it, both parties are headed to island of the Servants.

Without too many spoilers, Fitz finds Bee, and in the escape Fitz is left behind and the whole party of companions leave. Having left Fitz to die (he was pinned under debris and told them to go) the group travels back home, not knowing Fitz has actually survived (details you will have to read).

Ok ... enough of the story as I don't want to share how it ended....

Wow. I truly did tear up a bit towards the end of the story. Probably about where Fitz is trapped and left behind ... and then later when what happens, happens. I don't think a story has moved me as much as this one has, with me feeling so much for a character. Robin Hobb has done an immaculate job in creating this world and her characters! I hope to see more stories in this world-setting, and am hoping Hobb will continue the story of Bee, Nettle, and other characters.

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