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

Nearly twenty 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 bestselling 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. . . .
 - from Amazon.com

I received an uncorrected proof of this book from the publisher, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra, in exchange for a review.

The return to the world of the Fool and Fitz was not to happen, I thought those many years ago when I finished the series. This brings back their return, in about the same amount of time as it feels like it has been in the real world for me. Now Fitz is married, and the unexpected birth of a daughter, though long past the child-bearing years of his wife, brings on a new danger. Most of the book seemed to be self contemplation for Fitz, sharing guilt he holds for things done in the past, and then speculations and fears for the future in regards to his daughter, or whatever event is taking precedence at that moment. The story does evolve eventually, and leaves me guessing as to what will happen in future tales (because there will be, I hope).