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

The harrowing adventures of FitzChivalry Farseer and his enigmatic friend the Fool continue in Robin Hobb’s triumphant follow-up to Fool’s Assassin. But Fool’s Quest is more than just a sequel. With the artistry and imagination her fans have come to expect, Hobb builds masterfully on all that has gone before, revealing devastating secrets and shocking conspiracies that cast a dark shadow over the history of Fitz and his world—a shadow that now stretches to darken all future hope.

Long ago, Fitz and the Fool changed the world, bringing back the magic of dragons and securing both the Farseer succession and the stability of the kingdom. Or so they thought. But now the Fool is near death, maimed by mysterious pale-skinned figures whose plans for world domination hinge upon the powers the Fool may share with Fitz’s own daughter. 

Distracted by the Fool’s perilous health, and swept up against his will in the intrigues of the royal court, Fitz lets down his guard . . . and in a horrible instant, his world is undone and his beloved daughter stolen away by those who would use her as they had once sought to use the Fool—as a weapon.

But FitzChivalry Farseer is not without weapons of his own. An ancient magic still lives in his veins. And though he may have let his skills as royal assassin diminish over the years, such things, once learned, are not so easily forgotten.

Now enemies and friends alike are about to learn that nothing is more dangerous than a man who has nothing left to lose. - from Amazon.com

I received a free ARC from the publishers Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey Spectra, through NetGalley.com, in exchange for a review.

Having read The Farseer series many years ago, and falling in love with Robin Hobb's writing style, picking up the next several series written by her was no major deal. But seeing another series with Fitz and the Fool in it come out .... Wow! I have read the first book, Fools's Assassin, awhile back, and seeing the next book come available through Netgalley.com, I anxiously awaited my request approval. I was not let down.

I don't want to waste time speaking about events int he story, as there is quite a bit of content in just this one novel. So much, in fact, at times I felt there was never going to be an end to the events that were happening - no conflict resolution. I know, in many ways, that could be a good thing .... But, back on topic. Hobb has written again of this world in such a fascinating way that draws the reader into the story completely. I felt drawn into the emotions of the characters, or of that particular spot of the plot, that I found myself drawn to tears easily and feeling the nervousness/anxiety of the heart beating faster at times.

I can easily say that there is going to be a third book - and I will openly admit I will hate having to spend months (hopefully only months) waiting for it to be available, either through an ARC as I got this one, or even if I have to go out and buy it. Robin Hobb writing is great!