Fool's Assassin (Fitz and the Fool, Bk 1) (Realm of the Elderlings, Bk 14)
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Hardcover
Author:
Genres: Literature & Fiction, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Book Type: Hardcover
This is Book 1 of the Fitz and the Fool trilogy.
This style and pacing of this book was not quite what I was expecting. Diehard fans of the previous books (like myself) will probably like the book no matter what, while less ardent fans will most likely be disappointed. Here are a few non-spoiler reasons why this was an apparently lackluster return...
The book is essentially 500 pages of prologue followed by 80-100 pages of actual forward-moving, action packed story. Hobb is known for slow pacing, but this book really takes the cake. She managed to blow through 20-30 years of Fits life but somehow made that seem tedious, plodding, and hopelessly mundane.
In most aspects of this book, Fitz is an absolute idiot. At first, that really made me angry. I felt like Hobb had taken one of my favorite characters and gutted him, emptying him of everything that made him who he was and who he had been trained to be. Fitz dropped the ball on numerous occasions, ignored blatant clues and warnings, and absolutely could not see what was right in front of his face. How could she do that to him?!? But then I thought about it, and I have decided that Hobb knew exactly what she was doing. Fitz is trying so desperately to leave his old life behind that he is subconsciously (if not wilfully) ignoring who he is (a bastard assassin for the royal family) for who he thinks that he wants to be (a gentlemanly manor owner and regular country guy). It took Hobb 500 pages to show Fitz the truth, and Im truly looking forward to what is coming next.
The introduction of the second narrator was interesting, if not a little confusing, but I am also curious to see where that will lead. Hobb opened up a lot of questions and provided very few answers, but I am confident that she will deliver in the coming books.
In all, this was a slow read (even by Hobbs usual standards) and will probably appeal only to the truly committed fans of the series. However, in the long run (and based on the quality of the next two books), I believe that the value of this story will grow over time as it serves to bridge the gap between one series and another. Fitz needed this time to piddle around in his manor house. Hobb gave it to him. Now its time for him to move on with that righteous vengeance that only Fitz knows how to deliver.
This style and pacing of this book was not quite what I was expecting. Diehard fans of the previous books (like myself) will probably like the book no matter what, while less ardent fans will most likely be disappointed. Here are a few non-spoiler reasons why this was an apparently lackluster return...
The book is essentially 500 pages of prologue followed by 80-100 pages of actual forward-moving, action packed story. Hobb is known for slow pacing, but this book really takes the cake. She managed to blow through 20-30 years of Fits life but somehow made that seem tedious, plodding, and hopelessly mundane.
In most aspects of this book, Fitz is an absolute idiot. At first, that really made me angry. I felt like Hobb had taken one of my favorite characters and gutted him, emptying him of everything that made him who he was and who he had been trained to be. Fitz dropped the ball on numerous occasions, ignored blatant clues and warnings, and absolutely could not see what was right in front of his face. How could she do that to him?!? But then I thought about it, and I have decided that Hobb knew exactly what she was doing. Fitz is trying so desperately to leave his old life behind that he is subconsciously (if not wilfully) ignoring who he is (a bastard assassin for the royal family) for who he thinks that he wants to be (a gentlemanly manor owner and regular country guy). It took Hobb 500 pages to show Fitz the truth, and Im truly looking forward to what is coming next.
The introduction of the second narrator was interesting, if not a little confusing, but I am also curious to see where that will lead. Hobb opened up a lot of questions and provided very few answers, but I am confident that she will deliver in the coming books.
In all, this was a slow read (even by Hobbs usual standards) and will probably appeal only to the truly committed fans of the series. However, in the long run (and based on the quality of the next two books), I believe that the value of this story will grow over time as it serves to bridge the gap between one series and another. Fitz needed this time to piddle around in his manor house. Hobb gave it to him. Now its time for him to move on with that righteous vengeance that only Fitz knows how to deliver.
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