Royal Assassin

This novel was very slow to pick up, but once it did, it was relentless. The final third of the book had me so invested I literally could not put it down and ended up reading well into the early hours just because there was no way I could stop reading until it was finished.
Hobb is a skilled fantasy writer, with so much depth to her characters and plot. I am utterly amazed.
It has been a minute since I have loathed an antagonist as much as I loathed Regal in this book. I was physically frustrated as the pages went on and praying for his demise with each passing chapter. It's not easy to write a character so vile while still keeping them complex and more then just an evil trope.
Beyond Regal though, Hobb has created so many dynamic and show more interesting characters that really begin to take on shape in this second installment to the series. Kettriken, who was only in the final chapters of the first book, took on a much larger role here, and became such an important part of Ftiz' journey. I felt she was an extremely well written and interesting character, and I couldn't help but fall in love with her.
I cannot wait to read on in the series, as this has the makings of being on the top of my lists in fantasy. There are so many levels to the story that still need more time to flesh out, and I am very excited move on to the next book. This series is a must read for fantasy lovers. show less

Holy crap, that was a good book. I made the mistake of reading until past my bedtime to finish. Not only did I lose some sleep before starting a work week, but I then gave myself a series of messed up dreams as my poor little brain processed the end of this book.

Damn.

Not a lot I can say without spoilers. But Hobb is definitely moving up a few spots on my author list. Assassin's Apprentice was a very good book. Intriguing characters in a (seemingly)simple but interesting world with a good story. It made me want to read more of the story of Fitz and the world of the Six Duchies.

But this damn book made me HAVE to read more about Fitz and the Six Freaking Duchies. Where Book 1 was a little slow moving as Hobb set up the characters and the show more overall plot, this one does not hold back. It's not a roller-coaster ride, not until the last few chapters at least. But it's definitely one that keeps interest all the way through.

Hobb's strength is her characters. Especially in how they relate to one another. She creates emotional bonds between them that are real. When these characters hurt, so does the reader. There's not just disappointment when something bad happens to a beloved character, but the pain of loss.

Intrigue. Twists and turns. Betrayals. Unexpected WTF? moments. Even the occasional burst of humor. Everything I read a book for. show less

Royal Assassin is the second book of the Farseer trilogy, which tells the story of FitzChivalry Farseer, a royal bastard and assassin. Fitz's last mission went awry, and he is resting and recovering at the beginning of this book. However, he's a King's Man and can't afford to take any time for himself, so he has to get back to his duties as the royal assassin soon.

Royal Assassin is just as compelling as the previous book, Assassin's Apprentice. Fitz has grown up a little, although he's also become quite melancholy because of his failures and his perceived weaknesses. However, he's still intensely loyal to the Farseer kingdom and family, especially Prince Verity, and will do anything in his power to keep him and the Six Duchies safe.

The show more Red Ship Raiders are continuing to plunder and destroy the Coastal Duchies, and there seems to be no stopping them. Worse still, the foppish and ambitious Prince Regal is gaining more and more influence, and he doesn't seem to care about the threat posed by the Raiders - in fact, all he cares about is living in luxury and attaining as much power as possible. Burrich has tried his best to keep Fitz from using the Wit to bond to an animal, but Fitz meets and bonds with Nighteyes, a young wolf. Fitz is already in danger - Regal hates him, and if he's caught using the Wit, it'll be certain death for him.

Everything good about the last book continues in this book - every character gets even more depth and backstory, there's a lot of complex political intrigue and plotting, and it's fascinating to see Fitz make mistakes and grow as a person. Fitz is often morose, which can get annoying, but not too much. I also really liked the character of Queen-in-Waiting Kettricken and her evolving relationship with Verity.

The end was a bit shocking, but I can't wait to read the conclusion! show less

I think that my feelings about a story or a series, once I’ve read it, are still influenced by the cover art. This second book doesn't engender feelings as bleak as thinking about the first one does and Fitz, now with a recognised name, has many strands of his life woven through the castle of Buck Keep and the politics behind the throne. The first person narrative pulls you in and though the protagonist’s position keeps him on the outskirts, it also lets him, and us, in behind the scenes of governance. The writing and plot were exciting enough for me to buy for my own shelves the entire [Realm of the Elderlings] series.

The narrator tells us his life story as he looks back from some undefined later point in time with each chapter show more prefaced by an extract from the history of the Six Duchies which he is in the process of writing, or some other lore or writing relevant to the chapter.

Fitz, our narrator telling us of his mid teens at this point, returns from the Mountain Kingdom broken in body. He aids Verity, the King-in-Waiting, with the defence of the realm against the Red Ship raiders and helps the new Queen-in-Waiting settle into court life. At the same time he is frustrated that he is not allowed to counter Regal, the spoiled youngest son of King Shrewd and the only child of his second marriage to Queen Desire, in his play for the throne and watches helplessly as Regal fractures the Six Duchies between the coastal and inland territories.

There may not be intense action throughout the book although there are fights against the raiders and confrontations with Regal and his henchmen, but there is suspense and treachery to keep you on the edge of your seat. Although not your typical teenager, Fitz feels misunderstood and unable to completely confide in any one person. He feels that he carries the weight of the kingdom on his shoulders and no-one loves him; although we see throughout the book that lots of people love this orphan as a parent would and are willing to risk everything for him. And at some point, Fitz recognises his love for the Six Duchies and its people.

And Nighteyes! He is young and playful and a bit cocky and revelling in the joy of living and just being; he reminds me rather of our ditzy golden retriever. I did like his first interaction with the Heart of the Pack.

It is what we all are, Nighteyes smirked. Come, Heart of the Pack, speak to me. Will not we hunt well together?

Hobb writes well and makes you care about the characters. The first person point of view leaves you feeling as frustrated as Fitz that you can only see and act so far or are prevented by vows or circumstances from moving to better protect the kingdom.

I picked this book up to re-read for the group read of the entire series (https://www.librarything.com/topic/283714#6419124 and http://www.librarything.com/topic/287725) and I found it as readable as I did the first time. This book doesn't end on a cliff-hanger, but it does leave you wanting to find out what happens to Fitz and his Six Duchies and to various characters off-screen (by this point) who may or may not be in danger.

I am paying more attention to the Fool on this re-read and starting to understand his place in the series.

4.5/5 stars show less

This was the book that got me hooked on the series and I loved it just as much on a reread. I will not say it's flawless because there are some scenes that still make me uncomfortable and I don't really like, but what I love about this story and this world is much stronger than all of that.
There is more character development and the foccus isn't just on Fitz as the entirity of the first book was. The best fictional wolf I have ever seen appears in this book and I just love this Wit bond. I love so many characters and so many relationships in this series that I can't speak about them all or this review would be way too long and with nothing of value to add.
The plot is very very very slow. This book makes "Assassin's Apprentice" feel fast show more paced. I am here for the characters and the world and the beautiful prose and I guess most people love these books mostly because of that. There is a bit of mystery and a lot of court intrigue, but there are also a few action scenes.
Chapter 10 and 11 made me feel that immense joy I so seldom feel reading a book and I could pinpoint that that was when I fell in love with the series when I read it the first time.
All of this to say I love it, flaws and all. show less

Review of Book Two in the Farseer Trilogy

Set in the Realm of the Elderlings
Title: Royal Assassin
Rating: ⭐️ 4.75

At one point in the book, she describes a land stripped of trees. But she doesn’t stop there. She explains that a lightning strike hit that land, which was once covered in forest, burning it down until it became a flat, lifeless plain, scorched by fire. That kind of detail wasn’t necessary for the plot. It had no direct impact just a fleeting memory in the protagonist’s mind. Yet that description breathes life into the world. It makes you feel like this is a real place where disasters happen naturally, not a world that only exists when the main character moves through it.

Or take how she describes a baby’s hand, full show more and creased at the joints. It’s a kind of writing that lets you experience something rare. You’d never expect to need details like that to enjoy a story, but they make the image vivid in your mind. Her ability to connect your world with hers is genuinely astonishing.

As a whole, the second book surpasses the first in many ways. The characters are deeper, the writing is stronger, the political side is more intricate, and the emotional impact of events is much more powerful than in the previous book. Still, the first half left me feeling a bit lost. I couldn’t quite grasp the direction. I was simply watching his daily life unfold. It was beautifully written, often captivating, but longer and slower than the first installment. I told myself that maybe this was intentional, that the aimlessness was meant to reflect the protagonist’s own confusion. The narration mirrors his view of life and the disorientation he experiences. But not every reader will enjoy that.

The magic, though still mysterious, developed in a really satisfying way. I kept imagining different scenarios where it could be used, and I found Hobb’s approach to magical elements really creative. Some aspects were hinted at as far back as the first book, which I appreciated. It didn’t feel like anything came out of nowhere.

There was one thing that bothered me. Occasionally, the writing would refer back to a place or character from earlier in the story, but instead of showing it in a new light or adding anything fresh, it would repeat almost the exact same description. It didn’t add depth or reflect the protagonist’s changing perspective. That surprised me, because it’s clear that Hobb doesn’t lack creativity at all.

She portrays hopelessness in a way that hurts you more than it hurts her characters. No amount of praise could fully capture what she achieves in this book. I honestly struggled to put into words the emotions she explores. But they absolutely reach you as you read. Your mind stops at certain lines or moments, and suddenly you’re thinking about your own worries. The feelings hit close, as if they came from within you.

I really appreciated how characters change when under the influence of drugs or hallucinations. Many books attempt this, but in Royal Assassin, it feels natural. It doesn’t come off as a gimmick or just a tool to move the plot. Hobb draws you into the character’s mind and lets you feel the effect. It was beautifully done. Most books treat these scenes superficially, like a moment that passes quickly. Hobb turns them into real, meaningful experiences that let you understand the psychological depth behind them. She’s not the only one who can do this, but she’s definitely one of the few who can do it this well.

The story follows the same emotional crisis as the first book. At times, I found myself pulled out of the narrative, unsure of where things were going. I didn’t like the direction at the time. But by the end, when I looked back, it all made sense. My issue wasn’t with what happened, but with the fact that it wasn’t what I wanted. And just because it wasn’t what I wanted doesn’t mean it was wrong.

The character growth was very clear, from adolescence into early adulthood. What I liked most was how natural and believable that development felt. It matched his experiences, his struggles, and the phase of life he was in. Unlike many fantasy protagonists, he didn’t feel like some all-knowing hero.

The female characters really stood out. They didn’t need to mimic men in order to be strong. A lot of stories fall into that trap. Here, even when a few characters leaned in that direction, there was still something unique about them. The women in this book are distinct. Maybe not as complex or powerful as what you’d find in A Song of Ice and Fire, but definitely better than many female characters I’ve seen in other books.

The ending? I hoped for a heroic moment, something grand and triumphant. But the ending was realistic, painful, and placed you face to face with limits you can’t easily escape. I was a bit upset because it didn’t give me what I wanted. But it gave me what the story needed. And that, in my view, is what makes Robin Hobb a truly great author not just a good one. show less

Middle book of a trilogy - not usually that great, right? Just a bunch of junk between the scene setting of the first book and the thrilling finale of the third. Well, not this book. This is tense, gripping, exciting stuff! I could barely put it down, and read it over a weekend, and went out hunting for volume 3 just two days later.

So what's so great? Book 1, [b:Apprentice Assassin|45107|Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1)|Robin Hobb|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320339497s/45107.jpg|171715], ends with Fitz, the main character, in desperate straits, but with some hope that things in the world are looking up. Well, this volume details the difficult and painful ways Fitz must cope with his troubles, while the state of the world show more doesn't improve after all, but instead grows steadily worse, and Fitz's enemies continue to thrive. I don't want to say a word about how this one ends, because it's really not what I expected, and I'd hate to spoil the surprise for anyone. show less