Helpful Score: 4
I started this series with no great expectations. I now have high expectations for any other book by Robin Hobb. The first book of the series was great and this one continued with the storyline. I found the pacing odd but it worked with the story. I recommend this to anyone who enjoys a well written fantasy story. I am well into the 3rd book and hope to read more by this author.
Helpful Score: 3
The second book in the Farseer Trilogy, it is just as gripping and easy to lose yourself in as the first. I didn't want it to end. You really must read these books!
Helpful Score: 2
In this second volume of Hobb's 'Assassin' trilogy, matters progress from bad to worse. As FitzChivalry Farseer recovers from the near-fatal assassination attempt on him by Prince Regal, he begins to see that Buckkeep and the Six Duchies are falling apart around him. The Red-Ship Raiders grow ever more bold, and the vicious, amoral Forged Ones that the raiders somehow create from good citizens are growing to be ever more of a problem. King Shrewd is failing, wracked by illness - and drugs. In desperation, Prince Verity goes on a quest to seek the mythical Elderlings - and in his absence, Regal seizes yet more power, disregarding the woes of the nation and partying with pomp and ceremony. Fitz believes that the Duchies' decline may be all part of a plot designed by Regal - but his mentor, Chade, seems to think that his opinion may be based on his personal (although admittedly justified) dislike of that prince.
Can Fitz stay loyal to the royal family, balance his job as an assassin with his love of his childhood sweetheart, Molly, support Verity's wife, the foreign quuen, Kettricken, against those who would discredit her, remain friends with the stablemaster, Burrich, even though he has the illegal 'Wit' (an ability to speak with animals), and survive the various hatreds of those who are arrayed against him?
OK, I'm still missing some of the subplots here...
It's a complex, soap-opera-esque story with plenty of drama - pure entertainment, and executed near-perfectly! Great stuff!
Can Fitz stay loyal to the royal family, balance his job as an assassin with his love of his childhood sweetheart, Molly, support Verity's wife, the foreign quuen, Kettricken, against those who would discredit her, remain friends with the stablemaster, Burrich, even though he has the illegal 'Wit' (an ability to speak with animals), and survive the various hatreds of those who are arrayed against him?
OK, I'm still missing some of the subplots here...
It's a complex, soap-opera-esque story with plenty of drama - pure entertainment, and executed near-perfectly! Great stuff!
Helpful Score: 1
Terrific character story, wonderful setting
Helpful Score: 1
Not as good as the first in the series, I found it to be kind of dull in parts, but it got exciting in the last 100 pages.
Helpful Score: 1
This is a good trilogy so far. I really like the concept of animal bonding called the Wit. The main character is a trained assassin which makes the story unique.
Helpful Score: 1
Excellent, engrossing adventure. Interesting characters. Good story.
Helpful Score: 1
Very complete Trilogy, Highly recommended.
Helpful Score: 1
Whew! Can a teenager be so devoted as to perform so well in things he is taught and instructed to do? I kept losing sight at times of the age of Fitz. Sometimes you realize the child he is but at others he seems as a man of thirty. Can't wait for the conclusion of this story!
Four and a half stars.
Four and a half stars.
Helpful Score: 1
Wonderful series. I loved it.
I wanted to stop reading this book several times. Not because it was terrible but because I didn't think I could handle all the bad things happening in it. Things just kept getting worse and worse to the point where I can't see it getting any better... On to the third book and hoping for a happy ending!
Robin Hobb is one of my favorite authors and has taken a place next to Anne McCaffrey as one of my #1 favorites of all times. Although different, her works are of the same caliber and this one does not fail to meet that standard. Characters are real, believable and the story is as engaging as her other work.
Enjoyed reading this series of three volumes and rate highly. Characters and premise are believable and well developed. If I have a reservation it would be in the second book where the plot seemed to get stuck just a bit; the main character was experiencing confusion, and the movement of the story seemed to experience it too! Otherwise excellent, with a bang-up ending.
I have loved this series. Now have my daughter reading it. Hobb introduces new lands, new animals, new powers but does it in a way that is not overwhelming. A great fantasy read that is full of action and intrigue.
I cannot say enough about this trilogy. I have loved every book in it.It just keeps getting better and better with every book. I am know reading the other trilogies by Robin Hobb and so far none have disappointed. Very good books!!!!!!!
This second book of the Farseer Trilogy is as good as the first. A page turner. I couldn't wait to find out what happens next. I feel as if I am part of the story.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
I would recommend this book to everyone.
Those familiar with Robin Hobbs work will recognise one of her most annoying literary devices being used in this book - I suppose this is where she developed it. Why everyone just stands by and gripes and feels sorry for themselves while events move 'beyond their control'. I'd like to see Fitz properly stand up to be counted. He tries at the end of the book and that's what gives me hope for the third.
This is one of the best series that I have ever had the pleasure of reading. The characters are really believable. Every incident has you tearing at pages to see what is to come of it. I was on edge the entire book. Love it. Recommend it to any who enjoy a great fantasy. I am now starting the final book in the series with great anticipation of what is to come.
I was captivated until the very last page. Highly recommended.
In this second installment of the Farseer trilogy, the main character spends a great deal of time whining about how difficult life is. In balance, though, we've picked up an awesome sentient wolf character, and the great cliffhanger ending will definitely have me picking up the final book.
Another excellent addition o the Farseer series! The tone of the book is quite different than the first, as Fitz has matured the themes and issues that he deals with have as well. This is very much a second book, it has a real "The Empire Strikes Back" feel to it. Everything is so turned upside down at the end that it practically begs you to pick up the third book just to find out what happens.
I love this author whatever name she chooses to write under!
This is a review for the entire Farseer Trilogy (Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin, and Assassin's Quest) because I find it almost impossible to rate them as individual books.
This trilogy has just placed itself on my short list of all-time favorite books. There is something about these characters and their stories that I found to be incredibly moving. This is not an easy series to read because it reads so much like real life. It is messy. There is just as much pain and hardship and disappointment as there is hope and encouragement and love. The pacing is timed so that you feel like you have truly lived every long day with these characters. Hobb's talent for world-building and character development is nothing short of masterful.
This is a painfully beautiful fantasy series but it will not appeal to all fantasy readers. It totally lacks the fast paced, slash and dash, sword and sorcery feel of many fantasy novels and anyone looking for that in this series might find themselves bored senseless in the intricate tedium of the plot. On the other hand, I think that this is a series that defies genre stereotypes and could appeal to any typical non-fantasy reader who could appreciate what Hobb has accomplished here.
This is truly a series to savor.
This trilogy has just placed itself on my short list of all-time favorite books. There is something about these characters and their stories that I found to be incredibly moving. This is not an easy series to read because it reads so much like real life. It is messy. There is just as much pain and hardship and disappointment as there is hope and encouragement and love. The pacing is timed so that you feel like you have truly lived every long day with these characters. Hobb's talent for world-building and character development is nothing short of masterful.
This is a painfully beautiful fantasy series but it will not appeal to all fantasy readers. It totally lacks the fast paced, slash and dash, sword and sorcery feel of many fantasy novels and anyone looking for that in this series might find themselves bored senseless in the intricate tedium of the plot. On the other hand, I think that this is a series that defies genre stereotypes and could appeal to any typical non-fantasy reader who could appreciate what Hobb has accomplished here.
This is truly a series to savor.
good series
2nd in this series
Robin Hobb creates caracters that are complex and stay with you after you put the book down. If you can put the book down. I've gotten less sleep while immersed in this series....
My most favorite fantasy series of all timesy series of all time
I am finding I don't like Robin Hobb's extremely dark viewpoint.But her style is nice, the story interesting.I am just dissapointed in her darkness.I tend to like more uplifting books.she seems to have no hope and this translates in her books.
This is the mass market published edition.
