Finished it today...
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb
The second book of Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy builds on the storylines established in
Assassin's Apprentice, and continues the painful tale of FitzChivalry. Once again, the strength of the book is its personal nature, as Hobb is able to transport the reader into the mind of its protagonist, and make us cringe and grit our teeth along with him. How Hobb manages to make us care about a young man who is continuously having an awful time of things is incredible, considering how easy it would have been for Fitz to be written as a whiny, emotional child.
In terms of the plot,
Royal Assassin really delves into the magic system of this trilogy, focusing on the relationship between Fitz and a wolf cub. The hero continually struggles with his addiction to this so-called beast magic, known as the Wit, as well as his unreliable control over his psychic Skilling abilities. Like in the first book, much of Hobb's scenarios deal with the mundane, ordinary routines of life. It is this dedication to maintaining a grounded tale that allows the fantasy aspects to seem plausible and not in the least bit outrageous. Hobb obviously believes in her world and her characters fully, and this belief translates to the reader also.
There are numerous things to enjoy and love about this book. From kingly entanglements, to major battles with Forged ones, to a more prominent love story, and an utter disdain for the villain on the reader's part; everything feels grand and epic, despite the book's small-scale focus on the actions of one kingdom and its inhabitants. Hobb has a real talent for making the reader adore her heroes, while at the same time placing them in situations where there is no clear-cut correct decision. The amorality of some of Fitz's actions make him feel like a real human being and someone we can identify with.
Speaking of identifying with characters, each one of the major players is incredibly memorable. From the Fool, to Verity, to King Shrewd, and especially to Queen Kettricken, everyone gets plenty of time to shine in their own way. This is a wonderful book for males and females alike, with role models for both sexes.
If you are seeking an episodic fantasy tale that has various dramatic scenes and happenings, from beginning to end,
Royal Assassin is a good bet. Despite a slightly weak ending, the book sets the stage for the grand finale of
Assassin's Quest, with plenty of plot threads left to be tied up, and many vendettas to be satisfied. If you're going to read one of these books, you should be prepared to read all of them.
4/5
Next up:
Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb.