Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb (The Farseer Trilogy: Book 2)

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Rating 9.0/10

Brilliant continuation of a tale full of treachery and injustice.

"We are here, Fitz, you and I, to change the future of the world..."

Royal Assassin is the second book in Robin Hobb's fantasy series The Farseer Trilogy and follows on from the events in Assassin's Apprentice.

The book begins precisely where we left off and FitzChivalry is slowly recovering from the poision administered to him. The effects have left him prone to fits and spasms and in this state he must travel back to Buckkeep to face his tormentor and poisoner, Prince Regal.

The main character Fitz has grown and is now a teenager. The books narrative has also matured and there is a distinctly darker feel to this middle novel. Although we are with Fitz in his struggle, Robin Hobb does not shirk from showing us his failings as a human being and how his actions also hurt others.

The Red Ship Raiders are still attacking the coast of the Six Duchies and Prince Verity is hard pressed to use his skill to keep them at bay. King Shrewd's health is failing and Regal continues plotting to further his own position. In to the midst of all this comes Molly, Fitz's childhood friend and companion. They embark on a relationship that brings her into danger as there are those who would hurt her to get to FitzChivalry.

This is a continuation of a tale full of treachery and injustice. The superb writing makes you angry at the unfairness of life and enables you to become closely attached to the central characters in this tale. This a marked improvement on the first book ( not that the first wasn't good). This tale will not leave you with a feel-good factor so it only goes to show just how well written it is. It is no small task to get a reader to follow characters through misery, unfairness and injustive, but Robin Hobb manages it with ease.

The book's ending leaves you reaching for (or buying) the final part of this wonderful trilogy because you simply must know how everything turns out. You will be left hoping for a happy ending for Fitz and those close to him and an unpleasant end for Regal and some others. Be warned though, judging by the events that have already occured, Hobb may not give us what we hope for...

The book's cover illustration's are by the wonderful John Howe.

"Refreshingly original" Jenny Wurts

Royal Assassin (The Farseer Trilogy - Book 2) (Amazon.co.uk)

Author: Robin Hobb
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 768
Publication date: 2007-09-03
Publisher: Harper Voyager

RRP: £8.99
Lowest new price: £1.68
Lowest used price: £0.01

The second volume in Robin Hobb's internationally bestselling Farseer series, now reissued in gorgeous new livery.
Product Description

Royal Assassin (The Farseer Trilogy) (Amazon.co.uk)

Author: Robin Hobb
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 768
Publication date: 1997-03-03
Publisher: Voyager

RRP: $16.50
Lowest new price: $8.32
Lowest used price: $4.73

The second volume in Robin Hobb's internationally bestselling Farseer series, now reissued in gorgeous new livery. Fitz dreams of Red-Ship Raiders sacking a coastal village, leaving not a single man, woman or child alive. Tortured by this terrible vision he returns to the Six Duchies court where all is far from well. King Shrewd has been struck down by a mysterious illness and King-in-waiting, Verity, spends all his time attempting to conjure storms to confuse and destroy the Red-Ship Raiders. And when he leaves on an insane mission to seek out the mystical Elderings, Fitz is left alone and friendless but for the wolf Nighteyes and the King's Fool with his cryptic prophesies.
Product Description

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