"Tremendous fantasy"
Fifteen years ago, FitzChivalry Farseer used all his
unwanted powers including telepathy and the dirty magic of
Wit that allowed mental ties with beasts to save the Six
Duchies (see the fantastic Farseer Assassins trilogy). A
reluctant hero, FitzChivalry handled his abilities and his
success by fleeing into the countryside in a self-imposed
exiled retirement even though he was only twenty at the
time. Most of his friends and associates thought
FitzChivalry died during THE ASSASSIN'S QUEST. However, top assassin Chade Fallstar visits
FitzChivalry to enlist his help in finding the missing
Prince Dutiful, heir to the Farseer throne. Dutiful is to
shortly marry and if he fails to appear at the ceremony,
the damage between the Six Duchies could lead to war.
Chade believes only his former student FitzChivalry has any
chance of finding the vanished royal. Though disinclined
to do so, FitzChivalry begins a new quest. If you are a fan of fantasy and have not read Robin
Hobb, you are missing one of the greats, as the Farseer
Assassins trilogy that is as good as the genre provides.
Ms. Hobb's latest tremendous tale brilliantly combines an
epic adventure with day to day living so that the audience
believes that the hero is performing magical and daring
deeds. FitzChivalry remains a wonderful character who has
matured from the youthful optimist into a middle age
recluse. Several other players return, but the audience
does not need to go back to the previous series as this
novel is a stand alone book. As the returning Fool would
believe that only a fool would miss FOOL'S ERRAND and any
subsequent adventures. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted December 1, 2001
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