Robin Hobb

Taking up residence at Buckkeep as a spy, FitzChivalry Farseer navigates the complex intrigues of the court as he seeks to unravel the secrets of Prince Dutiful's betrothed and sort out his own chaotic personal life.

Golden fool

This is the second in a new fantasy series from Robin Hobb, author of the bestselling Assassin trilogy. Fitz has succeeded in rescuing Prince Dutiful from the clutches of the Piebals rebels, and has returned with him to Buckkeep castle.

The Golden Fool

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If love doesn’t come first and linger after, if love can’t wait and endure disappointment and separation, then it’s not love.

“You know who I am. I have even given you my true name. As for what I am, you know that, too. You seek a false comfort when you demand that I define myself for you with words. Words do not contain or define any person. A heart can, if it is willing. But I fear yours is not. You know more of the whole of me than any other person who breathes, yet you persist in insisting that all of that cannot be me. What would you have me cut off and leave behind? And why must I truncate myself in order to please you? I would never ask that of you. And by those words, admit another truth. You know what I feel for you. You have known it for years. Let us not, you and I, alone here, pretend that you don’t. You know I love you. I always have. I always will.”

Each circle spins off a circle of its own. Each one seems a new thing but in truth it is not. It is just our most recent attempts to correct old errors, to undo old wrongs done to us and to make up for things we have neglected. In each cycle, we may correct old errors, but I think we make as many new ones. Yet what is our alternative? To commit the same old errors again? Perhaps having the courage to find a better path is having the courage to risk making new mistakes.

Shape Mismatch

Hobb really outdid her self with this book. The subtle ways she transforms the lore, the world to a more intricate, detailed and complex one is amazing. In a spellbinding manner, the series matures as the friendships get more nuanced, as a varied set of characters assume the central role, as the protagonist embraces adulthood and the way the narrative (the book is in first person) changes is so well crafted, its amazing. As always, her storytelling is spot-on and doles out equal part anxiety and satisfaction. Reading this book was a thoroughly satisfying experience... well apart from the botched up telling of Tom's wound in the last quarter of the book. Easily forgivable, though.

This is the middle of the third trilogy in Robin Hobbs epic Realm of the Elderlings. So I can't really talk much about any details because spoilers. This book really is a middle book and serves as set up for major plot events to happen in the third book, Fool's Fate. What we do get while we stay at court in Buckkeep is changes in character relationships and developments in politics within the Six Duchies as well as with the Outislanders and Bingtown. A marriage and alliance has been proposed between Prince Dutiful and the Narcheska, a girl from an influential noble family from the Out Islands. That delegation arrives and a tentative courtship begins between the two young people. In the midst of this, representatives from Bingtown arrive at court unexpectedly with a request and revelations of their own. We are still in Fitz's first person perspective, and he has to balance the court politics as well as thorny issues in his personal relationships. In the background but still a major threat, there is the issue of the Old Blood and the Piebalds. Resentments and prejudice run deep against people with the wit magic. We learn more about the magic systems and the world. Characters and events of the Liveship Traders series become integrated with this part of the story. I was deeply invested in the rich characters, their dynamics and their struggles. This world and the lore is wide and deep. We keep getting reveals and we also have new questions. 

Cheryl Hedlund

James Winduss

** spoiler alert **
           I’ve seen some reviews claim this book to feel more like a transitionary tale in the lead up to a grand conclusion in the final book and I have to agree. This book felt like a lot of little things adding up to what’s essentially the ground work for the next book. It was a mostly enjoyable read. I will say that I have come to detest Chade. I loved him in Assassin’s Apprentice, mildly enjoyed him in Royal Assassin, tolerated him in Assassin’s Quest and Fool’s Errand and now I just want him gone. Knowing my luck he’ll pull a Kettle and live for 200 years. I also very much hate the rift that came between the Fool and Fitz, but I do think it will allow them to come together more solidly in the future. Now, onto the finale!

Jade Iveson

The acclaimed "Farseer and "Liveship Traders trilogies established Robin Hobb as one of the most splendidly imaginative practitioners of world-class fantasy. Now, in Book 2 of her most stunning trilogy yet, Hobb continues the soul-shattering tale of FitzChivalry Farseer. With rich characters, breathtaking magic, and sweeping action, Golden Fool brings the reluctant adventurer further into the fray in an epic of sacrifice, salvation, and untold treachery. Golden Fool Prince Dutiful has been rescued from his Piebald kidnappers and the court has resumed its normal rhythms. But for FitzChivalry Farseer, a return to isolation is impossible. Though gutted by the loss of his wolf bondmate, Nighteyes, Fitz must take up residence at Buckkeep and resume his tasks as Chade's apprentice assassin. Posing as Tom Badgerlock, bodyguard to Lord Golden, FitzChivalry becomes the eyes and ears behind the walls. And with his old mentor failing visibly, Fitz is forced to take on more burdens as he attempts to guide a kingdom straying closer to civil strife each day. The problems are legion. Prince Dutiful's betrothal to the Narcheska Elliania of the Out Islands is fraught with tension, and the Narcheska herself appears to be hiding an array of secrets. Then, amid Piebald threats and the increasing persecution of the Witted, FitzChivalry must ensure that no one betrays the Prince's secret--a secret that could topple the Farseer throne: that he, like Fitz, possesses the dread "beast magic." Meanwhile, FitzChivalry must impart to the Prince his limited knowledge of the Skill: the hereditary and addictive magic of the Farseers. In the process, they discover within Buckkeep one who has a wildand powerful talent for it, and whose enmity for Fitz may have disastrous consequences for all. Only Fitz's enduring friendship with the Fool brings him any solace. But even that is shattered when unexpected visitors from Bingtown reveal devastating secrets from the Fool's past. Now, bereft of support and adrift in intrigue, Fitz's biggest challenge may be simply to survive the inescapable and violent path that fate has laid out for him. "From the Hardcover edition.

Sally Salinas

what can i say really love this series. this is a re-read for me!

Marisa Petri

Barely anything happens yet I am here trying to collect what remains of myself after this heartbreaking story

Fitz is dumb. I do not envy Nettle, Dutiful, Swift, and Hap.

Brianna

“Fantasy as it ought to be written . . . Robin Hobb’s books are diamonds in a sea of zircons.”—George R. R. Martin Prince Dutiful has been rescued from his Piebald kidnappers and the court has resumed its normal rhythms. There FitzChivalry Farseer, gutted by the loss of his wolf bondmate, must take up residence at Buckkeep as a journeyman assassin. Posing as a bodyguard, Fitz becomes the eyes and ears behind the walls, guiding a kingdom straying closer to civil strife each day. Amid a multitude of problems, Fitz must ensure that no one betrays the Prince’s secret—one that could topple the throne: that he, like Fitz, possesses the dread “beast magic.” Only Fitz’s friendship with the Fool brings him solace. But even that is shattered when devastating revelations from the Fool’s past are exposed. Bereft of support and adrift in intrigue, Fitz finds that his biggest challenge may be simply to survive. BONUS: This edition includes an excerpt from Robin Hobb's Fool's Fate. Praise for Robin Hobb and Golden Fool “[Robin Hobb] ranks near the top of the high fantasy field. . . . [She] juggles all the balls with aplomb, besides providing spot-on characterizations.”—Publishers Weekly “Solid storytelling with warmth and heart.”—The Kansas City Star

The Tawny Man Trilogy Book 2

Golden Fool

Nat Welch

Hobb's middle books are always a little slow, but the character development of the Fool in this was pretty great.

dead line

Jade Flynn

The first book apart from The Liveship Trader's that I've given more than three stars. I can't complain about editing in this one because everything that was in here served a purpose unlike most of her books bar TLTs & I'm surprised it didn't suffer from second book syndrome like most fantasy series seems to struggle with.

Golden fool

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