Name: The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince
Rating: 4.145833333333333 (24 reviews)
ISBN: 9781596065444

Robin Hobb

Felicity, a minstrel sworn to the truth, tells the ill-fated love story of the stubborn and indulged Princess Caution and the stableboy Lostler, a former Chalcedean slave and the piebald horse bound to him by the magic of Wit, which gives him the power to communicate with animals.

The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince

A little book I bought on a whim in a Copenhagen bookshop has just blown my tiny mind. This was immense. How Hobb has managed to fit so much into 160 pages is beyond me. Never before have I felt so connected to characters in such a short book. Throughly enjoyed this. Highly recommend. 

Aims

The tale of the so-called Piebald Prince, a Witted pretender to the throne unseated by the actions of brave nobles so that the Farseer line could continue untainted. Now the truth behind the story is revealed through the account of Felicity, a low-born companion of the Princess Caution. When Caution gives birth to a bastard son who shares the piebald markings of his father's horse, Felicity is the one who raises him. And as the prince comes to power, political intrigue sparks dangerous whispers about the Wit that will change the kingdom forever.

The Wilful Princess and the Piebald Prince

A novella telling a story from early days of the Farseer line, long before Fitzchivalry was born. It explains how the Wit magic became reviled and anyone with that magic needed to hide it or risk their lives. Princess Caution fell in love with a witted Chaldean slave working in the stables. Despite her name, she boldly met with him fairly openly. Then she became pregnant and bore his son, who bore unusual markings on his skin. Everyone called him the Piebald Prince in derision.

This is the first short work I have read from Robin Hobb. It still has rich characters and wonderful storytelling. She proves she does not need a huge page count to pack an emotional punch. It is satisfying as a stand alone, so if someone is hessitant about diving into a long series, I suggest try this book and see how you get along with her writing style and if you think that this world might be something you want to explore further.

Cheryl Hedlund

A novella telling a story from early days of the Farseer line, long before Fitzchivalry was born. It explains how the Wit magic became reviled and anyone with that magic needed to hide it or risk their lives. Princess Caution fell in love with a witted Chaldean slave working in the stables. Despite her name, she boldly met with him fairly openly. Then she became pregnant and bore his son, who bore unusual markings on his skin. Everyone called him the Piebald Prince in derision.

This is the first short work I have read from Robin Hobb. It still has rich characters and wonderful storytelling. She proves she does not need a huge page count to pack an emotional punch. It is satisfying as a stand alone, so if someone is hessitant about diving into a long series, I suggest try this book and see how you get along with her writing style and if you think that this world might be something you want to explore further.

Internationally-bestselling, critically-acclaimed author Robin Hobb takes readers deep into the history behind the Farseer series in this exclusive, new novella. Long before the time of Chivalry Farseer, there was another indiscreet member of the royal line. Princess Caution Farseer, in defiance of her name, was headstrong and willful, destined to fall dangerously in love where she ought not. The child she bore, a Witted boy known as the Piebald Prince, rose to favour despite his questionable bloodlines. But the dukes of the Six Duchies backed Canny Farseer for the throne. And so both young men competed for power... But this was not their only struggle: for they both fell in love with the same lady. Such rivalry could end only in bloodshed... A tale of love and secrets, magic and manipulation, heartbreak and murder most foul: only a true-tongued minstrel can reveal the real story of the Wilful Princess and the Piebald Prince.

James Winduss

I’d give this a solid 3… Not my favourite Robin Hobb story by any means, but it was an easy read and a good bit of history regarding the Farseer line. I’m interested to see how this tale relates to the Tawny Man trilogy!

That hit harder than I thought it would. The gruesome parts are like a punch to the gut in typical Hobb fashion.

Brianna

andrea

all rote readers have to read this too robin hobb has never written anything bad in her life

Анастасия Розова

I really enjoyed this short story! I think Robin Hobb is even better at short novellas, they're more gripping and dont lack anything: not the plot, not the pace, not the entertainmemt aspect. Looking forward to more books like this.

Ben Cardy

Lucy

aurelia

Magnus Dahl

Jenna T.

Manish

Xavier Roy

Internationally-bestselling, critically-acclaimed author Robin Hobb takes readers deep into the history behind the Farseer series in this wonderful novella. This version does not include illustrations by Jackie Morris and is suitable for Kindle and Kindle Paperwhite.

The Willful Princess and the Piebald Prince

Reviews

Highlights