Series: Farseer Trilogy #3, Realm of the Elderlings #3
Published by Spectra on January 5, 1998
Genres: Fantasy, Epic Fantasy
Pages: 757
Format: Paperback
Source: Purchased
King Shrewd is dead at the hands of his son Regal. As is Fitz—or so his enemies and friends believe. But with the help of his allies and his beast magic, he emerges from the grave, deeply scarred in body and soul. The kingdom also teeters toward ruin: Regal has plundered and abandoned the capital, while the rightful heir, Prince Verity, is lost to his mad quest—perhaps to death. Only Verity’s return—or the heir his princess carries—can save the Six Duchies.
But Fitz will not wait. Driven by loss and bitter memories, he undertakes a quest: to kill Regal. The journey casts him into deep waters, as he discovers wild currents of magic within him—currents that will either drown him or make him something more than he was.
Finishing this felt novel like a bittersweet parting with a dear friend. From Assassin’s Apprentice (book 1) to Assassin’s Quest (book 3), Robin Hobb develops a clear progression in both the world and the characters so that it is inevitable that Fitz and his companions arrive at the resolution that they do.
Whether I liked or didn’t want to like them, I felt deeply for the characters and shared, or at least understood, their motivations. I loved and hated different characters in turn, hated what they force upon Fitz, yet I understood their reasons for what they do. So does Fitz. Being the noble, if reluctant, hero that he is, he sacrifices himself time and time again for others, laying aside his own desires until it’s too late.
Robin Hobb has built a complex character in Fitz. His heart is bared on the pages with the good and the bad on display. His vulnerabilities and struggles are as clear, or even clearer, than his triumphs. As a result, I cared about his quest not because of the immensity of its scale, though that was a bonus, but because his personal stakes attached.
What’s most interesting to me is this novel’s exploration of how heroes are made. Fitz and the Fool are still young men. While the Fool believes in this quest, Fitz isn’t trying to be a hero; all he wants is to live a normal life with the one he loves, but circumstances demand that he steps into the role. Both are flawed characters fumbling their way through a journey in which they have little to no understanding, all the while with the fate of the world in their hands. In short, if I heard the tales of their legendary quest only to meet them, I’d be hugely disappointed. Yet I love them for their friendship and the Fool’s witty banter and the carefree, boyish nature that emerges intermittently, reminding us of their youth and inexperience. Nighteyes, the wolf with whom Fitz is bonded, adds another welcome dimension to their relationship.
Assassin’s Quest is my favorite in the series for how it reveals and adds new layers to beloved characters, for the epic scope yet personal nature of its story, and for the deeply flawed characters that must complete an impossible quest. Though it means more suffering and heartbreak for him, I’m so happy that Fitz’s journey will not end here and look forward to reading more from the Elderling Realm books!
Themes: how pack (family) is born, the struggle to find identity and purpose, the growth from boy to manhood, a man trying to hold onto himself and what he cares about even as the world expects otherwise of him, the age-old question of what is worth sacrificing oneself for.
Content
Language
Sex
Violence
(Note: it’s been a while since I read this book, so this list may be incomplete)
Chat With Me
📚 Have you read the Farseer trilogy or any other books by Robin Hobb (note: she’s also written under the name of Megan Lindholm)?
📚 What are your thoughts on the reluctant hero?
📚 What are your favorite hero tropes?
theorangutanlibrarian says
Fantastic review! I really liked this one as well and glad you did too! Fitz is such a complex character and I loved how this explores the main characters fumbling through their journeys, as you say.
Crystal says
Thanks so much! I love the Farseer books and what I’ve read of the other Realm of the Elderlings books! I agree that Fitz is such a complex character. The deeply flawed nature of the MCs contributes greatly to what I love about the series ❤️
Kristen @ Metaphors and Moonlight says
It’s always great when you care deeply about the characters, regardless of whether you like them or not, and it sounds there were some great, complex ones!
Crystal says
Yes, there are some great, complex characters in Assassins’ Quest!
Joy // Joyousreads says
I’ve never actually read any of Robin Hobb’s books. Not surprising considering I’m not much of a fantasy reader. I like being involved in novels that see the growth of characters as well the complexities of trying to do what’s expected of you that doesn’t erase who you truly are.
Crystal says
Robin Hobb is one of my new favorite authors. I agree that it’s wonderful reading a book where I can see the growth of characters and the complexities of what it means to be human.