[REVIEW] The Farseer Trilogy #2: Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb

 

Book

Title: Royal Assassin

Series: The Farseer Trilogy

Volume: 2 of 3

Author: Robin Hobb

Publisher: Orbit

Release Date: 2014

Pages: 648

"Wolfes have no kings.”

Summary

Fitz has survived his first hazardous mission as king’s assassin, but is left little more than a cripple. Battered and bitter, he vows to abandon his oath to King Shrewd, remaining in the distant mountains. But love and events of terrible urgency draw him back to the court at Buckkeep, and into the deadly intrigues of the royal family.

Renewing their vicious attacks on the coast, the Red-Ship Raiders leave burned-out villages and demented victims in their wake. The kingdom is also under assault from within, as treachery threatens the throne of the ailing king. In this time of great danger, the fate of the kingdom may rest in Fitz’s hands—and his role in its salvation may require the ultimate sacrifice.

My opinion

After finishing the first book I was quite satisfied with the story and the writing, but I didn’t felt overwhelmed. So when I started the second book I had no expectations or ideas where this is all going. But I was positively surprised…

Although the book starts very slow it is not totally uninteresting. There are a lot of political maneuvers and intrigues going on, which is also the main part and of course the never ending thread of the Red Ships. Which brings me to one negative point, you never get any information and it appears to be more of a side note, than a relevant part of the story. Whenever it fits, the Red Ships are a thread but otherwise they act in the background. Hopefully there is more to come.

I loved that we got more insides on the Wit and the Skill and that we leave Buckkeep a few times. Also there is a lot more action and interaction with different people and I finally came to like and understand a lot of them more or hate them in Regals case. Gosh I never hated a character as much as him, he’s such a bastard.

Although there are a lot of lovely scenes you can describe this series with one sentence “Fitz is dealing with shit”. Sometimes it is really sad that nothing good seems to happen and everyone is just using him, which makes the story even more tragic and heartbreaking.

What I liked a lot, is that Fitz started to ask himself more and more, what he wants and don’t follow all the rules blindly. He still is loyal, but he started to think more freely and we got to see another more rebellious side of him, which is wonderful and made him even more likeable. He grew a lot throughout this story, his character gets more interesting with every page and I’m really excited who he will be when all is coming to an end.

I had a lot of fun, especially the ending was really great and Robin Hobb has an absolute gorgeous and beautiful way of writing. I’m really excited to continue now and explore the whole Realm of the Elderlings.

Rating

Great entertainment, but a slow start!