Many years ago I read Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice and was introduced to FitzChivalry Farseer and the Fool. I fell in love with the characters and the world that Hobbs had created. I read the two other books in the trilogy but then Hobbs moved on to other characters and other parts of the world she had created, and I was never able to recapture the feelings I had for those earliest books.  Now after nearly 20 years Hobbs has taken up the story of the Fool and FitzChivalry again in a new trilogy; Fool’s Assassin and Fool’s Quest and a still untitled third book.

Fitz has retired from his former life as an assassin and is living a quiet life in the country, far from the intrigues of the court. Known now as Tom Badgerlock, a country squire, he has married his childhood sweetheart, Molly, and they are enjoying their empty nest now that their daughter Nettle and Molly’s children from a previous marriage have grown and moved out.

The Fool and their adventures together are a distant memory now. And although Fitz misses the companionship of the Fool and the love that they had for one another, he also remembers the urgency that the Fool felt in separating from each other in case their connection might cause a change that was not intended. The loss of that friendship was the sacrifice they made to save their world from a cataclysmic event. In any event, life has gone on, and Fitz is older, more complacent and less interested in what is going on outside of the village and the farm where he lives.

That is until, Molly announces that she is pregnant and suddenly things begin to change. Molly insists that she is pregnant but it is a strange and prolonged pregnancy. When the baby is born, she is small and does not seem to thrive. Named Bee she cannot talk clearly, and is terrified of Fitz. And if that is not enough, unexpected things seem to start happening.  Messages arrive that make no sense and add to the disquiet that Fitz feels. A terrible loss must be faced and then suddenly all is changed and Fitz must leave Tom Badgerlock behind and face a new and uncertain enemy in order to protect his own.

Well written and intriguing, Hobbs has been able to resurrect these familiar and much loved characters not as the young impetuous youths they were but as the mature and solid people they have become in the intervening years. We see sparks of who they were, but we also see how they have matured and have absorbed what life has taught them. Fitz continues to be self blaming and very obtuse about the needs of those around him, but his genuine goodness and honorable character are still what draws you to him.

I recommend reading the first Farseer trilogy before starting this second trilogy so that you get the full context of this new journey. Lucky you, to have these wonderful books to read for the first time!

Brenda’s Rating: ****(4 out of 5 Stars)

Recommend this book to:  Lauren and Marian

Books Study Worthy? Yes, especially by fans!

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