This is the first volume of a new fantasy trilogy which ends with enough of a cliffhanger to intrigue the reader sufficiently to want to know how the story continues. We’ have read all of Robin Hobb’s work and are great fans so it came as no surprise that this new novel lived up to our expectations: we were pleased to read about Fitz again and all the supporting characters. There were many surprises and new characters introduced. Fitz returns and the story revolves around his family living in Wichywoods, their development as a family and then many events that will shake Fitz’s life and leaves us at the end begging for more. Robin Hobb writes brilliantly and engages the reader easily: characterisation and plot are not neglected and the whole book flows beautifully. As you may have gathered, I was highly impressed and I look forward to reading the next volume – as soon as possible!

Having never read a book by Robin Hobb before, I wasn't entirely sure what to expect when I started reading Fool's Assassin. One thing that struck me fairly quickly was the detail in which she describes everything. There are no broad brush strokes here. Everything is intricate, details are important and yet there is a sense of scale and history that only grows over the course of the book. To describe the plot beyond the synopsis would spoil the surprises, the twists and turns that lurk around every corner but more importantly the joy of discovery. The book is written in the first person from the point of view of several characters, with discovery being very important to one of these and the way in which this is done is a joy to read. The relationships between the characters are intricate and complicated, but very human. The emotions they go through draw you in and by the end of the book I was longing to see more of this world, see not only where the story goes (especially after the cliffhanger it ends on) but to know more about events only touched on in this particular book, through doubtless fleshed out in previous books set in this world. If you have read and enjoyed any of the previous books in this series then doubtless you will understand the longing to see more of this world and for me I feel lucky that I am now able to go and track down and dive headlong into the previous adventures of Fitz, the Fool and all the other wonderfully fleshed-out characters Robin Hobb has created. If you enjoy fantasy books with engaging, complicated characters and an intricate and far-reaching narrative that manages never to overlook the smaller details then I cannot recommend this book enough.

This is the much-awaited start of the third trilogy featuring FitzChivalry Farseer, whom we first met in the excellent ‘Assassin’s Apprentice’. Poor old Fitz, instead of a peaceful and contented life with his beloved Molly, comfortably installed in their manor, fate has got other ideas for him. A missed messenger and an odd addition to the family will turn Fitz’s life upside down yet again. As this is the 7th book about a well-loved character, there is ‘previously on this programme’ problem: a lot of exposition to get through. Although Hobb manages to cleverly insert bits of old letters or diaries before each chapter, new readers could be baffled by the complex and many-peopled world she has created, while old fans may think that the plot could progress a bit faster. I was in the second camp and at first wished for a bit more action. However, I do love her writing, she is a master in creating a world in which you can fully immerse yourself and happily spend time in, and, in the end I was won over and thoroughly enjoyed the book. The slow burn of the first half even makes the dark turn at the end so much more shocking. This book is creating the mood and sets the scene for much, much more to come. Can’t wait!

This is the first Robin Hobb book I have read and I will say it has definitely left me wanting more. From the beginning you are drawn into a story which is both intriguing and heart warming. As you meet each character in this story from FitzChivalry himself through to the stable boy Perseverance, you just want to know more about them. The way that the author draws you into the life of FitzCivarlry just leaves you turning pages and not wanting to put the book down. You get a great picture of the place, the homes, the "players" in the story and the short glimpses into how they are thinking just leave you wanting more. I highly recommend this book and will be waiting with anticipation for the sequels.

I have dreamed of this book coming out since the moment I finished Fool's Fate 10 years ago and now my dream has come true. All of Robin's books are treasures to me, but the original is, like so many other things, always the best. The return to Fitz's story is as someone else has said 'like catching up with a dear friend who you haven't seen in a decade.' It truly is everything I hoped for. What's fantastic about it as well is that new readers can start with this one and not be confused. Though after reading it you will (as is only right) want to read all the others. Much like the start of the Tawny Man trilogy time has passed in between the series. Tom/Fitz is older but living happily with Molly in Withywoods staying away from Buckkeep as much as possible (which is not as much as he would like due to the usual interference from Chade.) I can't say much about the story other then lots of things happen and life gets...more complicated for Fitz. The new characters from the ones you love to hate and the ones you simply just love are a joy and as always written so beautifully. Also the addition of a new first person voice from a character that could possibly outshine my love of the Fool adds an unexpected joy to this book and flows wonderfully. The only real downside is having to wait for the Fool. Fitz is still as dimwitted as he always has been on picking up the obvious, which leads to a cliffhanger at the end of the book that is both shocking and exciting in it's promise of what's to come. Suffice to say I am very much looking forward to the next one.