Fool’s Quest is the second installment of The Fitz and the Fool Trilogy, which itself is the most recent in a long line of stories set in Robin Hobb’s Realm of the Elderlings (three trilogies, a quartet, and now this in-progress trilogy for a total of 15 books up to now). To say Fool’s Quest might be a tough sell for new readers is an understatement. Much of the action is predicated on events that have transpired in previous volumes of this mega-series, and most importantly on the previous installment Fool’s Assassin. But…but…before I launch into my thoughts on this volume, I’ll preface it with this. If readers have any doubt that Robin Hobb is one of the finest writers in the Fantasy genre, then they haven’t read any of her work. From the beginnings of Assassin’s Apprentice in 1995 to this most recent novel, few can balance, character, prose, and story so well. So do yourself a favor, go read Assassin’s Apprentice (the novel that started it all) or Fool’s Assassin, the first novel in this new trilogy which does work well for new readers. (This preamble also provided ample spoiler space because talking at any length about Fool’s Quest is impossible without spoiling events of Fool’s Assassin).
FitzChivalry’s closest friend the Fool is on death’s door, his wife Molly has passed away, his daughter Bee has been abducted, and his home nearly destroyed. In typical Robin Hobb fashion, that “upbeat” situation is where the events of the previous volume, Fool’s Assassin, left FitzChivalry Farseer. In short, Fitz and the Fool are both broken men when we pick up this story. Fool has been destroyed by the people (those of Clerris, who shape White Prophets like the Fool) who spurned him and tortured him, Fitz broken emotionally by his daughter’s abduction. A great deal happens in this novel and Fitz searching for Bee and Fool’s tormentors is just one of those things. While Fool’s Assassin was such a personal story between Fitz and Bee, with much of the action limited to Withywoods as a place, there was only a minor focus on the characters in Fitz’s immediate vicinity (Chade, FitzVigilant, Shun, Riddle, and Nettle). Hobb makes great, measured strides in Fool’s Quest to show the ripple effects of what happened in the first novel on Buckkeep, the royal home of the Farseers, and beyond. There are so many things that happen to Fitz (and the Six Duchies) of tremendous import here, I hesitate to reveal any of them. Some are wonderful (Fitz), others are harrowing (Chade), while still others initially provide for a strong sense of cognitive dissonance (Fitz and the Fool). But of everything, the emotional flavor of this novel for me was bittersweet – heartwarming passages and emotional highs followed by the depths of despair.
From Fool’s Assassin to Fool’s Quest, Fitz has been dragged through an emotional crucible, as was the Fool to an extent (both emotional and physical) in prior novels. In the Fool’s case we just get to learn more about it here in Fool’s Quest. My point is that these two characters have spent a great deal of time apart dealing with emotional and physical hardships. They both had to have their souls nearly destroyed so they could become the ideal versions of themselves through a rebirth and healing to confront their adversaries.
The sense of urgency in the novel is extremely heightened, despite the same reserved pace that made Fool’s Assassin such a joy to read and experience. Fool’s sense of urgency to strike back at his tormentors, combined with Fitz’s desperation to find his stolen daughter made for incredible tension. Fitz’s experience; however, makes him realize rushing into their situation will only be a detriment to their success. Robin Hobb balanced their tension with a quiet reserve during many of the court scenes and meetings that Fitz was obliged to experience very well, giving both frustration and hope. Hobb’s magnetic, captivating prose completely wrapped itself around me.
What also became clear to me as the novel was drawing to a conclusion, especially as the Fool wore his many guises, and revelations that came to light, is that Hobb is playing towards what I hope to be a world-capper of a novel. Without being too spoilerific, much of Hobb’s output has existed in the same world even if divided by characters, the Fitz/Farseer novels and the Liveship/Rain Wilds novels. There have been some hints from one series to the other, some crossover between characters, but each of the series have been fairly concerned with events in their parts of the world. Here, it seems, and more so than even in the finale of The Tawny Man Trilogy (Fool’s Fate), the Rain Wilds and Farseer “sections” of the world are coming together in what could be a spectacular finale.
Fool’s Quest was highest on my list of anticipated reads for 2015 and it did not disappoint. Very likely my favorite novel of the year.
© 2015 Rob H. Bedford
Very Highly Recommended.
Hardcover, 768 Pages | 9780553392920
Published by Del Rey, August 2015
Review copy courtesy of the publisher
http://www.robinhobb.com
Here, it seems, and more so than even in the finale of The Tawny Man Trilogy (Fool’s Fate), the Rain Wilds and Farseer “sections” of the world are coming together in what could be a spectacular finale.
Now *that* is exciting!
Well said (as always), Rob. I was sorely disappointed with Fool’s Assassin, so this had a lot to prove for me. That it ended up one of my favorite reads of the year as well says a lot for what Hobb has accomplished. Just an amazing read.
Added to the to-read list. Thanks for the review!
Great review and can’t agree more. All books set in this world are a must read.