Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb

Hobb has created a well rounded and complete world so rare in fantasy. The first novel Assassin's Apprentice set the scene for the best work of modern times.

Royal Assassin broke the mould of the entire fantasy genre Fitz becomes a man and as with any man he has flaws. These flaws help to define who he is and why he does the things he does.

Hobb's use of magic adds mystery but none of the corniness that magic often brings with it. Magic is portrayed as a double edged weapon unless weilded by a master it can turn and cut the user.

In short I believe that Hobb's work measures up to, if not exceeds that of Tolkien.

Royal Assassin is a tale of twists and conflicts. What sets it apart from other fantasy books is the way it was created to give you the impression that in the present the main character is a grown man filled with the sorrows and regrets that his life has wrought him. The journey into his past giving you a deeper connection with him and the knowledge that there are some things you cant get over and things youll never understand. This specific novel in the series winding around Fitz-his insecurities based on himself, his feelings of loss of control to the people around him, and the struggles to be something different for everyone. Fitz performing the most interesting juggle act Ive ever seen. If you find someones struggles most entertaining and wouldnt mind a trip to hell and back this book is a shoe-in for you.

Although I found the first book in this trilogy "Assassin's Apprentice" to be quite a disappointment, I decided to
give the sequel a try. This since I often have seen writers that more or less uses the first book as a learning
experiment and thus improves greatly in the next book, and I must say that this was one of the most pleasant
surprises I have had in a long time. This book is simply excellent, from the complexity of the ever shifting intrigue at
Buckkeep, to the vivid description of the persons and of course we can't forget the magic. A magic I must say has
evolved from the first book.
The story is of course centered around the main character Fitz, as he is drawn into the Royal intrigue and the fight
against the Red Ship Raiders. A lot of surprises along the way, and almost nothing turns out the way you think it
will do.