Assassin's Quest (Farseer Series #3)

Not quite the impact I expected....

I will agree with some of the other reviewers that the 3rd book in the series came across....lacking compared to the first 2 books. I found Fitz actions over the top sometimes, ridiculous others and downright ignorant most of the time. The new characters were a bit of dissapointment also. As for the ending, I would definitely agree that it dragged on to the point of forcing myself to finish the book. I feel odd giving this review because the past 2 books were sensational but I felt this book was tired and weak compared to the first 2. Still great to some levels but overall not as sharp as the others.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Unconventional ending to a well written story

Hobb concludes the story of Fitz and the Six Duchies in an unconventional style. Each main character is developed more fully, and the world is revealed in rich detail, however, the page count becomes tiresome before the fundamental conflict is resolved. Fitz' journey West takes us into new territory, and raises a new question: Who is the hero? Is it Fitz, the Catalyst who strives clumsily to work behind the scenes as Chade taught him, or is it Verity, the Prince on Crusade to save the Kingdom, as King Wisdom did hundreds of years ago? The only charcters who really grow are Burrich, Fool, Chade, and Nighteyes. Ketricken is too Wagnerian, Kettle too opaque, and Starling too shallow to fill out their roles. At least Will is developed more thoroughly as the antagonist's henchman than is usually the case, and Regal is given some credit for subtlety. The digression into Old Blood is a bit of a tease. The foray into the time of the Elderlings is pointless, when one considers that Verity unveils enough of their secrets to understand the solution to his problem. His confrontation with 'Can I pull this off?' is more compelling than Fitz's overworked habit, begun in book 1, of getting himself and his allies into hot water while trying to help his King. The conclusion to the story fits well within the general theme of sacrifices made in the pursuit of noble ends. Hobb still makes a lying, clumsy, underhanded, poisoning b*st*rd [guess using English now excites a 'wordchecker' / censor-- shame on BN.com] sympathetic character, which is an accomplishment in itself. Just could have used some liposuction. Sorry to see the end of this saga, as the characters came alive during the series. Hobb is a talented story teller. I will miss Fitz and Nighteyes more than most characters. Her next offering will be on my bookshelf.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Life sealer

Hi.

It ends too soon!

I loved this whole series, and it keeps you held in tight, often by the heart strings. Fitz grows into a man, but remains that poor boy pulled in every direction on some levels. Your heart breaks with him through his turmoil, since you've watched him grow up in a way no normal boy should ever have to do. My only complaint is that the series ends too soon.

Not the end

For all of you who loved this book the continued series is even better the tawny man which is based on the fate of the 6 duchies and the fool new characters new places awesome story

Excellent writing...poor ending

As with all of Robin Hobb's books I've read, the writing is uniformly excellent, with vivid characters and immersive worlds. I absolutely hated the way she ended this series, however. The protagonist didn't really seem to garner any of the respect he earned, most of the supporting characters still treated him like an imbecile, despite his supposed importance. Ms. Hobb treated her "hero" pretty poorly. Frankly, the only ending of a series I've read that I disliked as much as this one was Stephen King's "Tower" series, but at least Roland got to be a real "hero" in it. This protagonist never seems to, always depending on others to save him. A lot of sacrifice for not a lot of reward. Disappointing. I guess I like more uplifting endings to fantasy novels. If that's what you're after, this book isn't for you.

An Excellent Conclusion!!

This has to be one of the most absorbing novels I have ever read, which is probably due to the awesome characters Hobb has developed. I highly recommend it for fantasy lovers, and fans of Raymond E. Feist and David Eddings should especially enjoy this series!!!

Impossibly to describe

Have you ever tried to explain the TV show, Lost, to anyone? From start to finish? This book is similar. I cannot begin to even fathom how to describe it other than at the end you will be asking/exclaiming to yourself, "What. The. Fu--?"

good finish

i find that with a lot of series, the endings never seem to be very good. but i think that the conclusion to the farseer trilogy was very fitting. if u want a stoy that will pull you in, then read this series.

Great end to the series

Great end to the series

Great Book

After the 2nd book, I was afraid to pick-up the 3rd book. I am really glad I did. The 3rd book was very good. I found I couldn't put the book down and read late into the night. If you like action and adventure, then this book is a great read.

A fulfilling ending to an emotional roller-coaster

This is a rewarding conclusion to Robin Hobb's masterful Farseer trilogy. The first two books spare no punishment regarding the main character and Hobb rewards the reader's patience with an emotionally fulfilling final volume. I won't offer any spoilers but will simply reassure folks who might be interested in reading this trilogy that it does, in fact, conclude well. There are a few loose ends that Hobb retains and these are picked up in the next trilogy with Fitz as it's main protagonist. Do yourself a favor and give these books a try -- you'll be experiencing one of the best modern fantasy authors around.

Wonderful!

What was odd about my circumstance in reading this was I read this book first on accident years ago, and was so impacted that when I finished I just had to sit back and absorb what I just read, and then go back and read it again. It was #1 on my list of favorite books 'and I've read a lot of books' for years. Now that I've read the first and second books, I understand a lot more of the underlying story and background of what Fitz does and thinks, but I do agree that this book comes up a little short compared with the other two. Still a fantastic book, an enjoyable read, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone who even remotely enjoys fantacy.

Wonderful Read!

This book is only part of an amazing six-part series (in my opinion it's one series, not two) the characters are engaging and the plotling thrilling. A must read! Once you've finished the Farseer Trilogy you MUST read the Fool's trilogy, (Fool's Errand, Golden Fool, Fool's Fate) Robin Hobb is a masterful storyteller!

A reviewer

This Book is amazing I couldn't stop reading it The different characters keep you wanting more I can't wait to read the next book in the series

hmm

I'm confused by these reviews. I'll be first to admit Assassins Apprentice is an amazing book, Royal assassin was descent. But this book was completely disappointing. What started out as a great series ends in a whimper.

A Book for the Ages

The book Assassin's quest brings to an end one of the best trilogy's the Fantsy genre has ever seen. It is a thrilling book which was a pleasure to read and you never want to end.

Huh?

I must say that I am surprised by the reviews for this one. I think Robin Hobb is a sensational writer. The characters were likable and complimented each other in the first two books of this series. And then came this book. Ugh...very, very, very disappointed. Kettle and Starling fit into this story like the Pope at a porn star convention. Fitz' stay with the other Witted was lacking and, I felt, was incomplete. The search for the Elderlings dragged on terribly. The ending, while uncoventional, left me disappointed because of the dragged out search and creation of the Elderlings that preceded it. Great first 2 books + bad last book = good series.

I enjoyed it.

This series, though not the best I have ever read, was good. I enjoyed the characters (a great talent of Hobb- character development)- the Fool being my favorite. This series has encouraged me to try another series by Hobb. Highly recommended.

I enjoyed the read

I am an avid reader of fantasy books, and I have read books from many different authors. I really enjoyed this series and would recommend it to anyone. Robin Hobb brings does a fine job in this genre of fantasy