Fool's Assassin: Book I of the Fitz and the Fool TrilogyNEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Nearly twenty years ago, Robin Hobb burst upon the fantasy scene with the first of her acclaimed Farseer novels, Assassin’s Apprentice, which introduced the characters of FitzChivalry Farseer and his uncanny friend the Fool. A watershed moment in modern fantasy, this novel—and those that followed—broke exciting new ground in a beloved genre. Together with George R. R. Martin, Robin Hobb helped pave the way for such talented new voices as Scott Lynch, Brandon Sanderson, and Naomi Novik. Over the years, Hobb’s imagination has soared throughout the mythic lands of the Six Duchies in such bestselling series as the Liveship Traders Trilogy and the Rain Wilds Chronicles. But no matter how far she roamed, her heart always remained with Fitz. And now, at last, she has come home, with an astonishing new novel that opens a dark and gripping chapter in the Farseer saga. FitzChivalry—royal bastard and former king’s assassin—has left his life of intrigue behind. As far as the rest of the world knows, FitzChivalry Farseer is dead and buried. Masquerading as Tom Badgerlock, Fitz is now married to his childhood sweetheart, Molly, and leading the quiet life of a country squire. Though Fitz is haunted by the disappearance of the Fool, who did so much to shape Fitz into the man he has become, such private hurts are put aside in the business of daily life, at least until the appearance of menacing, pale-skinned strangers casts a sinister shadow over Fitz’s past . . . and his future. Now, to protect his new life, the former assassin must once again take up his old one. . . . Praise for Fool’s Assassin “Hobb knows the complicated workings of the wayward human heart, and she takes time to depict them in her tale, to tell her story sweetly, insistently, compellingly. . . . A book meant to be inhabited rather than run through.”—The Seattle Times “[FitzChivalry Farseer is] one of the best characters in fantasy literature.”—Fantasy Book Review “[Hobb’s] prose sparkles, her characters leap off the page.”—Tordotcom “Modern fantasy at its irresistible best.”—The Guardian “Fantastic . . . emotionally rich storytelling.”—Library Journal (starred review) |
Contents
The Felling of Fallstar | |
Preservation | |
Arrival | |
The Secret Child | |
The Presentation | |
Invisibility | |
The Beaten | |
The Morning After | |
Search for the | |
Perseverance | |
The Tutor | |
Settling | |
Things to Keep | |
The Spiders Lair | |
A Childhood | |
My Own Voice | |
The Last Chance | |
Explorations | |
Chade | |
Dreams | |
A Full House | |
Honored Guests | |
Assassins | |
Lessons | |
Time and Again | |
Things Bought | |
Mist and Light | |
Collision | |
A Time of Healing | |
The Raid | |
Epilogue | |
Dedication Other Books by This Author About the Author Excerpt from Fools Quest | |
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Common terms and phrases
arms asked baby Bee’s breath Buck River Buckkeep Castle Burrich can’t candle Chade Fallstar chest child couldn’t dark daughter door dream eyes face Farseer father father’s fear felt Fitz FitzChivalry Farseer FitzVigilant Fool Fool’s gaze girl glanced gone hair hand he’d He’s head heard heart horse I’ve keep Kettricken King Shrewd king’s kitchen knew Lady Lady Patience lifted looked Lord Chade messenger Molly Molly’s mother mother’s mouth moved Nettle Nettle’s never night nodded perhaps quietly reached Revel Riddle Riddle’s scroll servants She’s shook shoulder Shun Shun’s sighed Six Duchies Skill sleep slowly smiled snow softly someone spoke stared stone stood suddenly sure Tavia tell things thought tiny told tonight took tried trying turned voice waited walked warm wasn’t watched Winterfest wish Withywoods woman wondered words You’re