Fool's Assassin cover art

Fool's Assassin

Book One of the Fitz and the Fool Trilogy

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Fool's Assassin

Written by: Robin Hobb
Narrated by: Elliot Hill
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About this listen

NEW 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)
Coming of Age Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Assassin Royalty Heartfelt

What the critics say

Praise for Fool’s Assassin

“[Robin] 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)

Praise for Robin Hobb

“Fantasy as it ought to be written . . . Robin Hobb’s books are diamonds in a sea of zircons.”—George R. R. Martin

Continue the series

Blood of Dragons cover art
Blood of Dragons Written by: Robin Hobb
Fool's Quest cover art
Fool's Quest Written by: Robin Hobb
Assassin's Fate cover art
Assassin's Fate Written by: Robin Hobb
The Book of Swords cover art
The Book of Swords Written by: Gardner Dozois - editor, and others

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Great Robin Hobb ill-served by Elliot Hill, the worst narrator ever. Best to just read them.

Narrator

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I have followed Fits Chivalry Farseer right from book One of his adventures and this segment of his journey definitely takes a darker turn then the other books. As always Robin's writing and story is captivating, engaging and very well written, However the narrative on this trilogy is my least favourite with the use of weird loud whispering as the voice of some of the characters, but this does not entirely impede the listeners ability to follow the story.

A Darker turn for one of my fav series

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Such an incredible and interesting book. Robin Hobbs is truly a master. The narrator did not bother me, I think is performance was enjoyable and it did not deter me from the story

One of my favorite

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Of the whole series, to me, this book is the best so far, and by an important margin. The characters are interesting and believable, the rythm of the story makes it hard to put the book down, the storyline is original and surprising. So much action! And I also really liked the narrater.

My favorite by far

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Good story
Love the FarSeer tale
Absolutely Horrible narrator, should really have listened to previous novels to get names of places/characters correct and match “voices”

Great continuation of FarSeer storyline

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