Product Description

Robin Hobb has emerged as one of today’s foremost fantasy authors. Now she continues the adventures of one of her most popular heroes in the first book of what promises to be her most spectacular trilogy yet.

Fool’s Errand

For fifteen years FitzChivalry Farseer has lived in self-imposed exile, assumed to be dead by almost all who once cared about him. But that is about to change when destiny seeks him once again. Prince Dutiful, the young heir to the Farseer throne, has vanished and FitzChivalry, possessed of magical skills both royal and profane, is the only one who can retrieve him in time for his betrothal ceremony--thus sparing the Six Duchies profound political embarrassment...or worse. But even Fitz does not suspect the web of treachery that awaits him or how his loyalties to his Queen, his partner, and those who share his magic will be tested to the breaking point.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #27868 in Books
• Published on: 2002-11-26
• Released on: 2002-11-26
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 688 pages

Download Description

Robin Hobb has emerged as one of today's foremost fantasy authors. Now she continues the adventures of one of her most popular heroes in the first book of what promises to be her most spectacular trilogy yet.

For fifteen years FitzChivalry Farseer has lived in self-imposed exile, assumed to be dead by almost all who once cared about him. But that is about to change when destiny seeks him once again. Prince Dutiful, the young heir to the Farseer throne, has vanished and FitzChivalry, possessed of magical skills both royal and profane, is the only one who can retrieve him in time for his betrothal ceremony -- thus sparing the Six Duchies profound political embarrassment...or worse.

But even Fitz does not suspect the web of treachery that awaits him or how his loyalties to his Queen, his partner, and those who share his magic will be tested to the breaking point.

Amazon.com
This first volume of a new trilogy from one of fantasy's most popular and skilled authors will delight longtime Hobb fans as well as first-time readers of her work.

FitzChivalry, the hero of The Farseer trilogy, now lives an isolated and quiet life with his foster son Hap and his Wit partner wolf, Nighteyes, until he is sought out by his old mentor Chade and the enigmatic, charming Fool. Once again, duty calls: Fitz must find a missing prince and prevent political chaos in the Six Duchies. The mission will test his conflicting loyalty to country and family, his uneasy compromise with his own magic, and all the relationships he values most.

If you're a fantasy fan who hasn't yet explored the Farseer world, this is a fine place to start: Hobb deftly provides new readers with all the needed information. The finely detailed world building and intensive character development rarely slow down the action of the story. Fool's Errand is a complex, beautifully written and sometimes heart-rending examination of the consequences of duty and love. --Roz Genessee

From Publishers Weekly
In this hard-to-put-down follow-up to the Farseer Trilogy, Hobb maintains the high standards of her earlier fantasy series. The Fool and FitzChivalry Farseer band together once more to ride against the foes of the Farseer royal family in the kingdom of the Six Duchies. Last seen in Assassin's Quest, FitzChivalry (aka Tom Badgerlock due to the shock of white in his dark hair) has matured beyond the youth blindly following orders. For the past 15 years, Fitz has quietly led the life of a semi-recluse, trying his hardest to disappear. Believing that his glory days are over, he's surprised when fate (in the form of the Fool) pulls him back into the political intrigues that plague the Six Duchies. Endowed with both royal Skill magic and beast magic, Fitz assumes the task of returning the wayward heir to the throne, Prince Dutiful, to his home before his betrothal ceremony something that should be an easy task. In the event, the easy task proves extremely difficult, both physically and mentally for Fitz. The first half of the novel mostly focuses on Fitz's angst-ridden past. The heart-thumping, sword-clashing action that Hobb is known for emerges only during the second half, bringing Fitz fully to life. This is not to say that the first half is by any means dull. It's not. But the full range of Fitz's capabilities doesn't come to the forefront until later. When the action sequences finally kick in, they're non-stop. What starts as a very good read shifts into a stay-up-until-2:00 a.m.-to-finish type of book. (Jan. 9)Forecast: Stephen Youll's quiet jacket art gives no hint of the novel's intensity, but Hobb fans will know better and not be deterred.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Customer Reviews

Finally, a series worthly to rival "The Lord of the Rings"
Robin Hobb is a master of story weaving. I am not especially fond of fantasy, but after a friend turned me on to the Assassins Apprentice series, we embarked on subsequent writings including the Liveship Traders and Tawny Man series. To maximize the effect of these interwoven novels, read them in that order (ie., The Farseer Trilogy, the Liveship Traders Series, and the Tawny Man Series.) The depth of the stories, as well as the richness and development of the characters easily rivals my all-time favorite series, The Lord of the Rings. Robin's work is truly a mastery of story telling. In fact, the only complaint I could conceive with her books is that they are too detailed (much in the same fashion of The Lord of the Rings.)

4 1/2! Robin Hobb does it again!
Fitz Chivalry had always wished that his life would be his own. After completing the last task assigned to him in "Robin Hobbs Farseer Trilogy (3 Mass Market Paper Backs Assassins Apprentice, Royal Assassin & Assassins Quest)" He has finally gotten his wish. 15 years have passed and Fitz has spent the majority of his time in relative seclusion. Most people whom he cared for believe him to be dead. Now it is just Fitz, his wolf and an adopted son living the simple life Fitz always dreamed of. That is until he receives a visit from some of his old friends from Buckkeep. It turns out that Prince Dutiful is missing and it is the request of Fitz's old mentor Chade and the queen herself that Fitz return to court for a new assignment. Together with his old friend the Fool, Fitz must track down the Prince and return him before his betrothal ceremony...

Hobb has done it again. She has to be one of the best writers working on fantasy novels today. In reality the story is not overly complex and there isn't a vast amount that happens however Hobb's writing keeps you entertained somehow even when there isn't a lot going on. Her ability to draw complex and interesting characters is second to none.

The Good: Hobb's writing and characters make this book. The story although not overly complex wove an interesting enough maze in which to watch Hobb's characters wonder. It was great to revisit the characters from "The Farseer" trilogy and see how they have changed in the 15 years that have passed.

The Bad: There was one part that was bad but it would be a spoiler to give it away but you will know what it is when it happens.

Overall: If you are a fan of the Farseer trilogy or "Robin Hobb's Liveship Traders Trilogy (3 Mass Market Paper Backs Ship of Magic, Mad Ship & Ship of Destiny)" or any of Hobb's other works then pick this up and give it a try.

First 200 pages can be skimmed, the rest is pretty good
The first 200 pages are filled with flashbacks/recollections of what happened in the Assassin's Quest series to get the reader up to speed, with little plot. I just read the Assassin's Quest series, so I skimmed through that fairly quickly. After that the story picked up pace and was a fairly good ride through to the end. There's something that happens on a beach, that I felt stuck out rather strongly and took me out of the story. Hobb is usually quite deft in her planting of seeds and it was rather sad to read this obvious plant that will undoubtedly pop up in the rest of the series. I'm not a fan of characters doing things that are obviously stupid to the average person. So, I was quite surprised about that. Other than that, it was a fairly fun book to read and continue Fitz's life.