Royal Assassin

Robin Hobb 1996 Buy from Amazon.com

This is the second novel in Robin Hobb’s Farseer trilogy and is just as fascinating as the first. Fitz returns to the Six Duchies still weak and shaken from his trials in the mountains. While the first novel had a great deal of information about the things Fitz learned and the people who helped to shape his young experiences, this novel is more about what he is doing with that knowledge and how he lives as a man.

Although he is sworn to King Shrewd, his true loyalty is to the King in Waiting, Verity. Verity sees his potential in practicing the Skill, and begins to draw on Fitz for help in his lone battle against the red ship raiders. He should be using the coterie trained by Galen, but he does not trust them or believe they would be of use. His bride Queen Kettricken has fallen in love with him, but Verity doesn’t seem to notice. She provides him with further clues about how to find the mysterious Elderlings and he goes on a quest to find them, hoping they will help to defeat the raiders.

Prince Regal, the youngest son, clearly covets the throne and King Shrewd has become weak and ill. Fitz tries to protect the King and Kettricken despite the King’s refusal to believe Regal’s treason. Fitz is trying to balance all his responsibilities against his love for his childhood friend Molly and his new bond with a wolf called Nighteyes. Without Verity’s support, Fitz’ position becomes increasingly dangerous. The coterie suspects that Fitz has the Old Wit, and his need for secrecy strains his relationship with Molly.

This is novel shows a young man trying to find his place in the world and balance his loyalties and responsibilities against what he wants. There are times when his priorities are changed very quickly by events and his confusion and frustration show that he has a broader understanding of his environment than in the previous novel. There is a great deal of politics in this novel but it is not difficult to follow and clearly furthers the plot whenever it arises.

I was extremely pleased to find that this book was just as enjoyable as the the first in the trilogy, and shows a remarkable writing skill from Robin Hobb. The characters are all complex, interesting and original, and my niggling confusion as to Regal’s motivation was finally cleared up. I’m looking forward to the final book.

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