Review: Fool's Errand

Fool's Errand by Robin Hobb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Returning to the world of the Farseers in Fool's Errand was like slipping back into a comfortable, well-worn jumper. Robin Hobb’s prose is as brilliant as ever, drawing me into the richly detailed world of the Six Duchies and the lives of its inhabitants. However, while I enjoyed the familiar feel of the story, I found myself yearning for a bit more pace and excitement compared to the previous Assassin’s Apprentice trilogy.

Fifteen years have passed since the events of Assassin's Quest, and Fitz is swept once again into the vortex of the Six Duchies, right into political intrigue. On a voyage rife with peril and mystery, Queen Kettricken calls upon Fitz, the only person able to trace the prince.

Hobb is masterful in bringing out the subtlety of Fitz's inner turmoil, angst, and complexities in the relationship with The Fool and Nighteyes, his wolf companion. That relationship, that weaves these three together, is as compelling as ever, and the way Hobb goes about plumbing their emotional depths is remarkable.

The world here is detailed and vibrant. Hobb goes on describing it, with its very special culture, in such great colourful detail.

Fool's Errand is even more introspective than other fantasy series I have read and loved, like Brandon Sanderson's Mistborn Trilogy. While Hobb's plot is primarily about the inner journeys of her characters and the results of their decisions, Sanderson's stories abound in big magic systems and dramatic battles. This brought to mind the work of James Islington, which likewise explores the subtleties of political intrigue and character interactions.

Overall, Fool’s Errand is a solid entry to The Tawny Man trilogy, offering a satisfying return to the world of Fitz and The Fool. However, I found myself craving a bit more of the epic scope and excitement that I experienced in the previous trilogy. While the story is well-written and emotionally resonant, it lacks the sense of wonder and discovery that made the original series so captivating.

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