The Golden Fool (Tawny Man) - Robin Hobb

Once again Fitz gets thrust back into Farseer court intrigue in this excellent new instalment of the Tawny Man trilogy

After saving Prince Dutiful and helping to crush the Piebald uprising, any hopes Fitz has of returning to some kind of normality are quickly extinguished. His beloved companion Nighteyes is dead, a loss Fitz has to deal with privately and alone so not to reveal he has the Wit. Additionally, Dutiful's planned marriage to the Outislander princess Narcheska Elliania is nowhere near as straightforward as the Farseers hoped, with the princess suddenly adding a dangerous condition to the union - Dutiful must travel to the Outisland isle of Aslevjal and slay an ancient dragon called Icefyre before she will marry him.

Why this condition has suddenly been added is a mystery even to master of intrigue himself, Chade. But whatever the reason, Dutiful has agreed to this dangerous mission and now the need for Prince Dutiful to have his own Skill coterie is even more urgent. Consequently Fitz agrees to become Skillmaster, and in so doing finds highly unexpected Skill candidates in the most unlikeliest of circumstances.

The politics of Farseer court life is as complex as ever, with Chade having his finger in nearly every political pie as he tries to engineer events to the benefit of the Farseer throne. His main weapon in this is FitzChivalry, the Farseers chief spy and assassin, as well as protector to Dutiful. But all Fitz really longs for is the opportunity to pursue a normal way of life away from all these affairs of state, but being a Farseer himself, he always gets dragged back into the thick of things.

This book concentrates more on the complex political manoeuvring between the Farseers, the Outislanders, the Bingtown traders as well as the Witted 'Old Blood' folk whom Queen Kettricken is anxious to build bridges with. Hobb's characterisation is as outstanding as ever as she reveals even more complexities to her characters. Chade is the likeable master strategist whose ruthlessness often brings him to blows with Fitz. Kettricken is the conscientious and compassionate queen, desperately trying to bring peace to all her people in a world full of deceit and malice. Lord Golden is, as always, the joker in the pack, full of wisdom and the knower of many secrets, ever loyal to Fitz, but also with a cryptic agenda of his own. And finally Fitz, protected from childhood by the Farseers, in return he has have to give his life serving them, losing many close relationships along the way. His tough life has made him a caring but hardened character, reluctant to open himself up and allow others into his life, constantly blaming himself for wrongs done to his loved ones. As in the Assassin trilogy, Fitz, the reluctant hero, is still very much a tortured soul, searching for a peaceful life but knowing deep down his Farseer blood makes this impossible.

The Golden Fool lays down the foundations for another fascinating adventure and emotional journey for Fitz, and is another wonderful book from Robin Hobb.

Couldn't put it down

Really great read. This was one of the books I took on holiday with me, along with the 1st in the series and I just could not put it down. Loved it and can't wait to read the last one.

Excellent

The second in The Tawny Man trilogy, it has a bit more action than the first one. It rather frustrated me because of all the spying and not getting things out in the open and clear. But rather than making me want to put down the book, it drew me in and made me want to read it more, to get to the point where everything is clear. I think it mostly revolved around the different relationships between the characters, not totally like the first, but with more action.
All in all it's a great read, and highly recommended.

Not as engaging....

If you love the Farseer books you must read this book.
Although it does lack the action and adventure of the others in the series I loved the way it goes into more detail about the main characters and their thoughts and feelings. As a result it did drag at times but still makes compulsory reading to any Hobbs/Farseer fan.

Best book yet!

I loved The Golden Fool! The eighth in the Farseer / Live Ship series, full of intrigue, human interest and magic, I thought it was one of the best yet.