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Book Review
Oct. 2nd, 2026 11:03 pmFool's Errand
by Robin Hobb
This is the beginning of a sequel trilogy to the Farseer trilogy that I read years and years ago. It begins about 10 or 15 years after the events of the first series. Fitz has been living in a remote homestead with his bondmate wolf Nighteyes, and an orphan boy, Hap. He has entirely left his old life behind, until two of his old associates visit one spring. His old mentor, Chade, and his old friend the Fool, now Lord golden, draw him back to his former world and the weighty matters of the kingdom. When Prince Dutiful, the heir, goes missing, the Fool enlists Fitz to help find him. Thus Fitz is drawn into a treacherous adventure of rescue, and rebellious conspiracy. For Dutiful turns out to possess both the Wit that allows a human to bond with an animal, an ability that puts him iin danger.
I found this book very absorbing. Hobb's world-building is very good, as is her characterization. I really loved the way she spends a lot of time showing Fitz's life as an isolated homesteader, letting it function as both a recap of the Farseer trilogy and a setting of the stakes for Fitz and Nighteyes. I loved the depth and complexity of Fitz's relationships with the Fool, Chade, and Nighteyes. I love Fitz himself - he's so realistic and complicated and full of pain and love. His character arc and development continues to be very compelling. The plot itself is fairly straightforward - it is those relationships and Fitz himself that make it into something more. There's also a beautiful exploration of loneliness, solitude, and true companionship woven throughout.
by Robin Hobb
This is the beginning of a sequel trilogy to the Farseer trilogy that I read years and years ago. It begins about 10 or 15 years after the events of the first series. Fitz has been living in a remote homestead with his bondmate wolf Nighteyes, and an orphan boy, Hap. He has entirely left his old life behind, until two of his old associates visit one spring. His old mentor, Chade, and his old friend the Fool, now Lord golden, draw him back to his former world and the weighty matters of the kingdom. When Prince Dutiful, the heir, goes missing, the Fool enlists Fitz to help find him. Thus Fitz is drawn into a treacherous adventure of rescue, and rebellious conspiracy. For Dutiful turns out to possess both the Wit that allows a human to bond with an animal, an ability that puts him iin danger.
I found this book very absorbing. Hobb's world-building is very good, as is her characterization. I really loved the way she spends a lot of time showing Fitz's life as an isolated homesteader, letting it function as both a recap of the Farseer trilogy and a setting of the stakes for Fitz and Nighteyes. I loved the depth and complexity of Fitz's relationships with the Fool, Chade, and Nighteyes. I love Fitz himself - he's so realistic and complicated and full of pain and love. His character arc and development continues to be very compelling. The plot itself is fairly straightforward - it is those relationships and Fitz himself that make it into something more. There's also a beautiful exploration of loneliness, solitude, and true companionship woven throughout.
