Book 2 of ??? in this year’s Robin Hobb journey!
I liked this one. I didn’t like it as much as the first one, but it’s still a solid 4 stars. The Pace of Assassin’s Apprentice felt like slow and deliberate because we were getting to know Fitz, setting up the other characters, laying groundwork for other pieces of the narrative, getting to know the lay of the land, literally. Royal Assassin felt, weirdly, a little slower to me, in a more frustrating way. Like I get it, he’s coming to terms with his power and lack thereof; and he’s limited in his magic skills; and they’re fighting tedious, endless, losing battles on the coast; and he’s in a doomed love affair; and, and, and…but in the middle of the book I was irritated with Fitz’s wallowing — even though, let’s be real, I would absolutely be wallowing if I were in his shoes, and even though I respect that this choice was probably deliberate so that the reader feels just as stymied as Fitz feels.
Anyway, I still could hardly put it down, especially when it all comes to a head at the end. I also really enjoyed Fitz’s several slow realizations of other characters’ backgrounds and motivations (ie, “Oooh, *he* was in love with *her* and *that’s* why things are weird with them *now*…”)
Another thing I liked (but also hated because UGH THIS DUDE HE’S THE WORST) was how awful Regal is. He was awful in the first book and he just continues to be awful, almost cartoonishly so. Anyone at Buckkeep who’s paying attention even a little bit should see right through him but most people aren’t paying attention because they are charmed by him or trying to win his favor or give him the benefit of the doubt or whatever. Fitz and a few others can see right through him but have no power to stop him (or at least not yet!) I mean, how many of us can relate to that.
Hobb really has some great lines that describe his awfulness:
He would fear everyone he did not control. And the next day he would fear those he controlled even more.
The man who must brag for himself knows that no one else will.
No man is so dangerous as the man who cannot decide what he fears.
Along these lines, I always like Hobb’s sharp observations of humanity that she drops in like little gems, right in the middle of the narrative – things like, “It was possible to be homesick for a time, and to be lonely for the only other person who could recall it.” Delicious!
Looking forward to book 3!
