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Fool's Errand
Fool's Errand
Fool's Errand
Audiobook24 hours

Fool's Errand

Written by Robin Hobb

Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

4.5/5

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About this audiobook

For fifteen years FitzChivalry Farseer has lived in self-imposed exile, assumed to be dead by almost all who once cared about him. But now, into his isolated life, visitors begin to arrive: Fitz’s mentor from his assassin days; a hedge-witch who foresees the return of a long-lost love; and the Fool, the former White Prophet, who beckons Fitz to fulfill his destiny.

Then comes the summons he cannot ignore. Prince Dutiful, the young heir to the Farseer throne, has vanished. Fitz, possessed of magical skills both royal and profane, is the only one who can retrieve him in time for his betrothal ceremony, thus sparing the Six Duchies profound political embarrassment…or worse. But even Fitz does not suspect the web of treachery that awaits him—or how his loyalties will be tested to the breaking point.

Praise for Robin Hobb and Fool’s Errand

“Fantasy as it ought to be written.… Robin Hobb’s books are diamonds in a sea of zircons.” —George R. R. Martin

“[Robin] Hobb has created a world brimming with detail and complexity [and] once again proves herself a full master of the epic fantasy.” —Tulsa World

“Splendid.… Despite some truly wrenching twists, there is a welcome sense of new beginnings.” —Locus

LanguageEnglish
Release dateJul 15, 2014
ISBN9781491512838
Fool's Errand
Author

Robin Hobb

Robin Hobb is one of the world’s finest writers of epic fiction. She was born in California in 1952 but raised in Alaska. She raised her family, ran a smallholding, delivered post to her remote community, all at the same time as writing stories and novels. She succeeded on all fronts, raising four children and becoming an internationally best-selling writer. She lives in Tacoma, Washington State.

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Reviews for Fool's Errand

Rating: 4.299892363206025 out of 5 stars
4.5/5

1,859 ratings37 reviews

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  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    I'm re-reading this trilogy after first reading it 9 years ago, and I'm pleased that I've managed to forget enough of the plot points to almost feel as if I'm reading it for the first time. I am totally biased in favour of all the Fitz books so mine is not an impartial review, but I very much enjoyed entering Fitz's tortured (but more mature) head again for this instalment. I also liked finding out more about the Wit and the different ways that it can be used. And, of course, I enjoyed identifying the links back to the Liveship Traders books.Hobb is so good at writing deep, intense friendships that it felt like something was tugging on my heartstrings every other page! It's an emotional ride but totally worth it. I'm looking forward to continuing my re-read in a couple of reads’ time.

    1 person found this helpful

  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Excellent story and writing! Continue the series? That’s a good bet!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This was my first experience with something Robin Hobb wrote and it was better than I had even hoped. I look forward to more!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    What made this book so great? Everything. It definitely did not make me cry at work in my cubicle.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    As good as the first ones were for sure. Word
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I really like Robin Hobb. This was a very satisfying read. The way she describes in great detail and just kind of rambles the story along lets me escape into the story and live the story with the characters. I sometimes become frustrated with the dumb thoughts and decisions from otherwise smart people, but maybe it real life it would still happen. I realize the reader has the advantage of time and focus that the characters would not have.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I've loved these stories, but the narrator/ actor obviously didn't listen to a second of the previous trilogy. He mispronounces names and gives others accents that they didn't have in the first trilogy. It's distracting when trying to immerse in the story.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This trilogy is a return to Fitz. In my opinion, that's a very, very good thing, because my enjoyment of Hobb's writing skyrocketed back up, after Liveships which I found difficult and disappointing. It's interesting to see how Hobb builds Fitz back up into a fit and capable character after his life seemed to be over at the end of Farseers.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    prepare for a very emotional ride. this is the most heart wrenching Hobb book in the series yet.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Deep waters here. Wisdom, intrigue, and life learning around every corner.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is the start to the sequel trilogy of Hobb's earlier Farseer trilogy and it is just as good. As always Hobb's writing style is fantastic. And her characters... Fitz has matured immensely in these books but he is still the same Fitz from the earlier three books. You can see it in how he acts and responds. I love that it is shown and not really told. The book still ends up being depressing like most of Hobb's books are, but I still love them. Some people I saw found the beginning of the book a little slow. I found I liked the re-introduction to Fitz. Granted, the book becomes a 'can't put down!' book after around 200 pages. I found myself once again staying up late into the night and early morning reading because I simply couldn't bear to put it down and go to bed. And I've already read this book once. :) I absolutely love these books and I'm sure I will be rereading them again in another few years. I'm off to pounce on the next book in this Tawny Man trilogy. Highly recommend.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Well written tale. Clever characters, good plot, good ending. Great book!
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Quickly turning into one of my favorite fantasy series of all time.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Fitz is grumpy and lonely and his head and back hurts all the time and both the mundane and enormous responsibilities of his life feel equally unbearable which like, big mood. I was hoping for escapism though.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    The story of Fitz continues many years later with Fitz finding solitude before being brought back into the realm of the Six Duchies. This book follows the events of the previous trilogy, that I would highly recommend reading that first. The book does a good job of reminiscing about past events to remind you. The book is great and is filled with the quality writing and interesting characters that you expect with Robin Hobb. This first book in the series is very slow and takes its time letting you get to know Fitz again. The real story doesn't start until about half way through.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Eerste deel uit de 3e trilogie van de Eldering serie.

    Het is serieus een mooie, gedenkwaardige en aangrijpende terugkeer naar de wereld van Fitz, Nachtogen en de reis van de Fool. Eerlijk gezegd, na de teleurstelling met het laatste deel uit de Zieners-trilogie, en na de grootsheid van de Levende Schip-trilogie, had ik niet verwacht te ontdekken hoeveel ik Fitz, de Nar en Nachtogen gemist had.

    Vijftien jaar zijn verstreken sinds het einde van [b:Vermogen en Wijsheid|2933303|Vermogen en Wijsheid (De Boeken van de Zieners, #3)|Robin Hobb|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1326561749s/2933303.jpg|503752], FitzChivalry Ziener, nu genaamd Tom Dassenkop (een persona / identiteit die hij creëerde om zijn verleden te vergeten en opnieuw te beginnen) leeft in een zelfopgelegde ballingschap met Nachtogen and Pé. Deze ballingschap begon natuurlijk te veranderen toen bekende gezichten uit het verleden van Fitz op zijn deur klopten.

    De eerste helft van het boek verhaalt voornamelijk over de dingen die hij deed gedurende de 15 jaren tussen beide delen. Het tweede deel richtte zich vooral op de zoektocht naar Prins Plicht. Dit is geen herhaling van de zoektocht naar Koning Waarheid.
    Hoewel het er al aan zat te komen, was ik toch geschokt door de dood van Nachtogen.

    Langzaam worden de werelden van Beijerstad en Hertenhorst bij elkaar gebracht. Op naar het volgende deel in de serie.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I brought all three books with "fool" in the title along on my vacation and finished them soon after I got back. It's a continuation of the Assassin trilogy and Fitz came back to get the crap beat out of him yet again, physically and emotionally. The emotional parts could be the most grueling. The intrigue and adventure was good. There were wolves and dragons and most ends getting tied up in a satisfying way. (November 26, 2005)
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Fitzchivalry Farseer has successfully hidden away from all who know him with his wit-bonded wolf, Nighteyes and his adopted son, Hap, recuperating from his previous experiences in service to the kingdom and his family. However, one day a visitor arrives – Chade Fallstar, now advisor to Queen Kettricken and Prince Dutiful, wants Fitz to return to Buckkeep to tutor Dutiful in the Skill. Fitz refuses Chade and is next visited by The Fool. Near the end of The Fool’s visit, both learn that Prince Dutiful has been missing for days and they quickly return to Buckkeep to help find him.In this second trilogy to feature Fitz and The Fool, Fitz has undoubtedly matured and seems to make better decisions than he did in the first trilogy. Because of this, I liked the book a little more than the previous ones, as Fitz is much less frustrating to me. However, he is still not without his flaws, but the wisdom of both Nighteyes and The Fool mitigate the frustration for me. Hobb’s books are easy to read, and even though they are long, the narrative flows very well, and I am caught up in each terrible thing that seems to befall Fitz.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Plus another half star..... I thoroughly enjoyed the first assassins trilogy years ago and I've really enjoyed being back with Fitz and Nighteyes. This series is 'The Tawny Man' so I expect the Fool's presence to build up in part 2. It's a comforting read and good for bedtime despite dealing with unsettling issues - race, class and gender. Usually I go pale at the sight of a single volume of 700 pages, much less 3 books, but while I would encourage a bit of condensing I do read it all - no skipping along as it has content, not just filler.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Fitz's days as a royal assassin are behind him. Having saved the Six Duchies and secured the Farseer throne, Fitz is happy to let most of the world think he's dead and retire to a simple life of exile with Nighteyes. Destiny, it seems, has other ideas. Prince Dutiful, heir to the throne, has disappeared. Fitz has been called again to serve his Queen and the Six Duchies to retrieve the Prince before he misses his betrothal ceremony, a necessary political event to ensure peace between kingdoms. Soon Fitz sets out on a seemly simple errand unaware of the web of treachery he's about to stumble into. Fool's Errand is the first in Robin Hobb's Tawny Man trilogy. The story picks up 15 years after events in The Farseer Trilogy. The story is a slow build told from Fitz's first person point of view. Unlike other authors that beat readers over the head with reminders of what happened in previous books, Hobb works the high points in a way that flows naturally with the story while also filling us in on what happened to Fitz and Nighteyes in the years between stories. We are caught up on his current life and the new persona Fitz has adopted, Tom Badgerlock, and find he has been raising a boy, whom he loves like a son. Fitz has more than earned his rest and yet it is time for him to re-enter the world as it is his blend of abilities and skills that make him the one person uniquely qualified to find the prince.As always, Robin Hobb is a master storyteller. Her characters are utterly believable. They are flawed and act on motivations based on their world view. They make mistakes and suffer the consequences. Fitz is the both the same and different. He's older and a tad wiser now though elements of the lovable boy we watched grow up are still there. His bond with Nighteyes has deepened and he understands the Wit much better now. Nighteyes, too, is starting to feel his age. He's no longer the young pup he used to be and has lived much longer than the average wolf. The Fool is back and a joy to read. We gain more insight into his background and his interactions with the other characters is phenomenal. Yet that bit of mystery around the Fool remains. The plot, while initially simple, has a lot of twists and turns. Just as you think you understand where things are going, events twist and then twist again. The pacing is well done. The slow build pays off well with a climax that will keep you reading long into the night. All lose ends are nicely tied up in the end. I know this is just the first book in a trilogy but it could almost be read stand alone.I laughed. I cried. I was swept away to far lands and completely immersed in the characters, the world and their story. Highly recommended.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Possibly the most absorbing in the series yet... this is definitely a miss-your-subway-stop, sneak-it-at-your-desk-at-work, stay-up-way-too-late kinda book!
    It's been 15 years... FitzChivalry has taken on the identity of Tom Badgerlock, and has been finally living the simple life he always wanted, a near hermit in a rural cottage, alone except for his adopted son Hap, and occasional visits from the minstrel Starling. But events seem to conspire to end this quiet time... Fitz says no to Chade's request to return to Buckkeep to tutor his genetic son, Prince Dutiful, in the ways of the magic that he is born to. But when the Fool, now in the guise of the wealthy and alluring Lord Golden, reveals that Dutiful has gone missing, there seems no option but to accede to Queen Kettricken's wish that they go on a mission to find him before the Prince's impending bethrothal to an OutIsland princess... But are they merely seeking a rebellious runaway, or is a more sinister plot behind the Prince's absence? Sentiment against the Witted (those who have the ability to communicate with an animal partner) is on the rise, and many innocents have been brutally lynched. The secret political group calling themselves the Piebalds, who claim to be working for the rights of those who have the Wit, are not helping with their antics. Fitz' bond with his wolf partner, Nighteyes, is more of a liability than ever, now...
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This is a resumption of the story started with Fitz and the Fool from many years before. Fitz is living alone, in seclusion, with his wolf and his adopted boy when he gets dragged into a search for a missing Prince.
    It was a pleasure to come back to Robin Hobb's world again and to the characters she created. Fitz has to carefully guard the secret of his bond with his wolf--the land is not kind to anyone with the "Gift". The Fool now has a new persona but is still very intriguing and still battling to keep the future from the ghastliness that could come if he doesn't intervene. 4.5 stars. Great narrator as well in James Langton.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Substance: Standard pseudo-medieval magic land, although the differentiation of types of magic is interesting (Skill, Wit, hedge). Takes a long time to get to the real story, but not uninteresting. Essentially retells the story from the Assassin's Trilogy in the first 90 pages, with further retrospection through-out.Style: Generally straight-forward narrative, with some irritating and unnecessary back-stitching.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is the first book by Robin Hobb that I’ve read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It’s the first book of an anticipated trilogy and apparently this is the second trilogy involving the central character, FitzCivalry Farseer. Not having read the first trilogy (Assassin’s Apprentice, Royal Assassin, Assassin’s Quest) meant that I was behind on a lot of the background. While I could easily follow the plot of Fool’s Errand, I wouldn’t recommend that others start in the middle as I did. If nothing else, it's skipping a lot of what is almost certainly great stuff.Fool’s Errand in a very well-written fantasy. Although Hobb took her time in introducing the central conflict, I found her characters so engaging that I was very willing to stick with the story. Hobb has produced a convincing world filled with interesting, well-realized people. The story’s conflict revolves around the practice of two different types of magic, but it's the social consequences of using one of them - the Wit - that's at the core of the conflict. This is because magic in this world is a manifestation of special talent that not everyone has, and I would say that the book's theme is intolerance. Hobb makes the social conflict and its ramifications powerfully convincing.The central character, Fitz, is a complex person with a complex history. I’d like to read more about him, and my dilemma at this point is whether to backtrack and read the earlier trilogy to satisfy that desire. Inevitably, Fool’s Errand has handed me a lot of spoilers. My sense is that the quality of Robin Hobb’s writing is such that I would still find plenty to enjoy in those earlier books even if I already know the major plot twists. That’s a compliment similar to saying that a book stands up to re-reading.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I might have given this book 5 stars if it didn't have such an excruciatingly slow start. It takes the main character over 200 pages to leave his house, even though we all know from page 1 (or 5, at the latest) that he will go. Once he finally gets going, it's good.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This epic fantasy trilogy is actually a continuation of The Farseer Saga trilogy. I would say it is more accurately a hexalogy (a set of six related books), except that I understand the author will be going back to the same characters in a new series next year (a development about which I am more than delighted) so the story may encompass even more than six books.Background (Big Spoilers for the Farseer Series - Skip to Evaluation for NO Spoilers)Fitz was born out of wedlock to Chivalry Farseer, the King-in-Waiting of the Six Duchies. At age six, Fitz was taken away from his mother by his grandfather and handed over to Verity, Chivalry’s brother, at Buckkeep Fortress.With Fitz's existence known, Chivalry was forced as a point of honor to abdicate his right to the throne and to leave Buckkeep. Fitz’s care was given by Verity in part to Burrich, the Stablemaster of Buckkeep and Chivalry’s right-hand man. A third brother, Regal, was jealous of Chivalry and Verity, and when Fitz came, Regal began to hate Fitz the most of all of them. Regal resolved to get rid of all three of them so he could rule after the death of their father, King Shrewd.The others ignored Regal, because the Six Duchies had bigger (or so they thought) problems. They were being besieged by pirates from the Outislands, who traveled in distinctive red ships, raiding the shores and stealing the wealth of the Six Duchies. Then the Outislanders began kidnapping villagers and by some unknown process returning them as zombie-like monsters. Because this practice began with the village of Forge, such people, no matter their origin, were ever after known as “Forged.”People who were Forged could not even be detected by the Skill. This was magic common to those in the Farseer line enabling a person to reach out to another’s mind, no matter how distant, and know that person’s thoughts. If the other person were Skilled also, the two could even communicate through mind-speak, and if one had evil intent, he or she could control or even kill the other person via the Skill.Some people also had a magic called the Wit. This was the ability to form a special, and mutual, bond with an animal. Fitz was witted, and had such a bond with the wolf, Nighteyes.As The Farseer Series ends, the Outislanders have been defeated, and Chivalry, Verity, and Shrewd are gone. Verity’s Queen Kettricken now rules Buckkeep and has a son who is heir to Verity, Prince Dutiful. Chade has come out of hiding to be the Queen’s counselor. Burrich and Molly, thinking Fitz dead, have married. Fitz lives as a hermit in an isolated cottage outside Buck with his wolf Nighteyes and with the young boy Hap brought to him by the minstrel Starling. During the day, Fitz still wrestles with being drawn to the Skill, and at night, he dreams of dragons.Specifics for Fool's Errand (or skip to Non-Spoilery Overall Evaluation)This story picks up fifteen years after the end of the The Farseer Saga. Fitz, now 35, still lives in his isolated cabin with his Wit-bonded wolf, Nighteyes, and his foster boy, Hap, 15, who has been with Fitz for seven years. Hap was brought to Fitz by the minstrel Starling, who still occasionally visits with Fitz. Otherwise, Fitz has been mostly alone, and is going by the name of Tom Badgerlock. As the story begins, Fitz receives a very unexpected visit from Chade, his old mentor from his days at the royal court. Chade brings news of all the people from Fitz’s past, including Fitz’s daughter Nettle, now 15, raised by Molly and Burrich along with their five boys. Chade also tells him news of Prince Dutiful, 14, who, unbeknownst to almost everyone, is also Fitz’s child. Chade asks Fitz to return to Buckkeep and instruct both the Prince and Nettle in the Skill.Fitz refuses, but Chade’s visit awakened something in him, and Nighteyes tells Fitz he senses change in the air. “Changer” is what Nighteyes sometimes calls Fitz, similar to the name “Catalyst” given to Fitz by his old friend Fool. Hap is restless too; he is growing up, and wants to be an apprentice to a woodworker in Buckkeep Town. Fitz’s unquiet is exacerbated further by a visit from Fool. Fool too wants Fitz to come back, to be The Catalyst again. The matter is settled when Chade sends a message urgently calling Fitz back to Buckkeep. Prince Dutiful is missing. Fitz returns as “Tom Badgerlock,” servant to Lord Golden, who is actually Fool. In the years Fitz has been gone, prejudice and animosity have increased toward those who are witted. A renegade group of Witted calling themselves Piebalds have taken to exposing families “tainted” by the Wit. Some of those outted end up drawn and quartered by the fearful and superstitious masses. Prince Dutiful is witted, and Kettricken and Chade fear the Piebalds have taken him, either to disclose his nature, or use the threat of disclosure to blackmail the queen. Furthermore, in two weeks, Dutiful is scheduled to be betrothed to a princess from the Outislanders, an alliance deemed essential to maintain peace. Kettricken and Chade beg Fitz to find the prince and get him home safely before the Outislander delegation arrives. He has sixteen days. Fitz, Nighteyes, and the Fool set out to find Dutiful.Much of the plot of Book One is palpably saturated with Fitz’s anguish and loneliness. I cried myself to sleep after finishing this one.Overall Evaluaton - No Spoilers This is a wonderful series, which really should be read as part of a six-book saga rather than a trilogy, with The Farseer Series preceding this one. (In fact, one of the mysteries of The Farseer Series - about Forging - is not uncovered until the third book of this series.) The characters are unforgettable, and their lives in this story full of fantasy are nevertheless richly exemplary of "the human condition." This is a tale made up of a lot of pages, and perhaps there is a bit of repetition. But I didn’t regret reading any of it, except for the matter of all the kleenex I went through, and for the reluctant necessity of leaving the world of the Farseers when the saga was over.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Wah, Nighteyes! *crying*

    Okay...attempting to move on from that heartbreak...

    For some odd reason, I spent most of this book thinking about the next book I was going to read. I enjoyed reading it, yes, and I'd been looking forward to reading it for a while. But I couldn't keep my mind from wandering a bit. I'm not sure why that is- around page 400 or so, it finally hooked me. Perhaps it was because Fitz kept meandering through, reluctant to start anything. The beginning of the book was very staid.

    I look forward to coming back to this series, but a while from now.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    The books brings us back to Buch Duchy and Fitz and Nighteyes and it is a welcome return. Although I enjoyed the Liveship Traders trilogy the characters were not as engrossing or lovable as the characters in these books. This trilogy promises to reveal more about the Wit and the Skill, as well as focusing more on the relationship between the Fool and Fitz. Hobb's writing is on top form and this, combined with the truly interesting characters and plots, means that you quickly find you can't put it down. These series are some of the best written and engrossing novels I have read in recent years and I recommend them wholeheartedly.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Just as good as the original trilogy! 
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    A good start to a good trilogy. Robin Hobb once again starts us on a magnificent journey across a beautiful world. Picking up from the Farseer Trilogy it continues Fitz's tale. The Fool comes back from the Liveship Traders trilogy and his catalyst is caught up in events beyond his control. It continues the character development of the previous two trilogies very well and sets the scene for quite a bit of rising action.