My sister bought me this book for my birthday and I only just now got around to finishing it! It is a pretty good fantasy novel, I really liked the world building and most of the characters. I will say though that it moves pretty slow and the magic system was confusing to me. But as I have read much worse things out there and the writer clearly knows what she is doing, I likely will continue to read the rest of the series.
This book follows Fitz, a bastard of the king-in-waiting from when he is dumped on the castle steps as a child to him growing up and taking on his first big task as an assassin. For most of his childhood he is raised by the stablemaster Burrich. He additionally makes a friend in the dog Nosy, by entering his mind through what we learn is the Will. Burrich though disapproves and when he learns about this he takes Nosy away. Fitz is then discovered to be there by his father’s wife and she takes him under her wing. She has him learn how to fight and write and gifts him another dog. Around the same time, Fitz is visited by Chade, the king’s assassin. He starts to teach Fitz how to sneak around and notice things no one else will. His final teacher though is Galen, the Skillmaster, who teaches him how to use the Skill which is putting ideas into other people’s heads. Galen creates an abusive relationship with all of his students and tries to kick Fitz out until Burrich beats Galen up.
Galen’s final test is to drop all of his students off at mystery locations. Fitz is dropped off at a dangerous place that he isn’t expected to return from, but he gets word from his dog that Burrich is being attacked and he manages to rush home. Burrich realizes that Fitz knew by using the Will on the dog and ceases to associate with him. Then Fitz gets the order to accompany the new prince to his wedding and kill the bride’s older brother to ensure that the bride is the sole heir to her kingdom. He gets there and the prince is in perfect health, not sickly as he was told. He starts to doubt his mission, even more so when the princess reveals that she knows he’s an assassin and attempts to poison him. Fitz protests against his orders but is told by the king and the prince’s younger brother to stay firm. So he goes to confront the bride’s brother, he puts the poison in the wine, but unbeknownst to him the wine was already poisoned and the bride’s brother dies. Fitz is arrested, Nozy reappears as an old dog and chews through his bonds and Burrich supports Fitz to confront the prince’s brother. He attempts to kill both Burrich and Fitz, Fitz is only saved by Nosy dragging him from the pool he was supposed to drown in, killing Nosy in the process. Meanwhile there is an attempt on the prince’s life but Fitz finally uses the Skill to warn him, and they head home. Fitz is barely alive, Burrich is also severely injured, but peace is maintained in the kingdom.
Now my main complaint with this book is that the magic systems are very confusing. I had no idea what the difference is between the Will and the Skill for most of the book. And I’m still a little confused, but I think the Will is animals and the Skill is people potentially. Which makes Burrich’s reaction to the whole thing a little ridiculous as he encourages Fitz with the Skill and hates the Will. But ok we learn as we go and that’s fine.
The other complaint is that it moves pretty slowly. Fitz primarily hears about things going on elsewhere in the kingdom while he studies or something. He likes a girl in town but doesn’t make any moves. The Fool pops in and out but there’s a lot going on in there that we don’t know. The politics of the situation primarily aren’t revealed until the last second when it feels like I’m struggling to keep up. I’m hopeful that it speeds up though, introducing a world can take time.
Having said all that, I do really like the world and the characters. Burrich is charming and the Fool is delightful. Fitz is a bit annoying, but not in a way that makes me hate him. The characters like the princess that we meet at the last moment I hope stick around as there aren’t enough women here (but there never is in fantasy). Hobb so clearly knows what she is doing that even when the going gets frustrating, I still want to keep going.
And keep going I will, I am trying to get my hands on the
second book in the trilogy and am looking forward to reading it!
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