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204th out of 351 books
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Fool's Errand (Tawny Man #1)
by
Robin Hobb
This first volume of a new trilogy from one of fantasy's most popular and skilled authors will delight longtime Hobb fans as well as first-time readers of her work.
FitzChivalry, the hero of The Farseer trilogy, now lives an isolated and quiet life with his foster son Hap and his Wit partner wolf, Nighteyes, until he is sought out by his old mentor Chade and the enigmat
...moreMass Market Paperback, 662 pages
Published
November 26th 2002
by Spectra
(first published 2002)
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While this is the first book in a trilogy, it seems that there are a couple of other trilogies that precede it, and I think it would have been quite helpful had I read those first. I didn't feel lost--I could follow the plot well enough--but there was so much backstory, so much interesting history that I think it would have added to the experience, and helped to understand the characters and their motivations better, had I read those other books first.
Still, I enjoyed "Fool's Errand."...more
Still, I enjoyed "Fool's Errand."...more
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I thoroughly enjoyed this series - the political maneuvering, the complex plotlines, the multi-dimensional characters. In a way, this was a protracted happy-ending for the first trilogy. It is difficult to express what I love about this series without giving the plot away. Suffice to say, I found the Fool's gift to Fitz from the Girl on the Dragon a philosophical and profound answer to some of the unanswered questions in the first. I am not too certain who did the growing up, I, the reader or F...more
Quite good! I think I lost a bit by not having read the previous books, but things were explained enough that I had no trouble following the story and filling in the background.
This series returns to the world of FitzChivalry Farseer. Only now he has renamed himself Tom Badgerlock. Ten years have passed since he retired from court intrigue and politics, but (of course) there is need for him again and he is drawn back. He is required to go and save his son (of his body only). The agent of this change is the Fool, also known as the White Prophet, who also has a new name, Lord Golden. While the story felt a bit pedestrian, the familiar characters drew me along and made me...more
3/23/04 - 10/10
Book 1:
just as good as farseer if not better. the relationships are more detailed - fitz, fool, nighteyes, dutiful. another big page turner. fitz is such a terrific charcter.
Series 9/10:
The Tawny Man blends some characters and situations from Hobb's first two series. This series again focuses on Fitz, the main character from the Farseer series. I think the more narrow focus really helps. Relationships are more detailed and Fitz is an incredible character. Not a ton of thin...more
Book 1:
just as good as farseer if not better. the relationships are more detailed - fitz, fool, nighteyes, dutiful. another big page turner. fitz is such a terrific charcter.
Series 9/10:
The Tawny Man blends some characters and situations from Hobb's first two series. This series again focuses on Fitz, the main character from the Farseer series. I think the more narrow focus really helps. Relationships are more detailed and Fitz is an incredible character. Not a ton of thin...more
This is the first book in a new trilogy narrated by FitzChivalry, but takes place a number of years later. The same protagonist now goes by the name Tom, and feels and acts like an ageing man.
If you're familiar with the first trilogy and still have most of it fresh in mind, you'll probably end up skimming about a third of this book. Aside from that though, it's a pretty enjoyable story. There are many series where the first two books or so are good but then proceed steadily downhill....more
If you're familiar with the first trilogy and still have most of it fresh in mind, you'll probably end up skimming about a third of this book. Aside from that though, it's a pretty enjoyable story. There are many series where the first two books or so are good but then proceed steadily downhill....more
Wordy. This book is wordy. It needed an editor badly. It could have been tightened up, as there were things there that didn't need to be. However, in terms of brining the reader back to the world they missed after the Farseer Trilogy, it was fantastic. All the old gang is back together, almost, and once again they must save the world.
The plot was a little shaky, and you could tell that it wasn't given the same attention as the OVERALL plot of the series. It was a subplot. Th...more
The plot was a little shaky, and you could tell that it wasn't given the same attention as the OVERALL plot of the series. It was a subplot. Th...more
I tried to read this book about a month ago, but quickly realized I was missing something. I looked it up and found out that this is the 1st book in the 3rd trilogy set in this world, so I put it down and pick up the real first book Assassin's apprentice. Robin Hobb's stories are very character oriented and she does well investing just enough effort into her characters to hook the reader right away.
I have noticed that some authors need a significant number of pages to develop plot ...more
I have noticed that some authors need a significant number of pages to develop plot ...more
This is the continuation for her other trilogy. I enjoyed it and it definately qualifies as a page turner. Whilst good, I don't feel it was quite as good as the Farseer Trilogy.
The beauty of the other trilogy was how the twists and turns would make the ending completely unpredicable. With this one, at least the first book, you did know how it was going to end roughly. That said, there are a few seeds that have been planted that will probably be relevant for the next couple of books....more
The beauty of the other trilogy was how the twists and turns would make the ending completely unpredicable. With this one, at least the first book, you did know how it was going to end roughly. That said, there are a few seeds that have been planted that will probably be relevant for the next couple of books....more
There are sooooo many things I like about Hobbs books, and this one was no disappointment.
The characters are the same as always,; well, even 'matured', if you may, so they show depth that others book not always show. The world is as beautiful and complex as ever, and then of course there's the politics and court intrigue... even if this one is but a prelude of what is to come.
One of the things I like most of these books, outside of character and world development, is that no m...more
The characters are the same as always,; well, even 'matured', if you may, so they show depth that others book not always show. The world is as beautiful and complex as ever, and then of course there's the politics and court intrigue... even if this one is but a prelude of what is to come.
One of the things I like most of these books, outside of character and world development, is that no m...more
Since reading the Farseer Trilogy, I gobbled my way through the Liveship Traders trilogy just so I could get started on this set of books.
After finishing the Tawny Man series, I was really glad I read the Liveship Traders series first because there were references that I could link together, since they are written in the same world (though the stories are completely unrelated).
The Tawny Man series begins where the Farseer series ended, though some time in the future, and ...more
After finishing the Tawny Man series, I was really glad I read the Liveship Traders series first because there were references that I could link together, since they are written in the same world (though the stories are completely unrelated).
The Tawny Man series begins where the Farseer series ended, though some time in the future, and ...more
I like the 'old' Fitz more than I did the young, whiny Fitz. I like Hobb's writing, she does a very good job of pulling you through the story - I find myself glued to the pages, even though she has paragraphs and paragraphs of descriptions. Lots of world building here.
On that note - there seems to be tons of holes in the magic system. There are just so many inconsistencies. I realize that Fitz doesn't know about the Skill or the Wit completely, but there were times he COULD have used ...more
On that note - there seems to be tons of holes in the magic system. There are just so many inconsistencies. I realize that Fitz doesn't know about the Skill or the Wit completely, but there were times he COULD have used ...more
O cenário e a maior parte dos personagens são os comuns à Saga do Assassino, uma vez que a narrativa tem lugar quinze anos depois da estória que conseguiu apaixonar os leitores de fantasia um pouco por todo o mundo. Foi, por isso, com grande satisfação que me deixei levar uma vez mais pela mestria da autora e penetrei nos Seis Ducados para mais uma aventura.
Para todos os fãs da saga já mencionada, este regresso dos seus personagens e as novas viagens pelos seus mágicos e estranhos caminhos...more
Para todos os fãs da saga já mencionada, este regresso dos seus personagens e as novas viagens pelos seus mágicos e estranhos caminhos...more
It's been a while since I read the Assassin's trilogy, and having skipped the Liveship traders books, I was a bit worried I that might have missed a lot of stuff. Fortunately this book picks up the trail of FitzChivalry Farseer 15 years after the first trilogy, and the events that followed the end of the last book are summarised in detail during his discussions with the other characters. Perhaps summarised in a little too much detail as it takes a third of the 660 pages before anything that loo...more
Very dense book, a slow read, and in terms of plot really not all that much happened ...
but the characters were so real, and so deep, that it was a story I kept wanting to come back to.
There's a lot of the meaning of different kinds of love (friendship, loyalty, allegiance, and many more) developed here through a wide range of characters who all have a very real feel to them.
And it's rare to read a novel that's part of a trilogy and yet leaves me feeling very finish...more
but the characters were so real, and so deep, that it was a story I kept wanting to come back to.
There's a lot of the meaning of different kinds of love (friendship, loyalty, allegiance, and many more) developed here through a wide range of characters who all have a very real feel to them.
And it's rare to read a novel that's part of a trilogy and yet leaves me feeling very finish...more
Robin Hobb returns to the characters of her Farseer trilogy mostly with success. Readers curious what happens to the hero after the world is saved will be pleased to revisit FitzChivalry, Nighteyes, and the Fool, on addition to others. The story takes a while to gather momentum, but it is a pleasant build up as we reacquaint ourselves with old friends.
The novel stumbles a bit in the introduction of new characters, as they do not have the benefit of a previous trilogy to establish them...more
The novel stumbles a bit in the introduction of new characters, as they do not have the benefit of a previous trilogy to establish them...more
This series... man. I loved this series and wanted to throw it against the wall so many times. The main character especially challenged me as a reader. Fitz is, without a question, a immensely believable character. If for no other reason then that there are so many times you want to slap him for being so often fallible. He is by no means perfect and he makes many selfish or foolhardy decisions. But that only wants you to want that much more for him to improve and succeed.
The ...more
The ...more
Robin Hobbs' "The Realm of the Elderlings', 4 sets of trilogies which include, in order, "The Farseer Trilogy," (which includes, "Assassin's Apprentice, "Royal Assassin, "Assassin's Quest,"); "Liveship Traders Trilogy," (which includes, "Ship of Magic," "The Mad Ship," "Ship of
Destiny"); "The Tawny Man Trilogy," (which includes "Fool's Errand," "Golden Fool," "Fool's Fate,");...more
Destiny"); "The Tawny Man Trilogy," (which includes "Fool's Errand," "Golden Fool," "Fool's Fate,");...more
Apparently this book follows The Farseer Trilogy, so I lost a lot of background story from those previous books; nonetheless it was easy to follow the plot considering this is the first book of a different trilogy. This is the first time I’m introduced to a Robin Hobb book, and her writing is really impressive! Not to mention her visual imagination. It’s a very deep book, no doubt about it, and I’m not talking about its endless pages, but the intense story. The settings are so descriptive you fe...more
This book was a mostly successful return to the life of FitzChivalry Farseer that contained a lot of elements from what made the first trilogy so successful.
The narrator is clearly likeable, complex, and someone whose life you want to read about. The main conflict in the book (the fact the Prince has gone missing) is important enough to carry the book and it hints at deeper issues that will be resolved in the rest of the trilogy. Plus, by the time it was over, there was magic, loss, ...more
The narrator is clearly likeable, complex, and someone whose life you want to read about. The main conflict in the book (the fact the Prince has gone missing) is important enough to carry the book and it hints at deeper issues that will be resolved in the rest of the trilogy. Plus, by the time it was over, there was magic, loss, ...more
Mike
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Fool's Errand by Robin Hobb is the first book in the Tawny Man trilogy and the return to the lives of FitzChivalry Farseer and company. Over a decade has passed for the characters, but for me, it's like picking up with an old friend you haven't seen in a few years.
As with Hobb's previous stories of Fitz, it's a bittersweet tale, and more real and human for it. The fact that the tale is told from the first person helps the emotional moments have more impact.
Parts of the st...more
As with Hobb's previous stories of Fitz, it's a bittersweet tale, and more real and human for it. The fact that the tale is told from the first person helps the emotional moments have more impact.
Parts of the st...more
Fool's Errand is the first book in the Tawny Man series or number seven in the Farseer series however you want to look at it. I would not recommend one start at this book because the character backgrounds are important to understanding the decisions they make.
Fitz narrates this book and the story begins 15 years after the Farseer trilogy ends. He has lived a simple, secluded life with Nighteyes and a boy he raised named Hap. We don't know much about Hap other than Starling brings ...more
Fitz narrates this book and the story begins 15 years after the Farseer trilogy ends. He has lived a simple, secluded life with Nighteyes and a boy he raised named Hap. We don't know much about Hap other than Starling brings ...more
Amazing, but don't start here. The Tawny Man series is the conclusion to the Farseer trilogy--in fact, I'm not exactly sure why these books have a different title since I don't think you'll appreciate them if you haven't read Farseer. Start with Assasin's Apprentice. All told, though, these six books are the epitome of fantasy, and ought to rank very high in literature in general if general lit reviewers ever read fantasy. I can't recommend them highly enough. Sure, you'll find a tedious 50 pag...more
Apparently this series is the sequel series to something Robin Hobb wrote earlier. Nothing on the copy of the book I had indicated that, so I was really confused as I was reading. The book assumes that you've read the other series, so it thinks you have an understanding of the world, characters, and the magic system. Normally a book will go out of its way to explain things to the reader on the off chance that they didn't read earlier works - this book doesn't.
I'm not saying the book...more
I'm not saying the book...more
If I knew it was a another series about a character from a previous series, I never would have bought this book. I can do without the history lessons, which are the worst part of multi-part books/series. We're all expected to know the character's depth already so only vague references are made about preceding events which takes away from character development. Yes, this sounds contradictory, I know. I generally like Robin Hobb as an author but I've only read one other series she wrote (A Sol...more
My favorite Robin Hobb book yet. I really related to the older FitzChivalry more and also like the story line. I was glad he wasn't going to spend the entire rest of his life in hiding.
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I just love the way that Robin Hobb spins her threads and weaves an amazing story. The Tawny man series is no exception. harking back to earlier times from the Farseer Trilogy, you are once again immersed into a world of intrigue, delights and deceptions. The pages turn quickly and all too soon you're faced with the challenge of getting to the end of the next chapter or going to work with a sleepy head. Until I reached the end of the triology, my colleagues thought I was doing dastardly deeds th...more
Such a shame. The series is an OK read, but unfortunately Hobb messes with the perfect ending of the Farseer trilogy, when she decides that Fitz and Molly should get together after all. To me the separation from Molly was the best part about Assassin's Quest, and represented Fitz truly becoming an adult - he was forced to see that it could never work with Molly, not after all he had been through. This sacrifice is pivotal for Fitz and ultimately breaks him, leading to an absolutely heartbreaking...more
Regarding the entire Tawny Man trilogy:
I found this second trilogy to be even better than the Farseer trilogy. This series is very character-driven, with Hobb digging deep into the characters and exploring betrayal, friendship, hate, love, sorrow, trust, and forgiveness. While the characters are older, they are not necessarily wiser, and are still beautifully flawed. The relationship between Fitz and the Fool is explored in a way that is at turns satisfying and heart-breaking. Ther...more
I found this second trilogy to be even better than the Farseer trilogy. This series is very character-driven, with Hobb digging deep into the characters and exploring betrayal, friendship, hate, love, sorrow, trust, and forgiveness. While the characters are older, they are not necessarily wiser, and are still beautifully flawed. The relationship between Fitz and the Fool is explored in a way that is at turns satisfying and heart-breaking. Ther...more
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Robin Hobb is the author of three well-received fantasy trilogies: The Farseer Trilogy (Assassin’s Apprentice, Royal Assassin, and Assassin’s Quest), The Liveship Traders Trilogy (Ship of Magic, Mad Ship and Ship of Destiny) and the Tawny Man Trilogy (Fool’s Errand, Golden Fool, and Fool’s Fate) Her current work in progress is entitled Shaman’s Crossing. Robin Hobb lives and works in Tacoma, Washi...more
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