Fool's Fate

Starred review from December 8, 2003
In Hobb's riveting conclusion to the Tawny Man series in the Farseer world (after Fool's Errand
and Golden Fool
), FitzChivalry Farseer and the man known as the Fool follow the dizzying, complex and treacherous steps that destiny has arranged for them—even though they both know that the end of the dance leads to agonizing decisions and, ultimately, death. Thrown in with Fitz and the Fool are a band of travelers who are on a quest to seek the head of the dragon Icefyre so that Prince Dutiful Farseer may marry the Narcheska Elliania. Most of the group find the time-consuming undertaking difficult and repugnant, for none of them truly wants to kill the ice-bound dragon, not even the Narcheska, it seems. All, however, are duty-bound to honor their word. Since the Fool has foreseen that all the possible consequences of killing the dragon spell his doom, his is the lone voice of dissent. With its carefully modulated tension, wonderful final revelation and strong characters who remain true to themselves throughout, this series may well become a classic in the fantasy field. (Feb. 10)

Forecast:
This completes the nine-volume Farseer series (
Assassin's Apprentice, etc.), but a tiny hole leaves room for more books. The pseudonymous Hobb, whose real name is Megan Lindholm, may find it had to resist popular demand.

January 1, 2004
To bring an end to war in the Six Duchies, FitzChivalry Farseer and his companions, Chade and Thick, sail to the icebound realm of Aslevjal, where the great black dragon, Icefyre, lies sleeping. Armed with his father's sword, FitzChivalry risks his life in a cause greater than himself. The author of the "Liveship Traders" and the "Farseer" trilogies concludes her tale of reluctant hero FitzChivalry in grand style. Hobb's rich, vibrant, and unique world, filled with sentient ships, magical beasts, and fascinating characters, deserves exposure to a wide audience. Highly recommended.

Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

January 1, 2004
The conclusion of the Tawny Man trilogy is generally as distinguished as its predecessors, " Fool's Errand "(2001) and " Golden Fool "[BKL N 15 02]," "although Fitzchivalry Farseer continues to be hardly a fool, and his fate is not particularly dire. He reaches the end of this portion of his journey only after physical, intellectual, and ethical travels that involve every part of the Six Duchies, most of the characters in the previous two novels, and plenty of adventures that show off Hobb's exalted world-building skills. As before in Hobb's work (see the Liveship Traders trilogy), the saga's ethical journey is its most important movement, and not only for the protagonist. Fitzchivalry has to find true love, remain bonded to his animal companion, deal with deadly intrigues to whose resolutions he is key, and realize that solutions all parties regard as ethical have the best chance of enduring. In this vast --and vastly rewarding --tale, Hobb largely avoids the sententiousness such an ethically loaded agenda portends.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2004, American Library Association.)