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Fool's Errand

(The Tawny Man, Book 1)

By Megan Lindholm, Robin Hobb

(44)

| Hardcover | 9780553801484

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Book Description

With the creation of the magnificent Farseer and Liveship Traders trilogies, Robin Hobb has emerged as one of the foremost fantasy authors of our time. Now she continues the tale of FitzChivalry Farseer in the first book of what promises to be her most spectacular trilogy yet.

A work of dazzling scope, brilliance, and sheer imaginative artistry, Fool’s Errand is the captivating story of a man finally confronting the two magics that divide not only himself but his land.

Fool’s Errand

For fifteen years, since the events that shattered his old life, FitzChivalry Farseer has lived in a self-imposed exile, assumed to be dead by almost all who once cared about him.

A bastard with royal Farseer blood, he has retreated to an isolated cottage far from the intrigues and dangers of the capital. Now he believes himself content to exist in obscurity, raising his adopted son, Hap, and sharing his solitude with his faithful wolf bondmate, Nighteyes.

Despite the rumors he hears of savage reprisals against those posssessing the Wit magic, he is determined to remain aloof from the conflict. After all he has served his kingdom, sacrificed what was dearest to him, and he deserves his peace.

But all that is about to change when destiny comes seeking him once again. High summer brings visitors to his door, and with them his past. Jinna, a hedge-witch, foresees that a long-lost love will return to him. Chade — court assassin and Fitz’s mentor from his own assassin days, now growing infirm — has reasons of his own for desiring Fitz to return to Buckkeep Castle.

And when the Fool, the former White Prophet, reappears as the wealthy and charming Lord Golden, he beckons Fitz to take up his duties as Catalyst, the one who enables others to be heroes and change forever the path of time.

To all of them Fitz says no. He has done his duty — more than one man should be expected to do. But then comes the summons he cannot ignore.

Prince Dutiful, the young heir to the Farseer throne, has vanished from Buckkeep Castle without a trace. Whether Dutiful has been kidnapped or has fled his impending arranged betrothal is unclear. What is clear is that the Prince is rumored to be Witted at a time when public superstition is running high against those possessing that “beast magic.”

Endowed with both the royal Skill magic and the despised Wit, FitzChivalry may be the only one who can retrieve the Prince before 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. Everyone seems to have an agenda for the young Prince, and soon FitzChivalry is plunged into a situation where his loyalties to his Queen, his Wit partner Nighteyes, and those who share his magic will be tested to the breaking point.

Critics

The Best Reviews: Robin Hobb, Fool's Errand

"Tremendous fantasy" Fifteen years ago, FitzChivalry Farseer used all his unwanted powers including telepathy and the dirty magic of Wit that allowed mental ties with beasts to save the Six Duchies (see the fantastic Farseer Assassins trilogy). A rel ... (read full critics)

thebestreviews published on Fri, 17 Sep 2010

3 Reviews

*** This comment contains spoilers! ***

The inevitables: seeking and grieving

When the things beacon you to change, to take action, from the middle of everyday's routine, it's your lukewarm youth sparks in you. When the most beloved one is gone, you suddenly see the ages you took in, and every gush of air you breathe out push you closer to them. And you go on, for you're stil ... (continue)

When the things beacon you to change, to take action, from the middle of everyday's routine, it's your lukewarm youth sparks in you. When the most beloved one is gone, you suddenly see the ages you took in, and every gush of air you breathe out push you closer to them. And you go on, for you're still alive.
I shared the saddest moment of Fitz, it was like the very last lifeline frayed away for him, and it's when the other torch lighted.
When the life in one shine, it demand touch, partner, experience, and challenge. It's youth. It's no more explanation needed for a change. The longing Skill up the hill and all the changing of sensation after Chade's visit marked this youth in Fitz, it's one of the best part.
When one passed these inevitables, and the struggles between loyalty and death, between diffirent levels of loyalty, so when all the tasks remained are done, one can face the end. The second most unforgettable part is the fading of Nighteyes. His desires and dreams still so strong, his yearning for a clearing summer morning and a perfect hunt in the wood, all the fresh and sweet senses of life of a wolf... Is the proud and content last howl of this noble warrior. He is not undefeatable nor young, but fight to the last for his pack. He has no match.
Why Robin left this bastard so lonely and so dishonored in every seeable corner, but the closet ones? there is never more than 7 of them, and they died one by one. And then you pondered, how important the reputation is to one man? If the truth is he is loyal and honest, strong and capable, do no shameful things but hurt himself, does he need more than just some friends know, only secretly?

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勉強是很勉強的 said on Mar 29, 2010 about the Mass Market Paperback edition | Add your feedback