Golden Fool (Tawny Man, #2)

by Robin Hobb

709 pages

English language

Published Dec. 1, 2003

ISBN:: 978-0-553-58245-1
Goodreads:: 45109

(38 reviews)

Prince Dutiful has been rescued from his Piebald kidnappers and the court has resumed its normal rhythms. But for FitzChivalry Farseer, a return to isolation is impossible. Though gutted by the loss of his wolf bondmate, Nighteyes, Fitz must take up residence at Buckkeep and resume his tasks as Chade’s apprentice assassin. Posing as Tom Badgerlock, bodyguard to Lord Golden, FitzChivalry becomes the eyes and ears behind the walls. And with his old mentor failing visibly, Fitz is forced to take on more burdens as he attempts to guide a kingdom straying closer to civil strife each day.

The problems are legion. Prince Dutiful’s betrothal to the Narcheska Elliania of the Out Islands is fraught with tension, and the Narcheska herself appears to be hiding an array of secrets. Then, amid Piebald threats and the increasing persecution of the Witted, FitzChivalry must ensure that no one betrays the Prince’s secret—a …

Meanwhile, FitzChivalry must impart to the Prince his limited knowledge of the Skill: the hereditary and addictive magic of the Farseers. In the process, they discover within Buckkeep one who has a wild and powerful talent for it, and whose enmity for Fitz may have disastrous consequences for all.

Only Fitz’s enduring friendship with the Fool brings him any solace. But even that is shattered when unexpected visitors from Bingtown reveal devastating secrets from the Fool’s past. Now, bereft of support and adrift in intrigue, Fitz’s biggest challenge may be simply to survive the inescapable and violent path that fate has laid out for him.

3 editions

Sean Gursky reviewed Golden Fool (Tawny Man, #2) by Robin Hobb

Review of 'Golden Fool (Tawny Man, #2)' on 'Goodreads'

4 stars

You always chose to be bound by who you are. Now choose to be freed by who you are.

Reviewing this series is a challenge. I know I am enjoying it but I can't articulate why. Like a glass of wine, I am satisfied by it but I can't pick out the different flavors that make the wine good to me.

Hobb's has crafted a very great vintage here and she has stuck to her careful pacing, slow evolution of the characters and now the reader has such investment in everyone that even the dislikable players in Buckkeep are enjoyable to read about. Actions have consequences, there is no reset and the frustrations I feel are real and are mercilessly unresolved and left to sit out in the open.

I started this series because of the fantasy aspect, and even though the pace is turned down in this book the characters and story kept me engaged the whole way through. This is a skillfully crafted series that doesn't rely on cliffhangers or shocking twists to keep you reading more. The characters are very memorable, and though the story is from the perspective of Fitz you gain a deeper understanding of Chade, Thick, or most importantly, the Fool.

I didn't read the Liveship Traders Trilogy, and I imagine there would have been some satisfaction with their story crossing over here, but it didn't diminish the story. It's probably a bit like reading Ender's Game and then reading Ender's Shadow. Both stories are benefited from having read the other but you are not required to read both.

I appreciate that the stories in this trilogy continue in the same short timeline because I'm ready to jump in to Fool's Fate and resume the events that were started in Golden Fool.