When Fitz finds out, he’ll lose it.
That was my immediate thought at the end of “Fool’s Assassin,” when mysterious figures kidnapped little Bee. Right after that, I thought, “This can’t be the ending!” and “Fitz, how could you be so clueless?” (something I often think while reading about Fitz and the Fool). I expected “Fool’s Quest” to start with an enraged Fitz charging off to Clerres, sword in hand, dragging the Fool with him.
But Robin Hobb rarely delivers what you expect.
In this new trilogy, Fitz isn’t the impulsive boy we once knew. He’s now a mature man who understands (at least somewhat) the importance of careful planning before acting. People close to him—Nettle, Dutiful, Chade—won’t let him go it alone anymore. So, rather than a reckless pursuit, we get a slowly unfolding story. Fitz has to deal with the fallout from “Fool’s Assassin.” What’s happened to Bee? Can she be saved? Will the Fool survive? And will Fitz finally understand Bee’s real nature?
Fitz returns to Buckkeep Castle with the Fool, reuniting with old and new friends who need his attention. He must also address the impact of Bee’s kidnapping on the residents of Withywoods and take responsibility for them. Chade, the old assassin, has more secrets that will come to light, and Fitz’s personal tragedy affects the political landscape of the Six Duchies.
For Fitz—and the reader—two characters are most significant: Bee and the Fool. There was a fleeting moment when they found enlightenment in each other’s arms, but Fitz’s fear for his daughter led him to harm his closest friend. His regret separated him from Bee when she needed him the most. The tension between Fitz’s love for Bee and his love for the Fool is at the heart of this book. And trust me, there’s a lot of emotion here; it’s hard to read without tearing up at some point.
I’ve become very attached to Bee. I enjoy reading her thoughts in her chapters and wish there were more of them. Despite her apparent fragility, she is incredibly strong, embodying the best qualities of her (three? four?) parents. Through her eyes, we learn more about the Servants’ intentions for her and gain insight into Clerres, the Fool’s birthplace.
We also learn more about the Fool, though never enough to completely unravel the mystery of this character known as the Fool, Amber, Lord Golden, and Beloved. The Fool holds a special place in my heart, and every interaction with Fitz feels like a gift, despite the suffering involved. In this book, the Fool makes new allies amid adversity and transforms in unexpected ways.
“Fool’s Quest” ends with another emotional cliffhanger, once again making me think, “This can’t be the end!” We’ll have to wait another year for the conclusion. I have many theories about what might happen next, but I’m sure Robin Hobb will surpass them all. Whether this will be the final chapter for Fitz and the Fool remains to be seen.
Content Note: This book contains violence and some disturbing references to molestation and rape. Proceed with caution.
