Rating: 
Summary: Solid series second.
Review: I continue to be impressed by Hobb's work. This second book in the Farseer Trilogy has the same impressive strength of the first. The book is full of realistic characters, plausible politics, excitement and sympathy.One minor quarrel-- nothing about these books has been predictable with the exception of the subplot revolving around the use of the Wit. Unfortunately, this one has been telegraphed from the beginning of the series and it was a little bit disappointing that so much of this book hinged on its use. Still, one hackneyed element in two books is not bad at all-- certainly not by modern fantasy standards.
Rating:
Summary: Another excellent novel!
Review: Fizt is back!
Anyone who has enjoyed the first book in this trilogy will love this book! We've watched Fizt grow up,as if we've grown up with him. Now we get to see him as a young adult, still bound by his loyalty to the king, and therefore possessing very little control over his own life. The effect this has on him is amazing to see.
I must warn you, though, that the plot in this book is somewhat slow. But while some would find that frustrating, I found it refreshing. This isn't the kind of book you rush. The author is has written it in a way that makes you feel as if your living a second life (excuse the melodrama). You laugh when Fizt laughs, you cry when he cries, and when things get really terrible your angry enough to throw book acrooss the room (I had to buy a second copy having thrown the first one into my bathtub) All and all, it's well worh the journey. I highly recommend it!
Rating: 
Summary: Mildly engaging
Review: Mediocre I would say.
When I started the book I had quite high expectations according to what the reviewers had been saying and in all sense I hadn't been totally disappointed. The characters were well thought out and interesting but something was lacking. The whole book didn't really seem to go anywhere. It basically started off almost where it ended. I will but the next installment out of curiosity because the ending was interesting and left you waiting for more and books have been known to improve from book to book.
Rating:
Summary: Royal Assassin
Review: I enjoyed these books much more than I expected to. They're solid, workmanlike fantasy, not works of literary genius, but fun to read. Sentence-level writing is smooth though not particularly artistic. Characters are generally appealing, and I like the way the author develops a limited number of people over time rather than constantly adding more "names". The protagonist is believable and has a solid first-POV voice. Generally, the characters seem real and human. Two exceptions are the wolf, whose behavior doesn't quite match with real wolf biology, and Regal, who is too much of a cardboard villain, though he does get some motivation in this volume. Plenty happens in the plot, but overall the book is too long and becomes slow; it could have stood to have quite a bit cut. But at least the things that happen are exciting and make sense, and the end is dramatic. The setting isn't as detailed or vivid as I might wish, but it does go beyond the standard pseudo-medieval pap.
Rating:
Summary: Poor Fitz
Review: Poor Fitz. Of any character of any fantasy novel I've read, I've never sympathized with anyone more than FitzChivalry. He wants so desperately to love and be loved, but due to traumatic events in his youth, he can never trust anyone completely. In both the Farseer and the Tawny Man series, he strives to find a way out of the vicious intrigues that make up court life in Buckeep. Ironically, however, the same courtiers who have used and manipulated him are the closest he has to family, to acceptance. It seems to Fitz that the only way he can be valued at all is as an assassin, yet every time he kills for his king he feels slightly less honorable, less worthy of love. Because of his deeply rooted moral standards, he manages to keep going. But he can never seem to find happiness.
Rarely in Science Fiction or Fantasy can one find a character this well drawn. Rather than taking the "bad guys attack, good guys get together, kill bad guys" path often taken in the genre, Robin Hobb focuses on internal conflicts, letting Fitz tell his own story through his own unique voice, letting us see through his eyes. This technique does not allow for the expansiveness of other SciFi/Fantasy novels, and Fitz's narrative often gets stuck in the mundane. Overall, though, Hobb manages to maintain the momentum and create heart-stopping drama that always leaves you wanting more. You find yourself thinking about Fitz's story even after you put the book down. You know that the "good guys" will win, but, you cannot help wondering, will Fitz?
Rating:
Summary: Very good follow-up
Review: The continuing adventures of Fitzchivalry Farseer, as the Royal Assassin, is as good, if not better than the first. The Red Ship raiders continue and even step up the raids. During this period, we see Fitz grow into a young man. His world crumbles and grows at the same time, forcing an interesting combination of attributes in the protagonist of the story. The mark of a good story is the interest it inspires in its characters. Hobb did a very good job with this. The relationships Fitz develops do well to illustrate the depth of character evident in even the antagonists of the tale. From the wisdom and skill of Chade to the views of Regal. Throughout the book, one sees growth and wonders where it will go, and after the conclusion, one wonders what if it had gone another way. The interaction of characters, the responses recorded by Fitz, and the further development of the magics of this world make this an enjoyable read. I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a tale, though it is a bit long for light reading.
Rating: 
Summary: Robin Hobb, you've done it again.
Review: The second instalment of the Farseer Trilogy lives up to it's predecessor so well that I can't decide which is better! Rather, it is best to think of it as an extension of the original, though it is quite possible that this one could also stand alone, as much of what happened in the first is briefly explained.
The language of Robin Hobb's books and the wonderful plot and character development never cease to amaze me. FitzChivalry is a very in-depth character and the workings of his mind are so clearly portrayed. These are some of my favourite books now.
The story finds Fitz on the uphill road to recovery after his poisoning by Prince Regal. He returns to Buckeep where the court is slowly falling apart. Verity is tired, Shrewd is feeling his age more than ever, and after the death of Galen, his successor Serene has a vendetta against Fitz. And all the while the red ships keep coming, keep forging the people and keep destroying the costal Duchies' livelihood.
Fitz throws caution to the wind and develops his Wit, bonding to a young wolf cub that he rescues.
Royal Assassin contains one of the most original plot twists I have seen in a long time, and ends on another cliffhanger. I definitely had to read the next book in the trilogy after this.
Rating:
Summary: Most Excellent Trilogy
Review: I had to take a few moments out from my own writing to submit this review for Robin Hobbs "Royal Assassin". I personally have all three (3) books of the "Farseer Triology" in my collection. I recommend "Assassins Apprentice", "Royal Assassin", and "Assassins Quest" to every fantasy reader. These are all simply hard to lay aside once you have read the first page. Frankly, this is the best connected triology I have had the opportunity of reading. Hats off to Robin! Dave
Rating:
Summary: Continue the exciting saga of FitzChivalry Farseer!
Review: This is more good stuff from Robin Hobb. We continue the story of Fitz, the royal bastard training in the art of assassination. His position in this book goes from bad to worse, and then to even worse (no, he hasn't seen worst yet)! In this volume we have a delightful new character, Queen Kettricken, as well as the always interesting Lady Patience. Queen Kettricken brings with her from her mountain kingdom the idea of Queen as Servant, which she attempts to live out in her new home. The people here don't understand her, which causes life to be difficult for her. Her dearest friend in her trials is Fitz. Fitz has other problems to worry about, too. The Forged Ones are spreading across the land, and Prince Verity's war with the Outislanders is growing more desperate. People are losing confidence in him, and begin to speak favorably about Prince Regal, who wants Fitz dead. The Royal Assassin, whose place was meant to be a shadowy one, serving the king in secret, has been exposed, and new dangers threaten him. Fitz will have to make difficult decisions about what is right and what is best, and he learns that those two things aren't always the same. Fitz's character continues to grow and mature over the course of this book, yet he is still very capable of making impulsive decisions and acting rashly. The harrowing ending of this book will keep you on the edge of your seat and reading late into the night!
Rating:
Summary: Approaching brilliance
Review: On one hand following Fitz in this second volume of Hobb's trilogy is an exercise in genre. We have the flawed and raised-from-the-common man-role hero with surprisingly strong magical talents, the political intrigue, the unknown ominous evil, the reclusive guide, the burly stable master, and the vaguely annoying love interest. But any story can be reduced to a series of stereotypes--the key is how the author builds off these basic ingredients. On the other hand we have a fully-drawn main character surrounded by a cast of supporting characters whose actions are believable and whose flaws and struggles somehow hit home. Hobb has done a great job creating a background and historical framework within which her plot lines function. Rather than launch into a plot summary I'll just state that the standard elements of a complex political intrigue-style fantasy series are all here and Hobb handles them adeptly. The strongest elements are the fact that Fitz is never cloying as a hero--he struggles to do the right thing and sometimes acts irresponsibly / out of anger. He's fun to accompany. His wolf companion brings a nice "simple viewpoint of a guide" contrast to the "complex viewpoint from a mystical guide" supplied by Chade. The one weak part is the ongoing and rather boring romance with Molly. Fitz is kept incredibly busy by the events in the novel; his romance adds needlessly. Whatever--the third volume will soon be read for the surely satisfying conclusion.
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