Assassin's Quest (The Farseer Trilogy, Book 3)

Rating:
Summary: Hasty ending...
Review: I could not put down the two previous books. I totally fell in love with Fitz. Halfway throught the second book I learned that Robin Hobb was actually a woman, which explained Fitz's almost immediate acceptance of Molly's Misterious new lover. He never questions her as to his identity. As a man I can tell you that if the woman I love tells me she's found another, my first reaction would be to find out who it is, not to simply keep going about my business and drink to her happiness right after she leaves me! It also explains Fitz's blind devotion and faithfullness to molly, specially when he rejects Starling twice. The ending gave me the feeling that Ms. Hobb was under dead line preassure from her publisher. I also think that after all Fitz when through he earned one moment of glory at the end...or at least not such a lonely ending...Other than that, GREAT READ!!!

Rating:
Summary: Drawn out in excruciating detail then it's over
Review: Very disappointing. The book is drawn out detailing every thought and interaction of every character for some 700 odd boring pages. The finale was abrupt and disappointing.

Rating:
Summary: Talk about your spectacular endings!
Review: I have noticed that many people seem to be complaining about the abrupt ending, about poor character development, and about a bad plot. These people could not be farther from the truth! First, the plot is supposed to be complex. You don't think that Regal and his coterie, waking the Elderlings, and fighting for his life everyday is going to be easy? If the plot was not as complex as it was, it would have been entirely unrealistic. Ms. Hobb described not only Fitz's life, but also each of the characters he was traveling with. She masterfully handled the secretive Kettle, the unknown Fool, and even Verity's decent towards annihilation of his being. This leads into the second point. Each of these characters was developed into a living, breathing, so-real-you-could-touch-them person. The realism of each character-their emotions, speaking patterns, and mannerisms-made each character three dimensional. Even their thoughts held true, a rare happenstance these days. This, I found, added even more depth to the characters. As to the ending, it was a bit short, but given the fact the Fitz heard all about it second- and third-hand, it is remarkably complete. How many people can know everything about an occurance, especially if they were not there? And the haste, which some people complain about, is entirely natural. The whole story was like a balloon filled with pure oxygen being put closer and closer to a fire. At one point, it's going to explode, and quickly. All in all, I found this book extremely well written, and I definately intend to read Ms. Hobb's future books. What a spectacular ending to an even more spectacular trilogy!

Rating:
Summary: When it's over, it's over
Review: Assassin's Quest is really about that everyone has his/her own destiny to fulfil and sacrifice to give. Fitz is the Catalyst. When he has done everything expected, there is nothing left for him in this life. He was the Catalyst. But the last sentence in the book gives a hint what's still to come for him and Nighteyes. Life is magic -- but in the Six Duchies the magic is life. And Robin Hobb writes like a real wizard.

Rating:
Summary: I was hooked to the end, but felt it wasn't the end!
Review: I started reading the first in the trilogy and just had to keep going. I normally read 20th century novels and so I was surprised to find that these novels had me hooked. However, I did not expect the end of the Quest; no I didn't want a "happy ever after" ending, but I did find that there were some avenues that had been ventured down, but not taken to completion...Too many questions and I was also left with despair and not satisfaction.

Rating:
Summary: An interesting trend...
Review: Does anyone else notice that all of the comments on this site that say that Assassin's Quest finishes wonderfully or is a satisfying ending to a great series are all about an unavailable out of print edition? Why Hobb changed the ending to such an unsatisfactory ending. I don't demand a Disney ending, just satisfaction. I felt that it was left dangling--like what about the fool? What happens to him? And Fitz is only about 30 at the end of the book--plenty of life left to work out his problems. I would like to see that happen, and see how it happens. I think there could be another book to answer my questions, yes??

Rating:
Summary: The Biggest Literary Disappointment of My Life
Review: This series begins with a well crafted plotline, intriguing character development, and finely crafted prose. The plot in this third book falls apart. It becomes like a skipping record where events seem to repeat themselves. Nor does any real character development take place in this book. Perhaps, I was most disappointed because an idea that began with so much potential devolved into a third rate hack job. I will NEVER read anything by Hobb again.

Rating:
Summary: Good buildup but hasty ending
Review: Well, I have to agree with a lot of the other reviews I have seen here - the whole series is very good, this book in particular sucked me in completely. But the ending...there is room for a novella in there as an epilogue surely? To tease us by alluding to further travels of Fitz was cruel! And surely the changes to Regal and his ultimate demise could have been handled a bit better? More was said about what Chivalry did to Galen yet Regal was a larger character. I got the feeling that this was rushed to print before Ms Hobbs had finished to her satisfaction, given the quality of the rest of the book/series. I will certainly read the next Hobb series though (as long as I don't have to wait so long between books!)

Rating:
Summary: This book was very, very, very BAD
Review: All I will say is "I will never read anouther one of her books".

Rating:
Summary: AQ is a superb conclusion to the Farseer Trilogy
Review: Robin Hobb was the first female fantasy writer I have read for some time. I always thought that women couldn't write fantasy well, but she has proved me wrong. The stunning ending, which is bleaker than many other fantasy novels, leaves you with a sense of melancholy at Fitz's situation. There is so much character development and plot that the book sometimes becomes too complex. Those that complain that the book is too long have forgotten the incredible journey that Fitz embarks on and the number of incredible escapes he makes from the clutches of his evil half-brother Regal.Unlike other reviewers here, I found the ending to be one of the most extraordinary in ANY book I have ever read. Yes, it isn't totally upbeat, but it is much richer for that. Robin Hobb is the future of realistic fantasy, and in my opinion one of the most talented writers in the genre at the moment. I can't wait for the next book!