Rating: 
Summary: It's over?
Review: I can't tell you how disappointed I was when I finished this book and realized that the series was over. It was engrossing, amazing, emotional, startling and facinating; everything a good story should be.
At the beginning of this book, I couldn't help but wonder where the story would head next, how everything would resolve. It didn't take long at all before the book pulled me in to the point where I ceased to try and figure out how it would end, and just enjoyed getting there.
There was only one thing, really, about this book that I'm still not sure about. And that would be the end. After I had finished this book, I couldn't decided whether I liked the ending, or whether I was let down by it. It was definitely not what I expected, and I think that has to be a good thing. It's not too often that a book can really surprise you at the end.
I could go on about the characters and the story, but to really understand why this series was so good, I think you have to read it for yourself.
So, I would definitely recommend this book, and the rest of the series, to anyone who wants to read a rather different sort of fantsy. And, I will certainly be reading them again soon.
Rating:
Summary: Actually not as bad as some have said. *NO SPOILERS!*
Review: Just finished reading the Farseer books. I was impressed with the characterization and the way Hobb tied up all the loose plots. The protagonist's ending was believable. Hobb writes the story in first person, but is able to use third person to tell stories of others via The Skill. Smart lady. Her portayal of the young man who grows to a grown man was excellent. She leaves certain things out of the story until the very end which is nice. That way, you the reader, will not be able to say, "Oh, I know what's going to happen here." She does not tell you specific things until the very end that ties things together wonderfully. I am impressed. Read these books, and you too will enjoy them.
Rating: 
Summary: Different from the first two but still lovable
Review: Fantasy books are my thing, and when I came to read the Farseer Trilogy Book One, I must admit that I was unprepared for the intensity of the feelings I ultimatley felt toward the deeply developed characters which Hobb had created so masterfully.
I, of course, then went on to read the next book and, on finishing that - and loving the amazing world of intrigue, love, war etc that was brought forward - went straight on to book three which I hoped wouldnt disappoint me.
In a sense it didnt, as one of the things I had loved about Hobb's orginal novels was her ability to bulid up a readers hopes and then knock them to the ground without so much as batting an eyelash! This ability, so unused in fantasy novels, I found oddly refreshing and in her third book - it was still there. But it was missing something; non-routine fantasy storylines. It's not that I dont like quests and dragons and full-on magics but I just didnt like them in Fitz's story, they just didnt fit! The ending i didnt like - not because it wasnt well written - but because it made me cry (i'm sad so sue me!)and i just hated the bitersweetness of it and yet, ironically, that was what made me love the books in the first place. I'm going to order the Tawny man trilogy bokks one and two right now and i cant wait to read them.
However, it is still one of the best series i've read in absolutley ages so i'll give her the benefit of the doubt and give her five - pruely because I love her wonderful characters.
Rating:
Summary: Assassin's Quest is a good closure of the Farseer trilogy.
Review: It starts off with Fitz still recovering from his death. Some of the drawbacks of his own magic, the Wit, are revealed, and much is learned of the other magic, the Skill. After his recovery, Fitz leaves Burrich and Chade to pursue his own quest, a quest interrupted when his true king calls him with the force of a command. As he tries to answer the call, his enemies pursue him, and he learns more about himself as he flees. He meets up with a few old friends that seem not to be overly pleased with him, such as Kettricken, Chade, and the Fool. He also meets some new friends, from a Minstrel to a mysterious lady with more knowledge of the skill than would be expected. Through this all he still has to deal with phantoms from his past. This book is a bit darker than its predecessors, both in content and background. Not only do the Red Ship Raids continue, but also Fitz has to deal with the ever-darkening mood swings brought about by elfbark. As it is written from a first person perspective, this darkens the tale. We also get some glimpses of the history of Hobb's world as well as a deeper understanding of the magic system that the author has created. That adds a certain enjoyment even with the darker nature of the story. All in all the series is very good and this book is no exception.
Rating:
Summary: Perhaps I'm a little free with my stars.
Review: An awkward ending? Rushed through, a quick wrapping-up of a beautiful tale? I never felt that this was the case, for all the seven times I read it. (Maybe one too many times.) Hobb stumbled in certain explanations of the Skill, and, now that I think about it, when Fitz finally realises how to wake stone from slumber. Yes, perhaps a little awkward. However, this book deserves no less than 4.5 (there are no half-stars, unfortunately), because Hobb has given her scenes the ability to curl into our minds, so that sometimes, an image will suddenly appear, of, perhaps, Fitz staring up at a portrait of his father, and will feel disgusting because Fitz, truly, has led such a terrible life. It's when an author is able to lather glue on her creations and make us feel disturbed that you know you've got something good here. Or, when an author can interweave hilarious humour with deep philosophical stuff. But we're not talking about Pratchett. So, my verdict is: a lovely ending to first-rate trilogy. Deserves a read, and a few more after that.
Rating: 
Summary: Couldn't finish it
Review: After following Fitz's (mis)adventures for 2 books and most of the third, I couldn't finish this one. Call me a coward. The physical pain Ms. Hobb put her main character through was bad enough, but the emotional pain was worse. When Kettle started on about how he and Molly didn't really love each other, but only that time in their lives, I could see where it was going. Other reviews here have summarized the ending. True, Frodo did not live happily ever after in LOTR, but the ending fit. He was recognized, honoured, beloved... he simply could not fit into that world anymore. It seems that Fitz winds up with NOTHING. And certain characters changed radically from Books 1 and 2. Chade, the classic behind-the-scenes skulker & assassin -- suddenly he's a warrior riding around? *How* old was he? And Regal *never* caught this old guy with the obvious pockmarks? (Notice the author doesn't explain this.) Kettricken turned into a complete b***h. Just because she lost her baby, she has to steal Fitz's. And everything Fitz went through for the royal family cut no ice with her. She deserved a slap in the face. Starling deserved two slaps. One of the most annoying characters I've ever met. Was it her big mouth that let the smugglers know who Fitz was? (And was that accidental or on purpose?) Even Verity disappointed when he was finally found (and the search for him did go on too long). An old-seeming, vague guy carving a dragon. Please. And what he asked of Fitz -- Verity and Regal were brothers after all, they both wanted to torture the life out of Fitz, one for "good" reasons and one for bad.
By the way, with all the royal bastards in this story (aside from Fitz, both Galen and Chade were)... and Verity a healthy guy who had a number of ladies before he married... he didn't father even *one* child before Kettricken's? So that the line could continue without dealing Fitz yet another grievous blow. I personally think Fitz would have been happier remaining a wolf. Some of the nasty things mentioned in the "history" sections at the beginning of each chapter were (thankfully) not explored in this trilogy. No doubt they are / will be in one of Hobb's other series. For those who enjoy pain with no reward.
Rating:
Summary: The Farseer Saga
Review: This book is told throughout in the first person (our hero). Its a steady-as-she-goes on a continuous level,with the drama volume going up towards the end of the book. There are some great names in this book: Chivalry, Verity, Shrewd to name a few.
I regret that our hero never got to meet his famous father and his father-figure didnt last another book because he was well worth it.
There was no mention in the credits whether the herbal combinations used here are real-to-life or just made up-one wonders.
The high drama getting to and the making of the dragon was an inspiration---- Who would of thought of such a bright colorful weapon. I enjoyed the part where we learn much about an assassins tools and trade (what fun) not to mention the Wit and the Skill training. I was thinking perhaps our hero was the best of them all-we just arnt told yet.
This book was a good read and Iam looking forward to the continuing adventures of the next generation of Farseers.
Rating:
Summary: OK, happy endings might be trivial, but...
Review: Well, I love to read, and it seems to me that I might make a stronger bond to the charactors of the books I read than is perhaps usual. It has long been so for me, that what I treassure in a book is not so much an exciting story, as a livid and realistic charactor description, that draws the reader into the story; fealing with and for the charactors. This can be obtained in many different ways, I've experienced, but Hobb's approach seems to me quite unusual, and perhaps not entirely pleasant. It seems that Hoob shape her characters but raining down on them disaster after disaster, and it seems that absolutely no-one goes free. It certainly gives the story a new twist, because where many writers seem to fall for the temptation of the 'invincible' hero, who always manages some last minute solution and saves everything, Hoob's charactors are in quite the opposite position. There appears to be a host of possible happy endings to this story, and though I shall not reveal the story, it seems that Hobb takes a certain pleassure in discarding them all. So, she certainly does mannage to capture the reader, but sometimes it's too much - the first 50 pages of this book seemed to be pure pain to me, and the ending certainly was not what I'd imagined in my romantic little mind. Tragedy is good, but it seems there can be too much of it in one book.
Rating:
Summary: Awww... I Want More!
Review: As the last book in the trilogy, Assassin's Quest had a lot expected of it. Yet it managed to deliver. Once again the wonderful language and plot and character development that Robin Hobb employs was evident, the sheer originality of what could so easily have been another 'battle for the crown' tale shone through.
FitzChivalry is once again on the rocky road to recovery. Only Burrich and Chade know that he lives. All others - Lady Patience, Molly and even Regal - believe him dead and buried. After living as a wolf he must now learn to behave like a human again, a hard task, but Burrich manages to teach him. Eventually the need for revenge on Regal overtakes Fitz and he sets out inland, away from Buck, to seek Regal. Regal has crowned himself king of the Six Duchies, though Verity still lives. The coastal Duchies have been left to the wrath of the Red Ship Raiders while Regal resides in his palace at Tradeford.
Soon Fitz makes everyone realise that he is very much alive and Regal's guards and his Skill coterie, are on Fitz's tale.
A momentous conclusion to the Farseer Trilogy, doesn't quite meet the standard of the other two, but this Trilogy, as a whole is definitely a superior piece of writing. If you haven't yet experienced it, I assure you it is worth it.
Rating:
Summary: A Bit Disappointing
Review: Too long by far and full of more disappointments for our beleagured protagonist (I can't call him a hero). About page 400 I found myself really running out of steam but did muster through it without regret. However, I do think the cliched dragons were very out-of-place in what has been to this point a very original work. Read it for what it is, but don't expect any gratification, since Fitz doesn't get even mild reward for his sacrifices.
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