Rating: 
Summary: Can't go wrong with this series.
Review: I've read all five books in this series and am fairly discriminating. But IMHO, you can go wrong with any of these. Start with the first series and read books 1-3 before starting this series. Who are they kidding?? You MUST know Fitz's history before trying to get into this series.Anyway, its true that this 2nd book is more of a plot builder for the last book but that's great. There are so many excellent parts to this book. Wow!!
Rating: 
Summary: Another Futz novel. Oh gosh,
Review: First, if you're a fantasy lover who's never read Robin Hobb before -- good for you! I bought this and Fool's Errand hoping for great reads and what I got was watered down fluff ala Robert Stanek. I'm sorry if this offends any Hobb fans but Hobb has obviously been taking lessons from the guy. Yuck, what a load of crud, do yourself a favor and skip this one. In fact, skip all Robin Hobb's novels and while you're at it skip Stanek to. These two together couldn't write themselves out of a wet paper bag. Like Stanek's novels, "Golden Fool" is more a story of backstabbing and intrigue with lots of banter and little real action. In fact, there's only one memorable scene in his whole book and its pretty much a yawn. On top of this, its the same old cliche characters and drastic "emotions" playing like a fantasy soap operat gone bad. In a plot seemingly borrowed from Stanek everything hinges on rumors we only get glimmers of what's happening. Yeah yeah, good old Futz is determined not to repeat past mistakes and still manages to make them. Gosh, don't know where I've seen that before. In the end, I cannot recommend buying this book, and if you must, wait for the paperback. I only give this 3 stars because I managed to finish it. It's more like 2 1/2 stars.
Rating: 
Summary: A Bridge of Character
Review: Middle books of planned trilogies are difficult, as they must necessarily not be complete in themselves, but can only build the setting for the last book. The middle book of the last of three related trilogies must be even more difficult. Haven gotten through the Assassin and Liveship Trader sets (and if you haven't, you need to before tackling this set - you won't regret it), and Fool's Errand as a the first book of this set, this becomes an obvious bridge work between all that has gone before and (presumably) the tie-up of all the various plot threads in the last volume. FitzChivalry Farseer is once more the star, opening this volume as a very much-wounded man, having lost his bond mate, and forced to once more try to fit in to the court intrigues by playing the servant to Lord Golden as Tom Badgerlock. New problems almost at once descend upon him, from his adopted son Hap's wayward ways to complications in his own love life, while the pressures of the Piebald group mount upon both Fitz and the kingdom, and Prince Dutiful's training in the Skill becomes an imperative, regardless of Fitz's own feelings of inadequacy in matters of the Skill. Add in problems with the Outisland delegation and Dutiful's promised bride, and the Bingtown traders requesting help in their war against Chalced, and there are more than enough plot threads for several novels. But the focus of this book is not so much in unraveling all these threads, but rather in Fitz's development as a person, along with all the people around him. Throughout this book, we see Fitz make errors in judgement, fail as a parent, as a spy, a lover, a teacher, as a friend. Each error leads to further growth of the man as he tries desperately to fix all his self-imposed problems while also working to aid the kingdom in what he sees as the best way possible. Lord Golden is exposed as having even more personas than previously known, each equally as enigmatic. Lord Chade comes into his own as a real human, with understandable desires and forgivable failings, and even Hap becomes a very recognizable young man with a very normal set of young man's problems. This is therefore a quiet book, without a great deal of surface action, but with a great deal of character development, and the setting in place of all the things and characters needed for a final denouement. As the characters make up so much of the charm of this entire set of interrelated stories, it is a fully satisfying book, even though it has no real ending, and with possibly even more questions raised than answered within its various disclosures of tie-ins between the various plot threads. The only real problem with this book, like almost every other middle book of a series, is the agonizing wait for the final volume. --- Reviewed by Patrick Shepherd (hyperpat)
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful and Engrossing
Review: I am avid reader of Sci-Fi and Fantasy novels and I must say that Hobbs books don't disappoint. I found the Golden Fool to be an excellent addition to the the series thus far. It is really difficult not to care deeply for Fitz, especially after all that he's been through. I can't wait for the next novel and hope that his long journey has a happy and peaceful ending.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Book
Review: This book is wonderful, however, do not read any George R.R. Martin books before this. They are so good that all fantasy will seem like complete trash, including Robin Hobb's books. If you've already started A Song of Ice and Fire, steer clear of this nonsense. Whiskeyjack has got twice the play of a rogue Fitz smack.
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic!!
Review: This next series of Robin Hobb is excellent! I thoroughly enjoyed the first trilogy (Apprentice Assasin) and was glad to find she had resumed the storyline. Robin Hobb is a very gifted story-teller, unveils each character in such a way that you feel like you know them, and the plot keeps you reading page after page. Unlike the Robert Jordan series (which I lost interest in after Book 6 or 7, I anxiously wait for the next book which may be another year or so. These books are a must-read for any fantasy lover. I do hope that Fitz bonds with another as it added such depth and dimension to his character.
Rating:
Summary: Can't Wait for the last book in the series..................
Review: I purchased both hardcover copies of the new Tawny Man series by Robin Hobb. I was thrilled with the first book and very pleased with the second one. The continuation of the main story does not disappoint. I will admit that I was brought close to tears near the end of this book, which I will not blame solely on the dental work and pain killers I was on. Hobb has the ability to make you really care about the characters she has created. The interaction between characters is so well done that any disharmony in them truly makes you sad. Hobb brings a total sense of realism to her characters. I highly recommend all of Hobb's books in the three trilogies.
Rating:
Summary: many new surprises..
Review: Robin Hobb has been my favorite author ever since I picked up the first Assassin book. I didn't particularly enjoy Fool's Errand as much as I did her other two series, but Golden Fool was a wonderful improvement! Many new surprises were revealed just when you think there couldn't be anything more, and I'm looking VERY forward to the last book.. although things are starting to seem like the last book will be a bit rushed like the last one was in the Assassin series. I don't want it to end!
Rating:
Summary: A good follow up
Review: A few nice surprises and the plot seems to be moving along.
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful but definitely one of a trilogy
Review: Slipping into this book was like slipping into a comfortable old coat. It was wonderful and the character development was wonderful, but the angst (I got the word from above) reminds me of Stephan Donaldson's leprosy-ridden hero. Why does FitzCalvary have to suffer internally so much? Bring Nettle and Molly and Burris to Buckkeep and a lot more could happen. Get the prince and FC to wit to a new beast - and see what happens. But of course, I am sure Robin Hobb will keep us going - but can she do it in another 800 pages - maybe she will need 24000. At any rate this trilogy is even more exciting that the first, and easier to take and more interesting, without the leap of faith of the hero in the wolf. The only thing is it cannot stand alone. I cannot wait for the final one - Help!
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