Rating: 
Summary: Excellent book
Review: If you haven't read the Farseer trilogy my recommendation is that you read it first. Not because you have to for this book but because you'll want to. The incredible character and story development on which this book is built is simply too rich to step past. Having said that, this book is sufficiently apart from the Farseer trilogy that new readers can step in here. They will find a great book and one with less pain and desperation than the Farseer trilogy which is so much a part of the main character Fitz.As Fitz and company seemed to be closing in on Price Dutiful it dawned on me that the predictable ending I was looking for was actually not in keeping with the Farseer trilogy and I felt compelled to finish the book in one sitting. The Liveship Traders series only lightly touches this book and I found just three points that I wanted to look for when I reread the Liveship Traders series. Fool's Errand seemed to be setting the stage for a sweeping tale in future books as characters and sub-plots come and go but unlike some trilogy books the story is whole and feels complete in this single book.
Rating:
Summary: Pleasantly surprized
Review: When I finished Assassin's Quest, I was saddened and resigned to hearing the last of FitzChivalry Farseer. While I was browsing in a bookshop late November, however, I discovered Fool's Errand and imediately grabbed myself a copy. It was the cover that first grabbed my attention. John Howe's cover (not shown above) is spectacular. Compared to his work on the Farseer Trilogy, Foll's Errand is 100% better. It was one of the major factors of why I bought large paperback - I couldn't bear to have the ilustrations downsized. My other reason for buying it was the story itself. Set about fifteen years after Assassin's Quest, Robin Hobb brings us back to Fitz, former assassin..., still living a simple life in self-imposed exile. When Chade, his mentor, returns to Fitz's life, shortly followed by The Fool (one of my favourite characters), Fitz is drawn back to Buckkeep Castle. Once again the the Royal family has need of his services and Fitz finds himself searching for Prince Dutiful, the son of his body and missing heir to Farseer throne. The search soon leads him into the very circumstances he had fled and Fitz must confront both his past and the lure his magic heritage, the Skill. In Fool's Errand, Robin Hobb provides a book that can be read by itself or as a sequel to the Farseer Trilogy. Her writing is as good, perhaps better, than her fans have come to expect. The running action present in the former series gradually builds up in Fool's Errand, leaving one pulling their hair out while waiting for the next book. Hobb manages to bring back the same characters yet presents them as more mature, a task in which many other authors have failed, their characters changing in personality from book to book. Her take on the fantasy field is different, as well, looking at the downside of loyal service royalty when too often the benefits are the focus of authors. Best of all, perhaps, is the length of Fool's Errand. You won't simply be reading until late at night - its more likely you'll still be reading when the sun comes up.
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: Even before I began this book I had high expectations, since it is by Robin Hobb who has never written a book that disappoints, and Fool's Errand proved to be no exception. The story does begin at a slow pace, but it is still interesting as Fitz's past fifteen years are revealed, pedal by pedal. Then the action builds upon more action until I could not bear to put the book down. Much sleep has been lost reading Fool's Errand, but it was more than worth it. All the characters are real with breathtaking details, and Fitz has to be the one of the most fleshed out protagonists ever. He leaps off the page as a person so real with all his triumphs and tragedies, all of his strengths, and right down to even single one of his faults. At times Fool's Errand had me laughing out loud, and at other times I cried, literally, and for moments on end I could not look at the page without my eyes welling up and my throat clenching. Seldom do books make me do either one, and never have I read one before that has made me do both. If you do not real Fool's Errand you will be missing out on something, and you will never know what until you have read it. It is a story of the highest caliber. Not only does it entertain, but it also speaks of great truths in human kind without preaching, and makes one see life in a whole new manor. I cannot offer anything but the highest praise for Fool's Errand, for it deserves nothing less.
Rating:
Summary: dont be a fool and not read this book
Review: this is a phat book, it looks like it will live up to the farseer trilogy (which was my favorite series ever)
Rating:
Summary: Fitz returns.
Review: Robin Hobb returns to the first person in this novel, continuing the compelling narrative of FitzChivalry, farseer of the Six Duchies, whose coming of age was told in the Assasins Apprentice series. This book is extraordinary. It has been years since I read the the Assassin's Apprentice yet the intimate first person account of Fitz's journey plunged me back into the Six Duchies like I had never left. I was eager for more after recently finishing the Liveship Traders Series and could not have been more pleased with this personal story. This is a heart engrossing tale and a wonderfull display of character writing. Robin Hobb's writing is beautiful but no matter the mood of the reader is never laboured. Any retelling is not awkward but suits the introspection of the main character. I think I have a weakness for first person but I yearn for the next in this series and hope not to lose Fitz's narrative on the people I love in the Six Duchies. Robin Hobb keeps the often strampled realm of fantasy blooming for me. If you enjoy credibility in your fantasy don't miss this book.
Rating:
Summary: The start of a great new fantasy series
Review: Fifteen years ago, FitzChivalry Farseer used all his unwanted powers including telepathy and the dirty magic of Wit that allowed mental ties with beasts to save the Six Duchies (see the fantastic Farseer Assassins trilogy). A reluctant hero, FitzChivalry handled his abilities and his success by fleeing into the countryside in a self imposed exiled retirement even though he was only twenty at the time. Most of his friends and associates thought FitzChivalry died during THE ASSASSIN'S QUEST.
However, top assassin Chade Fallstar visits FitzChivalry to enlist his help in finding the missing Prince Dutiful, heir to the Farseer throne. Dutiful is to shortly marry and if he fails to appear at the ceremony, the damage between the Six Duchies could lead to war. Chade believes only his former student FitzChivalry has any chance of finding the vanished royal. Though disinclined to do so, FitzChivalry begins a new quest.
If you are a fan of fantasy and have not read Robin Hobb, you are missing one of the greats, as the Farseer Assassins trilogy that is as good as the genre provides. Ms. Hobb's latest tremendous tale brilliantly combines an epic adventure with day to day living so that the audience believes that the hero is performing magical and daring deeds. FitzChivalry remains a wonderful character who has matured from the youthful optimist into a middle age recluse. Several other players return, but the audience does not need to go back to the previous series as this novel is a stand alone book. As the returning Fool would believe that only a fool would miss FOOL'S ERRAND and any subsequent adventures. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Exceptional
Review: Just started this but I love it already. Robin Hobb's style is very good. I enjoyed it.
Rating: 
Summary: Buy this book
Review: Firstly: All of Hobb's work, especially this trilogy, are outstanding pieces of work and I would highly recommend it to any fan of contempoty fiction.
The use of pace, tension and excellent prose makes this trilogy the type of book you stay up-till late at night to read. Hobb explores the philosophical dilemma of slavery and the 'for the greater good' in the trilogy.
The reader is left wondering at the end of the novel if Fitz (the main character) is merely a dog to be commanded and abused or a hero who honourably sacrifices himself for his country. Hobb also explores and redefines here invented magic's: The Witt and The Skill. In Hobb's previous work these two struck me as ill throughout and illogical, however by clever use of having an introductory piece of writing from Skill and Witt experts at the beginning of each chapter these flaws are smoothed out.
The main reason why this book is not worth 5 stars (the readers who have given this book 5 stars are probably avid Hobb fans and would give any of her work 5 stars)is her inaccurate portrayal of the male psyche, her use of outrageous stereotypes and a flawed political/economics system.
For example: EVERYONE from Buck has black eyes, is stubborn and honourable. EVERYONE from Tith and Farrow are greedy rude and ignorant people. ALL teenage boys have beards by the age of 16, ALL teenage boys automatically go red when embarrassed and ALL teenage boys have polite an quaint sexual fantasies. 14 year old boys can strangle fully grown men.
Since I am a teenage boy I am quite offended at her presumption and this erroneously portrayal. Hobb is a 40+ overweight woman and she has no idea about male teenagers even if she owns one.
Rating:
Summary: No let down!
Review: This is the first book in The Tawny Man trilogy (before The Golden Fool, and Fool's Fate). Fool's Errand takes place fifteen years after the events of the Red Ship Wars. Fitz, who goes by the name of Tom Badgerlock, now lives a quiet life in a remote cottage by the woods with his wolf Nighteyes and his foster son Hap, a mismatched-eyed boy brought to him years ago by Startling. The Minstrel's visits are the only regular ones he gets, bringing him comfort but also news from the world around. The only other people he ever sees are the casual travellers stopping for shelter, such as Jinna, a hedge-witch Hap once met when Starling took him to Buckkeep for Springfest. But all of a sudden his former life comes knocking at the door, when one day the visitor turns out to be Chade. Fitz's old secret mentor, now the queen's counsellor, asks Fitz to return to Buckkeep to teach the Skill to Prince Dutiful, Queen Kettricken's son and heir to the Farseer throne, and to Nettle, his own daughter, whom he's never met. But at first, although well-knowing he's the only remaining person trained in the Skill, Fitz refuses to go. Weeks go by, and during that time Hap, a teenager now, says he wants to find an apprenticeship. Of course Fitz wants the best master for him, but ashamedly realizes he hasn't put any money aside for this day. Hap has no choice but to leave and find jobs to pay for his apprenticeship. And while Hap's gone, Fitz gets another unexpected visitor: the Fool, whose colour has changed to a tawny gold, is now a very well-respected, if a tad excentric Jamaillian nobleman known in Buckkeep as Lord Golden. All summer they make up for lost time by talking about their youth together and about what happened in their lives since they parted fifteen years ago. Slowly Fitz picks up thread of his old life. Until Hap returns, empty-handed. But soon Fitz has news from Buckkeep: Chade is calling for help, as Dutiful has gone missing. Was the prince kidnapped by the Piebalds, a group of Witted rebels claiming that the Prince also has the Wit? Indeed, despite Kettricken's new laws, people with this magic are still being persecuted and murdered. Or did the solitary, introvert boy just run away from court duty? The prince's bethrotal with an Outislander Narcheska, to secure peace treaties, is in two-weeks' time. Something has to be done, quick. Reluctantly, but also seeing this as a good opportunity to ask Chade to help Hap in return, Fitz finally agrees to go. He sets off with the Fool, Nighteyes, and Laurel, the queen's hunstwoman and confidente. It's weird. I think in the beginning I got the same feeling of disappointment I get each time I've been expecting something for a very long time. It can be a book, a film, or my favourite band's new album. You expect the new thing to be exactly the same as the old one, but it's not. Of course it can't be. So I was finding the story was a bit too slow, and that Fitz was worrying too much about his wolf's mortality. Moreover, I was travelling and sadly could only read Fool's Errand periodically, which made me think I was losing interest inbetween reading sessions. But the truth is, each time I picked it up again, it wasn't long before I was hooked, living the story as if I was part of it. So I grew even fonder of the Fool, or was sometimes shocked by Fitz's violent reactions, etc. In the end I realize my favourite author hasn't let me down, and this sure is one of my favourite books. I'm very excited about what's going to happen next now, and I'm very intrigued by the feathers Fitz found on the beach. Quick, on to Golden Fool!
Rating:
Summary: The beginning of the followup to a great trilogy
Review: Robin Hobb's first trilogy about the Farseers is one of my all-time favorite series of books. The story of Fitz continues in this trilogy as he is pulled back from his secluded retirement to once again be the catalyst around which the next generation's events turn.
The beginning of the book was slow (but then again, so is Fitz's life when we look back in upon him) but the intrigue picked up and I lost sleep finishing it quickly. Just about all the characters are seen in a new light, and it was fun to see Fitz move from the role of student to mentor. Hobb has followed up with a worthy sequel.
These two trilogies are very reminiscent in style of Melanie Rawn's two trilogies that also follow two generations in her world. I love the (central) idea of the Witted and Old Blood.
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