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Type of bind: Mass Market Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 813.54
EAN num: 9780553582468
ISBN number: 0553582461
Label: Spectra
Manufacturer: Spectra
Quantity: 1
Page Count: 928
Printing Date: November 23, 2004
Publishing house: Spectra
Release Date: November 23, 2004
Sale Popularity Level: 23613
Studio: Spectra
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Editor's Notes and Comments:
Product Description:
A heralded writer of epic fantasy, Robin Hobb has given readers worlds within worlds in her heroic Farseer and Liveship Traders trilogies. Now she takes the final step in the breathtaking trilogy of the Tawny Man, as the tale of FitzChivalry Farseer comes to an epic end. Rife with boundless adventure and unforgettable characters, Fool’s Fate is destined to become a classic of the genre.
Assassin, spy, and Skillmaster, FitzChivalry Farseer, now known only as man-at-arms Tom Badgerlock, has become firmly ensconced in the queen’s court at Buckkeep. Only a few are aware of his fabled, tangled past—and the sacrifices he made to survive it. And fewer know of his possession of the Skill magic. With Prince
Dutiful, his assassin-mentor Chade, and the simpleminded yet strongly Skilled Thick, FitzChivalry strives to aid the prince on a quest that could ultimately secure peace between the Six Duchies and the Outislands—and win Dutiful the hand of the Narcheska Elliania.
For the Narcheska has set the prince on an unfathomable task: to behead a dragon trapped in ice—the legendary Icefyre, on the island of Aslevjal. Yet not all the clans of the Outislands support the prince’s effort to behead their
legendary defender. Are there darker forces at work behind the Narcheska’s imperious demand? As the prince and his coterie set sail, FitzChivalry works behind the scenes, playing nursemaid to the ailing Thick, while striving to strengthen their Skill—ultimately bringing his unacknowledged daughter into the web of the Skill magic, where the truth must finally unfold.
The quest emerges amid riddles that must be unraveled, a clash of cultures, and the ultimate betrayal. For knowing that the Fool has foretold he will die on the island of ice, FitzChivalry has plotted with Chade to leave his dearest friend behind. But fate cannot so easily be defied.
From the Hardcover edition.
Amazon.com Review:
Fool's Fate is the third book of Robin Hobb's Tawny Man trilogy, and the ninth and concluding volume of the Fitzchivalry Farseer saga, one of the best high-fantasy series of the turn of the millennium. Fitz is the bastard son of the royal family of the Six Duchies, which he serves as assassin, guardsman, and Skill-magician. Fitz also serves the White Prophet as 'Catalyst,' the unique person who may enable the White Prophet to change human destiny for the better. In Fool's Fate, Fitz must accompany his kinsman, Prince Dutiful Farseer, to a distant northern island, where the prince must slay the world's last male dragon to win the hand of the Out Islands princess Elliania, the woman he loves. However, not even Elliania wants the dragon dead; why, then, does she require Dutiful to kill Icefyre? Are darker forces manipulating Elliania? Even worse, if Icefyre dies, the White Prophet foresees not only his own death, but a grim future for humankind. The prophet's only hope of changing the future is his Catalyst. --Cynthia Ward
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Rated by buyers 
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I really enjoyed this book, and by far her best one of the two trilogies (Fareer & Tawny Man). It was kind of a bittersweet when I finished this because in a way, I didnt want it to end. Compared to her other books, this has a faster pace and a bigger plot than the very first two of the series. Almost everything is nicely tied together in this finale. Unlike the other books, this one has constant action that will keep you readin into the wee hours of the morning.
Rated by buyers 
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Yes, I will be honest here. Several years ago whilst nannying for my little cousins, my older cousin introduced me to the Farseer Trilogy. I loved it. A few laters I was able to get my hands on The Liveship Traders Trilogy--I am not allowed to speak of those in my circle of friends for the simple fact I will not cease singing the praises to the point of irritating everyone. So as you might imagine I was all gung-ho about reading "The Tawny Man".
Well... I rated the very first two books of the trilogy with a mediocre three stars. Sorry, but after all the excitement of the other two trilogies, the Tawny Man struck me as dull. It was with some reservation and mostly my meticulous need to finish what I had started that I picked up "Fool's Fate".
Fortunately I spent the weekend with a cold and was thus able to devour the 900+ wonder. Not to offend fans of the Tawny Man, but to me this was well worth reading the very first two. Robin Hobb ended the trilogy (and I suppose the saga including the other two trilogies as well) with nothing less than a bang that her marvelous imagination so deserved.
Perhaps it was the action. Though I usually like ponderous exposition, the dull pacing of the very first two did get to me and I was more than ready to get to the meat of the story. Perhaps it was that--the meat of the story, the act of getting to what was promised all along, the conclusion of a mission, of destiny!
Hobb's story is a fairly simple one--I'm sure there are plenty of more creative plots out there. But it is hardly mind-numbing, and Hobb tells her tale, one of many references to the classics and always a homey feeling of a familiar town and country, well. She knows her action, she knows her character, and she was ready to finish the story without forcing the ending. The emotion was real and apparently what I had waited all nine books for. She has truly set up multiple cultures and lands with rich traditions that fortunately she never felt required an obnoxious encyclopedia. She knows the balance between the fairy tale ending I love and something properly realistic, giving this happiness without the sugary and unbelievable goo.
Thank-you, Ms. Hobb.
Rated by buyers -
I felt the Tawny Man, at least the very first two books, were rather slow and, at parts, very sad.
Hobb paints realistic, 3 dimensional characters who can and do die who you fall in love with, gives limits to fantastical elements, a plot that is full of intrigue, but not predictable (yet she leaves clues).
Great series. If you liked George R.R. Martin's SOIF, you'll love these series.
Rated by buyers -
No spoilers....
I finished Fool's Fate 3 days ago and had to sit and digest for a while before writing a review. This is the final installment of the Farseer/Liveship Traders/Tawny Man trilogies which take place in the Six Duchies (except for the Liveship trilogy which occurs to the south in Bingtown/Jamaillia but in the same "world").
There is some overlap in characters and events in the Liveship Traders trilogy and the Tawny Man trilogy which becomes evident in Golden Fool (Book 2 of Tawny Man). Therefore, I would recommend reading the 9 novels in order but you could probably get away with skipping the Liveship Traders trilogy. At a minimum, you need to read the Farseer trilogy (Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin and Assassin's Quest) before embarking on the Tawny Man trilogy.
Fool's Fate, in my humble opinion, is the best of the nine finely-written novels in the series. This book was simply a treat. Robin Hobb writes complex, flawed characters so there is no Superman-esque hero conquering all. However, this makes the series all the richer.
Some reviewers have noted their dislike for the ending of this book. I think this is simply a matter of taste. I thought the ending was perfect and consistent with the characters' desires and motives throughout the series. I think the criticism may lie with the 100 page denouement at the end of Fool's Fate which I loved because I thought it wrapped up several loose ends. Some readers disagree. However, you should not let that mild criticism get in the way of reading these novels. This is probably the best fantasy series I have ever read (the jury still being out on George R.R. Martin's awesome Song of Ice and Fire).
Rated by buyers -
I have reviewed other books of Hobb in the Fitz saga so feel free to read my comments. This was the last book in the magnificent Tawny Man series and I will keep my comments brief. If you have never read any of Hobb's books, yes you are missing out on an icon in fantasy literature. This series and this last book will not mesmerize you like Harry Potter or jolt you like GRR Martin's Fire & Ice series. However it will leave a lasting impression on you because more than anything else, character development is supreme in quality. The plot gets dry at times but the reader can't help being Fitz's friend in their head. The series leaves just the right number of unanswered questions for you to love it and yet scratch your head. The Fool is a prime example.
This is a brilliant book (and series) and strongly recommended.
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