After the heartbreaking ending of Royal Assassin, things are about to get a lot worse for FitzChivalry Farseer. While the seemingly-relentless barrage of torments and angsts Fitz suffers can get almost funny at times, the effect is that as the book nears its end you realise you have no idea what is going to happen. And, while there are long sections where nothing much happens at all, Hobb's writing saves the day as Fitz explores the hidden past of his world, or uses magic to spy on the loved ones he wants so desperately to be with. Admittedly, this can seem a bit contrived, as if Hobb belatedly decided she'd rather not write from a first-person perspective. Nevertheless, they're enjoyable to read.
Fitz's continued development as a character is probably the series's masterstroke. He has realistic gripes, worries and hopes. He makes the wrong decisions with the best intentions. He wants nothing more than to go home and live in peace with his childhood sweetheart. But he does his duty instead. As is said in the series itself, sacrificing your life for your people means so much more than simply dying for them. Fitz learns about self control, and morals, and I learn with him.
Funnily enough, one of the gripes people have about this book- the abrupt ending- is one of my favourite elements. After over a thousand pages of tragedy and betrayal the happy ending (or the happiest ending Fitz could make for himself) is thrust on you all in one go, which adds to the emotional impact. Perhaps there would have been issues with this if the ending had resolved less or felt too cliched or sloppily done, but I think it's done wonderfully. Regal's fate, in particular, is one of the most satisfying things I've ever read. The ending in general wrapped everything up quite nicely, in just a few pages. The lesson is that a really good ending doesn'tr have to take up the last hundred pages of a book- a lesson I wish Hobb had remembered in Fool's Fate.
Most highly recommended. Memorable characters, very well-written, some great twists and an epic story with an original take on the dragon myth.