Assassin’s Quest (1997) by Robin Hobb is the gripping conclusion to The Farseer Trilogy, a masterwork of character-driven epic fantasy. The novel follows FitzChivalry Farseer, the royal bastard and trained assassin, as he emerges from near-death to find his kingdom in ruins. Believed dead, Fitz embarks on a perilous quest to reclaim his identity, avenge his lost love, and confront his uncle, the ruthless Regal. Alongside the wolf Nighteyes and the enigmatic Fool, Fitz’s journey—through Skill-magic visions, forgotten Elderling cities, and battles with both enemies and his own trauma—culminates in a heart-wrenching climax that redefines loyalty and sacrifice.
Hobb’s prose is lush and introspective, delving deep into Fitz’s psyche as he grapples with betrayal, mortality, and the cost of power. The novel’s slow burn and emotional rawness polarize some readers, but its payoff is unparalleled in fantasy.
A cornerstone of the Realm of the Elderlings saga, Assassin’s Quest proves Hobb’s genius for blending intimate suffering with world-shaking stakes.
