Jeanette's Reviews > Royal Assassin

Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb continues with Fitz's fortunes as an illegitimate son of Prince Chivalry trained as a royal assassin and King's Man. He returns from his mission in the mountains (end of Book 1) as a broken man, weak, thin and subject to trembling and seizures & fearful of the fate of his beloved Molly, he struggles with what life has to offer him. But he gradually begins to rebuild his life, in finding Molly, serving as King's Man for the King-in-Waiting, his uncle Verity, as oarsman and soldier. But the menace of the Red Ships increases, the health of the King is failing and Prince Regal does his level best to undermine Verity and make Fitz's life a misery. Soon, all is at risk.

Great worldbuilding as always. It was interesting to see the developing maturity and relationships between Fitz and the people important to him, Verity & the King, Patience, Molly, Burrich, Chade and Queen Ketricken - and Nighteyes, as well as his struggle to balance Wit and Skill. One feels for his position with so much expected of him, but little honour and reward - yet he remains loyal despite everything. Nighteyes is a great character. Regal makes a truly unlovable villain, as do the coterie members. And as everything unravels, it becomes harder and harder to watch with a truly heartbreaking ending - which one can only hope is redeemed in Book 3.