This is a novella by epic fantasy writer Robin Hobb, a legend which goes back to the early days of the Realm of Elderlings and the ruling Farseer family, and unearths the mixing of the twin magics that run in their line. The Skill is a magic of the mind, and the Wit a magical ability to speak with and bond with animals. The Princess Caution grows as a wilful, rebellious child into a woman who defies her family to fall in love with a handsome stranger and his piebald stallion. The child who is born from this union turns the kingdom on its head and brings in some dark truths and secrets that lay hidden for centuries. This is a short lyrical read with the poetry and soul of a fairytale, capturing both beauty and truth and the ugliness that lies within human minds. ( )

I don't know why I was unprepared for the amount of agony and upset in this novella. From the title, anyone who has read the two trilogies featuring Fitzchivalry could deduce that this has something to do with the Witted, and in Robin Hobb's world, they don't get a lot of happy endings.

Still, even when putting her characters through one hell after another, Robin Hobb writes with a skill that can't be denied. The voice of the narrator simultaneously makes the reader disgusted with her character and utterly confident in the truth of her tale.

I can't say I liked this story of how the Witted came to be hated and hunted in the Six Duchies, but I can't help but admire the writer. I hadn't been able to read anything of hers since the Soldier Son trilogy, but this was a good reminder of what she can do.

I'm still not sure I can handle crippled dragons, though, well-written or not.

2017 update: Turns out I can handle crippled dragons just fine. I ended up loving her Rainwild quartet, which I went back and read after finishing the last Fitz and the Fool trilogy. ( )

This is a really good novella that gives more information about the Piebalds. The first time I read it after Tawny Man and this time I read it before rereading that trilogy. I think it's better to read it before to understand the conflict in "Fool's Errand" better.
I enjoyed it even more than the first time. The main character is complex and it's very believable that she is the one telling the story since the first part seems more personal than the second where she wasn't as present. I love how it starts and ends with a naming cerimony and how the way it's done is believed to impact the future of the baby.
As good as the other books in the series. ( )

Yes! It might start off a bit slow, but YES! Some authors *cough[a:Michael J Sullivan|7923263|Michael J Sullivan|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-d9f6a4a5badfda0f69e70cc94d962125.png]cough* seem to think that "novella" means "visit my characters on their day off from doing things".

Not here! This is a nice, meaty ~200 page story. Buy it! Thx Hobby ILY xoxo ( )

I really enjoyed this story and feel it will add a lot to my next read through of the "Tawny Man" trilogy (soon...). ( )