The dualities of this book are manifold. It was fun to read, and I read it in record time. But what really actually happened in the plot? Why is the book called "The Golden Fool", when the Fool is barely the focus of 90% of the book? 

As I said, I really enjoyed reading it. It's just so well written and the characters are fun, as is slowly uncovering the mysteries of this universe. But I'm definitely disappointed by the lack of actual story progress regarding the titular character of both the book and the trilogy here. That is made even worse by

Fitz and the Fool having this silly fight, and then behaving like stupid teenagers half of the book. Instead of sitting down and having a serious, adult conversation, they are stonewalling each other, and are being cold, petty and just infuriatingly silly. I just want them to get over themselves and their stupid medieval ideas and be each other's beloved. It was fairly obvious to me that this was just a plot device to stall the plot and drag it out for what I assume will be the conclusion in book three of this trilogy. I hate it.

That's one of the reasons why this book is not a solid 5/5 for me. 

Another reason for me is the lack of animals. All of the books with Fitz really shined with his bond beasts, and I felt that these characters were really missing here. I understand why it's missing here, but it still altogether makes it feel like this book is not whole. Very much a second book experience focusing more on world-building than plot advancement.