Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal court by his father’s gruff stableman. He is treated as an outcast by all the royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in Fitz’s blood runs the magic Skill — and the darker knowledge of a child raised with the stable hounds and rejected by his … his family.
As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts, Fitz is growing to manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission. And though some regard him as a threat to the throne, he may just be the key to the survival of the kingdom.
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Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice was remarkable.
While the book’s system of magic and cast of characters were a delight to discover, it was the book’s sensitivity and emotionality that really set it apart from other works of fantasy.
The book is told from the point of view of very-young Fitz, as he is involuntarily thrust into a world of …
There are few fantasy works that can lay claim to the kind of game-changing impact on an entire genre that greeted the publication of Robin Hobb’s now classic first volume in the Farseer Trilogy. The use of first-person narration adds greatly to the sense of place and allows for a remarkable connection with Fitz and his many trials and …
My ‘book I would like to see made into a movie’ is Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice because it would bring to life in a different way this world and these amazing characters that I mourn my separation from each time I finish a book. Fully developed, sympathetic, intriguing and inspiring characters…Hobb has such a deft hand in creating …
I loved this book. A fun read that I got drawn into. Bastard prince’s son turned assassin is an intriguing premise.
If you’ve never thought of yourself as a reader of fantasy fiction but love an epic adventure or historical novel, this is the series for you. Robin Hobb writes the best ever characters. You will care about every twist and turn, every cruelty towards the child Fitz, every moment he bonds with the animals he loves with his illicit blood-magic. I …
What if names were designed to be destiny, determining which traits people had and how they acted? And what if you didn’t have a name, and people just called you “Boy” and “Bastard?” Who would you become?
That’s the initial question posed by Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice, an excellent epic fantasy. Commoners in her story don’t get …
Expectations: With a glowing recommendation from George R. R. Martin himself inside the cover, I had the highest of hopes heading into this series. I had not set them high enough. Robin Hobb is an author for authors. She does not waste a word and every one builds on the next until you are so wrapped up in the characters, world, and story that …
Only 4 stars because although Robin Hobb is an exceptionally talented author and I mean that sincerely, a true master/mistress of the craft, I personally still believe in giving your protagonist a decent shake at the end of the story and the poor guy, though put through hell time after time, having his life uprooted time after time, having …
The characters are really well done, the world is rich and believable, and I always wanted to read the next page. One of my favorite authors.
I have read the Farseer series twice, as well as all things Robin Hobb.
First book in a great series
I don’t know why I put off reading these books for as long as I did, but now that I’m in, I’m in for the long haul. Hobb has created a deep resonant world of characters and magic that encompasses generations with an attention to detail that makes every page pulse and every word shine. This is a great series for any fan of epic fantasy, but read …
This one was a book club pick and I broadly enjoyed reading it. Hobb is fabulous at world-building and didn’t fall into the trap of making the early chapters of a fantasy novel overly heavy with exposition. The world of the Six Duchies is beautifully realised. However, I must confess to finding the book on the whole a little dull. Which is …
Experienced some problems with adapting to the writing style, but the story line intrigued so much that giving up wasn’t an option. I still don’t understand the extend of “the wit” and “the skill”, the reasoning behind the fool’s actions or Burrich motivations. So I guess after the captivating journey to the mountain people, I really want to know …
Robin’s yarn is engaging emotionally and intellectually. It’s not action packed, but you cling to every page, wanting to know what happens next to Fitz Chivalry. Beware if you are an animal lover; she’ll tug at your heart strings.
I love this series!
Plenty of heart in this one!
Great story telling and well developed characters
One of my favorite series of all time! Read the whole collection. I feel emotional even thinking about the books. Start now. It could take you a year to read them all. Loved The Fool.
A favorite from this author