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Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1)

Robin Hobb

Start date: January 13, 2009

Finish date: January 13, 2010

Why we're reading this: Traditional fantasy-ish. I've been a follower of Robin Hobb since I was about eleven, and rereading her b…more
[close] Traditional fantasy-ish. I've been a follower of Robin Hobb since I was about eleven, and rereading her books still blows me away. She builds up an amazing world and a main character who is simultaneously lovable and infinitely slappable.

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Nov 24, 2010 Kevin Xu rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: re-read

The only problem that I had with this book is with Fitz being an assassin. I think assassin is not something that you learn or taught, but something that is more of a way of survival. Plus assassin likes to be by themselves, but Fitz always is with someone all the time in the book.

16 likes · Like · see review

Mar 01, 2010 Kara Babcock rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: from-library, fantasy, 2010-read

In many ways, one can consider Assassin's Apprentice a "standard epic medieval fantasy" and take it or leave it on those terms. The setting consists of six duchies united as a kingdom, which now faces a new threat from an old enemy: the Red Ship Raiders of the Outislands, who have the ability to "Forge" captives, removing any sense of humanity or even animal nature from them. There are soldiers, princes, lords and ladies, and not one but two flavours of magic: the praised Skill and the despised In many ways, one can consider Assassin's Apprentice a "standard epic medieval fantasy" and take it or leave it on those terms. The setting consists of six duchies united as a kingdom, which now faces a new threat from an old enemy: the Red Ship Raiders of the Outislands, who have the ability to "Forge" captives, removing any sense of humanity or even animal nature from them. There are soldiers, princes, lords and ladies, and not one but two flavours of magic: the praised Skill and the despised Wit. At the nexus of these social and magical layers is the main character, FitzChivalry Farseer, bastard son of Prince Chivalry.

It's precisely its status as a "standard fantasy" that makes Assassin's Apprentice a testament to Hobb's skill. With similar ingredients, Hobb manages to create a story that's enthralling and characters who are enduring. As Fitz slowly matures, we become interested in what will become of him. Yet he isn't perfect. He's fallible, and he's still too young to comprehend the significance of some of the events in which he's involved.

Through Fitz's eyes, Hobb shows us a world populated by interesting if not dynamic characters: Lady Patience, Burrich, Prince Verity, Chade, the Fool, etc. I didn't much care for Burrich. I realize he's supposed to be a father figure for Fitz, but his unwillingness to explain his disgust for the Wit only endangers Fitz more. On the other hand, I found Lady Patience quite entertaining. I suspect others have reversed opinions of these characters, for there's no one correct way to evaluate the cast of Assassin's Apprentice. Hobb's world is a complicated organism from which you can pick and choose your favourite parts.

The antagonists were considerably weaker in their characterization. It seems as though all villains are really just spoiled brats misled by people into wanting power. Both Regal and Galen share this attitude, and though Regal is delightfully slimy, he's never a serious threat. Likewise, Galen is a much darker figure with control over a vast reserve of power . . . but he's too sadistic to ever be threatening, and he gets beaten up by Burrich. The antagonists are defeated as much by their own childish plans and stupidity as they are by Fitz's skills and virtues.

In that respect, Assassin's Apprentice is one-sided in its richness. We get to watch the maturation of a wonderful protagonist, but he's never pitted against an antagonist of equal worth. The closest we get are Prince Rurisk and Princess Kettricken. Their brief relationship with Fitz is affable, hilarious, and tragic; my only wish is that there was more of it! I liked watching Fitz grow from uncertain boy into determined assassin, but I wanted more challenges for him along the way. Ultimately, like any good start to a trilogy, Assassin's Apprentice leaves me wanting to know more.

My reviews of the Farseer trilogy:
Royal Assassin → ...more

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Nov 02, 2017 Nicky rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

It was a little odd rereading this, because it’s been quite a while since I read these books, and yet they’re still so very familiar! I know every beat, and I think I could practically recite some of Fitz’s monologues. It’s still a great book, though the familiarity perhaps spoils things a little bit — I know exactly where things are going, and how stupid Fitz is being about x, y and z. I always had the urge to reach into the book and shake him, and I definitely had that now. Especially, perhaps ...more

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Sep 06, 2007 Wealhtheow rated it really liked it

Shelves: fantasy

A young orphan is trained to be an assassin. Someone reading this book might think that every horrible thing that could happen to Fitz has happened, but no! There are so many more books in which to torment the main character (and thus, the reader). Almost unrelentingly grim.

6 likes · Like · see review

Jun 04, 2008 Nicky rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, favourites

When I first read this, I was captivated. It's brilliant fantasy, the underlying concepts come together in a way that's fresh and interesting, the characters are amazingly put together, ... the list of praise could go on, and on, and on. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review