Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1) in Hobb-A-Long Read-A-Long

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.

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Dec 08, 2015 Jenni rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: read-finished-in-2016

Review to come.... I loved this.

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Dec 31, 2013 Alli Brooks rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

(4.5)

I really really loved this book and I'm quite distraught that I don't have the rest of the series sitting on my shelf. *glances at kindle*

I had a lot of apprehension going into this book because of what I've heard about the writing style, and while I did find it took some getting used to, it in no way took away from my enjoyment of the story.

I'm thoroughly invested in the characters and I can't wait to see where this trilogy goes.
...more

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Mar 14, 2012 Saura rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own, fantasy, adult-fiction

Review originally posted at Sauraly.com

Assassin's Apprentice has been on my shelf since 2008, when I got it for my birthday. It was actually a book I really wanted to read at the time, but, as I'm sure a lot of book-lovers have experienced, another book came into my life and stole my attention and Assassin's Apprentice was put aside for years.

I finally decided to read it, when a friend on Instagram recommended it. I remembered that, yeah, I did have that book hidden away somewhere. I got myself Review originally posted at Sauraly.com

Assassin's Apprentice has been on my shelf since 2008, when I got it for my birthday. It was actually a book I really wanted to read at the time, but, as I'm sure a lot of book-lovers have experienced, another book came into my life and stole my attention and Assassin's Apprentice was put aside for years.

I finally decided to read it, when a friend on Instagram recommended it. I remembered that, yeah, I did have that book hidden away somewhere. I got myself together and started it!

The book had a slow start, but was intriguing enough for me. A lot of time was used on world-building and setting up the story. We spend the first-half of the book with Fitz, our main character, as he narrates his journey through childhood.

Fitz is an intersting character. He's hard-working and honest, but not naively so, which I liked. Though his life is not exactly easy, he never feels sorry for himself (except on a few occasions, which are SO JUSTIFIED). I look forward to see how his character grows in the next books.

The supporting characters are all well-written and believable too, especially Burrich, Fitz' caretaker. I especially loved seeing the growth of Fitz and Burrich's relationship. It's so rich and complex and dynamic - the way real relationships are! It's something Robin Hobb really excels at.

But, in the end, the character who stole my heart is the Kings' Fool. He turns up in Fitz' life at different moments to share some very cryptic advice - perhaps to help him because they're friends? Or there could be a larger reason at play. We don't know much about the Fool yet, but I have a feeling he'll be an important player later on (and also, the books in the next trilogy of this series are called 'The Fool's (insert word here)', so doesn't that mean he'll be the protagonist there? *crosses fingers*)

The world building is great. I love the politics of this world and the intrigue that happen throughout the story. But one thing I don't like, is the first paragraphs of each chapter, which are excerpts of the text Fitz is writing in the future. The excerpts tell the reader too much. I would rather have SEEN/experienced those things than to be told.

Another thing I don't quite like, was how we weren't shown some important moments, but instead were told about them later by Fitz. An example is Fitz and the Fool's friendship. Fitz tells another character that he talks with the Fool and that they're friends - but we never saw that happen! Another moments was Fitz' coming of age ceremony - how does it fit in chronologically with the rest of the story?

But, all in all this is a very enjoyable first book and I'll be reading the rest of the books once I get my hands on them (they're in the post!). ...more

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Jan 11, 2015 Emma rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, 2016-read

[Review originally posted on my blog]

Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice is the opening novel in the Farseer trilogy, an epic fantasy set in the Six Duchies. Hobb gives voice to our young narrator Fitz, the bastard son of the kingdom’s prince, whose arrival at the royal court in Buckkeep sees him outcast and, largely, ignored. King Shrewd, however, sees promise in Fitz to fulfil a very specific role in his court. This narrative of Fitz’s childhood promises to relate the beginnings of a story whic ...more

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Jul 03, 2011 Sharon rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy-or-paranormal

Loved this. So much more than I expected. I truly connected with Fitz's story, and my heart broke for him several times. Though this book starts off quite slowly, Robin Hobb's writing is gorgeous and pulls you along. The last 50 pages or so were a whirlwind, and I'd still reeling. So glad I already have to the rest of the series to read. ...more

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