August '09 Discussion: Assassin's Apprentice: First Impressions (No Spoilers)

[Chris]

I just noticed that nobody had started any discussion on this one. So let's throw this up there and see what initial reactions to the book are.

Thoughts or comments?

[Martha]

First one in the Farseer series? Really really liked this book. Going to have to read it again, though - if I can dig it out of the boxes in the hanger.

[Chris]

I liked it quite a bit. I've been seeing it since it first appeared on bookstore shelves, but had never gotten around to it until being prodded by the group vote. It was definitely a good one, and I'll have to follow up with the rest of the series...

I like how the pace went. It moved somewhat slowly at first, but Hobb's writing made it a smooth flow. It was very comfortable learning the early part of Fitz's life....

[Libby]

I'm only up to about Chapter 4 but so far it is quite good. I like the balance between telling the history of the Duchies and Fitz's personal history. Fitz's story is heart-breaking but it is told in a manner that the feelings for Fitz evoke themselves in the reading. Fitz is simply telling the way it happened, almost distant, apart from his undercurrent of bitterness. He isn’t seeking sympathy or lamenting. It is a very effective style.

[Janny]

I really enjoyed the opening set up of this book - it worked for me, for some reason, straight from the start, and I read it long before Hobb's name became a household word in Fantasy.

But then, I was enamored of this author from her first debut, under her name Megan Lindholm, with book 1 of her first fantasy trilogy, The Limbreth Gate.

Here's some interesting background if you are not aware?
Megan Lindholm (aka Robin Hobb) not only wrote this early fantasy trilogy, but did one of the earliest (and best) urban fantasies, ever - Wizard of the Pigeons - which received a lot of critical acclaim. She also wrote Cloven Hooves under that name, a story about a woman who meets a faun in Alaska.

She re-started (in great secrecy) under the name Robin Hobb - and now, still, maintains work under both pen names. It's a pleasure to see her work being well received, now, and a testament to the fact that sometimes great work slides under the radar.

Not every effort sees such a well deserved success story.

[Fox]

Chris = Concerning the lack of discussion, I believe the thread was to start on the 9th of August (one month from the date of the start of the read in the section title), so it may be that it was scheduled to begin tomorrow. Not complaining! I was anxious to start this one myself *grin*

Now, about the book...

I really liked this work. It was very slow to start and at first I worried that it would move too slow. However, it picked up nicely once I got the flow down. It definitely doesn't quite read like other fantasy I have read. It was a nice change and I will be reading the rest of this series soon.

I think the characters were intriguing and the ending compels one to grab the next book of the series and begin pouring though it. I had a hard time resisting that urge, but I have far too much work on my plate to stop and read addictively the way I did the first book. This was very enjoyable. :)

Well done, Robin Hobb... very well done.

[Fox]

Janny wrote: "I really enjoyed the opening set up of this book - it worked for me, for some reason, straight from the start, and I read it long before Hobb's name became a household word in Fantasy.

But then, I..."

I will be looking for these other books you mentioned here. I have not read them and I trust in your opinion of a good read after reading so many of your posts. Thanks for the info!

[Martha]

I've read all three - plus the second trilogy and love them all. Favorite character - the Fool. Something about him just grabs me.

[Tracy]

I had a hard time really getting into and enjoying this book. I'm not really sure why. This book just really came across to me as too much of a "downer"...my lord, how much more crap could be put on to one character. Anyway, I've had a lot going on at work and in my personal life that I just am trying to keep to lighter material.

[meleah]

It started a bit slow for me, though that may have been more my lack-of-reading mood than the book itself. But after the first 50 pages I couldn't put it down and finished the rest of it in 2 sittings. I very much enjoyed the story and the characters. And I couldn't wait for the next appearance of the fool and his ambiguous advice.