Assassin's Apprentice [Jan 25, 2019]

[Anny]

Barry wrote: "Yeah, I finished another book, so did t read this yesterday.

End of Ch 8

Things are picking up steam, just a little bit. I really like how Hobb depicted the daily lives and the trainings that F..."

End of Ch 11

The main plot, I think, is finally starting. (view spoiler)[Things aren't looking good, Fitz' idyllic training days might come to end sooner than later. The kingdom's not holding well, King Shrewd turned out to be not as shrewd as his namesake and Verity not capable enough as the crown prince.

Now I wonder if Fitz won't one day be betrayed by his loyalty to the King or forced to break it for some other cause. Because I don't think King Shrewd (nor his sons) is one worthy of swearing one's lifetime loyalty to. (hide spoiler)]

[Lesa]

Chapter 1-4

(view spoiler)[ bit moving slow. But I am interested to see where this going. Especially since the Boy (Fitz) just met a mysterious my Chade to be his teacher. So lets see where this going. Did I miss a part or will he ever meet his dad at all. Hmm. (hide spoiler)]

[Kathrine]

I started this days ago, but have been away from my computer so haven't had a chance to write down my thoughts until now.

I'm at the end of chapter 13 and so far I really like it. It's well-written, the characters are interesting and the world feels like it was given a lot of thought. I'd even go as far as call it "homely"; I feel cozy reading this book.

[Barry]

End of Ch 14

I really like this Lady Patience, though (view spoiler)[I guess she got her name because other people needed to be patient when dealing with her, so the opposite of her name lol. I hope, though, I’m afraid it won’t happen, that Thomas could have a warm and enduring relationship with her. (hide spoiler)]

I’m also wondering what Skill is supposed to be. So far very little explanation. (view spoiler)[I thought Fritz’s connection with animals was a Skill, but Burrich called it a Wit. I also am assuming there are many Skills? (hide spoiler)]

Red Raiders
(view spoiler)[I’m guessing the Forging is an extreme version of the Wit, which our Fitz possessed? (hide spoiler)]

[Kathrine]

Barry wrote: "End of Ch 14

I really like this Lady Patience, though [spoilers removed]

I’m also wondering what Skill is supposed to be. So far very little explanation. [spoilers removed]

Red Raiders
[spoilers..."

Re: the Skill: (view spoiler)[What I got so far was that the Skill and the Wit are two different things. I think Fitz calls them opposites in one of the chapters I read recently? but I'm not sure... I'm keen to learn more (hide spoiler)]

Fitz and animals: (view spoiler)[I really like having a main character who spends so much time around animals and has that kind of companionship with them. Makes me happy to read about how much Fitz cares about them (especially dogs) :D (hide spoiler)]

[Barry]

Re Skill
(view spoiler)[there’s a bit more explanation in Ch 15. But I think Wit and Skill are just two sides of the same coin. Maybe. (hide spoiler)]

The relationship between humans and the animals are really unique. I don’t remember ever having read any other fantasy book that has such an emphasis on that kind of relationship. It’s refreshing. But (view spoiler)[I’m expecting further heartbreak(s) as in Ch 2 (hide spoiler)]

[Elena]

I've just read all the posts here (but not spoilers), I'm starting reading today.

[Katie]

Jess wrote: "I've just read all the posts here (but not spoilers), I'm starting reading today."

Woohoo! Let the fun begin :D

[Choko]

Just started and love Nosy!!! I wish there was a bit more information about how his sperm donor got to (view spoiler)[abdicate the throne, since it couldn't have been as simple as what the kid perceived at that time (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

End of Ch. 2... Well, that was sad....😣

[Choko]

Up to Ch 5... I am really enjoying it and the story telling got me completely hooked!

[Choko]

Ch. 8..... OMG! Lady Time!!!! I wonder if she is(view spoiler)[ the Joker in disguise, whom I wonder if is his teacher in disguise himself... (hide spoiler)]

[Anny]

Barry wrote: "Re Skill
[spoilers removed]

The relationship between humans and the animals are really unique. I don’t remember ever having read any other fantasy book that has such an emphasis on that kind of re..."

End of Ch15

Skill (view spoiler)[I think if it's applied to human it's called 'Skill', and if it's applied to animal it's called 'Wit'. Forging I think is merely Skill aimed to wipe out emotions. (hide spoiler)]

Smithy (view spoiler)[I hope will live to old age with Fitz. I don't think Fitz will survive another heartbreak like that. And wasn't there a prophecy from the Fool that Smithy will become Fitz' anvil and forge? I sure hope that the forging won't end up costing Smithy's life though. (hide spoiler)]

Galen(view spoiler)[ now is the character that I hate the most. What a sick man, it might have been a blessing indeed, that he didn't take any students for fifteen years. Imagine how many young ones would be ruined and twisted by such mad man. I'm really glad Burrich gave that bastard what he deserved. (hide spoiler)]

[Barry]

@Choko
(view spoiler)[I had that thought too. Although, I think I’m leaning towards the idea that theFool and Chade are two different characters. As for Lady Thyme, you’ll find out soon enough. (hide spoiler)]

End of Ch 19
I have a bad feeling about the (view spoiler)[assassination, that it would somehow end up badly. And Verity might not live until end of the book ... (hide spoiler)]

[Kathrine]

Finished and I really liked it :D It was a solid fantasy book with great writing and memorable characters. The last 80 pages were a blast though I think (spoilers for ending) (view spoiler)[things worked out a little too well and that the peace can't possibly continue for long in the next book. I don't think Regal will just submit to Verity like that – I think he'll hatch a new evil plan to get rid of his brother and then become King himself. I also don't trust King Shrewd at all... (hide spoiler)]

Excited for the next book! Already bought my copy :D

[Elena]

I had not much time to read today, so I've read only about 150 pages for now. It seems not as fun as I expected, but I'm going to read more, maybe it'll be better.

[Siobhan]

Finally starting! I'm only a day late. XD

Chapter 2 - (view spoiler)[:'( I was really enjoying the adventures of a boy and his dog, and looking forward to more. So sad that Nosy is gone, I didn't think Burrich would kill him. :(
I feel sorry for Fitz, so lonely. I take it the word fitz means something? Because they started calling him that but it's not capitalised like a proper noun should be. (hide spoiler)]

[Barry]

I'm done! What a fantastic read. Just love the writing. Yeah, Fitz is a bit weak as MC, but the magical system is just intriguing. I want to know more!

The last 50-60 pages were really page-turners. I guessed some parts right, but there were one or two twists that I didn't expect.

I'm looking forward to the next book, which can't come soon enough.

[Choko]

Ch. 17 was devastating!!! All those emotions.... Is it me, or do you guys also think our Fitz is very prone to depression? He definitely seems to be going in and out of it with some consistency...

[Barry]

@ Choko: Maybe abandonment/attachment issue due to his circumstances of being an abandoned bastid. And I also find Fitz to be passive , always waiting to be told what to do. (view spoiler)[In one early chapter while they were riding to Forge, he mused that he liked being told what to do by Chade, that he understood how Burrich must've felt working for Chivalry. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Chapter 4 - (view spoiler)[I feel so sorry for Fitz, he was just getting some semblance of normality in his routine with Burrich and now he's pulled from that into his own room and new lessons. At least he gets his own horse who he can hopefully become close to.
Chade will hopefully be an interesting character, teaching him to be an assassin! (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Chapter 5 - (view spoiler)[I feel like a broken record, but poor Fitz! Being tested like that and having to disobey someone he trusted. He obviously cares so much judging by how ill he made himself. I think the king might have made a mistake testing him, he seems less bothered about loyalty now. (hide spoiler)]

[Choko]

I finished it and wow! The ending was intense, somewhat sad, but also obviously leaving the door open for a ton of issues to deal with in the following books. I am completely hooked on the story and am very excited to delve into the rest of it😊

[Charlie]

Chapter 1 - (view spoiler)[ Fitz is very adaptable, he just seems to accept his new life without any issue. Probably because he's so young. I like his friendship with the dog. (hide spoiler)]

[Kavitha]

Hope it is not too late to join the wagon...

My friend loved this series and recommended.

[Anny]

Choko wrote: "Ch. 17 was devastating!!! All those emotions.... Is it me, or do you guys also think our Fitz is very prone to depression? He definitely seems to be going in and out of it with some consistency..."

Yea, it's hard to read at times with how much suffering was heaped onto Fitz. But I guess his fate would be one like Frodo, much trial and suffering and little reprieve in the end, sigh.

After ch22 I can't imagine a happy ending for our poor Fitz.

[Choko]

Anny, I think you are right. He just seems like a hero that will have a difficult time in life and probably a tough end...

[Em Lost In Books]

Kavitha wrote: "Hope it is not too late to join the wagon...

My friend loved this series and recommended."

Hope you like it. 😊

[Charlie]

Just read chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ I'm not Burrich's friend anymore. I can't believe he killed Nosy. I get that he's well intentioned but it was still an awful thing to do. I also think, judging by the way he repelled Fitz' push, that Burrich may also have the Wit. (hide spoiler)]

@Siobhan I looked this up and apparently it means son of. It was also sometimes used to infer illegitimacy so FitzChivalry is essentially illegitimate son of Chivalry.

I also think that (view spoiler)[ running away and abandoning your child is a dickish thing to do. They talk about how Chivalry is this great guy but nothing I've seen so far indicates that's true. (hide spoiler)]

[Barry]

@ Charlie : you''ll find out the reason for (view spoiler)[Chivalry abandoning Fitz (hide spoiler)]

[Anni]

Barry wrote: "Malazan is translated as the game of gods in German? "

Ah, I only saw now, yes it is. As I barely started I'm not sure how accurate that is?

[Barry]

Sir Anni wrote: "Barry wrote: "Malazan is translated as the game of gods in German? "

Ah, I only saw now, yes it is. As I barely started I'm not sure how accurate that is?"
Good to know I retain at least that much German lol.

[Charlie]

Barry wrote: "@ Charlie : you''ll find out the reason for [spoilers removed]"

I hope it's a good reason!

[Charlie]

Siobhan wrote: "Chapter 4 -

(view spoiler)[ Fitz is going to become an assassin! I mean, I know that's in the title, but still, it's a bit of a surprise considering the circumstances. I really like Chade, he's very honest and I appreciate that.

I don't like the king much. This is his grandson and he sees him as another commodity. (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

Siobhan wrote: "Chapter 5 - [spoilers removed]"

That was awful! Poor Fitz! I liked how (view spoiler)[ Fitz took the knife from the king right in front of him. I guess he's making a point that he'll follow all of Chade's orders but he won't lie or deceive the King. He's also clearly showing he's pissed off. The boy has balls! I wish people would be nicer to him though, he's just a child after all. (hide spoiler)]

[Anni]

I love reading all your comments and I wish I could talk about later event, it's really hard to keep quiet 😂

[Charlie]

Haha no spoilers Anni! I have read this before but it was over 10 years ago so it's like reading it all for the first time.

[Siobhan]

Charlie wrote: "Just read chapter 2 [spoilers removed]

@Siobhan I looked this up and apparently it means son of. It was also sometimes used to infer illegitimacy so FitzChivalry is essentially illegitimate son of..."

I looked it up too when I realised I was talking to myself! Thanks though! Makes sense now.

I felt the same thing after chapter 2. That's a good thought about Burrich though!

[Siobhan]

Charlie wrote: "Siobhan wrote: "Chapter 5 - [spoilers removed]"

That was awful! Poor Fitz! I liked how [spoilers removed]"

I really liked that too!

[Kavitha]

Em Lost In Books wrote: "Kavitha wrote: "Hope it is not too late to join the wagon...

My friend loved this series and recommended."

Hope you like it. 😊"

Yes, I hope so too :) Waiting for the book from the library.

[Mel]

Kavitha wrote: "Hope it is not too late to join the wagon...

My friend loved this series and recommended."

I'm also starting this one a few days late, since I got caught up with an IRL buddy read. Looking forward to opening all the spoiler tags!

[Choko]

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

[Kavitha]

Melissa wrote: "Kavitha wrote: "Hope it is not too late to join the wagon...

My friend loved this series and recommended."

I'm also starting this one a few days late, since I got caught up with an IRL buddy read..."

Hahaha :) Got the book, starting today. How about you?

[Kavitha]

Choko wrote: "I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!"

I hope so too :) Thanks, Choko!

[Anny]

Charlie wrote: "Barry wrote: "@ Charlie : you''ll find out the reason for [spoilers removed]"

I hope it's a good reason!"

I've finished the book and I don't think Chivalry's reason ever been properly explained to us. (view spoiler)[So he said it would be safer for the boy. Really? If Chivalry kept his position as the crown prince and gather more follower to him (since he already secured an heir and all), won't he have more power to protect his life and his family? Now he's dead and his boy got no one to protect him, who knows how many times Fitz would've been dead already if not for the plot conveniences. I really don't think leaving a hapless bastard alone is in anyway a form of protection. (hide spoiler)]

[Barry]

I have to admit I too fail to understand the logic behind the reason for (view spoiler)[Chivalry's abdication and abandonment of Fitz. The best I could come up with is : since Lady Patience is supposedly barren; therefore if Chivalry admits Fitz as his official heir, then people would certainly attempt to murder Fitz as the next in line of succession. Maybe Chilvary thought that by not admitting Fitz as his official heir, then Fitz would be further down in the line of succession; thus, safer from assassination attempt. Theoretically. However, of course, we do know that's not a good assumption to make.

Another reason that I thought due to his name, he must show chivalrous behavior to his official wife, Lady Patience. Or that he must show chivalrous behavior to the public and show remorse of ever having sired a bastard.

Both are pretty weak arguments. But, that's what I got. (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

I agree @Barry, very weak arguments. Personally I think he was a coward.

[Charlie]

Chapter 10 - (view spoiler)[ These forged people are creepy, it's all very odd. I wonder how the islanders are doing it. (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

Barry wrote: "End of Ch 14

I really like this Lady Patience, though [spoilers removed]

I’m also wondering what Skill is supposed to be. So far very little explanation. [spoilers removed]

Red Raiders
[spoilers..."


Just finished chapter 14.

(view spoiler)[

I love that Chade pretends to be a cranky old woman as part of his spying, it's brilliant! He made Fitz' life hell on that trip.

I really like Lady Patience, though I do feel sorry for her. She's very scattered and clearly a little broken over Chivalry's death. I hope she becomes an ally to Fitz.

I have no idea what the Skill is yet, I hope it's explained soon. The skill teacher is a right dick. So far all he's doing is abusing children and he seems to enjoy it. Someone needs to give him a good kicking.

Regarding the Red Raiders, I never guessed that Forging is an extreme version of the Wit, it's a great theory though! (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

I'm finally getting to catch up on some of these spoiler comments this morning ^^

Right now I'm midway through Chapter 15 and reading through Galen and his (view spoiler)[cruel skill lessons. What a villain. It is an atrocity of what he put those poor children through! I agree with you Anny in that it is good he didn't teach children for several years, but still! And the way he treated the women in the class was just infuriating! Good on that poor Selene to stand tall. wow...

Lots of bits and pieces are coming together though with Fitz and his training (Assassin, stable boy, scribe, painter, skill master, child of hidden wit....he's quite the talented boy despite what lady Patience says, lol).

A character who is really interesting to me is this Fool character. At first I thought it might be Chade in disguise, much as how he did Lady Thyme (which I was pleasantly surprised with lol). He can seemingly tell the future, or maybe see into people's minds so he is guiding Fitz...hmmm...At least he has one ally when going through this dreary skill training.

Oh! And I love the new puppy! <3 I hope Smithy lives happily with dear fitz (hide spoiler)]