Farseer Trilogy Book 1 - Assassin's Apprentice

[Margo]

Susan re chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ I get the feeling King Shrewd uses everyone! (hide spoiler)]

chapters 4 to 5(view spoiler)[ I thought that there was some sort of mystical element to the names of the princes but, in the case of Regal, the mother just deciced on the quality she most wanted the child to have. I wonder how much influence the chosen name then has on the kids personalty. Was there ever a prince Fabulous or a princes Healthy LOL That reminds me - it is really cool that girls have the same inheritance rights as boys :-D (hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

Margo wrote: "chapters 4 and 5 [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Must have something to do with being written by a female author. *smirk* But I do agree that it's nice that the girls have the same inheritance rights. (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Chapter 3: [spoilers removed]"

I think that the king is quite calculating and uses people like pawns. I don't really think that it means anything to him that Fitz is his grandson...."

(view spoiler)[ Fitx drew the short straw when it came to Grandads! (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finally, I'm into it :)
Chapter 1 - (view spoiler)[ So, I'm of a different opinion than the majority. We are only seeing one perspective (and a young one at that) who may not have been privy to (or understood) the circumstances that led to his change in situation.
He talks of the grip of the hand of his grandfather as being firm, but not unkind. And, his grandfather made reference to his daughter not being able to make a good match with the pup at her heals. He may have been trying to "save" her from a life as a scullery maid and giving her a chance at marriage by removing the boy from the equation? And, "saving" the boy as well, even the bastard son of a Prince will have more guarantees than the bastard son of a scullery maid . . .
(hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

@Margo: (view spoiler)[Fitz also drew the short straw when it came to his father! Why hasn't Prince Chivalry even said hello to his son? Sheesh! (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

@Jenn: I'm glad I'm not the only one who just started. I like your views on chapter 1. I was also thinking that (view spoiler)[ it was harsh to drop him off like that, and wondered about his life as he didn't seem too sorry about it. But perhaps he was in shock or something, and he doesn't seem to have much memory of it, not even a name. His mom tried to stop her father, so he must have been loved. Hopefully we'll learn more about it.

Other question, does 'fitz' mean something? Right now it's written without a capital letter, so it's not his name (yet). (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

@Peggy - it's my understanding the Fitz is the name given to a royal bastard.

From Wikipedia: "Fitz (pronounced "fits") is a prefix in patronymic surnames of Norman origin, that is to say ... Wymarch) or a parent's title (Fitz Count, Fitz Empress) was used instead. Such surnames were later created for illegitimate children of royal princes."

[Peggy]

Thanks Suzanne! I googled it but must have overlooked this.

[siriusedward]

Fitz means illegitimate/bastard I think.

Fitzhugh and other such names.

[siriusedward]

Reverse of Viking names with _______son.
Fitz_________.

[Margo]

Jenn wrote: "Finally, I'm into it :)
Chapter 1 - So, I'm of a different opinion than the majority. We are only seeing one perspective (and a young one at that) who may not have been privy to (or understood) th..."

@Jenn, well done for thinking outside the box! You could be right (view spoiler)[ I think the child say it as rejection but any adult remembering events that happened when they were six might be a bit biased. My memories from that age, and earlier , are very hazy. Some traumatic events though stand out very clearly but who's to know how accurate my memories are? (hide spoiler)]

@Suzanne, good wiki use! It never occured to me that the use of "fitz" could be a real world thing. Re fathers (view spoiler)[ agreed! Chivelry obviously doesn't extend to small people - even when they are your offspring :O (hide spoiler)]

[Claire]

I started too and really enjoying it once again.

[Margo]

Peggy wrote: "@Jenn see..."

@peggy (view spoiler)[ it is odd that he didn't know his name. It is the most children learn that very early. Surely his mother called him something other than "boy"? Very odd (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

Margo, yes, especially (view spoiler)[ since his mom didn't want her dad to leave him. She cared, so he must have had a name. But he doesn't have any memories of before he was 6, so maybe those (including his name) were erased somehow? We're reading fantasy after all.. who knows what magic exists in this world? (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

Margo wrote: "I also listened to the first two chapters last night. I read this six years ago. I don't reread ofter but this i want to read later books in series and, I'm told, there are references to things tha..."

Regarding ch 2: (view spoiler)[ I also felt very sad for fitz and poor Nosy. But as some others mentioned, Burrich didn't do it to punish fitz, but to protect him. Apparently to him the Wit is the worst thing you can possess, so the only thing he could think of to sever the bond and prevent fitz from a beastly future, was kill the dog. I think it hurt Burrich too. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Suzanne wrote: "@Peggy - it's my understanding the Fitz is the name given to a royal bastard.

From Wikipedia: "Fitz (pronounced "fits") is a prefix in patronymic surnames of Norman origin, that is to say ... Wyma..."

Oh, kind of like "Snow"? (GoT)

[Jenn]

Names - (view spoiler)[ I had brushed aside the issue of his name in my earlier thoughts . . .
But, there seems to be a great amount of thought and ceremony put into the naming of royal children.
Maybe the family knew that at some point the boy would be brought to the attention of the father (and his family), and this made it possible for the boy to be properly named?
Gawd, I'm really stretching, trying not to blame his family and I'm not quite sure why . . . ? (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Peggy wrote: "Margo wrote: "I also listened to the first two chapters last night. I read this six years ago. I don't reread ofter but this i want to read later books in series and, I'm told, there are references..."

Re chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ I know Burrich was acting in what he believed to be Fitz best interests. I was thinking that he could have given the dog away but maybe that wouldn't have been enough :-\ I guess I over reacted but I'm a bit sensitive about dogs as my own little doggy as not well at the moment :-( I think Fitz will find it very hard to trust Burrich again. I think their relationship has changed (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Jenn wrote: "Names - i..."

Haha Jenn - I think I smell desperation :-D

[Janice, Moderator]

I'm in the middle of chapter 12, but my spoilers will only go to the end of chapter 11.

Chapter 9 - 11: (view spoiler)[ Lady Time. That was her name. Fitz does seem to end up at the right place at the right time. He bumps into the girl in the kitchen and is able to get her to intervene which saves him from having to assassinate the one man.

Then he's rushed off because Lady Time is urgently requiring him. Turns out that she is privy to his purpose. I don't get why they have to have the whole subterfuge about her not being disturbed unless it was a ruse for Fitz to be away. Sometimes I think things aren't explained all that well, or I'm losing something with this narrator. He does speak quite fast.

The Red-Ship Raiders have attached the town of Forge and have done something to the villagers that they captured. They are like zombies in a way - mindless destruction. Interesting that they are said to be "forged". (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

I was thinking about that too Margo, but I guess (view spoiler)[ the risk of them finding each other again would be too great. (hide spoiler)]

[siriusedward]

Peggy wrote: "Margo, yes, especially [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Thats what I thought too. Or else it wouldn't be completely blank with not even a hint of memory.esp of the mother,the home,the animals, the language.Esp his name.His mother does care I think. (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Peggy wrote: "I was thinking about that too Margo, but I guess [spoilers removed]"

Re Chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ sudden idea! Could it be that fitz mother is one of those lost to "the wit". I think Burrich said that it must have come from his mother. I she had become like an animal it could explain why she didn't name her son and also why her father couldn't cope (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

Interesting idea Margo. (view spoiler)[ I'm not sure what it would like like is someone's lost to the wit. I got the impression that they would be actually acting like animals, but I didn't get that impression from his mom (although she was only mentioned a few times). Also, I have the feeling that some people, like Burrich, think the wit is something awful, but that it's not necessarily so. That there might also be people who have the wit and are able to use it in a good way. (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

Janice wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Chapter 3: [spoilers removed]"

I think that the king ."

I think so too. He's named 'Shrewd' for a reason..

[Peggy]

Margo wrote: "Chapter 3 A"

(view spoiler)[ I was surprised she's a woman too. Quite a lot happening in Fitz' life. He does seem to be not be coping too well with it, feeling lonely and having no real bonds with anyone. I think it was mentioned somewhere that he does miss his home. (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

Margo wrote: "Susan re chapter 3 [spoilers removed]

chapters 4 to 5[spoilers removed]"

About the names: (view spoiler)[ wasn't it said in the beginning that that's the case for all royals? That it's tradition to name them after a trait and then they develop that trait? (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

Janice wrote: "Chapter 3 - 5

..."

I was wondering the same thing about (view spoiler)[ the knife. I like your explanation for it.

While reading I first thought it was a test about loyalty designed by Chade, but when he got so mad I wondered if maybe he wasn't even instructed by the king at all. Instead, I thought he might be training Fitz on his own for some personal goal. But it was Shrewd after all. I liked that he sort of took the blame and explained it to Fitz. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 2 (view spoiler)[ Oh, Nosy . . . But, I do see it as a part of his final task, Burrich had stature as Chivalry's man, gave his leg for him, then got cast aside. And, his leg would limit his future options. His last job is to protect Chivalry's son, who is also the reason for being cast off, what a position to be in, for both of them. (hide spoiler)]
Chapter 3 (view spoiler)[ Burrich seems to know more about the use and defense against The Wit than he has let on . . . I'm still trying to figure out The Wit and The Skill. Now the attention of King Shrewd, and Prince Regal . . . Regal seems like he will be vindictive and mean, while Shrewd seems to be a strategist and a master manipulator, always several steps ahead and playing the end-game. I would hope for some kind of relationship with family, but Prince Verity seems like the only possibility at this point. (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Chapters 4 -6(view spoiler)[The introduction of Chade was creepy.
Imagine a decrepit, pock-faced crone waking you in the middle of the night! I find it interesting how the tone of the novel at this point is still light, given the fact that Fitz is being trained how to murder people. I felt badly when Fitz was put to the test. He really suffered for his loyalty. I was glad when the King owned up to the idea. I think Fitz would never have trusted Chade had it been his own idea.

I was glad he got to see Molly again. It's good for Fitz to have a friend no one at the Keep knows about. Lastly, despite their lack of relationship, I was sad that Prince Chivalry died. I was kind of hoping Fitz and he would form a good relationship in the future. (hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

@Jenn(view spoiler)[I have some idea what The Wit is (but how it helps a person is beyond me), but what is The Skill? They keep mentioning it, but I haven't figured it out yet either. (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

Finished chapter 8.

(view spoiler)[ I'm not sure why Fitz assumed the Fool was a moron. He made only one appearance before, when Shrewd and Regal discovered Fitz, and then the Fool seemed intelligent enough. It was also surprising to me that the Fool is smaller than Fitz, even though Fitz is only 13!

That Thyme Lady is quite something. I'm pretty sure she's hiding something.

Also, quite the responsibility for a 13-year old to be sent on his first (possible) assassination trip. He seems very clever though, understanding what's going on and possible complications and the need for diplomacy. (hide spoiler)]

[Peggy]

Yes, that too! I wanted to mention that but must have forgotten.

[Janice, Moderator]

Margo, please make sure you delete the spoilers from quoted text. I sure wish Goodreads would fix that.

[Janice, Moderator]

Chapter 12 - 15

(view spoiler)[ So Lady Patience, wife of Chivalry has met Fitz. I thought it was rather amusing the way in which they met. She's taken a fancy to him and has kind of claimed him as her own, saying that he should have been her child.

She gave him a puppy. Smithy sounds like a real sweety. I like the connection they have.

Patience insists that Fitz be taught in the Skill. So now Fitz is learning the Wit, the Skill, and to be an assassin. He's going to be formidable.

Galen is a nasty piece of work. I'm glad Burrich straightened him out, gave him a taste of his own medicine.

The fool is no fool. I'm enjoying the relationship he and Fitz seem to have. (hide spoiler)]

ETA - I just read over my spoiler and it seems that (view spoiler)[ right now, everything is about the connections that Fitz is making. (hide spoiler)]

[siriusedward]

Are you thinking of reading the next book Janice?

[Sarah]

siriusedward wrote: "Are you thinking of reading the next book Janice?"

We're all planning to read the whole trilogy. Unless people don't want to continue after this one of course. I've read this one but will be joining in with the next one. I've been reading all the comments to refresh my memory.

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "Margo, please make sure you delete the spoilers from quoted text. I sure wish Goodreads would fix that."

Janice, which comment are you talking about? All look OK on my kindle. If I know which one it is I will just delete the comment. Maybe I shouldn't comment on my kindle.

[Margo]

I've deleted all recent comments as they all look fine to me.

[Margo]

Peggy wrote: "Finished chapter 8.

..."

(view spoiler)[ I think it was a common assumption that all Fools (as in the job description!) were mentally deficient. It seems that this Fool is what today would be called a small person, like Tyrion in GOT. I wonder if he is also an albino, based on Fitzs comments about his colouring. There is something unusual about his appearance.

Some people still make the mistake of thinking that a physical disability is a sign of a mental deficiancy *angry noise*. (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Chapters 9 to 11 I have some memories of so I am abraid to comment. Can't wait to see other peoples takeon them though!


Chapter 12 (Can't look at Janices spoiler as I'm not up to 15 yet :-(

(view spoiler)[ It sounds like the tutor who formed such a sudden attachment to Chivalry has formed an equally sudden dislike to Fitz. I wonder what Chade means when he says he can't see into the Queens Garden"? Does he have spies in all other places?

Does anyone have any theories on the Fools "Fitz fits fats"? I'm wondering if it makes any more sense in print. (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "I'm in the middle of chapter 12, but my spoilers will only go to the end of chapter 11.

Chapter 9 - 11: .."

(view spoiler)[ Ah - Forge, so "Forged"! I didn't get that til I saw it written.

I agree that Fitz intervention was apt to save himself from having to kill someone. Fitz has far more diplomatic skill than Verity. (hide spoiler)]

[Sarah]

Margo wrote: "I've deleted all recent comments as they all look fine to me."

It was not the content of your message as such but it was in the bit you quoted from Peggy or someone. It showed quite a bit of their spoiler.

[Margo]

Ah, sorry. That hasn't been an issue in so long that I thought it had been fix by GR. I will be more vigilent :-)

[Janice, Moderator]

Thanks for clarifying that, Sarah.

Margo, I hope you weren't offended by my request.

[Janice, Moderator]

siriusedward wrote: "Are you thinking of reading the next book Janice?"

Yes, I just put the remaining books on my audible wishlist.

[Janice, Moderator]

Margo wrote: "Peggy wrote: "Finished chapter 8"..."

Re: Fools (view spoiler)[ I think that's a great supposition - that the fool is a little person, like Peter Dinklage. I love the character of Tyrion in Game of Thrones. He's one of the best characters in my opinion.

Today, there was an article in my news feed about a picture of an obese woman in a motorized shopping cart who had tipped over. The picture went viral with people judging and making fun of her. She discovered it on the "People of Walmart" site. She responded, saying that she reached up to get something off the shelf, and the cart tipped. She noticed a flash of light and girls giggling. She has a missing disc in her spine, along with depression, PSTD, which led her to overeating. Sometimes we need to put ourselves in someone else's shoes for a while. (hide spoiler)]

[Janice, Moderator]

Margo wrote: "Chapters 9 to 11 I have some memories of so I am abraid to comment. Can't wait to see other peoples takeon them though!


Chapter 12 (Can't look at Janices spoiler as I'm not up to 15 yet :-(

It..."

(view spoiler)[ There seems to be more going on with the magic system that has yet to be revealed. Chade can't see into the garden... is that part of it? Does Chade have some kind of esp and does the garden have some kind of shield? Does the fool have the same kind of prescience? "Fitz fits fats" could be a riddle to be solved, or the fool could have just been playing with words. It's hard to say, (hide spoiler)]

[Margo]

Janice wrote: "Thanks for clarifying that, Sarah.

Margo, I hope you weren't offended by my request."

Not in the slightest Janice. We all want to enjoy the read without spoilers. I wasn't sure which comment you were referring too so I deleted the 2 I had posted most recently. They were nothing earth-shattering.

You'd need to try a lot harder to offend me LOL

[Janice, Moderator]

Glad to hear it. :)