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Online StoreAssassins Apprentice by Robin Hobb
Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb (also known as Megan Lindholm) is the first book in her acclaimed work, The Farseer Trilogy. Assassin's Apprentice was first published in 1995 and is followed by the books Royal Assassin and Assassin's Quest. The trilogy has been described as combining the magic of Ursula Le Guin's Earthsea with J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings.
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The story follows a young, nameless six year old boy and his life and times once he is given over to his biological father, a royal prince.
The young boy, who becomes known only as Fitz, has a difficult life being that he is a royal bastard. He is taken under the wing of master of animals named Burrich and it is working for Burrich that his discovers that he also has many other skills that ordinary boys do not possess.
The Kingdom is under threat from raiders that leave their victims devoid of any human emotions. The King is hard pressed and uses everything at his disposable to protect his country. Fitz, after a chance meeting with the King starts assassin training. As he grows he must face peril and hardship and faces ever more difficult missions.
Assassin's Apprentice: The Earliest History
This tale is told in first-person narrative as Fitz sits down and recounts his memoirs. This is a pleasing story if nothing exceptional. The characters are interesting and the settings are suitably described. I think that this could be classed as old-style fantasy, there is nothing wrong with that but authors such as George R. R. Martin and David Farland have taken the genre to another level.
This book is enjoyable and worth reading. There are genuinely moving moments and you do hope that Fitz's life has a happy ending. His connections with the animals is a nice twist and his interaction with the other characters is well done.
Assassin's Apprentice would be a good choice for young adults and a good place for somebody new to the fantasy genre to start.
Assassin's Apprentice: Assassinations
The book's cover illustration's are by the wonderful John Howe of Lord of the Rings fame and help bring the story even further to life.
"Refreshingly original" Jenny Wurts
"I couldn't put this novel down" Starburst
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Natalie from Cheshire
Robin Hobb is probably my favourite fantasy author and the Farseer trilogy is probably my favourite series.
It's the characters that I like the best, Fitz, Burrich, Regal, Molly and Verity are still as clear in my mind to me as they were when I was reading it a few years ago.
The bonus is that the books get better as they go along and give you the kind of ending you are hoping for, something that other series have failed to do and left me a bit disappointed.
Estel from Lucknow
The Farseer Trilogy is a must read for any fantasy fan. The first person narrative is effective and engaging, I feel a lot of empathy for Fitz. Ms. Hobb is an excellent wordsmith; the setting and the characters have been beautifully portrayed. She has definitely taken fantasy to a new horizon, devoid of any clichés, with an engaging plot and a realistic cast of characters.
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