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Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb

9-stars

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Summary An enjoyable and rewarding beginning to a promising trilogy.

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.

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.

"'Chivalry's' the old man said, and he was already turning his back on me, taking his measured steps down the flag-stoned pathway. 'Prince Chivalry' he said, not turning back as he added the qualifier. 'Him what's King-in-Waiting. That's who got him. So let him do for him, and be glad he managed to father one child, somewhere.'"
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.

"'The King has charged me with an assignment for you.' That summer, over three months, I killed seventeen times for the King. Had I not already killed, out of my own violition and defence, it might have been harder."
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

Assassin's Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy - Book 1) (Amazon.co.uk)

Author: Robin Hobb
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 480
Publication date: 1996-03-18
Publisher: Voyager

RRP: ~~£8.99~~
Lowest new price: £3.18
Lowest used price: £0.90

Assassin's Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy) (Amazon.com)

Author: Robin Hobb
Binding: Paperback
Number of pages: 480
Publication date: 1996-03-18
Publisher: Voyager

RRP: ~~$14.45~~
Lowest new price: $7.00
Lowest used price: $4.45

A glorious classic fantasy combining the magic of Ursula Le Guin's The Wizard of Earthsea with the epic Mastery of Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings. Now reissued in gorgeous new livery. Fitz is a royal bastard, cast out into the world with only his magical link with animals for solace and companionship. But When Fitz is adopted into the royal household, he must give up his old ways and learn a new life; weaponry, scribing, courtly manners; and how to kill a man secretly. Meanwhile, raiders ravage the coasts, leaving people soulless. As Fitz grows towards manhood, he will have to face his first terrifying mission, a task that poses as much risk to himself as it does to his target: for Fitz is a threat to the throne ! but he may also be the key to the future of the kingdom.
Product Description

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."

Rosalind from Colorado
"I must admit, I only got 3/4 of the way through this book before I had to stop. I have never read any novel that was so relentlessly depressing. The main character is sympathetic, but the book consists of nothing but horrible things happening to him over and over again. Other characters in the book exist only betray Fitz or die one he grows fond of them. I have not (and will not) read other books in the series, but I can guess that they involve the destruction of every father-figure and cute puppy that gets within a mile of the protagonist."

Rob from London
"Amazing first book for an amazing series. I've recommended this book to several people and all have gone on to read and enjoy the trilogy. Definitely in my top 5 fantasy novels, do yourself a favour and read it."

Daniel from Essex
"Well written and easy to lose yourself in, these series of books are an emotional rolercoaster. I couldn't put these books down, I also would recommend the Live Ship series and the Tawny Man but unfortunatly I felt Robin lost her way after that."

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