Assassin's Apprentice

Robin Hobb isn't a stellar writer, but her characters live like no others. You are immediately invested in the life and loneliness of the bastard Fitz. His world is enchanting, but quite ordinary at the same time. I absolutely LOVE how Robin Hobb always writes her characters into a corner so that the choices they end up making are the inevitable ones, no matter how painful it might be.

Who hasn’t dreamt of being able to converse with a wolf? We get our chance in this intriguing story of Fitz Farseer, my all-time favorite character.

There’s much to enjoy in this series—royal assassins, secret mentors, and family betrayal—but what I love most is the outlawed magic that creates a deep bond between Fitz and a fearless wolf named Nighteyes, allowing them to communicate.

Nighteyes, another favorite character, reminds me of my childhood golden retriever, only with sharper fangs and claws. He reveals exactly how much we’re missing out on when we can’t converse with animals like him—sharing their sharper… show more.

This book delivers slow-burn action, incredibly nuanced characters, and a world that grows on you increasingly with every page. As a younger reader, I struggled with the slow pacing and the lack of real action. But going back to read it recently, I found myself sucked into the story of this bastard child in a very medieval France/England-feeling royal court.

The characters introduced alongside FitzChivalry are incredibly compelling, and everyone leaped off the page and came to life in my imagination. I tore through the entire trilogy back to back because though they were light on the assassination; they were… show more.

My daughter introduced me to The Farseer trilogy, a captivating series of fantasy novels written by the talented American author Robin Hobb. She was so enthralled by the intricate characters and rich storytelling that she named her beloved dog after the main protagonist, Fitz.

It’s truly remarkable how a book can offer entertainment and become a meaningful part of our shared lives. The Farseer trilogy sparked numerous delightful discussions and shared moments. Robin Hobb’s skillful creation of a vivid and immersive world provided us with endless opportunities to connect over our favorite characters and plot twists. The true joys… show more.

Rare are the books that pull at the strings of my heart and more so the ones able to keep me up past midnight. While I am only sharing one book the summation of this twelve-part series is a raw look at the heroics found in the ordinary and flawed man. 

No, the main character is not technically ordinary but despite being the hero he is often outshone by other characters. This draws a clear connection between the ordinary reader and dear Fitz. We see a boy in this series grow into a man who endures and is an example… show more.

I really enjoyed the magic system in this book. It made me want to be part of the world and gain the powers/bonds of the characters. As Fitz is unwittingly pulled from relationships and put into difficult situations, I felt so much empathy and wanted to reach out and help him.

As I wanted these things, Robin Hobb granted me some of my wishes, but not always in the way I expected. The character development is superb, and each character is believable and has good motivation. 

I never wanted to reach into a book and pluck a character out of their situation more than I did with this one. I ached for Fitz Chivalry, beat my fists on whatever chair I sat in as I read, and ultimately wept openly as I completed the series. But my tears weren’t of sadness. A real journey had ended, and I was grieving the tale's end.

No one seeks out painful stories, but those that sting can resonate. Robin Hobb spins a bittersweet tale full of characters you love, characters you root for, and others you’d like to punch… show more.

Robin Hobb is one of my all-time favourite authors, and this year I’ve been re-reading her original series, Assassin’s Apprentice. I haven’t read the books in over fifteen years, and going back to the first book again was like coming home.

It reminded me of all the delight I felt reading it the first time; the awesome fantasy world, the fascinating and complex political landscape, and the masterful character work. Fitz (the protagonist) was as (adorably) frustrating as I remembered, but Burrich! And Chade! And Kettricken!

These characters grow on you slowly and steadily with every page you read… show more.

Aside from the gripping descriptions of the medieval setting, what sets the Assassin’s Apprentice apart is the humanity of its characters. I always like to advocate for the realness of characters, even in plot-driven stories.

As a reader, I need to be able to connect with the humanity of the characters I encounter. This novel’s protagonist is a flawed and relatable hero whose struggles and triumphs feel truly real. Likewise, the supporting cast, from nobles to servants, are complex characters. This pleases me as a reader and inspires me as an author. 

Hobb had me rooting for “the Bastard” from the first chapter. With everything against him, Fitz grew up with palace intrigue, was taught by the master assassin, and learned the art of “skilling – despite the efforts of a “legitimate” prince and his followers to prevent it. However, loyalty, determination, and persistence flowed throughout the book. I had trouble putting the book down.