Book Review: "Assassin's Apprentice" by Robin Hobb

(Farseer #1)
My Rating: 

---

Plot Tease

Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal court. He is an outcast to all the royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who had him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in Fitz's blood runs the magic Skill - a mind-bending talent - and the darker knowledge of a child raised with hounds and rejected by his family.

Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission. And although some regard him as a threat to the throne, he may just be the key to the survival of the kingdom.

Book Review

If you haven't read Robin Hobb before, let me just tell you right now that you need to read this book. Assassin's Apprentice is the beginning of something big in fantasy. This book and these characters have a realistic edge to them, even amid the magic, that is incredibly enthralling. I don't even know how to pin it down for you. It just feels different.

To be totally blunt, this series has become my standard. I compare all other fantasy books to these ones. It's because of the characters. 

Fitz may be the lead and narrator, but I'm going to talk about him last. There are no typical 'shallow side characters'. If they speak, they've got detail and life just like the leads.

Burrich is the stable master at Buckkeep, charged with raising Fitz because he was close with the boy's father. If I had to describe him with a word, I'd say bulwark. Without him, I really don't think Fitz could have survived. He's that papa bear character who won't let anyone touch his boy. That said, he's still tough on Fitz himself.

Burrich is wonderfully hypocritical at times. Wonderfully because, like everything else, it rings true. The two of them conflict over Fitz's Wit magic often, and it's painful but... Through it all, you have a faith that Burrich will end with what's right, as he always tries to do, even with this difficult kid on his hands. He's got secrets that show every now and then, which I am sure we will hear more about in the future.

Speaking of, do you like mysterious? Then you'll love The Fool. The king's jester is literally paper white, with white hair and eyes. He shows up at odd times with somewhat prophetic messages. He teases Fitz always with relentless verbal acrobatics. No one knows his story or where he's from.

His humor and inner fire break up the narrative perfectly. Just when you don't think you can handle the tension or suspense anymore he shows up to relieve it for you (and inevitably introduce a new one). There is something in his interactions with Fitz that is just slightly different from any other character, and it's enough to make one wonder. The next few books will be interesting. The Fool is my favorite. He made me love him quickest.

Fitz. Sometimes all I can do is say that name and shake my head. This poor boy has bravery in buckets but... He isn't always the sharpest crayon in the box. It's one if those Knowledge > Wisdom situations often, and you just want yell "Nooo" as he launches headlong into something terrible. But he's the skills guy anyway.

To his credit though, for every time he fails there's also a success, which will keep you cheering along to the end and straight on into the next book. Fitz is complicated and very layered. He changes his mind. He goes against his own word and ideals. He's a special character that you may not ever love, but you'll still want to follow his life.

His narrative voice is extremely engaging and details in a way that is intriguing rather than burdensome. More than any other, Fitz got me to talk back to him. To yell and laugh at his book at all the right moments. 

You have to read this. If you like fantasy you have to read this book. It's so amazing and satisfying. Hobb wrote a masterpiece of a series here. I will warn you that the first few chapters are a little slow. It seems to be her way, but it's totally worth it to get through them. Gah. I love this books.

What Do You Think?

Do you think it was kind of Shrewd to make Fitz his assassin?
Which magic is better: Wit or Skill?
Do you trust the Fool?
Have you ever cried or yelled at a book? Which one? What happened? 

"I've taught you quite a bit, these last few years. But hold this lesson closest and keep it always before you. If you ever make it so they don't need you, they will kill you." - Chade

Cost: New $7.19/Used $0.01 (Available on Kindle and Nook.)

Buy "Assassin's Apprentice" on Amazon.
(This book review is not sponsored in any way. All opinions are my own.)