Assassin's Apprentice

In a faraway land where members of the royal family are named for the virtues they embody, one young boy will become a walking enigma.

Born on the wrong side of the sheets, Fitz, son of Chivalry Farseer, is a royal bastard, cast out into the world, friendless and lonely. Only his magical link with animals - the old art known as the Wit - gives him solace and companionship. But the Wit, if used too often, is a perilous magic, and one abhorred by the nobility.

So when Fitz is finally adopted into the royal household, he must give up his old ways and embrace a new life of weaponry, scribing, courtly manners; and how to kill a man secretly, as he trains to become a royal assassin.

Genre: Fantasy

Author: Robin Hobb

Mass Market Paperback, 448 pages

Published: March 1st, 1996

Publishing House: Spectra Books

My Review

Let’s roll out the red carpet for one master story teller!

Robin Hobb is truly a master of imagination and her craft (seems like!) to effortlessly compose her vison on paper as a printed work of art.

The world around Fitz, the bastard child as they all call him, feels historically middle ages, perhaps a bit more tranquil in setting. Written in first person view, we learn about Fitz’s life on the streets with other lost children and his love of dogs. Roaming through markets, being outside, developing deep friendships and just being a kid.

Things change when he becomes of age and a mentor guides and guards him for his own good. Being a bastard child of royalty can be a blessing and a curse. Considering strategic alliances, Fitz becomes a pawn in the age old game of might and power, a commodity. He is being trained as an assassin, a silent killer.

As the plot delves deeper in intricacies towards the latter part of the novel, it becomes less clear who is playing whom for gain and who will be true. One flick at the cog can change and shift it all.

As no less expected, the turn of events in this novel are surprising and unexpected to the reader, all while Fitz stays his true nature and enjoyable character as he is.

Throughout the entirety of the novel, hardly any foul language is used, yet Hobb clearly conveys all emotions expressively and clean. It simply is a joy to follow Fitz through his journey while being fully emerged in the novel and looking left and right at awe at the surroundings. Vivid and imaginative, a truly pleasurable read.

If you haven’t read Hobb yet, as I had put it off for too long…what is holding you back? Let’s dive in. I will be starting the next book soon.

Happy reading :)