Assassin’s Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy – Book 1)

Written by Robin Hobb, published in 1995. Summary and review.

This book comes highly recommended by those in the fantasy genre. And this title also made for an interesting read (judging a book by its cover). We follow Fitz, a bastard boy and son of Chivalry (the lord of his kingdom). Fitz is not loved and cast aside due to his scandalous birth.

He grows up lonely and friendless, only befriending a dog Nosy, which he comes to have special talents for communicating with. Foreshadowing some hidden magical abilities – known at the Wit. However, once taken in by a noble family his skills are honed in as he becomes the assassin’s apprentice. In doing so, he’s not allowed to focus his abilities in communicating with animals and ultimately loses his dog friend Nosy. In fact, there is a lot of lost love between him and dogs, and frankly too much death of animals for my taste. Though I understand it from a story telling/plot development standpoint.

This book also teases cool powers and zombie like raiders (the forged). However, these nasties don’t enter until way late and the whole book is a slow burn. Way, way too slow.

I can’t say I’m a big fan of Hobb’s writing, especially given all the love this book receives online and from any videos I’ve seen critiquing this book. It simply was not for me.

TLDR: Assassin’s Apprentice has it all: assassins, betrayal, magic, communication with animals, mind control, poising, usurping… however it’s all dialed down to a 3/10. Not for me, but I can see the merit in this book. Medium Recommend. 3/5 Stars.