Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Series #1)

The Fantasy Equivalent of Ender

This is likely one of the best books in the Sci-Fi/Fantasy genre I have read since Ender's Game. I honestly had problems putting this book down and going to bed at night. Maybe it was something as simple as the writing style of using no page breaks until the end of the chapter. Maybe it is because most sci-fi books bounce between three groups of characters and their individual plots. This title stays rigidly focused on the one protagonist, and so maybe I felt like I got to know Fitz better as a character, and was not so distracted trying to keep multiple plot-lines straight. Whatever the cause, I grew totally immersed in Fitz' story, and joined in the constant hope that there would be something better for him just down the road. Cannot wait to read the second one in the series. Bravo.
- Vr/Zeux..>>

9 out of 9 people found this review helpful.

Either this is more like a fictional biography or the author wanted to fit as much detail and understanding into the first book; either way, I stopped...

I went with this book on a whim; good reviews shot me a hope in the fact that this trilogy will be something of epic proportions and keep me on the edge of my seat. Unfortunately, this book is possibly "epic" to some, but to me? I was severely disappointed.

I started the book one night. I had to read slow, because this is one of those novels that if you happen to read fast or skim, you'll miss a detail and screw up your mental image of the situation or description at hand. So, I read slowly. It was trudging along for the first chapter. I gave it a chance.

Fitz is a bastard child of Prince Chivalry, whom is now abdicated from his throne. Fitz is seen as a mistake to everyone except Burrich, the stable master whom cares for him; Verity, Chivalry's brother, now Prince; and King Shrewd, his grandfather. Fitz carries along in lessons of assassination with his instructor Chade. And that's where I stopped.

Page 150 and my doubts were clear. This book was not for me. I'm all for action, fast-paced adventure, murder and just exciting stuff. This is a book that is character-driven and really, a fictional biography of Fitz. It is told from his old self, recalling on the past. Told in first-person as well.

Sure, I'm fine with description and slow pace for 100 pages. Maybe even 120. But after that, I'm not going to waste my time to read a book that I'm not merely excited by. Granted, this book is interesting! This story is interesting, but it doesn't possess that sort of ... jolt. I'm sorry, I don't get excited by Fitz FINALLY speaking his mind, I don't get excited by his young romance changing her ways to be more girly, I don't get excited when Fitz crawls into bed for three days, full of depression because he feels a ton has been placed upon his shoulders. I'm not a character kind of guy.

I guess that's why you may say I don't particularly enjoy this book or this kind of book for that matter. I stopped reading it early and granted, I may be wrong. It may pick up later on, but judging from other people's opinions or views who have read the trilogy...it doesn't seem that way. I may pick up the book again, may even like it if my need for characterization increases in the future, but right now, I want action. Pick up the book if you want detail upon detail, slow-paced storytelling and characterization. Ignore it if you're like me; you want action and fast-paced events that throw you to the wall in shock and excitement.

Before I finish up here, I'd like to give kudos to Robin Hobb. She has done a tremendous job here and there is nothing wrong with her style. I just happen to dislike the slow-paced trudging through the story.

5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.

A boy and his dog

Fitz,a five year old and the "bastid" son of Prince Chivalry is brought back to the castle and dropped off by a farmer who had been raising the boy. He is affirmed to be the Prince's child and is put in the care of King Shrew's stable master Burrich, who is both foster father and drill sargent. Fitz has a secret talent of being able to communicate, of sorts, with animals, "The Wit". Burrich is adamant against this, causing confict between them. The Royal family blood line has another "Skill", being able to communicate with each other mentally over long distances, and more. King Shrewd decides to let his "Skill Master", Chade, who is secretly the Queens "Bastid" child as well, teach Fitz this art. He immediately hates Fitz and does his best to destroy him while teaching him to use the "Skill". Enter "Galen" the King's Asassan, who takes Fitz under his wing to tutor him in the Assassan's arts as well. He is told the King wants him to learn and be of help to the King this way. Many sub-plots intertwine. The only dissapointing part of book one is that the Skill and the Wit are discussed at length, but very little is actually done or explained about them, leaving the Magic element of the story a bit weak so far. Secondly the reader finds themselves saying why the heck did Fitz stay until his teens where EVERYBODY hates him. Finaly at the end "FitzChivalry" discovers how to release his "Skill" the hard way setting up for book two. Robn Hobb has done a great job starting out, and I look forward to The Farseer #2. Get this, I think you will like it.

3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.

Wow!! Best fantasy series

This book is absolutely enthralling! It is one of those rare books that is like a magnet for the mind. If you don't have this book finished within a day or two there is something wrong. Any fan of fantasy will love this book gauranteed. Robin Hobb's description is legendary and her stories are top notch! A must read.

3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.

If you read this one...

be ready to buy them all. She is a wonderfully vivid writer who grasps your interest early and never lets go. I absolutely love all of her books.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Loved it.

Strongly identified with the main character, got more caught up in this book than I had with the previous several fantasy books I had read.

2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

Good

this book isworth buying but isnt the greatest book. it takes some concentration when reading, but all together it was pretty good.

1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.

A Must-Read!

I have been eye-balling this book for years, and I can honestly say I wish I had picked it up earlier! It contains excellent characters and an interesting writing style...I've never read anything quite like it, and I think fantasy readers will love it!

Some comparable (and excellent) books are "Thief's Gamble" by McKenna and "Shadow in Summer" by Abraham...

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Robin Hobb's masterpiece!

Robin Hobb is one of the best fantasy fiction writers on the market today! Those who enjoy George R.R. Martin, Mercedes Lackey, R.A. Salvatore, Raymond Feist, etc. are going to fall in love with this amazing writer.
Assassins Apprentice is her first novel in the Farseer Trilogy and it is magnificantly crafted.
Those who are looking for a new country to explore, new hero to journey with need look no farther. Unlike many romantic fantasy writers, Robin Hobb NEVER pulls her punches, and you may find that you are laughing at one moment only to turn the page and cry the next.

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

This read is a classic

I grew up an avid reader, but didn't start with fantasy until just a few years ago. A co-worker friend had an extensive fantasy library and challenged me to do a little reading away from my SciFi, mystery or adventure reading. He started me on George R.R. Martin and then came the Farseer series written by Robin Hobb. One thing that I noticed, even with Martin's series, is that the first book or two are usually excellent and the story continues but not with the same investment of imagination in the story line. Perhaps that is an effect of character recognition, we want to see the characters and the story line improve and sometimes they just don't. I think the authors get a little tired of the same story as do the readers. If you have ever had to edit a book sized effort, you will know what I'm talking about. Even your favorite is ready for the execution squad by the time you have written, rewritten and proof read and . . . it just goes on and on. Still, Robin puts on a great show here. My favorite of this series is still this book, Assassin's Apprentice, the rest of the books associated with this series are still of good quality, the live ship and the other series flesh the world view out and are above average writing, but hands down, this one has the grit of reality and will remain in my library. One of my complaints about some of the later books are that they dip into the same sex themes that someone just had to include (the stories would have had much broader appeal without it.) I just wasn't as impressed with the story line in some of the later books, even though I remain appreciative of her writing skill.

Training woods one

A small stream and an open field surrounded by dense forest.

Pretty solid

Not bad. Kind of slow at times. Nice genuine characters.

Good Read

Very good series...definitely recommend it.

Xavier

Hey guys...head to the next reult for assassin

Best book

Had me up all night!!

Magnificent read

This series is one of my most cherished favorites.

Cool

Swagg book

0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

Easy read

Good series, Robin Hobb weaves a good if simple story

I havent bought it yet.. is it any good

I love assasin stories thats why I want to read it... but I dont know if it is any good please dont spoil it though!!!

0 out of 5 people found this review helpful.

Fantastic story!

This is the first in one of my abolute favorite series. It is character driven, so not for someone who merely wants a melodramatic, action intensive fantasy adventure. Be prepared to fall in love with the characters, shed many a tear, and dive into a tale that will live with you for years after the last page turns.