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Assassin's Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy, Book 1) Mass Market Paperback – March 1, 1996


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“Fantasy as it ought to be written . . . Robin Hobb’s books are diamonds in a sea of zircons.”—George R. R. Martin 
 
Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal court by his father’s gruff stableman. He is treated as an outcast by all the royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in Fitz’s blood runs the magic Skill—and the darker knowledge of a child raised with the stable hounds and rejected by his family.
 
As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts, Fitz is growing to manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission. And though some regard him as a threat to the throne, he may just be the key to the survival of the kingdom.
 
Praise for Robin Hobb and Assassin’s Apprentice
 
“A gleaming debut in the crowded field of epic fantasies . . . a delightful take on the powers and politics behind the throne.”
Publishers Weekly
 
“This is the kind of book you fall into, and start reading slower as you get to the end, because you don’t want it to be over.”
—Steven Brust

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From the Publisher

Experience the Farseer Trilogy

George R. R. Martin says, “Fantasy as it ought to be written...”

Locus says, “[Robin] Hobb continues to revitalize a genre that often seems all too generic…”

Kirkus Reviews says, "An exceptional combination of originality, magic, adventure…”

Editorial Reviews

Review

Praise for Robin Hobb and Assassin’s Apprentice
 
“Fantasy as it ought to be written . . . Robin Hobb’s books are diamonds in a sea of zircons.”
—George R. R. Martin
 
“A gleaming debut in the crowded field of epic fantasies . . . a delightful take on the powers and politics behind the throne.”
Publishers Weekly
 
“This is the kind of book you fall into, and start reading slower as you get to the end, because you don’t want it to be over.”
—Steven Brust

About the Author

Robin Hobb is the author of the Farseer Trilogy, the Liveship Traders Trilogy, the Tawny Man Trilogy, the Soldier Son Trilogy, and the Rain Wilds Chronicles. She has also written as Megan Lindholm. She is a native of Washington State.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Spectra (March 1, 1996)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Mass Market Paperback ‏ : ‎ 448 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 055357339X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0553573398
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.5 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 4.14 x 0.93 x 6.87 inches
  • Customer Reviews:

About the author

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Robin Hobb
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Robin Hobb is a New York Times best-selling fantasy author. She is published in English in the US, UK and Australia, and her works have been widely translated. Her short stories have been finalists for both the Hugo and the Nebula awards, as well as winning the Asimov's Readers Award. Her best known series is The Farseer Trilogy (Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin, and Assassin's Quest.)

Robin Hobb was born in Oakland California, but grew up in Fairbanks, Alaska. She has spent her life mostly in the Pacific Nortwest region of the US, and currently resides in Tacoma, Washington State, with her husband Fred. They have four grown offspring, and six grandchildren.

Robin Hobb is a pen name for Margaret Ogden. She has also written under the name Megan Lindholm.

She published her first short story for children when she was 18,and for some years wrote as a journalist and children's writer. Her stories for children were published in magazines such as Humpty Dumpty's Magazine for Little Children, Jack & Jill and Highlights for Children. She also created educational reading material for children for a programmed reading series by SRA (Science Research Associates.) She received a grant award from the Alaska State Council on the arts for her short story "The Poaching", published in Finding Our Boundaries in 1980.

Fantasy and Science Fiction had always been her two favorite genres, and in the late 70's she began to write in them. Her initial works were published in small press 'fanzines' such as Space and Time (editor Gordon Linzner). Her first professionally published story was "Bones for Dulath" that appeared in the Ace anthology AMAZONS!, edited by Jessica Amanda Salmonson in 1979. A short time later, a second Ki and Vandien story entitled The Small One was published in FANTASTIC in 1980.

During that time period, she and her family had moved from Alaska to Hawaii, and subsequently to Washington State, where they settled. She had various money making occupations (waitress, salesperson, etc.) while striving with her writing. Her husband Fred continued to fish Alaskan waters and was home only about 3 months out of every year. The family lived on a small farm in rural Roy where they raised lots of vegetables, chickens, ducks, geese and other small livestock.

In 1983, her first novel, Harpy's Flight, was published by Ace under the pen name Megan Lindholm. Her later titles under that name included Wizard of the Pigeons, Alien Earth, Luck of the Wheels, and Cloven Hooves.

In 1995, she launched her best selling series of books set in the Realm of the Elderlings. At that time, she began writing as Robin Hobb. Her first trilogy of books were about her popular characters, FitzChivalry Farseer and the Fool. The Farseer Trilogy is comprised of Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin and Assassin's Quest. These books were followed by The Liveship Traders trilogy, set in the same world. The Tawny Man trilogy returned to the tale of Fitz and the Fool. Most recently, the four volumes of the Rain Wilds Chronicles were published: Dragon Keeper, Dragon Haven, City of Dragons and Blood of Dragons.

In 2013, it was announced that she would return to her best-loved characters with a new trilogy, The Fitz and the Fool trilogy. The first volume, Fool's Assassin, will be published in August of 2014.

Other works as Robin Hobb include The Soldier Son trilogy and short stories published in various anthologies. A collection of her shorter works as both Lindholm and Hobb is available in The Inheritance.

She continues to reside in Tacoma, Washington, with frequent visits to the pocket farm in Roy.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
24,296 global ratings
Phenomenal book. Excellent edition.
5 Stars
Phenomenal book. Excellent edition.
I’m a classic lit fan generally. But I needed a change. From the very thorough research I did - seriously I study Data Science so it’s my thing - this series is always at or very near the top of fantasy reader’s favorites. I loved LoTR so fantasy was what I figured I’d try.This immediately has not disappointed. I started with the kindle version and was blown away by the beauty of the art that’s included-especially using my iPad to read it. I’ve included 2 illustrations that are included in the kindle-on-my-iPad edition. These paperbacks do not have pictures. The story is at once beautifully crafted, detailed, interesting and I couldn’t put it down for a few hours - homework be dam*ed.But I work on my laptop so much I prefer actual analogue books. And these paperbacks are so well done. If you understand the importance of “floppyness” and binding then I’ll say these are amazing. I literally just opened the box and opened the book. As you see in the pic it’s not a struggle to keep them open even with one hand. But are strongly bound. And easy to hold in any position.And again the story is 100% fantastic. Either kindle or paperback it’s a book that anyone would enjoy and though it’s fantasy it’s not YA - thank the Almighty above. No ridiculous toxic teenage storylines (I definitely checked before I started reading it). But a true coming of age story. But it is much more than that. It’s not a kids book. It’s not HP but HP fans could easily love it. I bought all 3 of this first series and I already know I’ll end up with every single book in the entire collection.Phenomenal world building, character development, flow, depth, sentence structure (!). Just brilliant. I’m stuck in and grateful for the study break where I do not feel guilty at all. Pure pleasure. Feel like a giddy kid.
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Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024
I’m a classic lit fan generally. But I needed a change. From the very thorough research I did - seriously I study Data Science so it’s my thing - this series is always at or very near the top of fantasy reader’s favorites. I loved LoTR so fantasy was what I figured I’d try.
This immediately has not disappointed. I started with the kindle version and was blown away by the beauty of the art that’s included-especially using my iPad to read it. I’ve included 2 illustrations that are included in the kindle-on-my-iPad edition. These paperbacks do not have pictures. The story is at once beautifully crafted, detailed, interesting and I couldn’t put it down for a few hours - homework be dam*ed.
But I work on my laptop so much I prefer actual analogue books. And these paperbacks are so well done. If you understand the importance of “floppyness” and binding then I’ll say these are amazing. I literally just opened the box and opened the book. As you see in the pic it’s not a struggle to keep them open even with one hand. But are strongly bound. And easy to hold in any position.

And again the story is 100% fantastic. Either kindle or paperback it’s a book that anyone would enjoy and though it’s fantasy it’s not YA - thank the Almighty above. No ridiculous toxic teenage storylines (I definitely checked before I started reading it). But a true coming of age story. But it is much more than that. It’s not a kids book. It’s not HP but HP fans could easily love it. I bought all 3 of this first series and I already know I’ll end up with every single book in the entire collection.
Phenomenal world building, character development, flow, depth, sentence structure (!). Just brilliant. I’m stuck in and grateful for the study break where I do not feel guilty at all. Pure pleasure. Feel like a giddy kid.
Customer image
5.0 out of 5 stars Phenomenal book. Excellent edition.
Reviewed in the United States on February 24, 2024
I’m a classic lit fan generally. But I needed a change. From the very thorough research I did - seriously I study Data Science so it’s my thing - this series is always at or very near the top of fantasy reader’s favorites. I loved LoTR so fantasy was what I figured I’d try.
This immediately has not disappointed. I started with the kindle version and was blown away by the beauty of the art that’s included-especially using my iPad to read it. I’ve included 2 illustrations that are included in the kindle-on-my-iPad edition. These paperbacks do not have pictures. The story is at once beautifully crafted, detailed, interesting and I couldn’t put it down for a few hours - homework be dam*ed.
But I work on my laptop so much I prefer actual analogue books. And these paperbacks are so well done. If you understand the importance of “floppyness” and binding then I’ll say these are amazing. I literally just opened the box and opened the book. As you see in the pic it’s not a struggle to keep them open even with one hand. But are strongly bound. And easy to hold in any position.

And again the story is 100% fantastic. Either kindle or paperback it’s a book that anyone would enjoy and though it’s fantasy it’s not YA - thank the Almighty above. No ridiculous toxic teenage storylines (I definitely checked before I started reading it). But a true coming of age story. But it is much more than that. It’s not a kids book. It’s not HP but HP fans could easily love it. I bought all 3 of this first series and I already know I’ll end up with every single book in the entire collection.
Phenomenal world building, character development, flow, depth, sentence structure (!). Just brilliant. I’m stuck in and grateful for the study break where I do not feel guilty at all. Pure pleasure. Feel like a giddy kid.
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7 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on August 25, 2014
The book was about an illegitimate son of a prince in a court rife with political intrigue. Fairly sheltered at first due to his low birth, Fitz grows to be a youth in a world of dogs, horses, hawks, and soldiers. All this changes when the king takes notice of him and asks him to be trained in the art of assassination. Coupled with his ability to bond with animals (sharing emotions, thoughts, and insights), especially dogs, and a potential for the Skill, Fitz is exposed to dangers and betrayals he had never encountered or imagined.

Likes: There was a lot that I enjoyed in this book. I thought it was a slow paced, carefully constructed world with good characters and interesting development. Yes, it was slow pacing, but I felt like we were discovering the world at the same time Fitz was, and for me this worked. It allowed for development of characters above and beyond what most authors take the time to do. It also allowed for a lot of depth to the plot. I liked Fitz, although I kept waiting for him to show some back bone and play his strengths. But I think his flaws made him more believable. I thought all of the characters were believable, except for Regal, who I found to be annoying and a bit cliched. I found the author's clear love and understanding of animals and their devotion and love to be a nice addition to the story, and endearing. I also found the Red Ship people and their eerie and poorly understood way of depriving their victims of their humanity disturbing, in a good way; I'm definitely invested in wanting them to be defeated. Obviously I'm hoping for some insight into their motives in future books, because the lack of a clear reason why they attack innocent people and children and turn them into a type of zombie is frustrating. Robin Hobb also has a beautiful way of turning a phrase, I would have liked to see more of that.

Didn't work as well for me: Well, what I liked least about this book was the violence. It was a bit sickening and disturbing, but I understood the author's use of it and realize it probably won't matter to most people. Like I said, I found Fitz a bit whiny at times. I also found it a bit jarring to be moved with Fitz from one mentor to the other. It made me feel as if Fitz was a Jack of all trades, master of none. I kept waiting for him to step into his strengths, become truly good at something, but as soon as he started to make progress, he was moved again, between Chade, Burrich, Galen, even Patience and Hob, to lesser extents. For all the people in his life, he didn't trust any of them fully and didn't connect with any of them in a meaningful way. I know this accentuates his loneliness, but after a while it felt a bit bleak, and I WANTED him to make some connections with a human being. Drifting around in the book with no one to love and cling to with the hero was wearying. Fitz was loyal and helpful to a lot of people but I never saw anyone without reservation and at times, abandonment, be loyal to him.

All in all, the things that bothered me were nothing compared to my enjoyment. I simply could not put it down, and found myself thinking about it a lot when I wasn't reading it. I'm so happy to discover a series that has been out a while so that I have sequels to look forward to while the world is still fresh in my mind.
2 people found this helpful
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Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2019
I went into this novel with what seemed like absurdly high expectations and it managed to not only meet but exceed all of those expectations. Having heard so many wonderful things about Robin Hobb’s novels, I was certain I would enjoy it, but I never expected to fall so in love with this absolutely beautiful piece of literature. Assassin’s Apprentice captivated me from page one. Literally. One day, I picked it up just to try out a few pages and there was no stopping me after that. I devoured every aspect of this narrative, was enchanted by the magic, enthralled by the political intrigue, and surprised by all the twists and turns. This world and its characters completely ensnared me and I never wanted to leave.

In this novel, we follow Fitz, son of Chivalry Farseer, and a royal bastard. As a young boy, he is abandoned and sent to live in the royal household where he is written off, shunned by most he comes across. He begins his time here living with the stable master, Burrich, and finding what little companionship he has with the animals he works and lives with. When a magical art, called the Wit, makes itself evident within him, he finds peace, and even love, with the intense link this power allows him to have with his animal friends. Despite the danger of it and the nobility’s distaste for such powers, it is his lifeline in a world that wishes he never existed.

From the day he gets dropped off at the Farseer door, we are witness to many years of Fitz’s struggle to fit in, grow up, and to simply just survive as a reluctantly tolerated member of this royal family. When he one day garners the attention of the king, he is thrust into a life of lessons that befit a child of the Farseer name—and there is something more. Under cover of night, Fitz is being trained to become a powerful, royal assassin. And with strange goings-on at court and the growing underpinnings of corruption among royals, Fitz may just have his work cut out for him.

Robin Hobb’s writing is some of the most beautiful writing I have ever read. She completely captures the high fantasy style of the ‘80s and ‘90s, which I have always thought had such a unique and particularly enchanting quality to it. This is the sort of writing that truly made me into the fantasy lover that I am today, and there was this very poignantly nostalgic feel that wrapped around me until the final page. To say she has a talent for crafting an emotionally vivid and intriguingly complex narrative is an understatement. The way she has woven each and every element seamlessly together to create a multi-layered and unforgettable tale is remarkable.

Now, when I say this novel is complex, I definitely do not mean that it is challenging to follow or understand. Personally, I was blown away by how easily I fell into the many branches of this storyline. There is so much intricate detailed poured into every moment—into every event and setting and relationship. Years go by and new knowledge, twists, and turns fill each page and never once does it become muddled or overwhelming. Hobb writes in such a way that effortlessly carries you over every single page, not allowing you to get lost along the way. So many stories and so many characters and so many twists, yet not one bit of it is left unresolved.

And as if I haven’t been gushing enough already, there is still the topic of the characters. These marvelous, three-dimensional characters that are the driving force of this novel. Fitz is an incredibly strong lead character, someone who is easy to connect and sympathize with. His story is equal parts heart-wrenching and heart-pounding, and it is impossible not to cheer for him all the way. He faces such massive obstacles and stands up to them, persevering in the most unlikely circumstances. Fitz is not one of those flawless heroes—every aspect of his life, every success and failure, is chronicled in these pages. His growth throughout the narrative as he fights to give himself a life is awe-inspiring.

Every single character Robin Hobb creates in this story is multi-dimensional and fully fleshed out. They are all made into a significant element of the overall narrative, contributing in some way, however small, to the unfolding of the plot. I thought Hobb did a brilliant job building each and every one of her characters with care and precision.

Chade and the Fool were two of my absolute favorites. From the second they enter, they are both depicted with a vivid and striking characterization that makes them unforgettable. Another favorite of mine was Verity Farseer. He is truly a gentleman—a compassionate, intelligent, and hard-working man who stands up for what he believes in and puts the welfare of his people above anything else. And, just on a side note, he may also be one of my new book boyfriends.

As I am sure you have already guessed, I adored this novel with all my heart, and it has turned me into a complete Robin Hobb addict. This was such a satisfying read and is one that will continue to stick with me throughout my entire life, both as a reader and as a writer. It is this type of work that inspires me so greatly when it comes to my own personal writing, as fantasy is my genre of choice.

It is rare to find a book that impacts me quite as much as this one did—one that rekindles that initial feeling I had as I discovered my love of reading—and which reminds me why I am so passionate about literature. The next book, Royal Assassin, is sitting in front of me as we speak, and I am so eager to throw myself back into this world. If you have not tried out Robin Hobb’s novels, I highly recommend giving this one a go.
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Top reviews from other countries

Shane Smith
5.0 out of 5 stars amazing new world
Reviewed in Canada on September 18, 2023
Not many books capture my interest as fast as this one, it was a great read look forward to book 2
Ferran Ruiz Carrera
5.0 out of 5 stars Robin Hobb me ha descubierto un nuevo mundo
Reviewed in Spain on April 28, 2024
Alejado de lo que suelo leer, este título cargado de desarrollo de personaje y una acción en mayor parte ausente, ha conseguido engancharme de una forma que no imaginaba. Sin duda seguiré leyendo Robin Hobb en un futuro
Hercules Spieler
5.0 out of 5 stars immer wieder!
Reviewed in Germany on April 1, 2024
immer wieder!
Werner
5.0 out of 5 stars A beautifully written story with a magnificent cast and a world of wonders.
Reviewed in Belgium on December 19, 2023
I expected a good story, but not this well-written and beautifully framed. The characters, setting and change are so expertly handled, it's a hard ask to put down. My first Robin Hobb leaves little to be desired beyond.
Arianna D.
5.0 out of 5 stars Stupendo
Reviewed in Italy on March 8, 2023
Libro e illustrazioni stupende