Assassin's Apprentice

Assassin's Apprentice

4.2 (11 ratings)
Mar 1, 1996 · English · Paperback (435 pages)
Add To Shelf

Rate this book


Export Book Journal

Book Details

Format Paperback
Pages 435
Language English
Published Mar 1, 1996
Publisher Spectra Books
ISBN-10 055357339X
ISBN-13 9780553573398

Description

In a distant kingdom where royal lineage intertwines with the essence of virtue, a young boy named Fitz finds himself at the heart of a tumultuous world filled with intrigue and danger. Born out of wedlock to a royal family, Fitz struggles with his identity and sense of belonging, as he is thrust into a life wrought with political machinations and familial tension. His unique heritage makes him a pawn in a larger game, and he must navigate the treacherous waters of court politics while grappling with his own moral compass.

As Fitz trains under the mysterious and skilled assassin known as Chade, he learns the brutal yet necessary art of survival. With each lesson, he discovers both his innate abilities and the dark responsibilities that come with them. Friendship, loyalty, and betrayal become paramount as he seeks to carve his own path in a world that often sees him as just a tool. The lines between loyalty and treachery blur, leading to a gripping narrative of self-discovery and the burdens of fate.

Genres

Science Fiction Children’s Action & Adventure Fantasy Graphic Novels Art & Photography Politics

Reviews

View All

Very disappointed.

March 9th 2026

I’ve just finished reading this book and I’m speechless. I loved every bit of it. I must admit I was a bit wary when I started reading it because everyone says it’s so sad. It is sad, that’s true, but not to the point that you’re crying the whole time (I only shed a tear twice). All in all, this book was an absolute joy to read and I’m pretty sure I’ll read the whole Realm of the Elderlings saga in time.

March 1st 2026

4.5 stars, rounded to 5 stars. A classic high fantasy that I honestly should've read sooner.The only thing I knew going into this was that for a book named [b:Assassin's Apprentice|77197|Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1)|Robin Hobb|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1673728072l/77197._SY75_.jpg|171715], there's not a lot of assassinating going on. And it's a good thing I knew that going in.Instead, this is more a coming-of-age story of Fitz, a bastard of the Crown Prince, who grows up lonely because of his parentage and also because no one knows what to do with him. The story almost sounds similar to Maia from [b:The Goblin Emperor|17910048|The Goblin Emperor (The Chronicles of Osreth, #1)|Katherine Addison|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1373039517l/17910048._SX50_.jpg|24241248] but at least that's a happier book. Robin Hobb writes masterfully of future!Fitz going over his childhood and young adulthood, and the many twists and turns that come his way. Just because I know future!Fitz is telling the story, doesn't mean I wasn't concerned and on the edge of my seat with some of the climatic peaks in the book. A tiny 0.5 star ding however, because the resolution after one of the bigger scenes at the end of the book is glossed over, but for good reason since he's healing and recovering and didn't have an active part in that. It definitely threw me off though, since it was pretty close to the end.I've been told Fitz's story is only going to get more bumpy here on out, so reluctantly excited to read more of how Hobb plans to mess up Fitz's life.*If you are sensitive to animal death, this might not be the book for you as it happens a couple times in the book.

January 1st 2026
Add To Shelf

Rate this book


Export Book Journal