Assassin's Apprentice (The Farseer Trilogy, Book 1)

Rating:
Summary: A Great Read!
Review: I was searching for a new fantasy series, and after reading the many glowing reviews of Robin Hobb's books, I started with this one, "Assassin's Apprentice". I am so glad that I read this book. At this point, I've only read the first book in the series, but I was completely swept away today and yesterday as I read this book. I'm excited about reading the rest of the books.

It's narrative is in the first person, told to us by a young man named Fitz. The story starts where his memories begin, which is when he is six years old and takes us through his mid-teens. When he is six years old, his grandfather takes him to a keep and turns Fitz over to the guards, telling them he is Prince Chivalry's son, and that he will no longer take care of the child. There's a problem. Fitz is Prince Chivalry's bastard son, which causes a lot of problems in the royal house. Burrich, the master of the stables, hounds, and hawks, is instructed to care for Fitz.

I don't want to say much more, because I don't want to give away the plot to people who have not read the book. Suffice it to say, there is much intrigue, action, and politics throughout the story. All through out the books is Fitz's narrative, as he describes his memories and feelings, bringing an honest emotional intensity to the story. I really felt for him as I read this book, and I would be surprised if someone did not after reading this book.

I wanted to be swept away by a story, and Robin Hobb succeeded in that. I enjoyed her detailed descriptions of the world she created. I'm read fantasy for years, and it's been a long time since I have been so excited about a fantasy series. I'm glad I have the rest of the books, because I would not want to wait to get my hands on the next one. I know how I will be spending my free time the next few weeks.

I thought this was a great read, and I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: ok fantasy
Review: A little too tame in their approach towards relationships of men and women.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad, but disappointing
Review: I was a big fan of George RR Martin's Song of Fire and Ice series and the Farseer series comes up as the top rec--and the premise would lead you to believe that the Farseer series would have similar gradations of good and evil and unique and surprising conflicts and resolutions. But after an enjoyable setup, the action and characters in the first book (Assassin's Apprentice), resolve themselves in predictable ways.

The premise--that a young [...]would be trained to be a Royal Assassin, is a fascinating and rich premise. Hobb does do well in making the hero, FitzChivalry, likeable and honorable. She also spend a lot of time going over his development.

But ultimately, the amiability of the main character is one reason why the book is disappointing. For an interesting topic as assassinations and royal intrigue, Hobb doesn't paint many grey characters--they are all good or bad and who are whom are not surprising at all.

Most disappointing is that Fitz's training, as both assassin, scribe, herbologist, musician, artist, or even groomsman, is hardly put to use. That's almost unforgiveable as Hobb did such a good job describing all of the experiences which add up to his training.

In conclusion, it's definitely an above average read, but don't hold your breath for character or plot twists.

I will continue to read the series because the other reviews here are so positive and I have hope that the series gets more intriguing.

Rating:
Summary: Couldn't get past the names...
Review: I bought this book, because I was looking for something to read while I wait for George RR Martin's next book to be published. It received really good ratings overall here on Amazon, but I don't understand why. The names are awful. If one cannot come up with creative names, how can the story be creative. I did not get past the first chapter - 'Prince Chivalry'?? You may say I did not give it a chance, but there are so many other good fantasy books out there, I did not want to waste my time on a bad one.

Rating:
Summary: Incredibly satisfying character development
Review: I'll keep this short: If you like character development in a fully realized fantasy world, if you like to go on a roller coaster of emotional identification with the main character, if you want to cry when he fails and shout for joy when he succeeds, if you want to reach the end of a book held in your left hand while your right hand reaches for the next one in the series ... then get this book.

Perhaps the best of all the fantasy series I've read. Oh, forget best fantasy - they're the best overall novels! More, More, More ... I want more!

Please, for goodness sake, get this first trilogy and fall in love with Fitz Chivalry Farseer as I did.