muemue reviewed Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb (The Farseer Trilogy, #1)
Good character development
5 stars
I liked how author develops characters in this series, the book itself easy to read and doesn't get boring.
356 pages
English language
Published Jan. 5, 1995 by Bantam Books.
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 like 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.From the Paperback edition.
I liked how author develops characters in this series, the book itself easy to read and doesn't get boring.
ASSASSIN’S APPRENTICE follows Fitz through his childhood and adolescence, as he learns to be an assassin for the king, and what he’s actually willing to kill for.
The worldbuilding is layered, with things explained as Fitz is told them, supplemented by insights from his older self. This leads to a gradually filled-in impression of a complex setting where details are conveyed as they are necessary, and even more is implied through the narrative. This style lends clarity. He discusses both how he felt at the time, as a child and then a teenager, and what he thinks about those events now that he’s an adult. This becomes especially important during sections such as his time under Galen, as the dissonance intensifies between events as they happened and how he was being conditioned to perceive them. There are several moments where something he does as he’s telling the story is juxtaposed …
I liked, but didn't love this book. The writing style was good, but I was annoyed with the main character naivete. I know he was young but he repeatedly failed to learn to trust his instincts. Lots of people love these books so I might try the 2nd one.
[b:Assassin's Apprentice|45107|Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1)|Robin Hobb|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320339497s/45107.jpg|171715] is definitely one of the best books I read this year. The narrative does not depend on any commercial appeal such as several known titles... Finally, [a:Robin Hobb|25307|Robin Hobb|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1205023525p2/25307.jpg] knows how to lead the story of a very elegant way. Despite being written in a slow pace, [b:Assassin's Apprentice|45107|Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1)|Robin Hobb|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320339497s/45107.jpg|171715] has richly drawn characters in a captivating storyline. Awesome, definitely one of my favorites.
[b:Assassin's Apprentice|45107|Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1)|Robin Hobb|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320339497s/45107.jpg|171715] is definitely one of the best books I read this year. The narrative does not depend on any commercial appeal such as several known titles... Finally, [a:Robin Hobb|25307|Robin Hobb|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1205023525p2/25307.jpg] knows how to lead the story of a very elegant way. Despite being written in a slow pace, [b:Assassin's Apprentice|45107|Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, #1)|Robin Hobb|http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320339497s/45107.jpg|171715] has richly drawn characters in a captivating storyline. Awesome, definitely one of my favorites.
Good, not great -- worth reading if you like fantasy stuff, otherwise skippable.