Assassin’s Apprentice

The Farseer Trilogy, Book 1

By: Robin Hobb

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

Length: 17 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

The first volume in Robin Hobb’s internationally bestselling Farseer series.

In a faraway land where members of the royal family are named for the virtues they embody, one young boy will become a walking enigma.

Born on the wrong side of the sheets, Fitz, son of Chivalry Farseer, is a royal bastard cast out into the world, friendless and lonely. Only his magical link with animals – the old art known as the Wit – gives him solace and companionship. But the Wit, if used too often, is a perilous magic, and one abhorred by the nobility.

So when Fitz is finally adopted into the royal household, he must give up his old ways and embrace a new life of weaponry, scribing, courtly manners; and how to kill a man secretly, as he trains to become a royal assassin.

©2012 Robin Hobb (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

'Hobb is one of the great modern fantasy writers … what makes her novels as addictive as morphine is not just their imaginative brilliance but the way her characters are compromised and manipulated by politics.'
The Times

‘In today’s crowded fantasy market Robin Hobb’s books are like diamonds in a sea of zircons’
George R.R. Martin

‘Hobb is superb’ Conn Iggulden

‘Hobb is a remarkable storyteller’ Guardian

‘This is a historical novel with a sly touch of magic. The first in the Farseer trilogy, this book will get new readers hooked on a series that recalls HBO’s Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings’ Telegraph

An amazing story enough said

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes it is a great book and one i will listen to ove and over again. It is a masterpiece of fantasy writing.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Assassin’s Apprentice?

The killing of Smithy and the fight with the forged-lings .

What does Paul Boehmer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He has a great command of his voice and portrays the story in interesting and detailed fashion.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

same as mentioned above....

Any additional comments?

A great book, unbelievably good.

Good

Good. But, not my thing. I don't know why but I struggled with this. It is a great story, and I am sure others will love it.

Wow

Such an amazing book.
Can't believe how good this was. Great story.
Shame that the audio feels a bit outdated. But either way a great listen none the less.

Good story and narrator

Liked the story, finished the book rather quickly. People seem to complain about the narrator, but I cant say that I agree. At some points every now and then he seems to not pause when it seems he should've, but other than that I find his narration good.

Gripping story, very slow reader

Excellent book, loved the story and characters. Some heartbreaking twists. Beautiful vocabulary. Believable dialogues and motivations. World building is a bit sparce. VERY... SLOW... NARRATOR... Had to listen on 1.5 speed, otherwise was put to sleep in 10 minutes :)

Will get the rest of the books by this author.

A fun fantasy romp, but don't expect too much

What made the experience of listening to Assassin’s Apprentice the most enjoyable?

Good story, you care about the character

Any additional comments?

I did like the story overall, I liked and cared about the character and liked that he wasn't perfect and made mistakes on occasion. While its all very well to find out you're actually a prince (you find this out in the first paragraph, so its not a spoiler) its another to find that being a prince, and especially a bastard prince, is not all its cracked up to be. Everyone wants to use the hero for something, or dislikes him for reasons that have nothing to do with his own actions.

The narrator's accent on some words jerked me out of the story on occasion. It's also written in the first person, which I don't usually like but as there is a lot of head stuff (both emotional, and magical/mind powers) happening I can see why it was chosen. The style is a bit dated, I think these days it would be edited so it was a tighter story and moved along a little quicker. As it is there are some slow parts that don't need to be slow and just drag the story.

Can't recommend this series enough

Just give it a try, you'll love it or hate it but most likely love it

If only I liked the "old guy writing his youth"

I have such a hard time with a book opening with an old version of the protagonist telling you about their life.
that being said I liked this book. just not enough to give it any more than 3 stars. Truly the prologue doomed this book series for me. And it shouldn't be such a big issue, but I'm just human.

Greatly written, Robin Hobb knows how to write 100%. The plot is a bit dragging as we have to read the decade it takes for the plot to start imo. It's not a bad thing per se, just not to my taste. It also ends spectacularly well. I could pick up the next book tomorrow or leave it and still have a satisfactory ending I could be happy with, which is such a great thing we don't always get with series.

If this book hadnt been told from old fitz/tom/boys perspective I'd probably given this book closer to 4 stars

World feels alive and lived in. People age and change. I love it

I felt sometime around having 9-10 hours left that it dragged a little. Then a chapter later the story hooks you right in again. I’m definitely in and ready for the next book now

Excellent story and performance

This story at times made me chuckle or a spill a tear. Truly incredible book!