The Farseer: Assassin's Apprentice

By: Robin Hobb

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

Length: 17 hrs and 18 mins

Publisher's summary

With unforgettable characters, a sweeping backdrop, and passionate storytelling, this is a fantasy debut to rival that of Robert Jordan. Filled with adventure and bloodshed, pageantry and piracy, mystery and menace, Assassin's Apprentice is the story of a royal house and the young man who is destined to chart its course through tempests of change. Young Fitz is the bastard son of the noble Prince Chivalry, raised in the shadow of the royal household by his father's gruff stableman. An outcast whose existence has forced his father to abdicate his claim on the throne, Fitz is ignored by all royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has him secretly tutored in the arts of the assassin. For in the young man's blood is a heritage of magic, the talent called the Skill, as well as another, even more mysterious ability.

As barbarous raiders ravage the coasts and leave behind the zombie-like husks of the townspeople to prowl the countryside, Fitz is growing toward manhood. Soon he will face his first dangerous, soul-shattering mission, a mission that poses as much a threat to himself as it does for his target---for Fitz is a threat to the throne...but he may also be the key to the survival of the kingdom.

©1999 Robin Hobb (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

“Intriguing, controlled, and remarkably assured...at once satisfyingly self-contained yet leaving plenty of scope for future extensions and embellishments.” ( Kirkus)

A little rushed at times

I felt like this book was sometimes lacking in detail, but overall a good read

Enjoyable

Good narration and story, was captivating to listen and I plan to listen to the next one in the trilogy

Simply one of the very best!

Fitz Chivalry is perhaps the most memorable character written of in current fantasy epics. Robin Hobb is one of the most detailed, developed story crafters in today's marketplace. The story of Fitz and the Fool, along with Night Eyes is not to be missed.
The narrator is eloquent and subtle, a good fit for the story.

Great story, rough accents

Amazing story but I am not a fan of the accents used by the voice actor. Great characters and interesting world. I would highly recommend this novel, if not the audiobook.

Second read, just as good

So one thing I noticed after reading the series and coming back is Hobb's first works in this line go somewhat quickly. She glosses over instances, gives less detail, etc. It isn't necessarily a bad thing as her later books have every inch of detail anybody could ask for, but this one went by much quicker for me than the first title. But what I enjoyed most about reading it again was already knowing things ahead of time and still being surprised at certain spots because I'd forgotten that specific detail. I cannot wait to read the rest of the series again in this new light!

Absolute must listen

I travel a lot for work, the long trips by car merit a lot of time for things like audiobooks. That being said..

I’ve listened to all 3 of the trilogies in this series several times now. This is honestly one of the most intense, tragic, and heartwarming journeys a book has ever taken me on. I’ve spent countless hours enthralled by this story, and as great as the first trilogy is, the other two are just as fantastic..

Tho I will admit, the decisions of the lead character can be pretty frustrating, or even infuriating at times.. but you come to accept it, and probably even sympathize with him, in a lot of ways..

TLDR: do yourself a favor and give this one a chance

Interesting concepts and characters

The book has some great new concepts. The depth of the characters coupled with the personal growth both literal and figurative of our protagonist storyteller makes the plot development complex and threaded with a changing perspective that keeps the story compelling and begs a future re-read when memories have faded a bit.

Slow start, finds its stride

Interesting world and premise, but was a struggle to begin, eventually found its stride

Interesting enough

New author and narrator for me. Another highly recommended book. This was quite enjoyable. The whole time I was waiting for Fitz to go all John Wick on people, but he's so innocent and naive. The fact he becomes an assassin is ironic. It's like it's supposed to be a joke Fitz doesn't deliver on, rather is pretty adept. I love the names, all adjectives and nouns.

My favorite Book

Hands down, FitzChivalry is the best character ever written, with Kennit of the Liveship Traders (also by Robin Hobb) being second. The narrator is great, but I would listen to anyone read this!