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)

Loved it

I'm a little embarrassed about how much I love Robin Hobb's books. They are so much fun! Adventure, romance, pirates, dragons, and lots of imagination. What more could you ask for. I wish Audible would get the Tawney Man series. Paul Boehmer is an excellent narrator -- much easier to listen to than Ann Flosnik (who does the Magic Ship and Rainwilds trilogies).

Well written coming of age tale in first person

This book more than held my interest. The characters felt real, and the story was engaging.

kept my interest

I liked it because there were some new ideas. I had some trouble keeping track of characters, but over all, a good read.

Worth a listen but requires some patience.

I liked the story but it was very slow at times. Hopefully the next book picks up the pace. Also, not my favorite narrator. But I got used to him over the course of the book. Overall I enjoyed the story.

Love this book

It was a wonderful and sad how anything can have so much passion in just words on a page when his mother calls to him I needed a few minutes.

If you are patient, it is worth it.

It was a good start but then most of the book was character and world development. If you are patient you will not be disappointed at the end. I am looking forward to the next two books/

Slow story but good read

There's so much here but it takes such a long time to get going. Be patient. It gets better.

ups and downs but memerable

the characters are what drives the story but it is difficult to follow at times with very little dialog as the main character is recalling his childhood. intriguing magic system and a very good performance made this very enjoyable.

wonderful!

I love the series! the three books take you on a wondrous journey! Read them all!

Intriguing characters and great story

Hobb delves into the characters and attracts the reader to their stories. By the end, the reader is so invested he hates the tale ending. I can’t wait to pick them up again in the next book. It is the mark of a great book and a truly talented author.