Robin Hobb

‘Fantasy as it ought to be written’ George R.R. Martin

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

Marshie

All events, no matter how earth-shaking or bizarre, are diluted within moments of their occurrence by the continuance of the necessary routines of day-to-day living.

Is it the nature of the world that all things seek a rhythm, and in that rhythm a sort of peace?

I am so happy to say that I managed to finish this book and remove it from my pile of shame lol.

I have started this book 4 years ago in French. But I’ve put it down because honestly ? I was bored. Also I was a slow reader at the time and I’ve lost motivation to pick that up again and push through it.

First of all, reading it in English was much better obviously. There’s no denying that reading the original version is always better. And experiencing directly Robin’s writing style was definitely helping. Her writing style is very easy to get used to and smoother to read. Now I can say that the French translation is heavy and difficult to read. How ironic knowing that French is my first language 😂

Still, my final thoughts are not that far from the first impressions from my first read. I still think Assassin Apprentice is a bit overhyped lol. It is quite a good start to a series and the world is very easy to get familiar with as it takes a lot from the feudal society.

The thing is, I was still bored in too many parts for my liking. I wish there was more things going on because we talk a lot about those Red-ship raiders and it would have been much more exciting to have them part of some actions. So far this book feels more like an introduction to future events and it’s all set up (mainly political intrigues and Fitz’ background story). But yeah it’s not easy to be patient with the story when your set up is over 400 pages long.

However, Fitz is so easy to get attached to and on this part I get the hype. You want to protect this guy so much and with everything he’s been through… and it’s not over lol

Fitz is definitely what made me push through the book (also the fact that I have long days of work lately and I need the occupation lmao).

Apart from that, I’m still curious to see how the author is going to use all that set up they made in this first book and how they also made so many people in the fantasy bookish community love this series.

Amira BEN

3.25 ⭐️

I am so happy to say that I managed to finish this book and remove it from my pile of shame lol.

I have started this book 4 years ago in French. But I’ve put it down because honestly ? I was bored. Also I was a slow reader at the time and I’ve lost motivation to pick that up again and push through it.

Anyway that was the little anecdote.

First of all, reading it in English was much better obviously. There’s no denying that reading the original version is always better. And experiencing directly Robin’s writing style was definitely helping. Her writing style is very easy to get used to and smoother to read. Now I can say that the French translation is heavy and difficult to read. How ironic knowing that French is my first language 😂

Still, my final thoughts are not that far from the first impressions from my first read. I still think Assassin Apprentice is a bit overhyped lol. It is quite a good start to a series and the world is very easy to get familiar with as it takes a lot from the feudal society.

The thing is, I was still bored in too many parts for my liking. I wish there was more things going on because we talk a lot about those Red-ship raiders and it would have been much more exciting to have them part of some actions. So far this book feels more like an introduction to future events and it’s all set up (mainly political intrigues and Fitz’ background story). But yeah it’s not easy to be patient with the story when your set up is over 400 pages long.

However, Fitz is so easy to get attached to and on this part I get the hype. You want to protect this guy so much and with everything he’s been through… and it’s not over lol

Fitz is definitely what made me push through the book (also the fact that I have long days of work lately and I need the occupation lmao).

Apart from that, I’m still curious to see how the author is going to use all that set up they made in this first book and how they also made so many people in the fantasy bookish community love this series.

Deborah Kerr

I enjoyed it but not enough to make finishing the series a priority.

Chloe

An absolute GEM. My eyes ran out of tears, this book is beautiful. The way the author writes the characters feels so raw and immersive and I love Fitz with my whole heart.

Samantha Jackson

It was kind of slow,  but I surprisingly couldn't put it down. I loved this book and can't belive I've waited so long to read it. 

Avril

Elad Schulman

I've read a lot of reviews that have said that not a lot happens in this first book of the series, but I have to disagree with them. I loved the pace of the novel, and I was always to pick it up again. I read one review that did say they felt like "too much was going on", and with that I agree - not only was Fitz being trained to be an assassin, but he was also being trained in the Skill and also Burrich and also spending time with Queen Patience. It just felt like a lot at some moments.

Other things about this book that I enjoyed: the characters and the way that we got to know them, the writing, and the special role that animals play in this series. It made me wish I had a bond like that.

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

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