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kyle_j_durrant's review against another edition
4.0
I've put off reading Hobb for a long time. I'd heard her stories are very slow-burn. Some reviews have even said they're more prose than plot.
Having now read Assassin's Apprentice, I can see where these comments come from. But I had a very good time with this book.
There's a quality to this book that reminded me of reading Feist's Magician, that being the feeling of following someone through their life rather than reading a traditional narrative. With this book, there was the added quality of it feeling like an autobiography.
Characterisation is the true jewel of this book. Everyone feels like a real person rather than a caricature. Even the cruelest characters don't cross into caricature - they feel like people we could realistically encounter, though we really wish we won't.
As a result, though, it's very easy to grow attached to these characters, even when the central plot feels a little unfocused and meandering. It does this right where a recent read that will go unnamed got it wrong. Moreover, shadows of the deeper plot are evident throughout these sections.
Our narrator, Fitz, and his initial guardian, Burrich, are perhaps my favourite characters. Verity was great, too. Galen became the target of my ire, but in a way where I craved justice without wishing he wasn't in the story.
More on characterisation: there were a couple of chapters where the narrator actually became unlikeable, yet whereas in other books where legwork hasn't been done beforehand, in this book I still found myself rooting for him, with that mentality of, "Come on, Fitz, you're better than this," and my faith was rewarded.
Next, the pacing. Yes, this could be considered slow burn. We spend a lot of time with Fitz as he learns his place and role, but once again the characters and prose carry it forward, keeping things entertaining.
I think, for me, the main pacing problems were linked more to the length of the chapters. They are dense, and there aren't any proper breaks, so I often felt like I couldn't take a break until I read another 10 pages.
Regarding plot, it really came into its own in the final third, with the focus becoming much clearer, and I could start making predictions about where things were headed, etc. To an extent, I do think it's a weakness of the book that it takes this long for the stakes and consequences to become clear, but I did also appreciate the time that was given to developing the characters first.
Where this book truly shines, aside from characters, is the prose. Hobb writes beautifully without going overboard (a handful of exceptions aside, perhaps). Every scene is vividly painted, from visuals to smells to sounds to the very atmosphere. I felt thoroughly immersed.
And this applies to introspection and dialogue, too. There's not a wasted word; it feels like there's a deeper meaning behind every sentence. Indeed, I think there's a lot of power in what's between the lines as well as what you read.
Truly, this has left me eager to read more from Hobb. If you can handle slow burn and want fully realised characters in a realistic and well-developed fantasy world, I would certainly recommend this book. It's only really lost a star for me because it took so long for me to really appreciate where things were headed, though the payoff is rewarding.
Perhaps things are wrapped up a little too quickly, though. It'll be interesting to see where things go in the follow-ups.
Having now read Assassin's Apprentice, I can see where these comments come from. But I had a very good time with this book.
There's a quality to this book that reminded me of reading Feist's Magician, that being the feeling of following someone through their life rather than reading a traditional narrative. With this book, there was the added quality of it feeling like an autobiography.
Characterisation is the true jewel of this book. Everyone feels like a real person rather than a caricature. Even the cruelest characters don't cross into caricature - they feel like people we could realistically encounter, though we really wish we won't.
As a result, though, it's very easy to grow attached to these characters, even when the central plot feels a little unfocused and meandering. It does this right where a recent read that will go unnamed got it wrong. Moreover, shadows of the deeper plot are evident throughout these sections.
Our narrator, Fitz, and his initial guardian, Burrich, are perhaps my favourite characters. Verity was great, too. Galen became the target of my ire, but in a way where I craved justice without wishing he wasn't in the story.
More on characterisation: there were a couple of chapters where the narrator actually became unlikeable, yet whereas in other books where legwork hasn't been done beforehand, in this book I still found myself rooting for him, with that mentality of, "Come on, Fitz, you're better than this," and my faith was rewarded.
Next, the pacing. Yes, this could be considered slow burn. We spend a lot of time with Fitz as he learns his place and role, but once again the characters and prose carry it forward, keeping things entertaining.
I think, for me, the main pacing problems were linked more to the length of the chapters. They are dense, and there aren't any proper breaks, so I often felt like I couldn't take a break until I read another 10 pages.
Regarding plot, it really came into its own in the final third, with the focus becoming much clearer, and I could start making predictions about where things were headed, etc. To an extent, I do think it's a weakness of the book that it takes this long for the stakes and consequences to become clear, but I did also appreciate the time that was given to developing the characters first.
Where this book truly shines, aside from characters, is the prose. Hobb writes beautifully without going overboard (a handful of exceptions aside, perhaps). Every scene is vividly painted, from visuals to smells to sounds to the very atmosphere. I felt thoroughly immersed.
And this applies to introspection and dialogue, too. There's not a wasted word; it feels like there's a deeper meaning behind every sentence. Indeed, I think there's a lot of power in what's between the lines as well as what you read.
Truly, this has left me eager to read more from Hobb. If you can handle slow burn and want fully realised characters in a realistic and well-developed fantasy world, I would certainly recommend this book. It's only really lost a star for me because it took so long for me to really appreciate where things were headed, though the payoff is rewarding.
Perhaps things are wrapped up a little too quickly, though. It'll be interesting to see where things go in the follow-ups.
hollowman777's review against another edition
4.0
The Assassin’s Apprentice is on just about every fantasy readers list, and rightfully so. Book 1 of the Farseer Trilogy should be considered a new classic and leaves me optimistic for the rest of the series.
An impressive work of art! At first I was concerned that the author was going to over develop her characters but she did a fantastic job even in this respect. Getting out of the first chapter is difficult and the development of the character back to that age is somewhat difficult to get through but once past that first chapter the book becomes so intense that it takes a house burning down to get someone to set aside the book.
Summary:
The book and I also assume the trilogy walks the reader through the life of Fitz Chivalry Farseer.
Assassin’s Apprenctice is written in the first person from the perspective of Fitz. I have only come across this a few times in fantasy and interestingly enough it almost always works out in spectacular fashion.
Most of the book involves Fitz coming to terms with being the bastard child of the heir apparent to the kingdom of the six Duchies. He also has to understand his Skill which in essence is the ability to mind share with animals and even other humans.
Breakdown Review:
Character develop 4 stars. Sometimes it feels like the character development process takes to many pages as if to simply draw out the story-line. Still very exceptional but in all honesty I am still bitter of the long read of chapter 1 in which I felt like there wasn’t enough action to hold my attention span.
World Building 4 stars. Excellent world without a doubt but it would have been nice to have not only a clearer map with better labeling but also to have spent more time in reading of the look and feel of the towns and the country side.
Magic/Abilities 5 stars. I have only encountered the “skill” ability so far but it is amazing. I wonder if it was borrowed or influenced by a reading from the Game of Thrones? I don’t care if it was or not because I found it AWESOME.
Length of book 4 stars. For some unknown the book felt like a long read. Considering that I am reading on average one book a day... this one took me 3 days to finish and the only thing that I can blame on this is that the book is written in such a way as to almost force a person to break it down in small sections to digest. To many parts of Fitz having to rest or digest in his room. I”m guessing there are 100 pages dedicated to Fitz either recovering or being spent in contemplation. There is also a substantial amount of time spent exploring Fitz’s studies.
Plot 5 stars. Not necessarily unique in giving us a bastard child that rises to the need of an empire. Actually that is a very common scenario in the fantasy genre. The abused and or abandoned becomes the protagonist. Now what Robin does a bit differently than most is that she doesn't make the character over the top with such ability or skill that in a fantasy world that the character quickly becomes unbelievable and hence leaving the reader left out in the cold. Robin Hobbs writes the plot to this book in such a way as to convince you to invest your emotions not only into the characters but also into the world.
Writing Style 4 stars. Tightly written and not over the top.
Depth/Inspiration 3 stars. Nothing to really inspire or to hang a persons long term emotions on.
Entertainment/Education value 5 stars. This book should definitely make its way onto some mandatory reading lists. Exceptional world building and this would also be a great book to see turned into either a movie or a TV series.
An impressive work of art! At first I was concerned that the author was going to over develop her characters but she did a fantastic job even in this respect. Getting out of the first chapter is difficult and the development of the character back to that age is somewhat difficult to get through but once past that first chapter the book becomes so intense that it takes a house burning down to get someone to set aside the book.
Summary:
The book and I also assume the trilogy walks the reader through the life of Fitz Chivalry Farseer.
Assassin’s Apprenctice is written in the first person from the perspective of Fitz. I have only come across this a few times in fantasy and interestingly enough it almost always works out in spectacular fashion.
Most of the book involves Fitz coming to terms with being the bastard child of the heir apparent to the kingdom of the six Duchies. He also has to understand his Skill which in essence is the ability to mind share with animals and even other humans.
Breakdown Review:
Character develop 4 stars. Sometimes it feels like the character development process takes to many pages as if to simply draw out the story-line. Still very exceptional but in all honesty I am still bitter of the long read of chapter 1 in which I felt like there wasn’t enough action to hold my attention span.
World Building 4 stars. Excellent world without a doubt but it would have been nice to have not only a clearer map with better labeling but also to have spent more time in reading of the look and feel of the towns and the country side.
Magic/Abilities 5 stars. I have only encountered the “skill” ability so far but it is amazing. I wonder if it was borrowed or influenced by a reading from the Game of Thrones? I don’t care if it was or not because I found it AWESOME.
Length of book 4 stars. For some unknown the book felt like a long read. Considering that I am reading on average one book a day... this one took me 3 days to finish and the only thing that I can blame on this is that the book is written in such a way as to almost force a person to break it down in small sections to digest. To many parts of Fitz having to rest or digest in his room. I”m guessing there are 100 pages dedicated to Fitz either recovering or being spent in contemplation. There is also a substantial amount of time spent exploring Fitz’s studies.
Plot 5 stars. Not necessarily unique in giving us a bastard child that rises to the need of an empire. Actually that is a very common scenario in the fantasy genre. The abused and or abandoned becomes the protagonist. Now what Robin does a bit differently than most is that she doesn't make the character over the top with such ability or skill that in a fantasy world that the character quickly becomes unbelievable and hence leaving the reader left out in the cold. Robin Hobbs writes the plot to this book in such a way as to convince you to invest your emotions not only into the characters but also into the world.
Writing Style 4 stars. Tightly written and not over the top.
Depth/Inspiration 3 stars. Nothing to really inspire or to hang a persons long term emotions on.
Entertainment/Education value 5 stars. This book should definitely make its way onto some mandatory reading lists. Exceptional world building and this would also be a great book to see turned into either a movie or a TV series.
elenaner's review against another edition
2.0
Oddio. La fatica che ho fatto per finire questo volume.
Non ho ben capito cosa dovevo trovarci di interessante. Il protagonista è approssimabile ad un ceppo di legno, senza emozioni grazie al modo assolutamente asettico in cui il libro è scritto.
Il libro consiste nel seguire il suo addestramento. Traduzione? Veniamo infodumpati di informarmazioni di dubbia utilità per circa 340 pagine (su 400). Nessuna trama, nessuna linea da seguire, un puro e semplice atto di fede.
Il worldbuilding è presente, beh grazie al c**** c'è solo quello, ma se dovessi dire che è di qualche interesse mentirei. Magari potrebbe essere interessante se servisse a qualcosa in questo libro. Ma purtroppo no. Nope.
Se vi interessa qualcosa tra personaggi e trama lasciate stare questo libro. Se volete fare un atto di fede sperando che prima o poi tutte queste informazioni serviranno ad un certo punto della trilogia fate come me. Me la ciuccerò tutta per questo.
Per il resto sono rimasta delusa e basita. Mi aspettavo un capolavoro del genere fantasy, e forse lo è. Forse lo sarà nel suo insieme. Ma questo libro non è assolutamente nulla, ad eccezione della trama (ben 60 pagine su 400 siamo viziati).
Non so, magari a me manca qualche chiave di lettura? Fatto sta che se dovessi valutare il libro per quello che è e non in previsione di un grande disegno intelligente sarebbe assolutamente indigeribile.
Però, siccome mi voglio del male, continuerò la serie.
Sperando che un giorno questo dolore mi sarà utile.
(Intendo il primo libro. Il primo libro è il dolore)
Non ho ben capito cosa dovevo trovarci di interessante. Il protagonista è approssimabile ad un ceppo di legno, senza emozioni grazie al modo assolutamente asettico in cui il libro è scritto.
Il libro consiste nel seguire il suo addestramento. Traduzione? Veniamo infodumpati di informarmazioni di dubbia utilità per circa 340 pagine (su 400). Nessuna trama, nessuna linea da seguire, un puro e semplice atto di fede.
Il worldbuilding è presente, beh grazie al c**** c'è solo quello, ma se dovessi dire che è di qualche interesse mentirei. Magari potrebbe essere interessante se servisse a qualcosa in questo libro. Ma purtroppo no. Nope.
Se vi interessa qualcosa tra personaggi e trama lasciate stare questo libro. Se volete fare un atto di fede sperando che prima o poi tutte queste informazioni serviranno ad un certo punto della trilogia fate come me. Me la ciuccerò tutta per questo.
Per il resto sono rimasta delusa e basita. Mi aspettavo un capolavoro del genere fantasy, e forse lo è. Forse lo sarà nel suo insieme. Ma questo libro non è assolutamente nulla, ad eccezione della trama (ben 60 pagine su 400 siamo viziati).
Non so, magari a me manca qualche chiave di lettura? Fatto sta che se dovessi valutare il libro per quello che è e non in previsione di un grande disegno intelligente sarebbe assolutamente indigeribile.
Però, siccome mi voglio del male, continuerò la serie.
Sperando che un giorno questo dolore mi sarà utile.
(Intendo il primo libro. Il primo libro è il dolore)
draganascrafts's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
lycheelouise's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
brennanaphone's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed like 98% of this book. It's the kind of fantasy I enjoy, which is mostly focused on worldbuilding and the subtle intricacies of hierarchy, power, and the way those align with superpower (in this case both Skill and Wit). As first introduced, it feels very much like a story written in 1995. It's fantasy couched in pseudo-medieval times, starring a young outsider who has special powers and who has to navigate a deadly network of dangerous enemies and allies. But I liked it for its calm and easy pacing (no Harry-Potter-style plotting where each scene is a big anxious derailment of the character's expectations), its casual egalitarianism (it's like Name of the Wind but less horny and fetishizing), and most of all its kindness (looking at you, George R.R. Martin).
I like a good medieval fantasy that remembers that not everyone is a vicious brute who beats and rapes people because they can. Communities have always survived on fair play and mutual support as much as greed and violence. Hobb allows for that, and it makes her characters more subtle for it. Most of them, like Burrich, Verity, and Chade, are interesting and engaging because they have both severity and kindness. That's a lot more intriguing to read than people just endlessly screwing each other over.
I will say that the end caught me by surprise. Loved the climax, very engaged with all the action and twists and such. But then the denouement wrapped everything up in a neat little bow and deflated quite a bit of the nuance I liked so much. It ended on the emphatic assertion that the people who had seemed sketchy and grasping and mean were Capital-B-Bad, and the people who had seemed interesting were just Good And That Is All. I think if you read everything but the last five pages, this would be a really excellent novel that maintained the possibility that everyone has their own reasons for things, reputation and rumors are not truth, and the world is much thornier as you get older. Still a good, fun read either way.
I like a good medieval fantasy that remembers that not everyone is a vicious brute who beats and rapes people because they can. Communities have always survived on fair play and mutual support as much as greed and violence. Hobb allows for that, and it makes her characters more subtle for it. Most of them, like Burrich, Verity, and Chade, are interesting and engaging because they have both severity and kindness. That's a lot more intriguing to read than people just endlessly screwing each other over.
I will say that the end caught me by surprise. Loved the climax, very engaged with all the action and twists and such. But then the denouement wrapped everything up in a neat little bow and deflated quite a bit of the nuance I liked so much. It ended on the emphatic assertion that the people who had seemed sketchy and grasping and mean were Capital-B-Bad, and the people who had seemed interesting were just Good And That Is All. I think if you read everything but the last five pages, this would be a really excellent novel that maintained the possibility that everyone has their own reasons for things, reputation and rumors are not truth, and the world is much thornier as you get older. Still a good, fun read either way.
chuli's review against another edition
4.0
Robin Hobb gets the job done.
It's a simple fantasy book, where simple doesn't indicate any plainness but rather an uncomplicated example of how a fantasy book should look like. There is always something about a bastard being loved by some, hated by most, struggling to thrive in a court where he represents something bigger than himself. The underdog sympathy combines with undertones of symbolism drives this book into a world of intrigue and magic. The plot doesn't take a lot of time to be exposed, the pace shifts from slow and steady to fast and intense (mostly staying on the former). Since this is the first book in the whole saga, it starts with Fitz being the youngest he can remember, up to teenager years, so a lot of the description relates to him growing up and his POV of the world as a child. This also slowed down the anticipation a bit as maybe I am not particularly curious about that. The book doesn't shy from surprises that shift everything in unexpected directions. It does its job well, it gets this book home. This book is no Mistborn, but nothing will ever hit that high.
After finishing the book I realised that this was part of a bigger saga, which consisted of 5 trilogies across the life timespan of Fitz (the Assassin's apprentice) so that stepped me back a bit to refuse to chain myself to such a commitment because we either go all in, or nothing. It would take 18 books to understand the full depth of this saga, an undertaking which would need at least 2 years of "loyalty" to my lady Hobb. Now, my commitment issues and impatience in world building don’t have much to do in my choice to stop here, as a one-time reader, relieved of the heavy burden of knowing it all. I would be very willing to wet not only my toes, but feet, leg, torso and so on - but I selfishly and consciously will be picky about what I devote my time and energies too and this book did not pass that test. I don’t want my choice to hint at any potential flaws of the book, but rather my personal taste.
Did it deserve 4 stars? It was good fantasy, I was excited to get back to reading it, I finished the book with a feeling of contentment - so yes. I have long discussed the limitations of a 5-star rating system, so even tho this wasn't an almost-Michelin dish, this home-cooked version of bolognese hit the spot in its simplicity.
It's a simple fantasy book, where simple doesn't indicate any plainness but rather an uncomplicated example of how a fantasy book should look like. There is always something about a bastard being loved by some, hated by most, struggling to thrive in a court where he represents something bigger than himself. The underdog sympathy combines with undertones of symbolism drives this book into a world of intrigue and magic. The plot doesn't take a lot of time to be exposed, the pace shifts from slow and steady to fast and intense (mostly staying on the former). Since this is the first book in the whole saga, it starts with Fitz being the youngest he can remember, up to teenager years, so a lot of the description relates to him growing up and his POV of the world as a child. This also slowed down the anticipation a bit as maybe I am not particularly curious about that. The book doesn't shy from surprises that shift everything in unexpected directions. It does its job well, it gets this book home. This book is no Mistborn, but nothing will ever hit that high.
After finishing the book I realised that this was part of a bigger saga, which consisted of 5 trilogies across the life timespan of Fitz (the Assassin's apprentice) so that stepped me back a bit to refuse to chain myself to such a commitment because we either go all in, or nothing. It would take 18 books to understand the full depth of this saga, an undertaking which would need at least 2 years of "loyalty" to my lady Hobb. Now, my commitment issues and impatience in world building don’t have much to do in my choice to stop here, as a one-time reader, relieved of the heavy burden of knowing it all. I would be very willing to wet not only my toes, but feet, leg, torso and so on - but I selfishly and consciously will be picky about what I devote my time and energies too and this book did not pass that test. I don’t want my choice to hint at any potential flaws of the book, but rather my personal taste.
Did it deserve 4 stars? It was good fantasy, I was excited to get back to reading it, I finished the book with a feeling of contentment - so yes. I have long discussed the limitations of a 5-star rating system, so even tho this wasn't an almost-Michelin dish, this home-cooked version of bolognese hit the spot in its simplicity.
earlofbronze's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant novel. Hobb weaves a story like few authors. Her characters are well rounded with flaws and complexity that make them real. Looking forward to continuing this trilogy and the rest of her Farseer novels.
teeg's review against another edition
5.0
Completely blew me away!
I had no preconceived notions when starting this book. Somehow Robin Hobb had escaped my notice until now. "Couldn't put it down" is such an overused term. But, I'll say this. I started the book Sunday evening. By bedtime, I had to force myself to stop reading. Monday, I couldn't wait to get back into the fantasy world that was already haunting my imagination, but it had to wait while I finished up other obligations. Monday afternoon, I turned the last page and knew I couldn't stop there. At the library I could place the next two books in the series on hold, but waiting wasn't an option. I quickly purchased the rest of the series and settled down to live in the masterfully crafted fantasy world, for as long as I could, until I'd be forced to read.
I suspect anyone who loves fiction knows what it feels like to live a story. And knows that some authors are better at drawing you in to their worlds than others are. Robin Hobb is a master at the art. It's been a long time since I last read a series, much less a book, that held me spellbound even while I was living outside the book. And now that I've turned the last page on the last book in the series, I find myself miserable at the knowledge that I now have to walk away.
I don't want to share many hints of the story, because in some ways, not expecting anything makes it even better...like finding gold while raking the leaves. I will say that it brought to mind the Dragonbone Chair series by Tad Williams, and I'll leave it at that. :)
I had no preconceived notions when starting this book. Somehow Robin Hobb had escaped my notice until now. "Couldn't put it down" is such an overused term. But, I'll say this. I started the book Sunday evening. By bedtime, I had to force myself to stop reading. Monday, I couldn't wait to get back into the fantasy world that was already haunting my imagination, but it had to wait while I finished up other obligations. Monday afternoon, I turned the last page and knew I couldn't stop there. At the library I could place the next two books in the series on hold, but waiting wasn't an option. I quickly purchased the rest of the series and settled down to live in the masterfully crafted fantasy world, for as long as I could, until I'd be forced to read.
I suspect anyone who loves fiction knows what it feels like to live a story. And knows that some authors are better at drawing you in to their worlds than others are. Robin Hobb is a master at the art. It's been a long time since I last read a series, much less a book, that held me spellbound even while I was living outside the book. And now that I've turned the last page on the last book in the series, I find myself miserable at the knowledge that I now have to walk away.
I don't want to share many hints of the story, because in some ways, not expecting anything makes it even better...like finding gold while raking the leaves. I will say that it brought to mind the Dragonbone Chair series by Tad Williams, and I'll leave it at that. :)