Author:
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Publisher: Bantam Books
Published: Mar 1996
Genre: Fiction - Fantasy - General
Retail Price: $8.99
Pages: 464
A new superstar in fantasy makes her paperback debut in April with `Assassin's Apprentice.' Robin Hobb beautifully crafts the tale of a young lad left on the doorstep of a royal dwelling whose appearance forces a prince to renounce his claim to the throne of the Six Duchies. As the spitting image of his royal father, however, he catches the eye of first his uncle and then the more sinister interest of the king, who decides to train him as an assassin. What makes this tale so outstanding is the depth and nuance of characterization that permeate every aspect of the plot development. Already a master of the storyteller art, Ms. Hobb takes the genre by storm with this mesmerizing first novel.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novel. Hobb has done a wonderful job of creating real characters with emotions and a desire for purpose in their lives. The plot is interesting because of the unusual perspective--the narrator, Fitz, is both a royal ******* and a trained ***assin--rather than because of any surprises. And Fitz is someone I could empathize with and care about.
I really enjoyed reading this book and the entire series of books that would follow. Simply put, in my opinion this is one of the best Fantasy novels/series out there you can find.