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.
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"I read this book many years ago when it first came out and have loved the series ever since. Fitz, the young orphan boy, grows to maturity through several baptisms of fire in the series, each more heart wrenching than the last. Loved the books. Would happily read again and again."
— Gail (5 out of 5 stars)
“A gleaming debut in the crowded field of epic fantasies and Arthurian romances.”
— Publishers WeeklyGracefully written
— Library Journal“Gracefully written”
— Library Journal“Intriguing, controlled, and remarkably assured…at once satisfyingly self-contained yet leaving plenty of scope for future extensions and embellishments.”
— Kirkus Reviews (starred review)" Unique and fun with great character development and an interesting story line "
— pmmarkus, 6/30/2018" I love this whole series, fitz is my new favorite book character, I hope they will make a show based on thsee books. "
— Jacob, 2/20/2017" It was okay. I read it quite a while ago and it didn't exactly thrill me, but it was a competent read. "
— Brian, 2/11/2014" The BEST trilogy EVER! Nuf said! "
— Helen, 2/7/2014" I actually enjoyed this quite a bit. I am looking forward to the next book. "
— Joyce, 1/25/2014" Words cannot describe how much of a chore it felt to read this book. "
— Jennie, 1/23/2014Robin Hobb was born in California but grew up in Alaska, where she learned to love the forest and the wilderness. She has lived most of her life in the Pacific Northwest and currently resides in Tacoma, Washington. She is the author of the Rain Wilds Chronicles, the Farseer trilogy, the Liveship Traders trilogy, and the Tawny Man trilogy. Her books under the pseudonym Megan Lindholm include Wizard of the Pigeons, The Windsingers, and Cloven Hooves. She is also the author of The Inheritance, a collection of stories written under both names. Her short fiction has won the Asimov’s Readers’ Award and been a finalist for both the Nebula and Hugo awards.
Paul Boehmer is an American actor best known for his numerous appearances in the Star Trek universe, in addition to Frasier, Judging Amy, Guiding Light, and All My Children. He is a 1992 Masters of Fine Arts graduate of the Professional Theater Training Program at the University of Delaware. As a narrator, Paul has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as an Audie Award.
Paul Boehmer is an American actor best known for his numerous appearances in the Star Trek universe, in addition to Frasier, Judging Amy, Guiding Light, and All My Children. He is a 1992 Masters of Fine Arts graduate of the Professional Theater Training Program at the University of Delaware. As a narrator, Paul has won several AudioFile Earphones Awards as well as an Audie Award.