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A review by mightyjor
Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
4.0
This book is really enjoyable for the most part. I enjoyed the main character and all his relationships with the different people around him. The magic (when it was used) was fun. Any scene where it was being used had me engaged, though it’s still not nearly as explored or used as frequently as I would have liked for a book introducing it. I think it’s one of the coolest parts of the book.
Where the book really shines is the subtle political intrigue. Lots of back stabbing for political gain and a main character who somehow finds himself as a pawn/player in the games of nobles. I love the description the assassin gives at the beginning regarding the true purpose of an assassin, that it’s more of a spy who’s duties are memorization, sneaking, eavesdropping, finding opportunities to sneak in a poison or wound an animal so a lord has to wait a day or two to leave. In my opinion it makes for a far more interesting take on assassin work versus most stories that are just fist fights and sword fights.
My main gripe with the story though is how it all feels a bit aimless, at least for this first entry in the trilogy. There’s not really a main villain or conflict, mostly just Fitz going about his day to day business. When Fitz ends up finding himself in some perilous situations, we usually skip to after the conflict has been resolved and the account of how everyone acted afterword. In my opinion it’s a lot less interesting than being there with him in those dire moments. I also found myself getting sucked in during these tense spots and then there would be an awkward transition and all of a sudden I realize we’re no longer doing the exciting thing and Fitz is just hanging out with someone talking about horses or whatever else. I think the ending was excellent though it also felt resolved far too quickly without nearly enough time dedicated to resolution of the final conflict. Instead it feels a bit like an epilogue with the narrator just summing things up again.
Despite that complaint, I still really enjoyed the book and was always excited to get back to it. I enjoy seeing characters who, despite having a terrible hand dealt to them, pick themselves up and make the most of their situation. Fitz does a good job of that. Looking forward to book 2!
By the way, do what you want to Fitz but stop killing dogs please. I don’t like that.
Where the book really shines is the subtle political intrigue. Lots of back stabbing for political gain and a main character who somehow finds himself as a pawn/player in the games of nobles. I love the description the assassin gives at the beginning regarding the true purpose of an assassin, that it’s more of a spy who’s duties are memorization, sneaking, eavesdropping, finding opportunities to sneak in a poison or wound an animal so a lord has to wait a day or two to leave. In my opinion it makes for a far more interesting take on assassin work versus most stories that are just fist fights and sword fights.
My main gripe with the story though is how it all feels a bit aimless, at least for this first entry in the trilogy. There’s not really a main villain or conflict, mostly just Fitz going about his day to day business. When Fitz ends up finding himself in some perilous situations, we usually skip to after the conflict has been resolved and the account of how everyone acted afterword. In my opinion it’s a lot less interesting than being there with him in those dire moments. I also found myself getting sucked in during these tense spots and then there would be an awkward transition and all of a sudden I realize we’re no longer doing the exciting thing and Fitz is just hanging out with someone talking about horses or whatever else. I think the ending was excellent though it also felt resolved far too quickly without nearly enough time dedicated to resolution of the final conflict. Instead it feels a bit like an epilogue with the narrator just summing things up again.
Despite that complaint, I still really enjoyed the book and was always excited to get back to it. I enjoy seeing characters who, despite having a terrible hand dealt to them, pick themselves up and make the most of their situation. Fitz does a good job of that. Looking forward to book 2!
By the way, do what you want to Fitz but stop killing dogs please. I don’t like that.