Assassin’s Apprentice

The Farseer Trilogy, Book 1

By: Robin Hobb

Narrated by: Paul Boehmer

The first volume in Robin Hobb’s internationally bestselling Farseer series.

In a faraway land where members of the royal family are named for the virtues they embody, one young boy will become a walking enigma.

Born on the wrong side of the sheets, Fitz, son of Chivalry Farseer, is a royal bastard cast out into the world, friendless and lonely. Only his magical link with animals – the old art known as the Wit – gives him solace and companionship. But the Wit, if used too often, is a perilous magic, and one abhorred by the nobility.

So when Fitz is finally adopted into the royal household, he must give up his old ways and embrace a new life of weaponry, scribing, courtly manners; and how to kill a man secretly, as he trains to become a royal assassin.

©2012 Robin Hobb (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Limited

Critic reviews

'Hobb is one of the great modern fantasy writers … what makes her novels as addictive as morphine is not just their imaginative brilliance but the way her characters are compromised and manipulated by politics.'
The Times

‘In today’s crowded fantasy market Robin Hobb’s books are like diamonds in a sea of zircons’
George R.R. Martin

‘Hobb is superb’ Conn Iggulden

‘Hobb is a remarkable storyteller’ Guardian

‘This is a historical novel with a sly touch of magic. The first in the Farseer trilogy, this book will get new readers hooked on a series that recalls HBO’s Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings’ Telegraph

Great start of Realms of the Elderlings trilogies

I read the Liveship Trader trilogy about 25 years ago and was mightily impressed by Hobb's writing. Now I've finally returned to this author with part 1 of the Farseer trilogy, and even though these books are even older than the Liveship series, I'm still swepped off of my feet. What a ride, this is how it's done.

I'll definitely finish the trilogy, will probably continue on with the Liveship Traders (in audio format this time) and will finish with the third trilogy in that same universe, The Tawny Man trilogy, with which we'll return to the Farseer protagonist. Can't wait, even though it'll probably take me a year or so to finish all of them!

Highly recommend.

Engrossing

Where does Assassin’s Apprentice rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It rates right up at the top. It has become a favourite.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Apart from the main character Fitz I think Chade is my favourite because he is the one that needs the most unraveling. He is the Master Assassin the one character who has the most to unravel,.

Have you listened to any of Paul Boehmer’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I enjoy this performance. The reading is very crisp and clear. I hate it when it is time to stop. Paul Boehmer really does bring the characters alive and takes you right into the story.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The moment when Fitz stabs King Shrewd's knife into Chade's hearth Defiantly.

Any additional comments?

Like I said this book has become a firm favourite, I've read it over and over. I love the court intrigue. The fast pace as the story unfolds.

Intriguing

The first installment of the Farseer series does not disappoint. It sucks you right in with memorable characters and moments that makes you insists to yourself that you will only listen 5 more minutes.

Outstanding

If you could sum up Assassin’s Apprentice in three words, what would they be?

The most amazing story.

What did you like best about this story?

All of it.

What about Paul Boehmer’s performance did you like?

Sometimes I did not like the voices he put to some of the characters, but the story took over.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Basically

Excellent

I loved the story and the narrator. I can't wait to listen to the next one.

Great

Narator is great , has different voices and easy to tell when the speaker changes

Story is great !

Good story, disappointing performance.

It actually took me a while to be brave enough to purchase this book. Many friends have recommended me Robin Hobb's work but when I listened to the samples I just didn't think I could bear the narration.
I normally prefer books narrated with a British presenter, but as this book is written in a first person style the performance is spoken in a horrible upper-class English accent. H's are dropped ehverywhhere (!). Which is a shame because most of the other characters in this book are performed quite well and that's actually what makes the book ok to listen to.
The story is solid. A growing-up up story for the most part about a boy making his way in court as a royal bastard. And a few little adventures with a bit of court intrigue at the end. You can tell the author is just setting the scene for what's to come.
It's well written and the characters are multi-dimensional and interesting. Overall I enjoyed it - yes would have been better with a different narrator but it didn't completely ruin it for me.

Great story narration leaves some to be desired

The narration has some pretty glaring issues with the sound level, sometimes the narration fades off so much that it is impossible to hear just to be restored when I have turned the volume up. Sometimes it seems to coincide with the characters whispering, but I feel that it is a poor production that leves me fiddling with the volume because the characters are whispering.
On a more subjective note I find the narration overly shakespearian(is that a word?) creating a wall between me and the events of the story, I feel very much like I'm being told a bedtime story by captain Picard and not so much as I am part of the action. Which does in some way make sense for the way the book is written but still it is not a perfect fit for me.

Great story!

The narrator is excellent! I like the story and definitely will read next one.

Gripping story

I have few words to say other than I’m hooked. I thought starting a book series this long was going to be weary, but I can’t wait to continue. If the quality of the story continue like this, I’m almost scared to go through the books to fast.