Assassin’s Apprentice

by Robin Hobb, Joe Eyre (Narrator)

‘Fantasy as it ought to be written’ George R.R. Martin

The kingdom of the Six Duchies is on the brink of civil war when news breaks that the crown prince has fathered a bastard son and is shamed into abdication. The child’s name is Fitz, and he is despised.

Raised in the castle stables, only the company of the king’s fool, the ragged children of the lower city, and his unusual affinity with animals provide Fitz with any comfort.

To be useful to the crown, Fitz is trained as an assassin; and to use the traditional magic of the Farseer family. But his tutor, allied to another political faction, is determined to discredit, even kill him. Fitz must for he may be destined to save the kingdom.

Genres: Fantasy

Audible Audio

Published January 29, 2026

About the author

** I am shocked to find that some people think a 2 star 'I liked it' rating is a bad rating. What? I liked it. I LIKED it! That means I read the whole thing, to the last page, in spite of my life raining comets on me. It's a good book that survives the reading process with me. If a book is so-so, it ends up under the bed somewhere, or maybe under a stinky judo bag in the back of the van. So a 2 star from me means,yes, I liked the book, and I'd loan it to a friend and it went everywhere in my jacket pocket or purse until I finished it. A 3 star means that I've ignored friends to finish it and my sink is full of dirty dishes. A 4 star means I'm probably in trouble with my editor for missing a deadline because I was reading this book. But I want you to know . . . I don't finish books I don't like. There's too many good ones out there waiting to be found.


Robin Hobb is the author of three well-received fantasy trilogies: The Farseer Trilogy (Assassin’s Apprentice, Royal Assassin, and Assassin’s Quest), The Liveship Traders Trilogy (Ship of Magic, Mad Ship and Ship of Destiny) and the Tawny Man Trilogy (Fool’s Errand, Golden Fool, and Fool’s Fate) Her current work in progress is entitled Shaman’s Crossing. Robin Hobb lives and works in Tacoma, Washington, and has been a professional writer for over 30 years.

In addition to writing, her interests include gardening, mushrooming, and beachcombing. She and her husband Fred have three grown children and one teenager, and three grand-children.

She also writes as Megan Lindholm, and works under that name have been finalists for the Hugo award, the Nebula Award, and the Endeavor award. She has twice won an Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Readers’ Award.

Reviews

[Fredy Molina · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first dive into Robin Hobb’s work and I was pleasantly happy with the book. It definitely is a 90s fantasy work because everything is a slow build up with various cogs working to drive the main narrative. I’ve noticed that while the story is slow, the characters are more fleshed out. The choices Fitz makes have direct and long lasting consequences, which follow him to the end of the first book. Overall a fun, slow read that leads a huge but not entirely surprising turn of events in the last few chapters.

[Lhana Caudillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Listening to this on audiobook with my husband made the experience even more special and honestly, the narration elevated everything. It felt immersive in the best way, like being transported straight into a harsh, muddy, medieval world where loyalty means everything and survival is never guaranteed.

This story follows Fitz, a royal bastard raised by a stablemaster after being quietly dropped into a life he never asked for. When he learns who his father truly is, his world doesn’t get easier, it gets heavier. He grows up as an outsider, always close to the royal family but never fully belonging. That tension shapes every part of him.

One of the most beautiful (and painful) elements of this book is Fitz’s connection to animals through the Wit. His bond with Nosy absolutely wrecked me. That relationship shows you exactly who Fitz is at his core, loyal, tender, and desperate to love and be loved. When that bond is threatened, you feel it.

What makes this story powerful isn’t flashy magic or constant action. It’s the character work. The relationships. The way Fitz is quietly shaped by the people around him, Burrich, Verity, Chade, Patience. He is loved by many, but rarely told so. And that loneliness lingers in everything he does.

Fitz trains hard. He fails often. He doubts himself constantly. But he never stops trying. His resilience is what makes you root for him. He is flawed, emotional, stubborn and deeply loyal. A King’s man through and through, even when the crown gives him very little in return.

This is a character-driven fantasy that demands patience but rewards you with depth. If you love stories about found family, quiet strength, loyalty, and the making of a reluctant hero, this one delivers.

[Maelys Diallo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Un premier tome introductif, mais essentiel, qui nous permet de découvrir Fitz, un bâtard royal, et de grandir à ses côtés. J’ai profondément apprécié les personnages, tous aussi marquants les uns que les autres, ainsi que l’univers riche et immersif créé par l’autrice.

Entre intrigues de cour, stratégies politiques, missions d’espionnage et trahisons inattendues, on ne s’ennuie jamais. Le système de magie, encore mystérieux, attise la curiosité et donne envie d’en apprendre davantage au fil des tomes.

[Bryan Frye · Rating 4 out of 5]

A tale told from Fitz memory in first person of his beginnings and the coming to grasps of what his calling is to be as a princes bastard. Deep world building, slow pace, but furious final chapters that nicely wove in and revealed little details from the very beginning. I enjoyed the read. A slower pace than typical but I enjoyed the growth of the main characters and the development of the world Hobb has built.

[Lisa J · Rating 2 out of 5]

I honestly don’t understand the fuss about this book, nothing draws you in. No interesting (main) characters, relationships or storyline. The pace is very slow, which I can appreciate in books to worldbuild or create meaningful connections, but in this book, it is 99% slow and then suddenly, months have passed in one sentence… what?

Anyway, wouldn’t recommend.

[Mark Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

For most of the book the main character is just frustratingly passive and constantly miserable and lonely. He just honestly isn’t cool and isn’t driving the story. Stuff is just happening to him. By the end, there was some improvement which is why I’m giving it three stars.

[Makenna Apolloni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5: This book was amazing. Robin Hobb is really good at character building and detailing every scene. It was less dialogue than I’m used to, which usually makes it a slower read but it wasn’t. I had a very good time. I’m excited about this series

[Danielle (yelli3_reads)]

I tried but this is just so boring. I don’t get the hype of this book and I know it’s from the 90s but I also cant do books with multiple dog deaths.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great writing and story. Love that it’s not smutty and just sucks you into this world.! How have I never heard of this series until now!? IDK. But it’s a long one …

[danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Been wanting to get into Hobb’s work for a long time and I already cannot wait to finish this series (and more).