The Assassin’s Apprentice is a well written book set in the ‘Six Duchies’, a medieval nation. The focus of the book is the early years and coming-of-age of the protagonist, ‘FitzChivalry Farseer’, the bastard son of the heir to the throne. It also tracks Fitz’s career as an assassin, but this is not as important as the title would suggest.
What is beguiling about this book is its mundanity. Most of the story is concerned with Fitz’s training, pastimes, companions and politics, but because of the detail and richness of the characters these topics are made interesting. Although there is magic in the world (in fact, Fitz has the capacity for both the Wit, concerning animals, and the Skill, concerning humans), the Skill requires intense dedication and (it is commonly believed) royal blood. Burrich, Fitz’s mentor and caretaker, sees practicing the Wit as ‘filthy’, and its use is punishable by death. As such, magic is used only sporadically throughout the book.
As well as exploring the Six Duchies and their people, Fitz learns something of the Outislanders and the Mountain Kingdom, two cultures that (like the Six Duchies) have no parallel in the real world but are inspired by several different societies. Hobb does not overburden the reader with facts, but lets them learn slowly about the world just as Fitz does.
If the Assassin’s Apprentice has a flaw, it is that the main characters seem almost invincible. Some characters should, by rights, have died several times through the book. One lucky escape is understandable, but more is excessive.
However, this is a minor quibble. The book exposed me to an intricately designed world with deep, complex characters and many mysteries. Although the book involves a teenager, it is not written for young adults (although they can enjoy it, as I did). Its themes of politics, birthright, morals and ethics will make it most appealing to mature readers.
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