Assassin's Apprentice

Infobox Book |
name = Assassin's Apprentice
title_orig =
translator =


image_caption = UK first edition cover (Voyager)
author = Robin Hobb
cover_artist = John Howe
country = United States
language = English
series = The Farseer Trilogy
subject =
genre = Fantasy novel
publisher = Voyager Books (UK) & Spectra (US)
pub_date = 1 April 1995 (US)
media_type = Print (Paperback & Hardback in the UK, Paperback in the US)
pages = 400 pp (first edition, hardback)
isbn = ISBN 0-00-224606-6 (first edition, hardback)
preceded_by =
followed_by = Royal Assassin

"Assassin's Apprentice" is a book by Robin Hobb, the first in her "Farseer Trilogy." It was her first book under this pseudonym, and published in 1995. The stories of characters found in the "Farseer Trilogy" continue in the "Tawny Man Trilogy". Another trilogy, "The Liveship Traders", is set in the same world and in the same timeframe, with some crossover.

Plot summary

The first book of this trilogy covers the beginning of Fitz's life as a "bastard" (hence his name, FitzChivalry, after his father Chivalry) in Buckkeep Castle as he begins his training as an assassin and successfully safeguards the throne from his over-ambitious uncle Regal, almost at the cost of his life.

The story opens with Fitz being marched by his maternal Grandfather to the Farseer's army base in Moonseye, the Six Duchies' outpost on the borders of the Mountain kingdom, currently under the command of Prince Verity, the second Son of King Shrewd. At the door he is given to a soldier, who is told that he is King-in-Waiting Chivalry's bastard son. The soldier brings him to Prince Verity who orders that he be given into the care of Burrich, Chivalry's own stableman and man at arms. With Burrich, Fitz travels to Buckeep, the seat of the Farseers, and his arrival is preceded by his father's abdication from the post of King in Waiting, who, shamed by the revelation of his bastard child feels obliged to abdicate from his position and with his wife the Lady Patience retires to the royal holdings of Withywoods before Fitz arrives.

Burrich, his father's right hand man is left with the care and raising of the newly named Fitz-Chivalry, which he does as best he is able, taking Fitz on as a stable boy. Fitz quickly learns his duties and for a year or so lives with Burrich caring for the animals in the stables, Fitz however is lonely, and becomes a close friend of a young dog named Nosy, as Fitz possesses what is known as The Wit, an ancient magic which allows him to telepathically communicate with animals, he 'bonds' with Nosy and the two become fast friends Burrich however, discovers Fitz's bond, and apparently disgusted takes Nosy away, thus breaking the bond. Fitz believes him to have killed the dog, and afterwards is much more fearful of Burrich believing his life just as easy for Burrich to take.

Eventually Fitz agrees to become a "King's Man" to King Shrewd and is bound by oath to serve the king. He is taken into King Shrewd's service and moves into the castle proper. Here he is schooled and is taught basic combat skills by Hod. One night he is also introduced to a recluse named Chade, who is a skilled assassin. Fitz agrees to learn Chade's skills as he is desperately lonely and seemingly has no other prospects. So during his childhood he is taught the ways of an assassin. He shows great talent in his duties and is able to complete the minor tasks given to him by the king.

As Fitz is growing up at Buckkeep, the coastal regions of the Six Duchies are being attacked by Outislanders known as the Red-Ship Raiders. The Raiders rampage through villages and towns, killing and taking hostages while stealing little, making their attacks seem to lack a motive. The hostages are returned, reduced to animals with little memory of their former lives. Fitz, when he encounters these returned hostages, finds he cannot sense them with his Wit at all. This stripping away of people's humanity is named after Forge, the first village to be plundered in such a way. Later on these Forged Ones become robbers and thieves that start to plunder the countryside, putting another burden on the Six Duchies.

Fitz is eventually made part of a class of students to be taught the Skill, a magic which allows its users to share thoughts and strength. The teacher, Galen, despises Fitz while curiously revering his father (it is revealed later in the book that Chivalry imprinted a false loyalty on him, using the Skill, in a fit of rage). During the classes, Galen treats Fitz without respect, referring to him as "Bastard". Eventually he tries to kill Fitz, then, with more success, tries to sabotage his Skill training. During the last test of Galen's Skill classes, Galen sends Fitz to Forge, ostensibly to see if he can use the Skill to get back. The area is infested with Forged Ones, and Fitz is attacked, although he manages to return safely. While he is away, Galen attempts to assassinate Burrich. During this event, Smithy, Fitz's Wit-dog, is killed.

Towards the end of the book Fitz is asked to go to the neighbouring Mountain Kingdom with the objective of assassinating its prince, Rurisk. However, this is compromised when Regal reveals Fitz's secret mission to Kettricken while drunk, rendering him useless. He finds himself in the middle of a plan to steal the throne for Prince Regal with the help of Galen, who tries to assassinate Verity. Fitz is poisoned and drowned, then, when finally he thinks he only has a few moments to live, manages to contact Verity to help him destroy Galen. He is rescued and healed by Jonqui afterward, the last pages of the book telling how much Fitz laments the death of Nosy during that event and the pain of an older narrator at writing this.

Influence

The Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation used this book as inspiration for their song "Hand of Sorrow" from their album "The Heart of Everything". [cite web|url=http://www.heavymusic.ru/en/interviews.php?id=53&title=Within%20Temptation|title=An interview with Within Temptation|publisher=Heavy Music|accessdate=2008-09-12]

Editions

* An American English paperback edition was issued in New York by Bantam Books in 1995 with ISBN 0-553-37445-1. The cover of this edition is illustrated by Michael Whelan.
* A British English hardback edition was issued in London by Voyager/HarperCollins in 1995 with ISBN 0-00-224606-6. This edition's cover is illustrated by John Howe.

References