Title: Assassin’s Apprentice
Author: Robin Hobb
First published May 1, 1995
480 pages, Kindle Edition
Rating: 4.17
Overview
Meet Elizabeth O’Connor, a young and vibrant woman who has always looked up to John Brady as her spiritual mentor. But as time passes, Lizzie realizes that her feelings for John go beyond mere admiration.
She is head over heels in love with him. However, John is haunted by his past and is unable to reciprocate her feelings.
Despite this, Lizzie refuses to give up on him, until she uncovers a shocking truth about him. Will their love be able to withstand this revelation?
A Passion Denied, the last book in the Daughters of Boston series, is a beautiful tale of love, heartbreak, and second chances that will leave readers spellbound.
About the Author
It’s surprising to me that some people consider a 2-star rating of “I liked it” to be a negative review. Personally, if I give a book 2 stars, it means that I enjoyed it enough to finish reading it, despite any obstacles in my life that may have made it difficult to do so.
A book that can keep my attention and make it through the reading process with me is a good book in my eyes. If a book isn’t very engaging, it will likely end up collecting dust somewhere or getting lost under a pile of other things.
So, for me, a 2-star rating means that I genuinely enjoyed the book and would even recommend it to a friend.
A 3-star rating would mean that I was so invested in the book that I may have neglected some of my other responsibilities in order to finish it. A 4-star rating would mean that I was completely absorbed in the book to the point of possibly even missing a deadline or two.
However, it’s important to note that I would never force myself to finish a book that I didn’t enjoy. There are too many amazing books out there just waiting to be discovered.
Robin Hobb is a well-known author of three popular fantasy trilogies: The Farseer Trilogy, The Liveship Traders Trilogy, and the Tawny Man Trilogy. She is currently working on a new book called Shaman’s Crossing.
When she’s not writing, she enjoys a variety of hobbies such as gardening, mushroom hunting, and beachcombing. Robin resides in Tacoma, Washington with her husband and four children.
She has received recognition for her work under the pseudonym Megan Lindholm, including Hugo and Nebula Award nominations, as well as winning the Isaac Asimov’s Science Fiction Readers’ Award twice.
Editoral Review
Robin Hobb’s Assassin’s Apprentice is a masterclass in epic fantasy writing. First published in 1995, Hobb’s debut novel introduces readers to the captivating world of the Six Duchies and the mysterious art of the Assassin.
With an impeccable sense of world-building, Hobb successfully immerses readers in a mesmerizing enchanted land filled with political conspiracy, complex characters, and magical creatures. Set in a medieval-style world, Assassin’s Apprentice follows the life of Fitz, a royal bastard who is destined to become an assassin under the tutelage of his grandfather, the legendary assassin King-in-waiting, Chivalry.
The novel takes us through Fitz’s trials and tribulations as he struggles to find his place in the dangerous world of politics, where the fate of the kingdom rests on his shoulders. The book’s strengths lie in Hobb’s skillful writing, compelling characters, and intricate plot.
Hobb’s writing is captivating, with her vivid descriptions creating a world that is both enchanting and dangerous. The author takes the time to build her characters, and each one feels real and unique, with their own motivations, fears, and desires.
Fitz, the protagonist, is a complex and compelling character, and readers will root for him throughout the novel. The pacing of the novel is well-balanced, with action and intrigue ramping up to an explosive climax that leaves readers on the edge of their seats.
The intricate plot is meticulously crafted, with political intrigue and complex subplots interweaving seamlessly into the main story. Overall, Assassin’s Apprentice is a must-read for fans of the fantasy genre.
Hobb’s debut novel skilfully blends politics, magic, and intrigue to create a world that is both fascinating and dangerous. While the book may have some flaws, such as a slowness in the pacing in some parts, they are minor and do very little to detract from the overall excellence of the novel.
For readers looking for a well-crafted fantasy epic filled with exciting action, well-developed characters, and intricate world-building, Assassin’s Apprentice is a perfect choice. We highly recommend this book and can confidently give it a rating of 9 out of 10.
