Assassin's Apprentice
Robin Hobb
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Assassin's Apprentice is Robin Hobb's fantasy novel, the first book in the Farseer Trilogy, following FitzChivalry, a royal bastard trained as an assassin who discovers magic and his own agency.
- 1Fitz is a royal bastard raised to be an assassin.
- 2He discovers magical abilities through his training.
- 3Fitz forms deep bonds with a mentor and an animal companion.
- 4He navigates court politics and dangerous assignments.
- 5The novel explores themes of identity and belonging.
- 6Fitz's journey involves growing into his power and agency.
Key ideas
Identity and belonging
Fitz struggles to find where he belongs in the world.
Magic and power
Fitz's magical abilities are tied to his identity and growth.
Bonds and loyalty
Fitz forms deep bonds with mentor and animal companion.
Coming of age
Fitz matures from a boy into a man capable of choice.
Court politics
Fitz navigates dangerous political intrigue.
Agency and choice
Fitz gradually gains agency in his own life.
Who is it for?
Readers interested in character-driven fantasy will find this engaging. It suits fans of coming-of-age stories and deep character development.
Full summary
Fitz is a royal bastard taken in as a boy and trained as an assassin.
He discovers magical abilities that connect him to animals.
He forms a deep bond with a wolf companion.
A mentor teaches Fitz both assassination skills and wisdom.
Fitz navigates court politics and dangerous assignments.
He falls in love and experiences heartbreak.
Fitz begins to discover his own agency and identity.
Hobb builds toward Fitz's transformation and growth.
