Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb Is An Incredible Coming Of Age Story That I Adored
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- Опубликовано: 1 фев 2021
- Mike talks about his first steps into Robin Hobb's fantasy epic The Realm of the Elderlings.
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Assassin’s Apprentice is one of my all-time favorites. The series gets better book by book. Welcome to the wonderful world at last🐺
Thanks! Looking forward to continuing.
Up until book 7
Yes!!! I never get the "nothing happened" criticism. Lots happened! Maybe what they mean is that "something happening" means battle, death, betrayel? But life is so much more than that. Absolutely love this book and Fitz.
If there isn't a giant war/battle in a fantasy book folks think nothing happened.
@@mikesbookreviews unless you’re reading crossroads of twilight in which nothing does happen haha
Royal Assassin about to come in swingin like a berserker with a double headed ax to break this man's heart.
LOL I guess I can't wait.
A commonality I've found in life with Fitz's journey: things only seem to be going well because you don't know something bad has already happened
With this series, more so than many others, it helps if you think of each book as a chapter within a very large book containing 16 chapters. The world is much bigger than you think and as it gets bigger and the story flows and intertwines throughout, sometimes you get a satisfactory outcome, however oftentimes you think you have reached the conclusion of a storyline, only to find out later that there is much more too it. Hobb is a master plotter and boy oh boy, when you finally get to the very last trilogy, it is mind blowing how the whole thing comes together answers so many questions and makes perfect sense, I promise you will be thoroughly satisfied.
Nighteyes is so much more than an animal companion
The stuff with the forged and other things alluded too helped me understand that this was a living, breathing world with other events taking place elsewhere that may well impact the lives of those in Buckkeep.
Yeah, I can see that.
On character development: "I can't wait to see what happens."
Me: *anticipates in Captain Kennit*
I would love to watch you giving an analysis on every book in this universe. This series saved me this year.
This is the series that made me love fantasy.
I still re-read that Fitz and Patience's scene from time to time. All their scenes are beautifully written really. Book 2 is my favorite in this trilogy.
That scene was just beautifully heartbreaking.
Can you refresh my memory? What scene is this one?
@@frank7411 I think he was referring to part where Fitz paints a picture of Smithy. At first she doesn't think he painted it and then he tells her about the parchment. Then she asks him if he really loved the dog that much and he says he did. She then stats crying and telling him he should have been hers and she hugs him.
I think he means the scene where they meet.
So happy you enjoyed this. Hobb is, hands down, my favourite author.
I can see why folks love her.
Top five to me. Probably the best prose in all fantasy
I've literally renamed this trilogy in my head to "Fitz goes through shit and somehow comes out a sane and better person." Like seriously, Fitz is a hero in the truest sense of the word.
I love how unpredictable Hobb is... I can remember reading this book when it came out and expecting Fitz to fall into the normal patterns of what you expected a protagonist to do... and he would do something totally unexpected. A great book and a great series.
And I love that.
He's the Catalyst after all. Doing the unexpected is in the job description, lol.
I enjoyed Assassin's Apprentice. Now about 30 percent into Royal Assassin and i am loving it. You get to know the characters more and start to connect with them on a deeper level. They made me smile, frown and feel sad for them already. I think this wel be an emotional journey.
Most likely if book #1 almost got tears out of me.
So glad you liked it! Hobb knows how to make those small moments hit hard.
I’m so glad it was a good start for you into the Realm of the Elderlings! I’ve read that Robin Hobb initially presented the first and second books as one but the publisher made her break them up. She also didn’t want to have Assassin in the names because she didn’t feel like that was the focus of the story. My most heart wrenching moment was between Fitz and Burrich at the end.. can’t go into details though. I really love how you only find out about the world and the magic system as Fitz does.. and children don’t always understand things correctly. There are no info dumps and that is refreshing.
Yep, the first book was suposed to be called Chilvary's Bastard, which is sooooo much more creative than Assassin's Apprentice.
Great call on that scene with Patience and Fitz! One of many beautiful moments between characters in this trilogy. In my opinion, the villains in Farseer are a bit tropey, but I think you’ll find the other “weak” points addressed in the next two books. Also, I agree with all the positives you mentioned. Fantastic review, Mike - thanks!
That scene just 💔
Robin Hobb is my all-time favorite, I’m so glad you are covering her books! Judging by your enthusiasm for book 1, I’m pretty sure we’re gonna get a second video for Royal Assassin 😆 I can’t wait for you to meet said character, he is well loved, and part of what makes book 2 so special ❤️
I found Patience so refreshing. Upon first reading, I totally expected her to be this unlikeable Catelyn Stark-like figure to Fitz, so it was a nice surprise. Also I completely agree with you about Hobb's ability to write male characters. I feel like she approaches them with so much tenderness which is a nice change of pace in adult fantasy imo.
Yep. I totally expected a Cat Stark act out of her. Such a pleasant surprise.
Team Nighteyes
I'm on book 2 in the farseer trilogy. Fitz and the fools relationship is my favorite so far.
I love robin hobb, a truly gifted writer, I read all 16 books in 2 months because I would get so absorbed reading. And when I first finished them I started re reading them all a week later. The best characters I’ve ever read.
The finest point of this whole story is the characters and the relationships between them. The whole worldbuilding explanation is not what you should expect from the first trilogy but I guarantee, you will be shocked by the final resolution of it. In this particular case the worldbuilding is tightly connected to the plot, so please don't expect the whole thing being disclosed at the end of the first trilogy. You will be getting more details in the second trilogy, the same way for all of them, right to the final one. That's why it's EXTREMELY important to read in right order, which is the publication order, because at this point a lot of people make the most crucial mistake - after the first trilogy they jump right to the third trilogy, and that's so bad in terms of worldbuilding...but reading all the trilogies and waiting patiently for the final worldbuilding resolution is really worth it!!!
I'm not a native English speaker so sorry for the possible mistakes)
Completely agree with you about worldbuilding. It happens organically through all the trilogies. So good.
Yes! Publication order and you should include the Liveships in that as well!
Said it better than I could
I'll be sure and give it space to breathe before I make a final judgment on it. But, early returns are highly positive.
Glad to see you’re also enjoying this series, I’ve been trying to get into reading and discovered your channel and just now found out you’ve been reading them too. Great content can’t wait to watch the next review once I finish reading royal assassin!
This was one of the most beautiful stories I've read in a while. Thanks for convincing me to start.
Glad you enjoyed it. The magic gets slowly rolled out and more realised over the course of the entire realm of the elderlings. I found it quite satisfying
Did you catch the amazing little "throwaway" paragraph where the fishmonger calls out to Fitz and then its just left up to you to be like OMG. And its so just out of no where and then never brought up again... like an easter egg. I love the little details that are in the background. She leaves a lot up to you to sort out, she'll lay down some nugget and lets you decide how you want to cultivate it or not. Told you how much I hated Regal...wait your hatred will grow by leaps and bounds.
Loved that moment. And i love even more how almost everyone came to the same conclusion without Hobb explaining it to us.
What scene?
@@que278martinez5 somewhere in the middle of chapter six .
I'm so glad you enjoyed it, I knew it would be right up your alley since you enjoy coming of age stories. As you go through the series in order, the worldbuilding becomes deeper and more complex as it becomes relevant. That's why I love Robin Hobb, there are no massive info dumps and I don't feel like I'm reading the tutorial level of a video game.
I loved the first book so much that I ordered all three of the illustrated editions. The first person perspective only took a chapter or two get accustomed to. Can't wait to read more!
I really enjoy all things you mentioned here!
I too like to watch someone growing up. And now that I'm a mom, I like it even more. Spending time getting to know the protagonist and why they do what they do makes a book for me. I guess I'll need to add this to my list.
Great review sir, you always have a way of nudging me to read books I wouldn't have batted an eye at otherwise
I think you‘re gonna feel compelled to record a vid for Royal Assassin 😂🙌🏽
Ha ha that's what I'm being told.
Yep, its cute how he thinks hes going to "just do Farseer..." You have no idea my friend!
@@wyluli-dt9wv Word. Oh my sweet summerchild
So pleased to see how much you enjoyed it 😊
I would say that as for world building that happens gradually and organically as you progress through the ROTE series. Likewise I feel her revelations about the magic in this world also happens in line with the narrator's experience....so you will feel confused and frustrated at times about it. This feels more natural than info dumps.
And don't be surprised if she gets you in the feels again...she broke me many times throughout the course of her series.
Fitz and Lady Patience, I completely agree.
It was something.
One of my favorite book series ever
Great review, Mike. I listened to this on audible last year but I'm going to physically read the trilogy this year as I want to experience the full range of emotions I have been promised!
On the topic of the Skill being only vaguely described, this is quite deliberate I feel. You are supposed to feel Fitz's frustration at not understanding his heritage. (edit: It was a real gut-punch for me to see Fitz's initial rapid progress in Skillcraft, only to then be struck down so cruelly).
This trilogy makes it clear that the Skill was once much better understood, it mirrors the general decline of the Six Duchies that so much knowledge is lost with it's keepers, either by chance or malign purpose. The origins of the Skill are explained better as the multiple series unfold, no spoilers from me but it's pretty awesome.
There's also the fact that the narration is Fitz writting his life story, so he probably wouldn't feel the need to explain what the Skill is to someone who has enough education to read, and he probably also wouldn't want information about the fundamentals of the Skill to fall in the wrong hands.
Nice video and review. Rereading realm of the elderlings at the moment so I’m starting with this book (haven’t read it in 25 years) and loving it even more than when I read it the first time.
The whole Fraser series reminded me a lot of Ursula Le Guin’s Earthsea. From the prose to the tight, narrow view of the world, to the highly allegorical representations of (and resolutions to) evil. Be prepared for an ending that feels a lot like the end of a Wizard of Earthsea or The Farthest Shore.
I have a copy of this on the way. I ordered the UK trade paperback edition. (I love the way they look). Also, looking forward to reading this book/series. I’ve heard great things consistently. Thanks for the review!
Me and my wife lost our shit when you took a drink from that dragon's egg! 🤣🤣🤣
I read the first one last year, am currently audiobooking through Royal Assassin and really enjoying it. I can't wait to learn more abot the magic, outislanders and all the forging that's been going on on the first book
Patience is actually my favorite character in the series.
I think I had a lot of the same feelings after the first book. Hobb has a lot of good qualities, but my favorite thing that she does is the personal moments between characters like the one you were describing between Fitz and Patience. There are more of these to come, and they always surprise me, and they're always very well done.
Wow Mike your up to 38.6k subscribers. Congrats man. Haven't been on RUclips in awhile and just wow, your channel has grown so much. Very well deserved Mike.
Thanks! A surprise to be sure but a welcome one.
@@mikesbookreviews pulling out an amazing starwars quote too, "you old smoothy"
This made me want to do a reread. Love these books!
People say nothing really happens? Is the plot engaging or is it more character driven?
Great review Mike, you're gonna cry in the next books, they are emotional.
The skill and the wit will be further explained later, I think they are not explained so much since Fitz don't understand them yet
When in doubt i go to mikes👏
❤️
This entire world/series is my #1 favorite series. I read it as I became a father and was going through a lot in my own life (moving states, leaving my father, marriage, kid #1, new career, home buying, and general life, blah-blah). So maybe that is why, but also, her writing is so good with the 'pay offs' she invests. I even call my wife "Beloved' because of this series. I look forward to seeing you do more videos on this series. Enjoy brother! Thanks as always for posting what I believe is the best booktube content on this here RUclips. Cheers!
Also, the 'Skill' will go waaaay more into depth. It's one of the pay offs.
I remember the grin that swept my face when reading a certain chapter involving 'the witness stones'. I thought it was excellent writing and a great book
Hey Mike, just want to say thanks for recommending "Revival." From your description I decided to pick up my first Stephen King book, 1/2 way through, really enjoying it! I agree with your Farseer review a lot, I got hooked a year ago and went through the whole series.
Wow Revival is way disturbing. I was so uncomfortable at the end.
I feel like people separate plot and character development too much, while authors, especially Robin Hobb, do not separate the two. It doesn't take huge plot bombs to develop character. the quiet small moments are sometimes the best moments for a character to develop, ponder, etc.
(Hypothetical situation) If you're in the middle of a battle, you're terrified and got your fight or flight mode at maximum overdrive the likelihood of you switching sides for moral reasons while you're in the middle of a knockdown/dragout brawl? next to zero because your focus is on survival. But switching sides while you have a quiet moment in a castle and you just found out your king is a corrupt SOB... that's more likely to me. The same reason I genuinely enjoy the political scenes in the Star Wars Prequels. They show the workings, the rational thought interacting with irrational thought in a great way.
Well said.
Only 3 chapters in and I'm loving it. Not understanding the "slowness" maybe I'm just really into character driven stories.
I've been looking forward to this review. I'm glad you liked it. I'm gonna have to reread this one soon. I've read Liveship and some of the other trilogies a couple times but I haven't reread the first Fitz trilogy yet. It's such an emotional investment!
I love how folks keep telling me "yeah, that series is great and so depressing!"
@@mikesbookreviews it's depressing in the best way.
Just started the audiobook. Looking forward to it
Thank you for reviewing this series! I had heard it was good, but I could not get past the names I saw in synopses. I thought there is no way a book with names that stupid could be any good. Your review prodded me to give it a shot. I started the book this weekend, and so far I’m loving it (3 chapters in).
Yeah, it's goofy, but her writing style makes me see past any of it.
Glad you liked it!!! I say you do a quick review for each book!!! Pleeeaaasssee!
reading allong with you i picked up assassin's apprentice again , and realized it was 20 years ago that i read it the first time when i was a teen myself. i think i enjoyed it more on the reread as i had forgoten alot about the first book.
As you said fiz really learns and messes up and get's hurt alot, and i like that about the book. even when he thinks he has it all figured out @ the end he still get's duped and hurt. great book still after all these years!
I can't wait to get to Robin Hobb later in the year!
Robin Hobb’s men are *chefs kiss*
I remember starting this book ages ago and never getting far into it, definitely gonna give it another shot now
Enjoy!
I remember being kinda bored while reading the book because there wasn't much action, but wow these characters have definitely stuck with me and I can still remember them so vividly even though I read it a year ago. I hope I can get to the second book soon.
You rolled a tear on the first book get ready my friend no spoilers...... I've read all the books in the series and just ended last book not too long ago and I'll tell you what this book series made me cry 😭 at one point. Can't for your next review on the series.
I absolutely love this book. I read it for the first time last week and I just wanted to give Fitz a hug. Practically every chapter, I just really wanted to give the boy a motherly hug and the whole Galen bit just broke my heart. I loved this book for the emotions it made me feel. I immediately got attached to Fitz and loved his interaction with Burrich, Verity and Lady Patience.
I love that you were unclear on if the Skill and the Wit were the same thing. I struggled with that until the chapter with Galen lol
I really need to get to Robin Hobb's work!!
I'm soooo stoked for you right now!!!!!!! Enjoy!!!!!
Fitz is my favourite protagonist, in any story, in any medium. His story is so beautifully tragic.
Finished! Loved the writing , was completely entranced into the story ! but didnt love the world and the punishment issues in the end lol so I'm glad i read a robin hobb book and loved fitz and everyone but might not finish the series! So imma watch ur other spoiler vids for the rest of the series lol thx !
Robin Hobb is my favourite author, I love this series so much and I'm really pleased to see you pick it up!
I'd recommend the 'Buckkeep Radio' podcast, they go through the whole series in publication order and it's really fun when they find their feet.
Thank you for the review. Love these books. I pronounce Burrich as Burr-ick
Just started reading this cause it’s my moms favorite book, and it’s fantastic
Yeah, it was delightful.
Thanks for the great review I was on the fence if I should buy A A not really looking forward to starting a new series But it sounds great!
There is more world building from now on and a lot more about the Forged and the raids on the 2nd book.
Also, since the Skill scrolls are kind of lost that means the characters are still figuring out all the potential of that magic. Some abilities are found and explored only in Tawny Man. I found it very realistic that part of history is lost so the characters interpret things wrong and it's only later that they discover everything along with the readers.
Assassins Apprentice is a fantastic book! The Farseer Trilogy likewise. I love these books and am planning a reread shortly.
Robbin Hobb is awesome!
Great Review. You really get it. Reading the rest of the trilogy will be rewarding; one thing I would like you to cover. Do you see it coming? I didn't
Another Stark merch, last video a dire wolf mug. I see you.
I was such a fan of ASOIAF for so long that when HBO first acquired the license and opened up the merch shop I think I spent $500 there.
One of the things I like when it comes to world building is that, since the book is essentially older Fitz writting his life story, he wouldn't feel the need to include exposition and common knowledge about the Six Duchies, which is why such exposition is kept to a minimum. It makes a lot of sense to me.
“Those who seek the skill” lol nice.
I was wondering what you’d go with :p
Buckkeepies just didn't roll off the tongue.
If you hate Regal now, wait til you get to Royal Assassin 🤣
After the slap on the wrist that was the climax of Assassin's Apprentice, I'm already pissed off with the little shit and if i'm expected to hate him even more then I'll be tending to infinity.
@@LightningRaven42 hahahahaha you're in for it is all I can say
@@zainabr2245 Looking forward to it, I'm already 50+ pages in.
🤣🤣🤣 no comment but yes!
I really want to read this, but between full time work and full time school and trying to keep up (catch up, already!!) with Malazan...this is probably going to be something I won’t get to for a few years.
I read Assassin's Apprentice last year. I like it but I didn't love it. Currently in am on page 200 of Royal Assasin and I love it.
I don't know anything about "Revival" but if its better than a Robin Hobb classic its something I need to read... immediately!
Oh just wait, your hate for Regal will increase 100 fold. Lol
Of this I am sure ha ha
@@mikesbookreviews Funny thing is, Regal isn't even the most hatable character Hobb has written. Just you wait until you get to Liveship Traders and meet Kyle
Nooooooo 😭
@@uhm3487 what about Hest? Or Cosgo?
@@leenox23 Not that anyone asked me, but I found Hest quite flat, Kyle has depth. Kyle I really love to hate. Cosgo is more pitiful than anything.
Not that you can't hate all of them. :D
I wish Goodreads had a .5 system because I would have given this 3.5 instead of 3. It was a great book. In some parts it had 5 star material, but certain parts fell by the wayside. Still looking forward to starting Royal Assassin and for Christmas, I’ve asked for the entire collection so that’s how much I enjoyed it. I’ll probably read the whole series, go back to this and give it a higher rating because I’ve heard these are books you need to re-read
To this day, 25 years after I first read Assassin's quest, and many many (many!) books after - Regal is my number one hated character. EVER (my 2nd, BTW, is from the Liveships trilogy). Every time I read the books, EVERY time, I was raged because of Regal. I still do.
He's such a shit.
Royal Assassin will blow your mind.
I just bought a copy of this one.
I love your shirt
Thanks! He’s the bestest boy.
I read it in January too and was slightly spoilered by seeing Regal in a poll of fantasy villains so I knew he was going to be behind the ending in book one and I'm convinced he's behind the raiders seemingly prescient knowledge too. Similarly, it made me predict that he's obviously going to be an even worse baddy later in the series because by the ferocity of hate going his way, there was no way that all spawned from book 1. Sadly, that kinda took the surprise out of the end of the book for me and I certainly want to reach in and slap Verity for not punishing Regal, like, that's totally gonna bite you in the ass.
Hobb and George Martin did a looooooong interview (video on RUclips) together a few years back in front of an audience.
Yeah mate FItz is top 3 Male protags in the entire fantasy world for mine, the way she writes him.... it gets more crazy as to how good she is at writing blokes - you'll see :-)
All the Fitz Fool books are great.
I just finished the book and I forgot book 2 at my parents’ house so I have to wait 4 days to continue the series.
I just finished this book. I hated Galen FAR more than Regal. Regal's potential for being a good villain was lost due to his lack of presence on the page, unlike Galen who was present far more throughout the book. With Galen, you got to see and experience how much of a shithead he was through how he treated Fitz during his Skill training. I was IMMENSELY satisfied during the chapter when the Fool was telling Fitz about how Burrich dragged Galen up to the tower and beat the absolute shit out of him.
I'm curious how Regal moves up as a villain during the next two books.
Mike I read this a few years back and even though I think I enjoyed it the best way I can describe it is forgettable. I had to go back to my goodreads list to verify I even read it. I assume this is why I didn't read any more of the series. I'm glad you enjoyed it and look forward to hearing how the other books are.
Hello,
Sorry to bother but would you know how this edition compare to the Folio Society one in terms of quality ? (paper quality, paper thickness, binding craftmanship, etc...)
Thank you for the help!
Best regards,