Assassin’s Apprentice cover art

Assassin’s Apprentice

The Farseer Trilogy, Book 1

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Assassin’s Apprentice

By: Robin Hobb
Narrated by: Paul Boehmer
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About this listen

The first volume in Robin Hobb’s internationally bestselling Farseer series.

In a faraway land where members of the royal family are named for the virtues they embody, one young boy will become a walking enigma.

Born on the wrong side of the sheets, Fitz, son of Chivalry Farseer, is a royal bastard cast out into the world, friendless and lonely. Only his magical link with animals – the old art known as the Wit – gives him solace and companionship. But the Wit, if used too often, is a perilous magic, and one abhorred by the nobility.

So when Fitz is finally adopted into the royal household, he must give up his old ways and embrace a new life of weaponry, scribing, courtly manners; and how to kill a man secretly, as he trains to become a royal assassin.

©2012 Robin Hobb (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Animals Epic Fantasy Genre Fiction Military Political

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Critic reviews

'Hobb is one of the great modern fantasy writers … what makes her novels as addictive as morphine is not just their imaginative brilliance but the way her characters are compromised and manipulated by politics.'
The Times

‘In today’s crowded fantasy market Robin Hobb’s books are like diamonds in a sea of zircons’
George R.R. Martin

‘Hobb is superb’ Conn Iggulden

‘Hobb is a remarkable storyteller’ Guardian

‘This is a historical novel with a sly touch of magic. The first in the Farseer trilogy, this book will get new readers hooked on a series that recalls HBO’s Game of Thrones and The Lord of the Rings’ Telegraph
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Most relevant  
have read the books multiple times and it has added a great twist hearing how someone speaks allowed a name you say in your head.

Amazing

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questing out to others and animals via the "skill" a young boy who finds himself an unlikely skilled person who is valuable to the crown despite being a "bastard" but he has to watch out because some see it a threat to them.

fabulous new series for me to dealth into

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Good story, nice concept and well rounded deep characters. Only thing that distracted me was the voice actor being so well spoken that he almost sounded comical at times.

Good story, voice actor almost comically British

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I don't want to spoil, but it heats up massively around Chapter 15 onwards. Slow to start, but it's the first book in the entire series, so it's just setting the scene and character building.

Narrated Well

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I read (and loved) this book many years ago and had formed a firm view in my mind of what an ill-treated, often exhausted, illegitimate son of a royal prince who had been raised tending horses and dogs should sound like.

It bore no resemblance to the voice of the performer who has a terribly posh, slightly fruity voice and pronounces words oddly quite a bit. E.g. "Verity" (one of the main characters) is pronounced "Vair-i-tee".

It took me quite a few chapters to get past this, and once I did I enjoyed both the book and the telling of it. But it is oddly cast.

Surprisingly fruity voice for an assassin!

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This is a brilliant story well read. Took me a few chapters to get used to the narrator who has a distinctive style. Robin Hobb writes so well and this first book just makes you want to continue with the story. As the first book finished I instantly started the second

The start of an epic tale

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Good story - so many places and people to remember! The main character is portrayed well. This first book in the series only hints at the magic system in the world. I was expecting a bit more depth. Looking forward to listening to the next book in the series.

Good book

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I have listened to the whole trilogy and urge you to buy this now!

brilliant!

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A fantastic book. Still to date my favourite book. I have read more than enough times and many times I have listened to Paul Boehmer read and it is still great :)

It gets better with age :p

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These books have always been since of my favourite stories but the narration is awful! One of the worst audio narrations I've heard in a while. If it wasn't for my knowing and living the story I wouldn't have persevered I'm afraid.

Great story, awful narration!

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