ASSASSIN'S APPRENTICE

By Robin Hobb

Bantam Books (1995)

Reviewed 7/30/95 by Bob Thompson

In a word- WOW! This is a superb book; I think it is destined to be in my top ten list. You won't find it in the Mystery section- look in the Fantasy / Science Fiction section; but there is enough mystery, murder and doubledealing to satisfy even a Raymond Chandler fan.

The central character in this story is the illegitimate son of the Crown Prince of the Six Duchies. The setting could be England in the middle ages, or on another planet in its medieval period. It does not matter which.

The story begins as Fitz is left on the "castle doorstep" at the age of six by his maternal grandfather, who says "The Prince "got" him, the Prince can feed him". Fitz is taken in, acknowledged as the bastard son, but not recognized as a part of the royal family, and put to work in the stables.

Most of the royal family are decent people, who would like to do the "right" things, but have to consider the political issues and what seems to be best for the Kingdom. Fitz never meets his father, who decides to abdicate his position and retire to a country estate, where he soon dies.

Fitz does well as a stable boy, and, after a few years, comes to the attention of the King (his paternal grandfather) who sees potential in the lad. The King offers to have Fitz educated and trained in various skills in return for his absolute loyalty. Fitz moves out of the stables into the the tower. Still pretty much a nobody, only a hair higher than a servant, he begins his schooling in letters, arts and society. Also, secretly, he begins training as the apprentice to the Kings Assasin.

Now, the Kings Assassin is not a bloodthirsty, coldhearted S.O.B. like you may expect. He is a man of science, wisdom, social conscience, and political astuteness. The king does not have people killed for petty reasons, and even when a death is absolutely necessary for the survival of the country, they both regret the need. (A step above some of our current political "leaders".)

Fitz proves apt at most of his studies, and soon is taking on minor assignments in intellegence and intrigue. He also begins to be the target of some political and personal intrigue himself.

There is much more depth to this story than my poor attempts can convey. I enjoyed every page, to the point that I started reading one evening, and the next thing I knew was that it was morning. And that was before I got to the really exciting stuff. There isn't really much "Swords & Sorcery" in this tale; a few daggers and a little bit of something akin to magic.

In the last chapter, Fitz is part of an envoy to a neighboring kingdom with which the Six Duchies would like to ally more closely. Here the stuff really hits the fan for Fitz, who must use all of his wit, training, instincts, and the help of only a couple of old friends to merely survive, much less prevent a war between the two kingdoms.

(For those of you who are "literate", you will see shades of Richard III here: "Plots have I laid -- By drunken prophecies, libels and dreams, to set my brother Clarence and the King in deadly hate, one against the other.")

Boy did I love this book. In addition to having a nice flow to the story itself, it is as if the author was able to reach into my own mind and incorporate many of my own values and ideas as key features.

I believe that this is Robin Hobb's first novel: It's overall quality is beyond what I'd expect from even a highly experienced writer and Master Storyteller. The only thing that I would add to it is a little bit more depth to the characterizations, and a little more action. Not that you would notice the lack from this tale: I just would like a little more.

And the great news is that while there is no formal announcement that this is just the first book of a series, the indications are that we may see lots more about Fitz in the future. I for one, can't wait.

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