Scooter Chronicles

Yesterday afternoon I got wrapped up in the end of “Assassin’s Apprentice” by Robin Hobb. I had not planned to finish it, but soon found myself near the end and not being able to put the book down. This is the first book of the “Farseer” trilogy.

Robin Hobb has really made a name for herself in the epic fantasy genre over the last 10 years. She has written three trilogies, two based on the now beloved character named Fitz. This is the first book of his story, and covers his life from about the time of age 5 or 6 to approximately the time he is 15-16 years old.

The story is told by Fitz himself, as if looking back on his life. He is the bastard son of Prince Chivalry, first in line to King Shrewd’s throne, ruler over the Six Duchies. Before I go much further, royalty in this world Hobb has created are given names like that from tradition. Hobb has taken some heat that her character names are sometimes bad to awful, but it is usually the only complaint you hear of her work. Anyway, Fitz’s grandfather shows up with him at the front door of the royal family’s “other” home and says he has raised the boy long enough, it’s time for the Prince to take responsibility.

Soon Fitz finds himself in the care of Chivalry’s stable master Burrich, since the prince himself is away. Burrich raises Fitz after Chivalry abdicates his right to the throne and heads off for “retirement” with his barren wife, then soon dies in an accident. Fitz never meets his father the prince.

Fitz finds himself in the middle of many court politics, many which he doesn’t understand given his age. But as time goes by, King Shrewd sees his potential, recognizes him as blood, and sends him for training. Fitz soon realizes that he is being trained by the King’s assassin (who happens to be the King’s half brother and a bastard, too) to be his replacement.

Like the previous books of Hobb’s that I have read (the “Liveship Traders” trilogy), the story is very engrossing. It is also not predictable. As a matter of fact some of it is totally shocking. Not as in disgusting shocking, but throwing major curveballs into the plot that made me wonder, “How the hell is she going to get herself out of this one?” But she does and it makes the story that much more interesting. And the nice thing about this book, unlike the “Liveship Traders”, is that this book is complete. Sure, you can read more about Fitz’s life in following books, but there are no loose ends here that “need” to be tied up.

It is a great book, and I can see why readers have raved about this series. Especially since it gets better as it goes.