March Fantasy Classics

This month is about classic fantasy and the group chose The Assassins Apprentice. It is book 1 of a trilogy so if we have folks who like it and want to continue reading we could do a side read of the other two books. We may meet at Vernonn Coffee Roasters but I need to check if their expansion is done by then. So for now location is TBD.

Assassin's Apprentice is the first book in Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy, a character-driven fantasy novel that follows the life of Fitz, a royal bastard, as he is trained to become a royal assassin in the kingdom of the Six Duchies. The story is known for its slow, immersive pace, deep world-building, and focus on political intrigue, magic (the Wit and the Skill), and the complex relationships Fitz forms, particularly with his mentor Chade and stablemaster Burrich. It's praised for its engaging first-person narrative and detailed characters, setting the stage for the larger Realm of the Elderlings series.
Key aspects
Protagonist: Fitz, a young boy with latent magical abilities (the Wit and the Skill) who is brought to the royal court and trained as an assassin.
Genre: Epic fantasy with strong elements of political intrigue, coming-of-age, and Arthurian romance.
Pacing: Often described as slow and deliberate, focusing heavily on Fitz's internal thoughts and experiences, which some readers find slow but others find immersive.
Themes: Loyalty, duty, the nature of power, and the conflict between Fitz's magical nature and the world's superstition.
Series: It is the first book in the Farseer Trilogy, which is part of the larger Realm of the Elderlings saga.