Assassin's Apprentice

How could a story about the apprentice of an assassin not be grimdark? It couldn't, that's how. This first entry sparked off three trilogies about the one protagonist, which contain some of the best characterization ever. The story is about FitzChivalry, the bastard son of a prince, who, an outcast from the court, decides that the best option for him is to sneak around killing people for a living. The book actually never strays into the 'edgy', and is a dark, morally complex tale about a boy whose very existence causes embarrassment for half the court, and as such they hate the poor kid. We're given Fitz's tight point of view from childhood to adulthood, and his complex relationships with those around him, and his growth as a character, lend this book a depth that few have. It's not a book about epic battles, but the growth of an unwanted boy into a man. This extends into eight more books about Fitz, and reading them is like making a life-long friend. One of the best aspects of grimdark fantasy is the morally ambiguous, complex characters, and this is one of the best examples, released before 'grimdark' was even a thing, but possessing all of the required qualities. Read this book if you want to get to know one of the deepest characters in fantasy. Or if you think assassins are cool (which they are).

Books in Farseer Series (2)

Booklists having this book

Top 25 Best Fantasy Books of the 90's

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Top 25 Best Fantasy Books by Female Authors

In the fantasy genre, female authors are notoriously underrepresented, and although a few of their names have become well-known, these are in the minority, especially when compared to their male... Read more

Best Grimdark Fantasy Books

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Other books by Hobb, Robin

Assassin's Apprentice

How could a story about the apprentice of an assassin not be grimdark? It couldn't, that's how. This first entry sparked off three trilogies about the one protagonist, which contain... Read more

Farseer Trilogy

Robin Hobb has received significant praise for her Realm of the Elderlings world, which spans four series and several other short works. However, among that epic list, The Farseer Trilogy... Read more

Assassin's Quest

“An enthralling conclusion to this superb trilogy, displaying an exceptional combination of originality, magic, adventure, character, and drama.â€—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) King Shrewd is dead at the hands of his... Read more

Fool's Errand (the Tawny Man)

FitzChivalry Farseer emerges from seclusion when Prince Dutiful, the young heir to the Farseer throne, disappears, and as Fitz sets out to find the Prince before his betrothal ceremony, he... Read more

Golden Fool (the Tawny Man)

“As good as gold . . . Golden Fool proves again that Hobb is one of the best in the business.â€—Monroe News-Star Fitz and the Fool continue their quest as... Read more

Fool's Fate (the Tawny Man)

“Complex . . . an atmosphere-filled adventure . . . with a fair quota of surprises . . . a winning combination of strong characters and colorful societies.â€—Kirkus Reviews In... Read more

Fool's Assassin (the Fitz And The Fool)

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER Nearly twenty years ago, Robin Hobb burst upon the fantasy scene with the first of her acclaimed Farseer novels, Assassin’s Apprentice, which introduced the characters of... Read more

Fool's Quest (the Fitz And The Fool)

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER â€¢ NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY BUZZFEED AND THE INDEPENDENT â€¢ Ranking alongside George R. R. Martin as a groundbreaking master... Read more

Liveship Traders Trilogy

A nautical fantasy featuring pirates, dragons, and magic? What's not to love? To top it off, Liveship Traders is filled with fantastic women. Ronica, the widow of the liveship's former... Read more

Mad Ship (liveship Traders)

The second book in a seafaring fantasy trilogy that George R. R. Martin has described as “even better than the Farseer Trilogy—I didn’t think that was possible.â€ As the ancient... Read more

Assassin's Apprentice

Hobb is one of the best characterization writers in the Fantasy genre. Her characters are vividly real, leaping out of the pages into our minds as living characters. She has... Read more

Ship Of Destiny

The third book in a seafaring fantasy trilogy that George R. R. Martin has described as “even better than the Farseer Trilogy—I didn’t think that was possible.â€ As Bingtown slides... Read more

The Dragon Keeper

Hobb’s Farseer trilogy incorporates a dragon theme into the mythos of the world, though dragons are not really a tangible presence in the day-to-day happenings of the book. Her not-quite-a-direct-sequel... Read more

Dragon Haven

Fifteen dragons have set off on a dangerous trek up the Rain Wild River, in hopes of rediscovering their lost haven, the ancient city of Kelsingra. Accompanying them is a... Read more

City Of Dragons

“A master fantasist.â€ —Kansas City Star “Robin Hobb is one of the most important writers in 21st century fantasy.â€ —Contra Costa Times New York Times bestselling author Robin Hobb returns... Read more

Blood Of Dragons

The final volume in Robin Hobb's popular Rain Wilds fantasy series, Blood of Dragons completes the story of the dragons, their keepers, and their quest to find the lost city... Read more

Fool's Assassin

This is one of those books you didn't know you needed until you actually start reading it. Kind of like that old friend you don't realize how much you really... Read more

Fool's Quest

"After nearly killing his oldest friend, the Fool, and finding his daughter stolen away by those who were once targeting the Fool, FitzChivarly Farseer is out for blood. And who... Read more

The Farseer Trilogy

One of my favorite fantasy trilogies of all time and one of the best audiobook trilogies.Â YouÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢ll fall in love with the characters and their stories thanks to Robin HobbÃƒÆ’Ã‚Â¢s... Read more

Assassin's Fate: Book Iii Of The Fitz And The Fool Trilogy

NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER â€¢Â The stunning conclusion to Robin Hobb’s Fitz and the Fool trilogy, which began with Fool’s Assassin and Fool’s Quest“Every new Robin Hobb novel is a... Read more