Assassin's Apprentice Book Review

Assassin's Apprentice is a slow-burning start to what promises to be an incredible fantasy series. Robin Hobb's writing is immersive, and I found myself genuinely intrigued by Fitz's journey and the world gradually unfolding around him. The characters feel authentic, and there are plenty of hints that much larger events are waiting just beyond the horizon.

That said, this is definitely a book that requires patience. It took me quite a while to fully get invested, and I often wished some of the key information and world-building had been revealed a little sooner. The pacing is deliberate, which helps establish the setting and characters, but it also made parts of the story feel slower than I would have liked.

One aspect I personally struggled with was the treatment of the dogs throughout the novel. As someone who's a complete softie when it comes to animals, those scenes were difficult to read and definitely affected my enjoyment of the book.

Overall, while it wasn't a perfect read for me, I can absolutely see why this series is so beloved. The ending left me curious about where Fitz's story goes next, and I'm interested enough to continue with the series.