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TL;DR: At six years old, a boy is left at the royal court of the Six Duchies, the unwanted illegitimate son of Prince Chivalry. Named Fitz, he is raised by the stablemaster and later trained in secret as an assassin for his grandfather, King Shrewd. As raiders attack the coast and princes plot against each other, Fitz must survive court intrigue and learn whom to trust.
Table of Contents
Assassin's Apprentice at a Glance
| Author | Robin Hobb |
| First published | 1995 |
| Type | Fantasy |
| Best for | readers who want character-driven fantasy with deep emotion and court politics |
Assassin's Apprentice is the first novel in Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy, published in 1995. It began the much-loved Realm of the Elderlings saga. Below you will find a part-by-part summary, five key takeaways, ideas worth remembering and a note on who will enjoy it.
Content note: Includes violence, poisoning, child neglect, abuse and animal death.
Main Characters
- FitzChivalry Farseer: The illegitimate son of a prince, trained as an assassin.
- Burrich: The gruff stablemaster who raises Fitz.
- Chade: The king's secret assassin and Fitz's teacher.
- Prince Regal: Fitz's scheming uncle.
- The Fool: The king's mysterious jester.
What Happens, Part by Part (Contains Spoilers)
The boy
Fitz is brought to Buckkeep Castle by his grandfather, and his father, Prince Chivalry, gives up his claim to the throne in shame. Fitz is raised by Burrich, Chivalry's loyal stablemaster. Lonely, Fitz discovers that he has the Wit, a magic that lets him bond with animals. He bonds with a puppy, but Burrich, who fears the Wit, takes the dog away.
Apprentice
King Shrewd decides to use Fitz. He secretly assigns him to Chade, an old, scarred man who lives in hidden rooms and serves as the royal assassin. Chade teaches Fitz poisons, sneaking and observation. Fitz grows fond of Chade, who becomes like a father. Fitz also begins to learn court life and makes a friend in Molly, a town girl.
The Red-Ships
The coast is attacked by Red-Ship Raiders, who take villagers and return them “Forged,” emptied of feeling and humanity. The kingdom struggles to fight back. Fitz is trained in the Skill, the royal family's telepathic magic, by Galen, a cruel teacher who hates him. Galen nearly breaks Fitz, but Fitz has some ability.
The mission
Prince Verity, the heir, is to marry Kettricken, princess of the Mountain Kingdom. Fitz travels there with the wedding party. He learns that Regal, Verity's younger brother, plans to have Kettricken's brother Rurisk killed and use Fitz to do it. Fitz realizes that Regal wants the throne and is willing to destroy anyone in his way.
Survival
Fitz refuses to carry out the murder. He is poisoned and attacked, and nearly dies. With help from Burrich, Verity and Kettricken, Regal's plot is exposed, though Regal escapes punishment. Fitz survives, weak but loyal to Verity. The book ends with Fitz recovering and promising to serve the true king, as darker times approach.
5 Key Takeaways
- Belonging can be hard for those born outside the rules.
- Loyalty and duty can conflict.
- Power attracts dangerous ambition.
- Mentors shape who we become.
- Courage can mean saying no.
Ideas Worth Remembering
These are paraphrased, not direct quotes:
- Small kindnesses can mean everything to a lonely child.
- Magic often has a cost.
- Trust must be earned slowly.
Who Should Read Assassin's Apprentice?
Read Assassin's Apprentice if you enjoy character-driven fantasy, court intrigue and emotional stories. It suits adults and older teens.
About Robin Hobb
Robin Hobb is the pen name of Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden (born 1952), an American fantasy writer. She also writes as Megan Lindholm. Her Realm of the Elderlings saga includes the Farseer, Liveship Traders, Tawny Man, Rain Wild Chronicles and Fitz and the Fool series. She is known for emotional depth and complex characters.
Questions to Think About After Reading
These prompts work for solo reading, a book club or a classroom discussion of Assassin's Apprentice:
- How does Fitz's illegitimate birth shape his life?
- Why does Burrich fear the Wit?
- Is Chade a good mentor?
How to Use This Summary
Use this page as a quick reference before a book club meeting, an exam, or a decision about whether Assassin's Apprentice is worth your time. The takeaways are written to stand on their own. If a point interests you, go back to the book for the author's full story, characters and style, which no short summary can replace.
A Note on Accuracy and Spoilers
This summary is based on the published text of Assassin's Apprentice, not on any film, series or stage adaptation, which often change the story. Details are kept at the level of the main events so that nothing is invented. Editions differ slightly in length and wording, so page numbers and small details may vary between copies.
Should You Read the Book?
Yes. It starts slowly but builds into a deeply moving story.
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What to Read Next
- Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb: the second Farseer book
- The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss: a gifted young man in a rich fantasy world
- A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin: court politics and dangerous ambition
Related: 15 Books Like Assassin’s Apprentice You’ll Love
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Assassin's Apprentice about?
An illegitimate prince is trained as a royal assassin.
Who wrote it?
Robin Hobb, in 1995.
Who is Fitz?
The son of Prince Chivalry, trained by Chade.
What is the Wit?
A magic that lets people bond with animals.
What is the Skill?
The royal family's telepathic magic.
Who is Regal?
Fitz's scheming uncle.
Who are the Red-Ship Raiders?
Pirates who attack the coast and “Forge” captives.
Is it a series?
Yes, the Farseer Trilogy.
What age is it for?
Adults and older teens.
How long is it?
About 430 pages.
Is it slow?
It begins slowly but grows more intense.
What comes next?
Royal Assassin.
Do I need to read the other series?
No. The Farseer Trilogy can be read on its own, though many readers continue.
Is Assassin's Apprentice worth reading?
It depends on what you want. The book is best for readers who want character-driven fantasy with deep emotion and court politics. If that describes you, it is likely a good fit. If not, the titles under What to Read Next may suit you better.