After barely surviving his first mission, Fitz returns to Buckkeep, reluctant to continue his work as an assassin. Somehow, he manages to slip out of doing more murders, but as long as he works against the Red Ship Raiders. As tension within in the castle rises, Fitz realizes that he’s the only one with the skill and knowledge to stop a brewing plot of treachery.

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Why this book?: I really liked the first book, and wanted to jump directly into this one!.

Painful journeys

After the ending of Assassin’s Apprentice, I was apprehensive of starting this one. I didn’t want to read what Fitz was going through, because I knew it would hurt. I didn’t realize how close I got to the characters in the first book, especially Fitz, Verity, Shrewd, Burrich, and Rurisk. I didn’t realize this until starting this book, but when I did, everything was pushed to the top.

The beginning of this book is so heartbreaking that I had to take multiple breaks. I didn’t finish the first 100 for a least a week, week and a half. I had such problems accepting certain things that I just couldn’t read the book.

That could be a good or a bad thing. I don’t know. It hurt.

Iffy and unsure plotting

I have no doubt that everything that happened was important. But I think Hobb has a problem with focusing on the important and non-important things. She continues doggedly through the narrative, stretching out certain things that really could have been skipped. A large portion of the middle of the book dragged through, after the beginning that was really emotional.

Hobb also seems to be a type of author that loves to speed to book up in the last 100 pages. So much happened, that I’m pretty sure I read those last pages within a day, flying through the pages and rarely, if ever, putting this book down once. All of those intense emotions came back, and before I knew it, I was sobbing in bed, at midnight.

With the first 100 pages being emotionally draining, the middle part of the book seemed so slow and unnecessary that I quickly grew bored. But little hints and what Fitz learned within that middle was still important-it’s just hard to keep track of it.

Final Rating: ★★★★☆

Overall?

I didn’t love this book as much as I loved the first one, but it was still emotionally wrecking. Following Fitz’s life and everyone else’s was so fun and nice, but I think Hobb still needs to perfect her story-telling. Otherwise, I love this series.

Would I Recommend?

Yes. If you read the first book, I’m sure you’ll love this one. It’s an amazing, and interesting story with an amazing magic system. This series will be a favorite forever of anyone who is a big fan of fantasy.

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Additional Information:

Published: April 1st, 1996

Publisher: Del Rey

Page Count: 675

Genre: Fantasy (high/epic)

Synopsis: via Goodreads

Fitz has survived his first hazardous mission as king’s assassin, but is left little more than a cripple. Battered and bitter, he vows to abandon his oath to King Shrewd, remaining in the distant mountains. But love and events of terrible urgency draw him back to the court at Buckkeep, and into the deadly intrigues of the royal family.

Renewing their vicious attacks on the coast, the Red-Ship Raiders leave burned-out villages and demented victims in their wake. The kingdom is also under assault from within, as treachery threatens the throne of the ailing king. In this time of great danger, the fate of the kingdom may rest in Fitz’s hands—and his role in its salvation may require the ultimate sacrifice.