Publication Date: May 1995

Synopsis:

Born on the wrong side of the sheets, Fitz, son of Chivalry Farseer, is a royal bastard, cast out into the world, friendless and lonely. Only his magical link with animals – the old art known as the Wit – gives him solace and companionship. But the Wit, if used too often, is a perilous magic, and one abhorred by the nobility.

So when Fitz is finally adopted into the royal household, he must give up his old ways and embrace a new life of weaponry, scribing, courtly manners; and how to kill a man secretly, as he trains to become a royal assassin.

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What To Expect:

Assassin’s Apprentice is the first book in the adult epic fantasy series The Farseer Trilogy. You can expect magic, a coming-of-age story, complex court politics and intrigue, and immersive worldbuilding.

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Content Warnings:

Language: Moderate

Sexual Content: Closed Door – Light attraction; references to and discussion of affairs and illegitimate children; light innuendo

Violence: Moderate – Death, violent fighting, poisonings, beatings, child abuse, and animal death are present in the story but not graphically described; non-graphic mentions of rape

Substance Use: Moderate – Characters (including children and teens) drink alcohol and sometimes get drunk throughout the book; plant derived drug use

Prejudices: Sexism & classism (mild), prejudice against magical abilities (moderate)

Religious Themes: References to fantasy gods and religions. Not a focus of the book

Other Topics: Parental abandonment (mild), shame against illegitimate children & parents (heavy)

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