5 Stars
Pros: Fitz is a likable character, not prone to arrogance but kind and compassionate and he is truly loyal to his King/Chade/Burrich all the other supporting characters all have their parts to play and are important/The Fool is by far, one of my favorite characters.
Cons: I felt like when Fitz actually first began to do what he's being apprenticed to do it was rather glossed over/The ending, though fitting, I felt was a little rushed and a bit "convenient" for those involved.
Full Review:
Fitz doesn't remember his childhood. All he has is a memory of a stern old man, keeping hold of his hand and dropping him off at a large wooden door. The old man explains to the guard who answers that he's had enough of feeding and clothing the boy, he didn't bring him into the world and it's time for his Father to start taking care of him. With that, the old man leaves.
Thus begins Fitz's life at Buckkeep. He is the illegitimate son of the oldest son of King Shrewd, Chivalry, who is the King in waiting. But when Chivalry learns of Fitz's existence, he abdicates his place in line and the King in waiting passes to his brother Verity.
Fitz first stays mostly with the stablemaster, Burrich, who's a gruff but kind man who was devoutly loyal to Chivalry. It's early on in his life at Buckkeep that Fitz learns he has an unnaturally strong bond and understanding with animals. He can hear their thoughts, feel their emotions and is quick to befriend them, since he understands them. But once Burrich catches hint of what Fitz has been doing, he's quick to put a stop to it. He explains that it's not natural for men to be able to "wit", to connect so deeply with animals and he wants Fitz to forget he was ever able to do such a thing.
Eventually, the King, Shrewd, calls upon Fitz and gives him a pin, promising that if he ever needs anything, all he must do is show that pin and he will have an immediate audience with Shrewd. His eldest son, Verity, the King in waiting, is gruff but kind to Fitz and Shrewd's youngest son, the son of his second wife, Queen Desire, Regal, is a pompous, devious, arrogant ass who thinks Fitz is an unpleasant stain upon his reputation. Once Shrewd recognizes Fitz though, with the pin, Fitz is moved into accommodations that are more suiting a prince's son.
There, he awakes one night to find an old man standing at the end of his bed. He follows the man, who brings him up a cold, stone staircase and into his chambers. There are potions, herbs, scrolls abound and Fitz is soon told that he'll be apprenticing under this man, who is called Chade. He is King Shrewd's assassin and he will teach Fitz his art and one day, Fitz will have to decide whether he can do as Chade does and take the lives of others all for the sake of his King.
It took about one chapter but after that, Fitz and his incredible journey, had me hooked. Hobb's writing style is detailed, descriptive and fully immersive. You can smell the sea in the air as Fitz stands in Buckkeep town, you can feel the rain lashing through the window as Fitz sits with Verity while he "skills." to keep the Red Raiders at bay. It was a truly sensory book, in every aspect and I loved every minute of it.
Even the end, which I felt was a little rushed, was still poignant and compelling. It's been awhile since I've enjoyed a book so much that I can't wait to get time to myself to read but this book, this was definitely one of them. Needless to say, the next two books are on their way.
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