I found this novel when browsing through my local library, the title caught my eye and I decided to give it a try. It turned out to be a good novel making me desire to read Royal Assassin which happens to be the next in the series.
Robin Hobb has a good style, very easy to read. I like his voice and the plot is outstanding and full of intrigue, and action.
Fitz is the bastard to prince in waiting Chivalry in a land where a prince/king/princess/queen's name reflects the defining feature of their character and Chivalry having a bastard surprises all who know him. Fitz's Mother's father drops him at the palace when his is four or five and his adventures begin. Chivalry abdicates the throne and his right hand man must raise the boy in the palace away from his father. No one let's Fitz forget what he is, and many hate him because he represent's the fall of his father. He also shows a magical talent called Wit, talking to animals, and his raiser believes this to be evil, so Fitz is not allowed to use the skill. He does use it some and is punished for it.
Fitz finally comes to the attention of the king, who orders him to be trained in sword, and letters, but he had only worked as a stable hand before. He is also secretly trained to be an assassin, though only the king and the trainer know this, so he becomes the king's assassin, but no one else must know this. He hates the taking of human life, but he has pledged himself a king's man and his honor requires he do as the king bids. Often he must lie to his friends so they will not find out his secrets, for he has more than one. Assassin's must have privacy, so Chade the trainer tells him. (whom ironically is his only real friend)
Also a threat has come to the shores of the great kingdom, the shore is raided and anyone captured is robbed of their heart so that they become human animals that care not for their kin or any one else of humanity, they care only obtained the things they want from other people (food, horses, clothing, etc.,) and will kill and maim to get it.
And Fitz is in the middle of the intrigue that goes on court between the remaining Princes in line for the throne and the alliances that will bring strength to the kingdom so that they can fight the raiders. He has a hand in eliminating inside threats to the kingdom.
Assassin's Apprentice is a very good novel, with great characters. Its a page turner, if you like fantasy.