Assassins Apprentice

The Farseer Trilogy

1

Sewn Binding

1st

Fiction

24

2018-06-26 16:48:05

Planned to ship H1 2026
£225 ($302) @ 7/15

Limited to 750 copies only, the Standard Edition is over 300 pages and is letterpress printed on Arena Ivory Rough 120gsm paper. This is the only version with the wraparound dustjacket art by Lixin Yin, and is printed on 250gsm satin laminated paper and will be foil stamped with the title and author.

The boards are handbound in “Buck” blue buckram with a large wraparound design foil stamped in pigmented Azure blue by the artisans at Ludlow Bookbinders. The spine is rounded, foil stamped with two colours and comes with red head and tailbands and matching red coloured ribbon. This edition comes with an illustrated endpaper by Lixin Yin.

The handmade slipcase is covered in an Azure heritage buckram bookcloth and has two hits of foil stamping crossing the front and spine. Each copy is handbound by Ludlow Bookbinders.

This edition is signed by both the author and the artist.

Assassin’s Apprentice, published in 1995, is the debut novel of Robin Hobb and the first book in The Farseer Trilogy. Set in the fictional Six Duchies, it follows FitzChivalry Farseer, a royal bastard trained as an assassin. Born to Prince Chivalry, Fitz is raised in secrecy at Buckkeep Castle after his father abdicates. The story blends political intrigue, magic, and personal growth, as Fitz navigates his dual training in the deadly arts of assassination and the mystical Skill, a form of magic used by the ruling Farseer line. His loyalty to King Shrewd and his uncle, Prince Verity, is tested amidst court conspiracies and the looming threat of the Red Ship Raiders, who devastate coastal towns with brutal raids and a mysterious affliction called Forging, which strips victims of their humanity. Hobb’s rich world-building and deep character development, particularly Fitz’s struggles with identity and isolation, make this a compelling coming-of-age tale.

The Farseer Trilogy, comprising Assassin’s Apprentice (1995), Royal Assassin (1996), and Assassin’s Quest (1997), is celebrated for its intricate plotting and emotional depth, establishing Hobb as a leading voice in epic fantasy. The series explores themes of duty, sacrifice, and the cost of power, with Fitz’s journey intertwined with the fate of the Six Duchies. The trilogy is part of the larger Realm of the Elderlings series, spanning 16 books across multiple sub-series, which further develop the world’s magic systems, like the Skill and the Wit (a bond with animals), and its diverse cultures.

Assassin’s Apprentice was a critical and commercial success selling millions of copies, marking Hobb’s breakthrough. Published by Bantam Books, it received nominations for awards like the 1997 British Fantasy Award and has been translated into over 20 languages, reflecting its global appeal. Her debut release Assassin’s Apprentice is widely regarded as a cornerstone of modern epic fantasy, perfect for this exquisite special edition.

Curious King

055357339

2025

1

Yes

~$8.69

2026-01-23

2018-06-26 16:48:05