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halefa's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
The second part of the book I would give a rating of 3,75/4.
The beginning of the book is an incredible slow burn.
I don't particularly enjoy stories written from children's perspective, and that might be the reason for me disliking that part so much. Unfortunately for me, the main character is a child (6-12 years old) for most of the book.
Most of the book is also focused only on that child and various things that happen to him. There is no general thread or story arc yet, and the main character is rather passive and unopioniated (I mean - he's a child!).
The second half of the book luckily picksup pace. Now a teenager, the main character makes more decisions and takes actions. Also, a general plot develops giving the world more authenticity and relevance. A generic evil shows up and different characters' agendas to deal with it are revealed.
This part was far more engaging and interesting to read.
And then there are the last couple of chapters happen where the pace quadruples and everything explodes.
Apart from being of the opinion that the book stays in the childage era for far too long, I am sad we didn't get to know more about the aspect of the story that is actually in the title: "Assassin's Apprentice".
We only get vague hints and weak side sentences once in a while about what the assassin education included and I would have wished for more details and creativity here.
(Also I don't get Chade. Really weird mentor vibe.)
I noticed that the book contained barely any positive descriptions of women and the language used to describe female characters is often heavily inspired by the idea of stereotypical medieval terms.
Graphic: Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Grief, Animal death, Death of parent, and Infertility
ltsang08's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Alcohol, Death of parent, Bullying, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, Child abuse, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Abandonment, Addiction, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Drug abuse, Infertility, Physical abuse, and War
towanda81's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Abandonment and Animal death
scurvotron's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Animal death
Moderate: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Abandonment
bookishfaye's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Positives:
- I adored the medieval fairytale-esque writing style, it truly felt like I was being told a fable at times… like yes I’ll take your finest mead with a bread roll, some dried meat and a barrel of cheese if I may……..
- fitz …. 🫶😢 my little man deserves so much love
- I’m an absolute sucker for the “oh no! I’ve become a parent!” Trope with a traumatized hermit like man accumulating a traumatized child and the found family that entails.
- I’m so excited to see more of the dynamic between Fitz & the Fool & in general just more of the fool
- the game of thrones: specifically Stark/Jon Snow vibes were a slay
- the magic system is literally so cool and interesting
- Nosy is the goodest boy
Negatives:
- in the last 150 pages the pacing kinda fumbled a little bit at times, and I felt like chunks could have been cut from that section.
- I’m still very confused as to why there’s an issue with Fitz’s animal magic?? Maybe I just missed something but I don’t get why it’s an issue…?
Graphic: Abandonment, Animal cruelty, and Animal death
mazzreads86's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Abandonment and Animal death
Moderate: Grief, Gaslighting, Medical trauma, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Minor: Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Death of parent, Drug use, Infertility, and Injury/Injury detail
reddeddy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Classism, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Physical abuse, Toxic friendship, Violence, Animal cruelty, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Animal death, Confinement, Death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Dysphoria, Addiction, Medical content, Chronic illness, Alcohol, Medical trauma, Drug use, Gaslighting, Gore, Kidnapping, Xenophobia, Bullying, Death of parent, Infertility, Pandemic/Epidemic, Blood, Colonisation, and Drug abuse
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , War, Body horror, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Rape, Slavery, Torture, Suicide, Pregnancy, Sexism, Sexual content, Vomit, Ableism, Excrement, and Toxic relationship
kristinrdub's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Animal death and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Abandonment, Blood, and Murder
beautifulpaxielreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
The pace is very, very slow, there is a lot of descriptive language and exposition to wade through, and even then, there isn't a whole lot of plot to be found, at least not at first. All these things considered, I can easily see why someone might get frustrated and give up.
But I found Assassin's Apprentice to be an absorbing, riveting, and immersive read - just what a good fantasy should be.
It also delivers in spades when it comes to political intrigue, which I also very much enjoy reading. The story is told from the POV of Fitz, who for
The other characters are well-developed too (even the villainous ones[
The plotting was overall excellent, although did find the ending
4.5 stars from me.
Graphic: Abandonment, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Eating disorder, Blood, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Alcohol, and Death of parent
Minor: Fatphobia, War, Alcoholism, Infidelity, and Xenophobia
angeee's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Sexism, Death, Bullying, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Emotional abuse, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Animal death, and Abandonment