Burrich but is killed. To gain allies against the Raiders, Prince Verity is to be married to Princess Kettricken of the neighboring Mountain Kingdom. Fitz travels there with orders from Shrewd to assassinate Kettricken's brother, Prince Rurisk, to bring Verity closer to the throne, based on information from Regal. However, this is compromised when Regal reveals Fitz's secret mission to Kettricken while drunk and Regal's information proves to be false. Fitz discovers a plan to steal the throne for Regal with the help of Galen, who tries to assassinate Verity using the Skill. Rurisk is poisoned and killed, leaving Kettricken the sole heir of the Mountain Kingdom. Fitz is poisoned by Regal but manages to contact Verity using the Skill to help him kill Galen. Fitz is rescued by his dog Nosy, who was not killed by Burrich, but sent to the Mountain Kingdom as a gift. Fitz recovers slowly, with lasting effects on his health. He laments the death of Nosy during that event and the pain of an older narrator at writing this. Reception Assassin’s Apprentice earned generally positive reviews. Publishers Weekly stated the book was "a gleaming debut in the crowded field of epic fantasies and Arthurian romances." Kirkus Reviews found the story to be "satisfyingly self-contained yet leaving plenty of scope for future extensions and embellishments." Reviewer Adam Miller praised the novel's characters for being "deep and complex." Influence The Dutch symphonic metal band Within Temptation used this book as inspiration for their song "Hand of Sorrow" from their album The Heart of Everything. British girl group Kitchen Party cited the novel as an inspiration for their 2013 single "Fitz's Poem". Editions An American English paperback edition was issued in New York by Bantam Books in 1995 with . The cover of this edition is illustrated by Michael Whelan. A British English hardback edition was issued in London by Voyager/HarperCollins in 1995 with . This edition's cover is illustrated by John Howe. A British English clothbound edition was issued in London by Voyager/HarperCollins in 2013 with . In September 2020, Folio Society released a new illustrated hardback edition of the trilogy, with illustrations by David Palumbo. References External links 1995 American novels American fantasy novels Novels by Robin Hobb The Farseer Trilogy Bantam Spectra books