Subterranean Press to Publish Farseer Trilogy

Geek alert! Subterranean Press just announced that it will be publishing a signed, limited edition of Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy. I'm not saying you did, but If you went through a fantasy phase in those awkward teen years and want to reminisce about the books that were your salvation or, you know, you're just a collector of young adult fantasy, this may be a set you want to add to your collection. (of course some of us were long past teenage-dom when these came out, but whatever.)

The Subterranean Press set is limited to 500 signed and numbered copies: $180 for the set or $60 per book (if you want to buy individual copies).

The series follows FitzChivalry (Fitz) the bastard son of Prince Chivalry as he trains to be a royal assassin (and then becomes a royal assassin, and then dies and comes back to life.... it's all very dramatic & there's magic and poison, a royal bad guy, and a wolf and zombies.... I mean, it's got it all).

The first in the trilogy, Assassin's Apprentice, was published as a hardcover in the U.K. by Voyager in 1995 and as a paperback in the U.S. by Bantam / Spectra. It was followed by Royal Assassin in 1996 and Assassin's Quest in 1997.

Original hardcover sets list up to $1,000 signed; $350-$500 unsigned.

Assassin's Apprentice (Voyager, 1995)

First / firsts list up to $340 USD signed, $270 unsigned, but you can still find copies in "Very Good" condition for less than $100. (Watch listings on Amazon, several ask for an inflated price without any description of the book condition or printing.)


Royal Assassin (Voyager, London 1996)

First / firsts list for around $160 USD unsigned.


Assassin's Quest (Voyager, London 1997)

First / firsts list for $40-$75 unsigned.

The third in the trilogy, Assassin's Quest was the only book to receive a starred review from Publishers Weekly (although the first two books did get positive reviews overall).

If you're lucky, you'll find these titles at the used bookstore—but don't hold your breath. I've been looking for years and haven't found anything (not even an old, ragged copy). Of course, if you live in the U.K., your luck may be a little better, as the hardcovers were published there.

If you're shopping online, just be aware of the books' condition and make sure what you're buying is what is actually described (too many times the sellers post a "stock image" of the book cover and it may not be the actual edition listed). When in doubt, ask for pictures.

If you loved the Farseer Trilogy as a kid, or are interested in reading it now, you can still find reading copies online (and it's available in eBook form as well). Hobb went on to write several more books in the series, including The Tawny Man Trilogy and Fitz and the Fool Trilogy, so there's plenty of reading material to keep you or your (inner) teenager busy.