Assassins Apprentice - what am I missing?

This is one of those books that gets recommended so often that perhaps my expectations were unrealistically high going in. Even accounting for that, I can’t understand the hype at all! Considered one of the defining books of 90’s fantasy with some of the best character work in fantasy… I just didn’t see it? Fitz felt so flat to me, always very even keeled, very calm and shy and quiet. Never really got a strong emotion from him at all, besides maybe extra mopey after he’s been influenced with the Skill. Spea