I received this book from the library sale to read and or release, I don't know which yet!

Released into the I Hate Sci-Fi Bookbox round #2, I hope it finds a new reader!

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I've chosen this from the I Hate SF bookbox. The cover-art tantalized me, and the story sounds appealing.

Later: Turns out this is a rather angsty magic/quest/conspiracy tale, centering on (and narrated by) Fitz, the apprentice of the title. (Since he's telling his own story we know he's going to survive his trials, but at times that doesn't seem likely!) He turns up at a castle at age 6, introduced as the bastard child of the prince, and is taken in - but only in so far as he can be useful. Trained to help with the dogs and other animals, he shows skill (in one incident he saves a girl's dog from choking on a chicken bone), but that's not to be his fate; eventually he's tapped to train as an assassin. But his new mentor has it in for him, and the training-from-hell nearly kills him...

The magic in this universe includes ways to forge spirit-bonds with animals (yes, Fitz bonds with dogs - though things don't always go well {whimper}), and one of the major plot points has to do with the Forged, humans who've been turned into mindless killing machines.

Despite all the trials Fitz goes through, he does make some friends, including his first master, the burly stablemaster and keeper of hounds, Burrich, and the enigmatic (and beautiful) Fool whom he meets at the King's court. But by the end of this book he's gained skill and knowledge, but suffered much and lost some true friends as well...

[There's a TV Tropes page on Hobb's fictional world, including items relating to this book and its sequels; entertaining, but do beware of spoilers.]

I plan to leave this book at Roby Park at around 3:15 or so, possibly by hanging it from a tree in a bag. Hope the finder enjoys it!

*** Released as part of the Feb. 2013 Chill-of-the-month challenge, zombie theme; the "Forged" are zombie-like creatures. ***

*** Released as part of the 2013 Head/Shoulders/Knees/Toes challenge, for the embedded word "ass". ***

*** Released as part of the 2013 Great Backyard Bird Count challenge, for the author's name "Robin". ***