20p in a library sale. This was a good find - the first of Robin Hobb's Farseer novels.
Young FitzChivalry, the bastard son of a prince, is raised in the royal household, becoming the protege of his uncle Chade, assassin to the king, while coming to terms with his magical gifts.
Intelligent fantasy writing, very good on the relationships between characters - a recurring theme of this series is how decent people, with the best will in the world, keep hurting and misunderstanding each other.

I am appalled that I didn't journal this one's arrival - I am extremely sorry.

My first Robin Hobb to date and won't be my last.

It was intended to be my 'car' read - I have about an hour a week of this for various reasons. So in theory it should have taken some time to get through - savoured slowly! However, it just wasn't possible to leave it alone once started, and it's followed me around for the last couple of days pouncing on me with each free moment.

It certainly isn't a ground breaking novel, but well written with endearing characters, a few bad ----- (brain lapse - it keeps coming out with 'bad apples' which isn't the word I wanted at all, but it won't give me the one I do want *sob*...)and the requisite evil opposition.

Just in case this journal entry hasn't disgraced me enough, I must also confess that I need to replace the little bookcrossing sticky on the front cover. It was in just the right/wrong place for me to worry with my finger nail whilst reading.

Off to find a cliff