The first of Robin Hobb's new series -- and I know I wasn't the only one afraid that it might not match the standard set by the Farseer books. Fortunately it does; Hobb sticks to the pattern that worked so well in the Fitz books -- first-person throughout, extremely strong main character, detailed and varied world -- and the result's a joy to read. (Yes, Nevare is irritating at times, but so was Fitz...)
Of course, the downside is that I now have to wait until February for the next book to come out in paperback. Curse you, publishing industry!
ISBN 0007196148. Buy this book at Amazon.