I'm currently reading the Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb, and am loving it. And it's part of a series, so: bonus. If you haven't already read it, I recommend it - I've ordered the rest of the trilogy and haven't finished the first one yet. Reviews more useful than mine are here (http://www.amazon.com/Assassins-Apprentice-Farseer-Trilogy-Book/dp/055357339X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1239740968&sr=8-1), but skip the editorial summaries - they're spoilery for things I've enjoyed finding out in little chunks. The first couple of reviews at time of posting won't spoil you.