Hobb creates an interesting world here. A kind of telepathy known simply as the Skill was once quite common among the people of the Six Duchies, but once the near-constant wars settled down, the Skill was no longer needed by the royalty and battle commanders to guide their troops. It fell into disuse and was taught only to naturally apt members of the royal line. Then, the King-in-Waiting, Chivalry, has a bastard son. The boy’s existence is unheard of until he is brought to the king, Shrewd (members of the royalty are given names such as this in accordance with an ancient, but now defunct, belief that a child is shaped by his or her name). Once he learns of the boy’s existence, Chivalry abdicates his chance at the throne in order to maintain the honor of his family and people. The boy is then trained to become King Shrewd’s assassin.

This is quite good. Not the best book I have ever read, but it captured my interest. I believe this is Hobb’s first book, so I look forward to catching up on what she has written to date.