Royal Assassin
The second book of Robin Hobb's Farseer Trilogy, continuing the story of FitzChivalry Farseer, the illegitimate son of a prince who has been trained in secret as a royal assassin. Fitz returns to the court at Buckkeep as the Six Duchies face raids from the Red-Ship Raiders, court intrigue tightens around the failing king, and Fitz navigates his animal bond through the Wit alongside his loyalty to the Farseer line. It is character-driven, slow-burning fantasy told in the first person. Readers should start with Assassin's Apprentice, since this volume builds directly on it.