Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb

Book 1 of The Farseer Trilogy.

In a faraway land where members of the royal family are named for the virtues they embody, one young boy will become a walking enigma.

Born on the wrong side of the sheets, Fitz, son of Chivalry Farseer, is a royal bastard, cast out into the world, friendless and lonely. Only his magical link with animals - the old art known as the Wit - gives him solace and companionship. But the Wit, if used too often, is a perilous magic, and one abhorred by the nobility.

So when Fitz is finally adopted into the royal household, he must give up his old ways and embrace a new life of weaponry, scribing, courtly manners; and how to kill a man secretly, as he trains to become a royal assassin.

PLEASE NOTE:

• We'll begin our meeting by choosing our next upcoming book (we stay two months planned in advance). Then we'll open the table for discussion. Our group doesn't go down a predetermined list of questions, but instead has an open floor for discussing the things that stood out to our members as they read.
• The Creamery has coffee, tea, and energy drink options available as well as a good selection of pastries. We grab a big table in the side room for our group to sit together.
• All we ask is that everyone come into our meetings with respect for each other, and differing thoughts and opinions! Hope to see you there.