Currently reading
Code Complete
Promise of Blood
Broken Homes
Fallen Angel of Mine
A Guile of Dragons
Pray for Dawn
Knox's Irregulars
Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software
Legend of Nightfall (Daw Book Collectors)
This book starts off with an experienced assassin without morals or care of almost anyone. He is stuck on a ship in a cold sea, unable to escape the sailors who turned against him. He was then given to a king who magically bound him to protect his younger son, a very idealistic man.And that's when the adventure begins, and the author shows (and does a good job at not telling) how the assassin's ruthlessness gets tempered with loyalty, and the prince gets some worldly wisdom as well.
I thought this was a great book because the main character wasn't stupid. He was always paranoid and on the alert, and he didn't miss much. Sometimes he was at a disadvantage to sorcerers, but was able to get out of the trouble.
And there was a bit of romance, but it played a very minor role and seemed much more realistic than I often find in urban fantasy or books with love triangles.
And I love the poem.