Robin Hobb is a master world-builder. She also has a tremendous ability to manage multiple-story lines. If you like fantasy adventure, her Liveship Traders series is a must. Don't let the cheesy book titles/covers or heavily nautical storylines put you off. This is good stuff.

For some reason, not sure (maybe I was getting a little tired of Wintrow and the serpent/dragon storyline wasn't doing it yet for me), I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as the first. I wish I could give 4 1/2 stars, because I still could not put it down. Hobb really manages the way Malta matures from child to young woman. I adore Amber and Althea and Brashen. And Etta!