I started reading the Liveship Traders Trilogy right after finishing the Farseer Trilogy. I actually wanted to skip right to Tawny Man - but someone convinced me to read this first - and I'm glad he did, I think. I can't help but compare the Farseer Trilogy with what I've read of this one so far. They're actually similar and yet very different at the same time:

First of all, the setting is different. We get to spend most of the time on the sea (naturally). Jamailia and Bingtown are not at all like Six Duchies (which I missed terribly). The society which deems itself "civilized" appears to be in decay. And not at all likeable to me.

Then there is the constant changing of the point of view. Actually, it is really remarkable. Hobb made me understand even those characters I dislike (or hate, in Kyle's case). That being said, I sometimes like main characters of a book so much I tend to overlook their faults. Not in this case. Actually, it would be hard to say who I truly liked (Paragon and Amber are quite marginal in this, though this story line is lovely so far). Everyone had their annoying monents. Even poor Wintrow, I believe (alright, maybe I like this one). So every character is very, very much human (yes, even the liveships in their own strange way) and completely believable.

There is magic, again, but it has nothing to do with either Skilling or the Wit. It took me some time to really accept the concept of a liveship - for some reason, it really disturbed me at first. But one cannot help but be intrigued by them - and the mysteries that surround them (I can't wait to learn what happened to poor Paragon for instance).

So what remains the same? Hobb's writing. Her feel for the language, her ability to capture the reader and not allow him or her to put the book down until it's read through. Whether you've read the other trilogies or not, I do recommend to read this one as well. You won't be sorry.