Rating: 
Summary: Wow!!!
Review: I liked this one better than the Assassin series, not that I disliked the other! But wow! (Wait, I said that.) This was one of those books that once I picked it up, all of life was put on hold until I finished it. I love the details of the worlds that she creates, they're so rich in imagination and detail that one can imagine living there, even as alien as they are. The only trouble is that I read the advanced reading copy before actual publication, which gave me a hideously long time to wait for the sequel. :p
Rating:
Summary: Unfortunately time consuming
Review: This is one of those unfortunately addictive time consuming books that threw off my sleep schedule as I endeavoured to finish it way too late at night. Ms. Hobb keeps the magic to a minimum, and creates a variety of characters, from highly identifiable ones (like Althea, Win, the pirate king), to ones you hope will come to a bad end (like Malta). I've got the hardback 2nd book on order.
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Summary: The Book was Excelent!! I recomend it to everyone!!!
Review: A wonderfull example of science fiction. A prefect book for all science fiction and fantasy readers everywhere! A book you can't put down once you've started it.
Rating:
Summary: A great book, but there was one thing...
Review: I loved the book, and I'd been looking forward to reading it for ages. It was worth every moment of the wait, but as I reached around the middle of the book, late in the night of the day I bought it, eager to know what happened in each coming page, I was suddenly forced to pause. To look back and read the last line of the previous page once more, followed by the page I was on. It was true. There was absoultely nothing similar about them. I looked to the top of the page- it was not the page that should have come next. But, more than that, it was not the same book. Somehow, the publishers only know how, Vanity Fair was entrapped in the pages of Ships of Magic. 80 pages of it, to be precise, replacing 80 pages of the book I was reading. Thus, the book infuriated me beyond belief, but, in the end, when at long last I actually got a chance to get the book replaced, and read the end of it- I loved it. I strongly recommend the book, but make sure it's all one book before you buy it!!!
Rating: 
Summary: Same world, new style, a different kind of magic.
Review: Having thoroughly enjoyed the Farseer trilogy, my fears that the Liveship books would not measure up were utterly groundless. Without using the first person voice, Ms. Hobb is still able to present her characters from the inside out, giving each actor on stage the depth necessary for the story must have to be effective. Once again, she weaves magic into a complex, human tale without requiring too great a suspension of disbelief. This allows the story to better serve as a platform for her message. Her graphic depictions of the horror of slavery, and its corrupting effect on economic and social institutions, and the brutality of harvesting animals for economic profit (obviously drawn from extensive research into the 19th century whaling industry) show us once again that Hobb has a gift for presenting relevant social issues within the context of fiction in a stark, yet entertaining, style. Nothing is in black and white, regardless of who the protagonists and antagonists are. We are even allowed to feel empathy for Pirate Kings and grasping in-laws. Like Fitz, Althea finds that growing up and pursuing a dream has many bumps in the road, regardless of your social station. I again commend this author to anyone with teenage children, with the suggestion that they encourage their teenagers to read this book: it is a superb substitute for MTV or computer entertainment. The only downside is the end of the book, and the inevitable wait for the next installment. Robert Jordan and his publisher could learn a thing or two about brevity from Ms. Hobb's example; however, I do hope the conclusion for this series, which is bound to have a few surprises, ends a little less abruptly than The Farseer tale did. In any event, give us more!
Rating:
Summary: Beautifully crafted characters and settings..not Hornblower
Review: After the first couple of chapters I was worried that this book would suffer the same problem of so many other books... 1-D characters... the typical Good vs Bad set up of many Fantasy books. Not so.. every character was believeable. I wasnt sure if I was going to get through the book though.. the set up for the characters was just so depressing, but I suppose that every book needs a trial that the Characters must overcome...Stick it out and you will be rewarded. Hobb's writing style is just so impressive. Every setting is crafted beautifully, the rooms and characters leap vividly off the page. However if you are looking for C.S. Forester's "Hornblower" like action this is *not* your book. Clearly Hobb's interest is more in Character development.. and not the detailed minuet details of seamanship, that authors such as Forester and Kent provied. No detailed descriptions of setting Gibs, mainyard arms ect here... just basic descptions of sailors dutey. And they are sufficient for the story. Im looking forward to the next book.
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Summary: Great book--engrossing, and believable
Review: This is by far the best book I've read this year. While I liked Assassin's Apprentice, this book far surpassed Hobb's previous efforts. The basic premise of the book, the liveships, is intriguing. But that alone does not a good book make. Hobb's characterizations are superb and engrossing. All the characters are believable (maybe the only exception being Malta Vestrit, one of the supporting cast). The "good guys" are not 100% good, nor are the "bad guys" 100% bad. I found I could empathize with everyone, human or serpent, or "other." My only regret is that I discovered this book before the next two in the series were finished. While reading this book, I kept on watching with a dreadful eye as the number of pages to the end of the book kept getting fewer and fewer. I did not want to finish. I am eagerly awaiting Mad Ship, the next in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Indescribable
Review: Live ship traders is a wonderful book. The characters are incredibly believable, from the spoilt Malta to the down right dippy Althea. I can't write anything that will do it justice,just buy the bloody thing and find out for yourself!
Rating: 
Summary: it's ok
Review: It is a very well written book but quite predictabl
Rating:
Summary: Hobb proves once again to be one of the best in fantasy.
Review: This is a very good book with depth of character that rivals even George RR Martins A.G.O.T and A.C.O K. I really liked her last series which took place in the 6 duchies but this series looks to be even better and more engaging if you can believe that. Everything is just so real in this book to the point where you become immersed by the details and sensation of the many different characters. Also her discription of life at sea is amazing, she must have spent a long time researching or had some prior knowledgle of it herself. Do yourself a favor and read this book, I can't imagine anyone being disappointed with it.
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