Just an update: I loved all of the nine books by Robin Hobb that I read (The Farseer, Liveship Traders, and Tawny Man trilogies). The Liveship Traders trilogy did not engage me as much as the other books, I think partly because it is not in first person like they are. And also because my favorite characters are Fitz, the Fool, and Nighteyes. But I definitely have a new favorite author now.