Really liked this one. Also my first taste of Hobb. the characters are impeccably crafted and very intimate. The world building is not too extravagant and the magic system is not too obtuse. There is a whole American Frontier town feel to this and you get the idea that Hobb is trying to say something here. The book is an exciting, fast read. But i have to warn you, the series supposedly takes a sharp downhill dive from here. Books 2 and 3 got so many bad reviews that i never bothered picking them up. Pity, there is the makings of a fine old tale here. Still waiting to try some of Hobbs more successful series like the Assasin and Mad Ship trilogies.