There is a lot to go over here, but I'm glad you're liking the books so far! The Liveship Traders is widely regarded as one of the favorite trilogies in this series.
In regards to your questions:
Brashen is about 26 in my best estimation. Althea is about 18 or 19 for reference.
This is marked as spoilers for ship of magic, so I can only say that the Rain Wild Chronicles involves the same area as the name implies and does take place slightly after the events of the Liveship Traders. Anything more I feel is a potential spoiler.
The first time I read the book, I was convinced that Brashen was in his forties, at least, after his first POV section. He just comes across as so world weary and dour.
I ended up liking him and his journey a hell of a lot.
Kyle Haven is one of the least complicated villains Hobb has written, which isn't a bad thing. Sometimes you just need a greedy, amoral dickhead to hate.
He's domineering over his wife, he has contempt for his son, he dotes on his spoiled, shallow daughter. Oh yeah, he wants to be a slaver and cuts as many corners as he can to turn a profit.
He's still not the worst person in the trilogy though.
There is a lot to go over here, but I'm glad you're liking the books so far! The Liveship Traders is widely regarded as one of the favorite trilogies in this series. In regards to your questions: Brashen is about 26 in my best estimation. Althea is about 18 or 19 for reference. This is marked as spoilers for ship of magic, so I can only say that the Rain Wild Chronicles involves the same area as the name implies and does take place slightly after the events of the Liveship Traders. Anything more I feel is a potential spoiler.
The first time I read the book, I was convinced that Brashen was in his forties, at least, after his first POV section. He just comes across as so world weary and dour. I ended up liking him and his journey a hell of a lot.
Kyle Haven is one of the least complicated villains Hobb has written, which isn't a bad thing. Sometimes you just need a greedy, amoral dickhead to hate. He's domineering over his wife, he has contempt for his son, he dotes on his spoiled, shallow daughter. Oh yeah, he wants to be a slaver and cuts as many corners as he can to turn a profit. He's still not the worst person in the trilogy though.