Ship of Magic

Finally accepting that Hobb is not an author for me. DNF at 150 pages.

After enjoying the farseer trilogy I was hesitant going into this next series without following Fitz. I shouldn’t have been worried at all!

I thoroughly enjoyed following a larger cast of characters and though some are rather unlikeable I felt that didn’t take from my enjoyment of the book at all. The liveships are fascinating and distinct characters themselves.

Hobb’s writing and character work are incredible and I’m looking forward to continuing the series.

I’ve never read a book where so little goes right for its characters. Within the first part, they’d all taken an emotional and physical beating. Most had both. In a lot of books, that would be followed by some sort of recovery. Not here. Robin Hobb sees those characters laying on the deck and just keeps hitting them with haymakers. There were a couple instances where I thought things were looking up for a character, but I should have known better because every single time they got knocked right back to where they were, or worse. While that is my main takeaway, it’s not what brings this rating down. I felt that Hobb got caught up trying to tell too many stories at once, and they all suffered for it. This is completely different from the farseer trilogy which I complained needed more characters, but it modulated too far the other way. I really wish I could have spent more time with Althea and kennit as those two characters had exclusively enjoyable chapters, but there wasn’t enough time devoted to them. All that being said, I feel the three star rating I gave is slightly harsh and doesn’t entirely reflect my reading experience. There was enough there that I’m certainly going to continue at some point, despite the low rating.

I struggled heavily with this book. My enjoyment of the Farseer Trilogy vs my enjoyment of this book is like day and night. I can honestly say there was only one POV character that I actually genuinely liked, and all the rest fell on a scale of disliked to actively loathed. This entire book just felt like a constant cycle of ‘good guys' going through it with no end in sight, which was depressing and boringly repetitive to a reader, and ‘bad guys' doing bad things and somehow getting away with it every single time, to which I have the same complaint.

Wintrow, I liked. I liked that he tried to stick to his ideals and to who he really was despite everything he went through. I wish he had been firmer and maybe a bit more ruthless if only to keep people from using him, but he is only 13/14 so I understand why he couldn't really do that yet. Hated where his story went.

Althea, I flipped between sympathizing and being incredibly annoyed with her. Yes she was naive and inexperienced but I felt like even passively acknowledging that would let all the sexist jerks in the story win so I was at a crossroads. She made some stupid decisions that I think she should've known better than to, but she's also only 18 and somewhat spoiled. I'm conflicted on my final feelings on her.

Everyone else, I really didn't like. Breshen was insufferable, Ronica had all the wisdom to know better and chose not to, Keffria was spineless when she didn't have to be she literally CHOSE to, and Malta was especially irritating and had me disgusted at her even though she's the youngest cast member at only 12 and should've gotten leeway from me. She didn't. She's an awful person and I hated being in her head, even though her scenes were actually interesting sometimes. I actually liked Kennit more than most of the ‘good' characters because being in his head was interesting. He never acts like anything else other than who he is, at least in his own head. He's not interested in being a good person, just acting like one so he can get what he wants. 

The lore was pretty much the only thing that had me pushing through until the end. I want to get back to Fitz and the Fool and I know there's lore I just can't miss in this book that I need to continue the story. Otherwise I would've DNFed. Even though there were parts I actually enjoyed, which earned this book its 3.25, I was still heavily skimming by the end and just wanting it to be over.

I honestly have no clue how I'm going to get through the rest of this trilogy.

Robin Hobb I have beef with you. The last 70-ish pages of this book is where everything really starts clicking. Up until that point I didn't really connect with any character nor did I really enjoy where the story was going. But those last 70 pages? Fantastic stuff. This book DRAGGED and I was not looking forward to continuing the trilogy. Just gimme Fitz back! But the ending made me excited for the rest of the trilogy, though I still really do wanna check in with my baby Fitz. I still think this book could have been about 300-500 pages shorter but I'm hoping the rest of the trilogy will justify this one's excessive length. 

A brilliant story mixing slice of life, magic and pirates. The character work is exceptional, which made me route for the likeable characters and understand the motivation of the antagonists. I do not usually like, slow, meandering books but the writing is so good that I was hooked by every line.

A stirring, ship-based story that largely kept me involved to the end. There were one or two points where events felt blatantly contrived to simply setup future events, but not enough to derail my enjoyment. Looking forward to the next in the series...

3.5☆

The storytelling is absolutely brilliant! At first, I was worried because I missed Fitz. But I shouldn't have doubt the author's spectacular character work.

The characters in this book are seriously amazing. They were so well-developed and interesting. I found myself getting emotionally invested in their journeys, through all the ups and downs.

The idea of living ships and them having their own feelings was awesome. Honestly, I was pleasantly surprised by how seamlessly the author integrated these new concepts into the story.

Holy Mother of Sa, this is a masterpiece of a book if I've ever seen one.

Reading Ship of Magic is like finding the best cookie out of a cookie jar, savoring the best type of pizza, and having the refreshest of refreshments you'll ever drink, all in one. Hell, this book will just make you insanely hungry for more. Maybe I'm just hungry. Whatever the case, i believe you'll only experience a book like this only a few times in your life. An instant classic, a death book (a name I just came up for books to read before you die; side note: consider a name change).

I love myself a great epic aquatic fantasy, and this book is, by far, the finest of the lot of them. And that involves some of my favorite stories. The first book of the Liveship Traders is a fantastical story of talking ships, pirates, serpents and family turmoil. A reason I think books that involve pirate ships and aquatic battles are one of a kind is the tension built between characters who are confined in a small space. A rarity when the setting actually affects character arcs. A recipe for madness. Each and every character is specifically unique in this story, and you can't deny a talking figurehead on legendary ship is so amazing to have as a POV.

Ship of Magic is one of the greatest books I've read. So much so that it's one of my top 3 favorite books; currently up there with Words of Radiance and The Hod King. I'm psyched up to continue with this series asap!

This is the 2nd Robin Hobb book series I have started and honestly I have to say I like it better than the Farseer trilogy. As I understand this book takes place in the same world as Farseer

I love the idea of these live ship traders and their live ships being sentient beings with a magical connection to their families. The idea of a ship having feelings, intellect, ability to go mad, have mental illness but also be uniquily tied to or bonded to their families is just a really awesome idea

One thing I will say is that the one character Kyle, I can't stand that guy and honestly if one can hate a fictional character I do hate this guy lol, but for me that is a sign of good writing if a author can make you hate or love a character as Robin Hobb has done here.

Althea's plight is one I just wanted to keep getting back to as well as Wintrow and how they deal with things and overcome their trials and struggles, however the side plot with Malta is not something I cared a whole lot for, but also can't help but wonder if this side plot will come to have more importance in future books, which I get the feeling it might

So. Many. Adverbs.

Wow

Didn't expect this. And I loved the other books!!So well written with attention to the essentials. Happy to move to second part

If you've read Fareseer, be aware this is a very different book and series. Not dissing the Farseer trilogy at all - I love it - but the complaints some people have about it - that it's slow, that there's not so much action, that the first person perspective is difficult - are all answered in The Liveship Traders.

This is simply an amazing book. I've just finished my 2nd read, and although I'd intended to do some useful things today, and finish it tomorrow, I was unable to stop. It's that engaging. Multi-POV and with plenty of edge of your seat action, Hobb still firmly reenforces her right to the crown as Queen of fantasy characterisation.

I strongly recommend everyone read The Realm of the Elderlings entire, and in order. However, if you've tried Farseer and weren't that into it, give this book a try. I find it hard to imagine you won't love it and eagerly dive into the rest of this trilogy.

I knew from the Farseer books that Robin Hobb had incredible characters, but in Ship of Magic she also gives you an exciting and enthralling plot.

This is one of the best books I've ever read. Every character and every POV is great. She delivers some great action and tense moments, and she even made me love a naval story when I don't think I ever have liked one before. Can't wait to read the rest!

This is such an amazing book. I love all the stories and the world.
Usually I don't like stories of pirates an ships, however there is something about this story that makes me want to read more and more.

It just feels good to be home.

Guys, Robin Hobb is a master at her craft and has been inducted into my imaginary Fantasy Writer HOF. This book was stunning.

Set in the same world as The Farseer Trilogy, but far away from the Duchies, we follow a family of traders who own a Liveship. A Liveship is basically an anthropomorphic ship that is created using a very rare wood called wizardwood, and then quickened by having 3 people from successive generations die on it's deck. Liveships are incredibly pricey. When the Vestrit family's Liveship is quickened, the youngest daughter Althea expects to inherit. However, her mother convinces her father to pass it on to Althea's brother-in-law. What follows is an expansive adventure as different branches of this family go their separate ways.

Guys, Hobb doesn't pull any punches. I always say a book needs stakes in order for me to enjoy it. And boy oh boy did this one have stakes. I felt so personally connected to every one of these characters. I was really nervous going into this book because it doesn't follow the same characters as The Farseer Trilogy, but I honestly think this book is better than the first 2 books in the Farseer Trilogy, and probably about tied with the last book. This book is definitely longer than the books in that series, and I totally understand why. By the end, I felt like these characters were my family and I was rooting for them every step of the way. They all had such well developed character arcs, and I am dying to continue.

I loved seeing the difference in this society than the society in the Duchies, as well as their opinions on that area. I also really loved exploring more of the magic in this world. Whenever something connected back to the farseer trilogy, this was me.

The tie ins were few and far between, but still made me very excited. I'm sure I missed a few too.

All in all, Robin Hobb is amazing and I will read all of her books.

CW: ableism, abusive relationship, alcohol, amputation, assault, blood, bones, bullying, child abuse, death, drugs, gore, misogyny, murderer, needles, physical abuse, profanity, sexism, slavery, terminal illness, violence

This is its own kind of fantasy. So powerful and so personal.

I loved Hobb's Farseer trilogy, so I was ready to love this one.

25% into the first book, and I literally despise every character except the sea serpents (which have had about 3 pages devoted to their weirdness to this point). I would actually enjoy reading a description of the characters all fighting each other in some sort of battle royale to the death more than what they are currently doing, which is mostly whining and/or being utterly despicable people. I'm not kidding, without being outright murderers or rapists, these people are some of the worst I've ever read about. And since Dexter and Joe Abercrombie are favorites of mine, I guess some murderers are portrayed as far more interesting than these characters. Sad thing is, I know Hobb is capable of writing characters I care about. She just chose not to in this book, for some reason.

I shouldn't have to read further than this to find something to keep me going. So I'm giving up. Maybe the rest of the book and trilogy are the greatest literary creations ever, but I'll never find out because I don't care to keep trying.

Hopefully getting back to Fitz and The Fool will be better than this.

4/10

The more i think about it the worse it gets. Also, i realized there are some other books in my library at 5/10 that have more redeeming qualities than this. And 3 stars should mean “i liked it” but there was nothing i liked in this book really. Hobb should get back to 1st person.

The magic system in this story is so much fun, but my biggest struggle is that I just don't really like any of the characters. I haven't found anyone whom I've connected with in this story.

Content warning for my friends: This is a book for adults and does have some sex scenes and a lot of violence.

Another 5 glorious stars for Robin Hobb! I absolutely loved this book!
I find the concept of wizard wood to be brilliant. The Liveships are so interesting. I love Althea and Wintrow. I detest Kyle and Malta. I could just picture Bingtown. And I can't wait to hear more about the Rain Wilders.
This is quite the chunker, but it is so good that I flew through it. I'm so glad I finally read this.

TL;DR: No, this book doesn't have Fitz. Yes, you should read it.

I've been slowly working my way through The Realm of the Elderlings. The Farseer Trilogy was an absolute delight. Hobb's characterization, depth of emotion, and willingness to drag her characters through hell and back made the series an instant favorite.

I think Liveship Traders is better.

First, there's the worldbuilding. In the first chapter, we're introduced to giant, sentient sea serpents and an island of mysterious magical creatures. Instead of the Wit and the Skill, there are Liveships.

Liveships are made of wizard wood and ludicrously expensive. The debts incurred by purchasing one take generations to pay off. But, once three family members (across three different generations) have died on the deck of the liveship, it comes to life. It has a mind of its own, can help the sailors guide her through rough waters, and more.

There's also a lot going on politically. Bingtown, home to the liveships and the trader families, is slowly coming to accept the evils of slavery. The nearby slaver nation of Calcet has been gaining an economic foothold for years.

Unlike the Farseer books, Liveship is written in third-person and follows multiple viewpoint characters. Most of these characters are members or close friends of the same Bingtown trader family.

Kennit is a pirate with a reputation for incredible luck. He's a lovable scoundrel, and quickly became one of my favorite anti-heroes. All he wants is to secure his own liveship and become king of all pirates. That's not too much to ask, right?

Then there's the Vestrit family. Althea is the hotheaded daughter determined to prove her worth as a sailor. Wintrow is torn between fulfilling his destiny in the priesthood and family responsibility. Malta's a little shit. And Kyle...well, I don't think I've ever hated a character quite so much.

It's somewhat telling that I'm not sure who the villain of the series will be. Hobb's already fantastic characterization skills are taken to the next level in this book. Everyone feels like a real person, and (as much as I loved to hate Regal) no one feels cartoonishly evil.

I didn't realize how many POV's there were until I wrote this out. It's...a lot, especially since most of these characters get significant page time. And I left out quite a few.

If you're on the fence about skipping this series to get back to Fitz, Nighteyes, and the Fool, DON'T DO IT. I'd almost recommend this book as a jumping off point for The Realm of the Elderlings and catching up on Farseer later. It's that good.

Absolutely loving this story. Robin Hobb is an amazing writer, in this book with will fall in love with characters, hate characters, feel sorry for characters. You will feel it all. Such and emotional but amazing story and I can't wait to read the mad ship.