Ship of Magic is the first novel in the Liveship Traders Trilogy, written by Robin Hobb. The book was published in 1998 and is set in a fantasy world where trading ships are sentient and magical. The story is centered around the Vestrit family, who owns the liveship Vivacia. The novel begins with the death of Ephron Vestrit, a wealthy trader and the captain of the liveship Vivacia. According to the family's tradition, the liveship should be passed down to his daughter Althea. However, Ephron's elder daughter, Keffria, insists that the ship should go to her husband, Kyle Haven.
Bingtown is a hub of exotic trade and home to a merchant nobility famed for its liveships—rare vessels carved from wizardwood, which ripens magically into sentient awareness. Now the fortunes of one of Bingtown’s oldest families rest on the newly awakened liveship Vivacia.
But how can one trade with the Rain River Traders, when only a liveship, fashioned from wizardwood, can negotiate the perilous waters of the Rain Wild River. His daughter, Althea, who had assumed that the ship would come to her after her father s death, is shocked to see that her father has given the ship to her sister, Keffria, who in turn had given ownership to Kyle, her Chalcedean husband.
However, Ephron's elder daughter, Keffria, insists that the ship should go to her husband, Kyle Haven. Althea is devastated by this decision and vows to regain control of the liveship. She is determined to prove herself as a capable captain and works as a sailor on other ships to gain experience.
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb (The Liveship Traders: Book 1)
The Ship of Magic is book one of the Liveship Traders trilogy written by Robin Hobb. First published in 1998, the series is set far to the south of The Six Duchies, the setting for the excellent Farseer Trilogy.
After having read and thoroughly enjoyed the Farseer trilogy I was expecting more of the same again. I was not disappointed; in fact I found the writing of even higher calibre. This is no small compliment as I find Robin Hobbs’s use of the English language superb and a joy to read.
The story is unique, the character development excellent. In just a few chapters the characters are well drawn and take on a life of their own. There is a distinctly nautical feel to the Liveship Traders but it is in no way important that you have a passion for the sea as the story could be based on land, sea or air, it really wouldn’t matter.
The event upon which the story is central is the “quickening” of the liveship Vivacia. Once three family members of separate generations have died on board the ship it will become “alive” and share the memories of the deceased and become a being in it’s own right. This is a wonderful notion and adds certain freshness to the story that remains throughout.
" They all looked up at him from the sea-bottom, their great eyes of green and gold and copper unwinking. Shreever spoke for them all when she asked, ‘Why? The water is warm, the feeding easy. In a hundred years, winter has never come here. Why must we leave now? "
Ship of Magic: Prologue
Once the liveship Vivacia has been wakened, the pace of the narrative slows down; the characters are further developed, at this, a key moment in the lives of all the main characters. The inevitable infighting that plagues families times of bereavement also affects the Vistrits and they are a family torn apart. Kyle Haven exerts his newly foundcontrol of the family and this drives a further wedge amongst them.
It is at this point that Paragon once again returns to the narrative. Paragon (or Pariah) is a half-crazed liveship, renowned for being cursed and bad luck. It is to this ship that Brashen and Althea turn in their hour of need. This is a very interesting sub plot and hopefully will play a bigger part in the subsequent books.
“ ‘It’s done,’ Althea breathed. She doubted if anyone but Brashen heard her. But as his grip on her tightened and he began to pull her up, Vivacia suddenly turned to her. She reached up, her strong hands catching hold of Althea’s own. Her green eyes met Althea’s.
‘I had the strangest dream,’ she said engagingly. Then she smiled at Althea, a grin that was at once impish and merry. ‘Thank you so for waking me.’
Ship of Magic: The Quickening of the Vivacia.
The second half of the book follows Althea, Wintrow and Brashen as they endevour to find contentment within their new lives. Alongside their stories is the social-drama that is life in Bingtown for Keffria, Ronit and Malta. There is a definite class system in place and image very important. Keeping up appearances even though they have fallen on hard times is very important to the Vestrit family.
Wintrow's troubles however far outweigh the rest of his families. He is a figure that is easy to fall in behind, a soft, gentle caring boy who is thrust into a life that he does not wish for.
You can add to this story a pirate by the name of Captain Kennit and have an excellent nautical tale fall of excellent characters.This is a large book and takes some reading. It is an orignal theme that has very good characters and a gripping storyline. Thoroughly enjoyable.
The book's cover illustration's are by the John Howe.
"Refreshingly original" Jenny Wurts
10/10 Hobb keeps up the high standards in this new trilogy.
18 positive reader review(s) in total for the The Liveship Traders series
Once the liveship Vivacia has been wakened, the pace of the narrative slows down; the characters are further developed, at this, a key moment in the lives of all the main characters. The inevitable infighting that plagues families times of bereavement also affects the Vistrits and they are a family torn apart. Kyle Haven exerts his newly foundcontrol of the family and this drives a further wedge amongst them.
Meanwhile, the liveship Vivacia begins to wake up and become more aware of her surroundings. As the story progresses, we are introduced to various other characters and subplots. Wintrow, Althea's nephew, is forced to become a priest by his father, Kyle Haven. Malta, Keffria's youngest daughter, becomes infatuated with a charming but dangerous pirate. Brashen, who is in love with Althea, joins the crew of the pirate ship Paragon in order to protect her. The liveships in this world are made of a special type of wood known as wizardwood, which gives them magical properties. It is believed that if a liveship carries three generations of the same family, the ship will become even more powerful and gain the ability to travel to the mysterious city of Kelsingra. The novel explores themes of family, power, and the consequences of our choices. It delves into the struggles and conflicts within the Vestrit family, as well as the larger political and social issues in the world of the Liveship Traders. Ship of Magic is a compelling and intricately woven story that blends elements of fantasy, adventure, and family drama. Robin Hobb's vivid and detailed writing brings the world of liveships to life, and the complex characters add depth and emotional resonance to the narrative. This novel sets the stage for the rest of the trilogy, providing a strong foundation for the subsequent books. Overall, Ship of Magic is a captivating read that will leave readers eager to continue the journey with the Vestrit family..
Reviews for "Analyzing the Impact of the Ship of Magic in Robin Hobb's Fantasy Universe"
1. Mary - 2 stars
I found "Ship of Magic" by Robin Hobb to be quite disappointing. The plot was slow and meandering, and I often found myself losing interest. The characters were also not very likable or relatable, making it difficult for me to connect with the story. Additionally, I felt that the writing style was overly descriptive and verbose, which made for a tedious reading experience. Overall, "Ship of Magic" did not live up to my expectations and I would not recommend it.
2. John - 2 stars
"Ship of Magic" by Robin Hobb was a letdown for me. The book had a promising premise with the concept of living ships, but unfortunately, it didn't deliver. The pacing was incredibly slow, and it took too long for anything substantial to happen. I also found the characters to be flat and uninteresting, and their actions often didn't make sense. The writing style was also not engaging, with excessive details that didn't add much to the story. I was hoping for an exciting and captivating read, but "Ship of Magic" fell short.
3. Sarah - 3 stars
While "Ship of Magic" by Robin Hobb had its moments, overall, I was left underwhelmed. The story had potential, but it felt stretched out and lacked a sense of urgency. The characters were complex, but their development was slow and at times frustrating. Additionally, I found the multiple perspectives and shifting narratives confusing and hard to follow. While I appreciate the author's world-building, I wish the plot had been more captivating and the pacing more consistent. Although "Ship of Magic" had some strong aspects, it just didn't resonate with me as much as I had hoped.
4. Michael - 2 stars
I have to say that "Ship of Magic" by Robin Hobb was a disappointment for me. The story dragged on and I struggled to maintain my interest throughout. The characters were unlikable and their actions often seemed illogical. The writing style was also overly descriptive and drawn out, making it difficult to stay engaged. I was expecting a thrilling adventure, but instead, I was left feeling bored and frustrated. Unfortunately, "Ship of Magic" did not live up to the hype for me.