The Ship of Magic, written by Robin Hobb, is the first book in the Liveship Traders Trilogy. It is a fantasy novel that explores the lives of the characters in a world filled with magic and myth. The story is set in the realm of Bingtown, a place where the liveships, which are sentient ships, exist. The Liveship Traders Trilogy follows the lives of the Vestrit family, who are the owners of a liveship called Vivacia. Liveships are special ships that are made from the wood of a wizardwood tree, which gives them their sentient nature. In this world, liveships are considered valuable and are owned by the wealthy and powerful families.
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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. Once finished, I m planning on diving into the Tawny Man Trilogy to see how Fitz has made out since the last time we heard of him in Assassin s Quest.
In this world, liveships are considered valuable and are owned by the wealthy and powerful families. The main protagonist of the story is Althea Vestrit, the daughter of the Vestrit family. Althea has always dreamed of becoming the captain of the family's liveship, Vivacia, but her father, who is the current captain, has other plans for her.
Book Review: Liveship Traders – Ship of Magic
Ship of Magic is the first book in the Liveship Traders Trilogy. This series of books takes place shortly after the Farseer Trilogy (Assassin’s Apprentice, Royal Assassin, and Assassin’s Quest) comes to a close and also takes place within the same world. Bingtown is a city along the Cursed Shores and is home to an old line of traders that travel by ship to exchange goods between merchants in other towns and cities. What makes this group of people so special is there bond with another sect of society, the Rain Wilds Traders, and their use of Liveships. These ships are made of a mysterious and wildly expensive wood which quickens and comes to life. The book revolves around one trader family in particular and their Liveship. The Vestrit family falls on hard times and has their Liveship perused by pirates. Along the way, Althea, finds herself in a massive family dispute and does all she can to prove herself worthy of being the captain of the Vivacia.
My Thoughts:
While this book was enjoyable, I did not find myself bonded to it nearly as tightly as I was the Farseer Trilogy and the Fitz character. I appreciate that this series takes place within the world I am familiar with and makes references to events and lands that I have experienced through the viewpoint of Fitz. The ending of this book was a little strange. The reason I say that is because the resolution that I was waiting for was not one from a character that I expected. It ads a nice twist to the ending but I felt like something was missing. I’ve become very fond of Robin Hobb’s books and intend to continue on with this series. Once finished, I’m planning on diving into the Tawny Man Trilogy to see how Fitz has made out since the last time we heard of him in Assassin’s Quest.
Walt Hi There, My name is Walt White and as the name of this blog suggests, I am a Pennsylvania resident. In addition to having numerous hobbies that I discuss on my blog - I’m also the father of three little girls and a pitbull.
When her father dies, Althea's hopes of becoming the captain are shattered when her sister, Keffria, takes over. As the story progresses, the liveship Vivacia becomes entangled in a web of politics and magic. The ship becomes a pawn in the hands of various factions who seek to control her power. Althea is determined to take back control of the ship and find her own destiny. Along the way, she forms unlikely alliances with other characters, including the pirate Brashen Trell and the serpent mage Malta. The Ship of Magic explores themes of family, power, and the consequences of our choices. It delves into the complex relationships between characters and the struggles they face in a world where magic and politics intertwine. Robin Hobb does a remarkable job of building a rich and immersive world filled with intricate details and believable characters. The narrative is filled with suspense and action, keeping readers engaged and eager to know what happens next. The story seamlessly weaves together multiple plotlines, creating a captivating and intricate tale. Overall, The Ship of Magic is a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure. It is a compelling story filled with magic, political intrigue, and unforgettable characters. Robin Hobb's skillful storytelling and vivid imagination make this book a true masterpiece in the genre..
Reviews for "Navigating the Complex Relationships in Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb"
1. John - 2 out of 5 stars - Ship of Magic was a disappointment for me. The story was slow and dragged on unnecessarily, making it hard for me to stay engaged. The characters were also quite bland, lacking depth and development. Additionally, the author's writing style felt repetitive, with too much emphasis on mundane details that didn't contribute much to the overall plot. Overall, I found Ship of Magic to be a tedious read that failed to live up to the hype.
2. Sarah - 2 out of 5 stars - I struggled to enjoy Ship of Magic due to its confusing and convoluted plot. The constant shifting between multiple perspectives and intricate subplots made it difficult to keep track of what was happening. Furthermore, the pacing was incredibly slow, resulting in a lack of suspense and tension. The lack of character development and a clear central focus made it hard for me to connect with the story and its world. Unfortunately, Ship of Magic fell short of my expectations.
3. Michael - 1 out of 5 stars - Ship of Magic was an incredibly boring and tedious book. The plot meandered aimlessly, lacking a clear direction or purpose. I found it hard to care about the characters as they were poorly developed and lacked any real depth. The writing style was overly descriptive, dragging out scenes that could have been condensed, and making the whole reading experience feel like a chore. I cannot recommend Ship of Magic to anyone looking for a captivating fantasy read.