Name: The Mad Ship (The Liveship Traders, Book 2)
Rating: 4.375 (84 reviews)
ISBN: 9780007383474

Robin Hobb

'Even better than the Assassin books. I didn't think that was possible' George R.R. Martin

The Mad Ship (The Liveship Traders, Book 2)

The magic and mayhem continues in this second instalment of Hobb's new series. The Vivacia is now under new ownership, but the struggle for power between her two captains is postponed while they recover from near-fatal injuries.

The Mad Ship

Sade A

I've put off writing this review for a while just cos it seemed almost impossible to write something coherent and basically befitting for the 2nd book of this marvellous series. 
While i don't have many negative views on this book because awesome... i did feel it was long winded at times especially when it came to the serpents (Like i'm so eager to know what happened but lawd have mercy can we speed it up with all the secrecy?) or when someone was thinking about something, like a long ass never ending dear diary moment albeit with better writing also the whole (view spoiler)[dragon rising  (hide spoiler)]was seriously underwhelming in my opinion

That aside, i gotta say despite being a fantasy book, Hobb continually creates characters and events that you can relate to in real life and never more so in this book. Everyone here struggles, what's to say your way is right and mine isn't? Sure some characters are more devious than others but then again, Hobb does make you see that things just don't happen in a vacum. 

Finally we come to the most important part of this review..While i didn't pay attention to the female: male ratio in the book, cos heck to be honest i hardly notice such things anyways, it was however quite rudely brought to my attention when i read someone's review on this book. In the person's words'
"In addition it felt like Hobb was trying very hard to create a story for Women.. Yes capitalized. I don't mind women being protagonist, or even that they are the majority in the POV-- that's FINE with me....but it seemed as though she were going out of her way to show women in all varying roles and types as they come in, from young to old, from proper to outlandish, etc etc. TOO MUCH"
Well look at that, homeboy is upset women can be more than sex play things in a novel. I'm struggling to understand what part really had this person frothing.. Was it (view spoiler)[Ronica Vestrit being able to hold her family together? Althea saying fuck all and going for her dreams? Amber walking the talk? Serilla not staying down even when she had been kicked down so badly? Etta owning what she used to be like a bad ass and being a damn good fighter? Fuck it, even Malta, girl knew what she wanted and wasn't afraid to wrap any boy round her pinky to get it.  (hide spoiler)]How threatened do you have to be by women to write something like that??
 
i tweeted about it and i especially love Hobb's response to what the reviewer wrote

And you know what? i'm unapologetically proud that Robin Hobb has been able to create a book where women shine in various roles. One way or the other the women in this book, no matter what their situation was, rallied and took control of their damn lives!!
"If the divine is also female and the female is also divine, then she understands that woman is more than mother, more than daughter, more than wife. Those are the facets of a full life but not single facet defines the jewel"
- Ship of Destiny

The Mad Ship (Liveship Traders)

Brianna

TW: numerous sexual assaults

I have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand typical Robin Hobb mastery I’m coming to know and appreciate, on the other I didn’t feel as much direction in this and it felt a little too long in parts. And all the sexual assault scenes… were they necessary? I’m not sure.

The second volume in this superb trilogy from the author of The Farseer trilogy continues the dramatic tale of piracy, serpents, love and magic.

Hannah Derzanovich

So so so so good. I'm itching to pick up the third one immediately, but I (regrettably) have other priorities first.

Xavier Roy

A very good follow-up to the Ship of Magic...

Nickie Mohler

Robin Hobb is amazing! I loved this book. The story is fantastic, and nobody creates characters like Robin Hobb. I'm even warming up to Malta. Loved it!

celeste

stan the unproblematic queen of fantasy and characterization robin hobb for clear skin.
i don't know how she does it over and over again but this was flawless??? the character development in this book? *chef's kiss* althea and brashen are giving me life; i can't remember the last time i was this invested in a romantic relationship in a high fantasy novel. the tension between them, the yearning... oof i'm LIVINGGGGG! even malta had incredible development @ robin hobb how tf do you do this????

Melea Mullican

Lauren James

Full review on my blog, Storied Adventures

4.5 Stars

I am having so much FUN reading this series! I have laughed, teared up, been mad, all of the feels! 

My favorite characters now: Malta (I know I hated her but she changed and I love it), Reyn, Ronica

Most intriguing: Kennit, Amber, Paragon, Vivacia

Annoying: Althea and Kefria. Althea, girl, you are so immature to not accept help. Get over yourself. Kefria, you have the opposite problem. Grow a backbone. 

Hate: Serilla and the what's his face that rules Jamalia. 

Favorite plot point: DRAGONS. And how it all ties back to DRAGONS.

Ben Cardy

Alex

A second volume in the popular Liveship Traders trilogy again visits the exotic slave-trading city of Bingtown, where Althea Vestrit's family Liveship, Vivacia, has been taken by the pirate Kennit, leading to a dangerous plan involving an insane Liveship.

The Mad Ship (The Liveship Traders, Book 2)

Reviews

Highlights