Robin Hobb

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

The Mad Ship

The Mad Ship (Liveship Traders)

Hanna Rybchynska

Wow! This was a long book, and I still need to finish the 3rd one. However, the story is interesting and really dynamic. I am enjoying a lot!

James Winduss

Loved it! I never thought I would sympathise with ships, serpents or dragons but here we are. I cannot wait to finish the series.

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.

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

andrea

liveship traders is not praised enough. the character work is excellent and the cast grows on you in very subtle ways until you find yourself adoring them. the different plot lines get exponentially more complex and emotional, and to see them slowly come up together is such a great and satisfying experience.

the book flows in such a natural way... nothing comes out of nowhere, no development suddenly occurs and you don't know why. robin hobb is an amazing writer, she's able to give life to words on a page as only few people can do. everything feels so real and alive, so immersive. such a good story, wonderfully fleshed out.

Wow, no second book syndrome in this trilogy. For those who feel that Farseer was slow and got tired of being in Fitz's head, this part of the Realm of the Elderlings may be just right. Multi-pov and so much worldbuilding. I have heard people say that you could skip this trilogy if pirates and sea settings are not appealing. I disagree.  Even for those who are impatient to get back to the Six Duchies and Fitz's story, there is so much here that connects and makes everything richer. We learn a lot about the history and magic of this world. At the heart of this book is a family drama with generations of interesting female characters. This is not male focussed like Farseer is. Robin Hobb's plotting is intricate and fast paced in this book. I changed my mind about several characters as they developed. One favorite character I have loved from the beginning of the series is Paragon, one of the liveships. There are some new characters introduced as well.  We do spend some time in the Rain Wilds, which is fascinating. There is a lot of nailbiting action in the final third of the book. Things are popping off everywhere. It gives a lot, but sets up for what promises to be an explosive finale in Ship of Destiny. Content warning for sexual assult.

Cheryl Hedlund

Marisa Petri

Not starting Robin Hobb's book series is a serious mistake

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.

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...

dead line

Nothing but praise here.

What I specifically like is how Hobb writes distinct characters. There really is no overlap. Hobb also lays out a clear path of reasoning that each character takes. Characters go through drastic changes, but it's always clear why. It never feels like someone is making an action just to move the plot along.

Jade Flynn

A solid sequel. Highly addictive. Fingers crossed  Ship of Destiny isn’t a complete flop. Hobb really needs to hire a new editor though.

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.

The Mad Ship

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