The Mad Ship

The plot thickens in the second volume of The Liveship Traders. Althea, Brashen and Amber refit Paragon as part of an attempt to regain Vivacia. Kennit's kingly aspirations move forward as he works to sway both Wintrow and Vivacia to his cause. The Vestrits become more firmly entangled with the Rain Wild Traders. And Satrap Cosgo's diplomatic voyage to Bingtown seems destined to begin a war.

This was a fantastic book with tons going on at all times. Hobb excels at developing complex, multi-dimensional characters who grow as their lives change, and they're really what drives this story. Amidst the vivid sea battles and political upheaval that provide the action, it's really the characters that shine forth and draw the reader in. Their show more storylines intersect and diverge beautifully as the book progresses.

I still found the writing a little loose in places, and the dialogue is occasionally quite stilted, but by neither of these things seemed to matter as much as they did in the first volume. The story is built up so well that it pushes technical concerns to the background.

I highly recommend this, but really encourage you to read Ship of Magic first. This is pretty much a direct continuation of the story; I don't think it would have the same impact unless you've also read the first volume. show less

Yet another book that has completely captured my attention. Few things that stood out in this one for me apart from Hobbs brilliant prose were :

1. I usually don't like nautical books ,but these so far just feel right. Robin Hob doesn't bog you down with her nautical knowledge on every single piece of the ship, or the commands being called out etc. It all just feels natural. It is also funny that books about ships feel much more about other things than just the ships and for me personally its a big plus!

2. Robin Hobb has this quality to her writing were you feel fully captured when reading a POV and when it switches in the next chapter it almost makes me angry. I go "HEEEY I want to know what happens , I don't care about X just now." show more but after few sentences I do care, and I am hooked again. I honestly was never interested in so many POVs at the same time . And all of them are VERY different , very good AND somehow connected in all of the plot that Robin has woven for us!

3. As always reading Robin Hobb I feel like watching one of those "Most satisfying Video Ever" where everything slowly and elaborately fits in places perfectly. Characters develop , grow, twist and change and slowly the puzzle pieces start to fall in places and the picture they create is looking more and more awesome with each entry.

I am truly blown away by these books, and this entry was on par with all previous entries, the satisfyingly deliberate pace , beautiful prose and excellent characters each feeling unique and walking their own path. LOVE LOVE LOVE this! Recommended show less

Review of the Second Book in the Liveship Traders Trilogy

In the Realm of the Elderlings
The Mad Ship
Rating: 4.50⭐️

The world has grown broader, and our perspective on it has expanded significantly. We begin to see deeper layers of its history and feel its harshness, uncovering secrets of greater depth. Some of these secrets were hinted at back in the Farseer trilogy, but I understood them differently at the time. I used to think of the Elderlings as relics tied to ancient disasters tools from a bygone age. But this book redefined that perception, revealing dimensions that challenge everything I once assumed was fact. It made me wonder did the Farseer books tell the whole truth? Or is there another truth, slowly unraveling in this show more trilogy? If the events of Farseer were real, then who bears responsibility for what happened to the Elderlings? And were the known truths always incomplete from the start?

The plot here is legendary in both its pacing and the emotional beats that accompanied the characters’ reactions. Robin hit her mark again and again scene after scene striking the exact emotional chord I crave as a reader. Some moments were admittedly confusing, but I didn’t mind being lost for a while because the atmosphere and execution were superb. The interwoven events and their ripple effects were so satisfying I enjoyed every escalation and twist.

Chapter structure also felt lighter compared to book one. I wasn’t bored often on the contrary, I was so engaged I finished the book in just three days, unable to put it down. The prose seemed slightly changed too, and perhaps that shift made the pacing feel smoother and more fluid.

The book introduces many new characters, which was both frustrating and enjoyable. Frustrating because tracking so many people gets overwhelming but enjoyable because it enriched my view of the world and its moving parts.

I noticed Robin really toned down her tendency to rush into relationships, which made the new dynamics more believable and palatable. I’m not sure why she didn’t write them like this from the beginning with gradual buildup and clear logic. But as the saying goes, better late than never.

One issue I had, though, was with how the POV transitions were handled. Sometimes the switches between characters were smooth and clear, but other times, they felt abrupt like you’d suddenly find yourself in a different character’s mind without warning, realizing it only because the style changed. This inconsistency didn’t serve the narrative well, and I really wish Robin had stuck to a consistent, recognizable method for switching perspectives.

In my previous review, most of my criticism was about the characters particularly Althea, Brashen, and Malta. Now, I can say Malta has grown. Her writing improved, and she became one of the characters I enjoyed following.

Althea and Brashen, on the other hand, are still weak and shallow. It feels like they’ve experienced no real development. Their personalities remain broken and unconvincing. However, the events around them grew far more engaging, so I found myself invested in the unfolding story more than the people driving it. The strange part is that Robin is known for character-driven stories, where the plot emerges from internal struggles. But in this book, the plot itself leads the narrative. And while it sometimes succeeded in masking the ugliness or flatness of certain characters, I still couldn’t bring myself to care about Althea or Brashen. What drew me in was what happened around them not within them.

Althea, in particular, remains one of the weakest characters in the series. Every decision she makes must first be validated by someone else. She constantly asks, “What should I do?” and receives the same generic encouragement: “You’re strong. You can do this. Prove yourself.” Then magically, the problem is solved. At the very least, if the person advising her offered a new idea or strategy, it would be more tolerable. But it’s just empty cheerleading like something out of Powerpuff Girls and it doesn’t make for believable growth. Robin stuffed a lot into her character, but none of it was built properly. Here we are in book two, and I’ve yet to see her genuinely overcome anything on her own. As a reader, she feels like a burden on me and on everyone around her. The contrast with Malta is almost painful. I used to hate Malta, but she’s younger and manages to hold her own.

Some characters weren’t evil or good they were just written to be annoying, without depth or complexity. Their presence weighed the book down, as if their only role was to ruin the mood. Thankfully, they were either developed further or phased out, which was a relief. I don’t mind evil or noble characters if they’re written smartly, but writing someone as hateful for no reason adds nothing it just drains you.

Malta in book one felt like a bratty, villainous character with no clear motivation. But in this book, the narrative worked on her flaws and gave her depth that made me pay attention to every scene she appeared in. Her transformation felt realistic and well paced though it could’ve been even better with more time. Still, it wasn’t rushed, and its impact on the story felt earned and believable. And to be honest, I’m shocked to say this but I now care about her. I used to want her dead. Now I’m worried about her fate.

The new characters were excellent well written, thoughtfully flawed, and human. Cosgo surprised me. Based on book one, I expected a foolish, obnoxious character. Instead, I got someone driven by base desires but layered with cunning. He’s a ruler born to power and that legacy brought with it some intelligence and strategy, even if he’s corrupt. At least he’s not stupid. That alone redeemed Robin in my eyes.

As for Serilla, she’s sharp and manipulative in a believable way. Even when injured or humiliated, she maintains composure. Her pain and sorrow feel real or maybe I just don’t know how someone like her processes those emotions, which made her behavior seem authentic. What I appreciated most was how her plans didn’t always work. Sometimes they’d seem solid and then collapse. Other times, they’d succeed against the odds. That unpredictability made every scene she was in gripping. Despite limited appearances, her presence was powerful. The same applies to Reyn and the other newcomers they were written with care, no rushed arcs, no artificial depth. Every character was introduced naturally and developed in a way that felt earned.

Kennit remains the best written character in the book. The truths revealed about him were shocking. I initially thought he was just a charismatic madman. But Robin revealed that his sickness runs deep even infecting those closest to him. His character represents a layered evil born from deep psychological trauma. What impressed me most was that Robin didn’t just show us what he became she explained why he became that way. His past justifies, to a large extent, his present. It’s a haunting past, the kind that would shatter anyone and forge something monstrous in return. What I admire isn’t who he is now, but how he became this way. I’m fascinated by how a child becomes this man shaped by family, abuse, or outside forces. Trauma forges a person the way a blacksmith shapes iron, each strike leaving a mark. Even his current goals tie back to that past, which gives him real depth. He’s not just a man with a past his past still controls him. Just when you think he’s hit bottom, he finds a darker place to go.

Wintrow, like Kennit, retained his growth and gained even more complexity. I loved how he’s still the introspective boy, always questioning his actions and emotions. His internal dialogue continues, and the storm inside him reflects in his surroundings. He’s a consistent character at his core, but open to change and that’s the kind of character that sticks with you. He grows without losing his essence.

There was one moment I found especially weak. A character abruptly says, “Go on, I’ll stay behind. I’ve lost the will to live.” These kinds of scenes are often framed as noble sacrifices, but this one felt hollow and unconvincing. Some may justify it as trauma driven or dramatic, but I saw it as lazy. There was no good reason for him not to escape with the others. His presence mattered. He could’ve faced the consequences later there was no need for that sacrifice in that moment.

The ending was open ended it didn’t try to tie everything up. On the contrary, it introduced more questions and made the world richer and more complex. Some of those questions left me dizzy, but they raised anticipation to a new level. This is exactly how a second book in a trilogy should end not with finality, but with weight and momentum. I didn’t feel like anything was missing, but rather like I was being pulled eagerly into what comes next. show less

To read more reviews in this series and others, check out my blog keikii eats books!

100 points, 5 STARS!

Quote:

"Everything in my life that I was sure I would do someday has always been snatched away when it was almost within my reach. Perhaps it will again."

Review:
The Mad Ship... Where to even start with this review? I'm not certain. So much happens in The Mad Ship. Without reading Ship of Magic, you would be able to follow along, but you wouldn't have the context. You wouldn't know how things are so absolutely brilliant. So many things happen, yet nothing is solved. And nothing will be the same as it was in the beginning by the end of the series.

If I couldn't say with certainty that the best thing Robin Hobb does is her characters, show more I would say it is her worldbuilding. The Realm of the Elderlings is absolutely unreal. At the start of the Farseer trilogy and Liveship Traders we knew nothing about the Elderlings. And because we knew nothing, I instantly wanted to know everything. The Mad Ship is the start to us learning more about them. Like, holy fucking shit the revelations in this book are unreal and I honestly hurt inside trying to contain my amazement.

The Liveships are without a doubt the most unique thing I have ever read in fantasy. I have never seen their like. I haven't even seen anything close to the Liveships before. The revelations about them throughout the book, the hints that we have seen since the start. I'm absolutely amazed at the brilliance of the writing of the Liveships.

Liveships are people, too. They are as much characters in this series as everyone else. I talked about Althea and Malta, my beloved Wintrow, and Kennit and motherfucking Kyle in the previous review. But the ships are amazing characters. Vivacia is a young, impressionable girl. She is desperate for validation. And Kennit is trying to turn her into a pirate ship, because Kennit is a fucking asshole. Kennit is charming her as a man charms a woman, and I hate him. Also, what is he doing to my poor Wintrow?!

Then there is Paragon, the Mad Ship. Beached for years, bitter as hell. Paragon has killed his family again and again before returning home. Yet, what is the real story? What happened? Why can't he remember what he did? Paragon is quite mad, in fact. He throws tantrums. He wants to be accepted but he fears it as much as he wants it. He is a scared little boy, just trying to die. And Liveships don't die easy. Yet Althea and Brashen, with help from Amber, convince him to go after Vivacia and rescue her from the pirates. I love Paragon.

Oh, and Amber. Amber isn't a new character. And I love her to pieces. And boy was I in for a shock when I put some very elaborate pieces together about Amber. I'm still shocked.

Robin Hobb just knows how to write. I almost kind of hate myself for not reading her sooner. I don't understand how anything can be so damn good. I'm about to start the third and final Liveship Traders book, and I'm scared, and I'm hopeful, but I just have to get to the end. show less

I finished this today and overall, thought it was excellent. However, I almost feel like there are too many plot threads—an awful lot will have to come together in the next book to bring this arc of the overall series to a satisfying conclusion. It’s a mixed bag—on the one hand, I love the complexity, but on the other hand, just as one storyline moves forward, Hobb abandons it to take up another, and so, the book had a rather disjointed feel to it.

Having said all that, I really liked the way the characters are developing, maturing, gaining depth and nuances. The most obvious is Malta, but also Keffria, Wintrow, Brashen, and Etta.

I suspected a connection between the sea serpents and the dragons, but not the idea that wizardwood is show more made of the hardened cocoons of serpents becoming dragons. The visions/memories/dreams from the buried Elderling city were enchanting, and yet, so sad. Was it a volcanic eruption that burned the city, or a severe earthquake? And the tie-in with the Farseer trilogy (the dragon graveyard) was also enlightening, that those were created dragons, artistic sculptures with relatively brief lives, not true dragons born from the serpent-woven cocoons.

Amber continues to be my favorite character, and I think perhaps she may be the Fool. I always think of the Fool as being somewhat fragile, and I don’t see Amber that way, but maybe the Fool regained his/her strength after the events in the Farseer trilogy. The Fool was changing at the end of [b:Assassin's Quest|33396914|Assassin's Quest (Farseer Trilogy, #3)|Robin Hobb|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1481883253s/33396914.jpg|503752]. When Paragon tells Amber there are two of him, Amber tells him that she has felt that way, too, and she says her “other one” was a friend with whom she used to talk a lot. She says, “Sometimes I hear myself still talking to him, and I know how he would answer.” Talking about Fitz?

I also think the change in Vivacia is so interesting—her role as a pirate ship seems to appeal to what we now know is her dragon nature. The Vivacia/Wintrow/Kennit/Etta quad is very intriguing, and one of my favorite storylines.

The next book should be quite a ride! show less

I am at absolute odds with loving Hobb's strong female characters and absolutely despising her seeming lack of feminist ideals. I'm reminded a bit of a shadow of Gabaldon's "Outlander" characters who seem incapable of defending themselves against any sort of hardship or danger.

Hobb's characters are made of much stronger stuff - and I keep hoping that each strong woman will find her way without the help or support of a male lead - but have so far been quite disappointed.

Don't get me wrong - the story is absolutely amazing. The world-building is enticing and beautiful. The characters are believable - even lovable. Most of them are female - which I love - I'm just too damn old and have seen too damn much of life to give 5 stars to a show more story that still finds women lacking, despite all their strengths and capabilities.

Maybe I'll have a chance to ask Hobb about this at her Denver Comic Con panel this Saturday! show less

Having read the first book of the Tawny Man trilogy before reading this one, many things were obvious that would not have been otherwise. =)

This book is a continuation of the Liveship Traders trilogy. Robin Hobb has a gift for moving a story along without making it feel rushed. This book was packed with significant events and interesting development of the characters, the story, and the world.

Speaking of the world, as of this book, I've started strongly suspecting that Hobb is building up an epic story one trilogy at a time, and I very much like where it's going.