Reviews tagging 'Xenophobia'

The Mad Ship, by Robin Hobb

3 reviews

readwithbells's review against another edition

4.25

What a romp! I loved the character development in this one - watching Malta become an interesting and practical person is so satisfying after the first book. I’m so curious to see where it goes! I’m definitely not as attached to these characters as the Farseer ones (except for Kennit I’m obsessed with him) but I am genuinely interested in the story. 

This one does suffer from the middle book curse, and I was never super excited to pick it up, but once I did I was wrapped up in the story wholeheartedly. I love the experience of Hobb’s writing. She makes everything real and desperate and exciting. I’ll probably take a minute before the last instalment but it won’t be too far behind. 

Spoiler

I loved the explanations in this one that tie to the Farseer books, namely with Verity and the stone dragon. And watching Amber’s prophecy come true with the release of She Who Remembers ala Wintrow (the nine fingered boy) and the Tintaglia from Malta and Reyn. I’m curious as to Althea’s role in the next book. Where does she go from here? Does she get Vivacia back from Kennit? Will Vivacia even want her back? Will the serpents take her down? Will Wintrow want to return to a monk’s life? Will he and Etta fuck?? So many questions.

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Death, Injury/injury detail, and Sexism

Moderate: War and Xenophobia

talonsontypewriters's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Drug use, Slavery, Trafficking, Fire/Fire injury, Confinement, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Death, Murder, Injury/injury detail, Gore, Medical content, Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual violence, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Body horror, War, Abandonment, Grief, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Animal death, Addiction, Drug abuse, and Alcohol

Minor: Vomit, Classism, Ableism, Excrement, Death of parent, Homophobia, Pregnancy, and Xenophobia

Sexual coercion, abuse of power; victim blaming/rape culture (challenged), complicity in assault and abuse. Descriptions of sexual abuse and rape in captivity as well as the aftermath thereof, but no graphic scene; attempted rape and discussion thereof in one scene. Withdrawal. Illness, epidemic. Earthquakes. Relationships between adult men and pre-teen/teenage girls, as well as allusions to relationships between adult women and teenage boys.

emily_mh's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was everything I expected and wanted from a Robin Hobb book! Seeing all the characters evolving in their own way was so satisfying. It is a testament to Hobb’s talent that Malta was one of my most hated characters of all time at the end of the last book, but I absolutely loved her by the end of this book. It was also a joy to see the plot really come into itself (the pacing was a lot better in this instalment). I cannot wait to read Ship of Destiny!

---

Content Warnings

Graphic: Medical content, Injury/injury detail, Rape, Confinement, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Drug use, Cursing, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Murder, Blood, Ableism, Violence, Drug abuse, Animal death, Animal cruelty, War, Toxic relationship, Gore, Slavery, Addiction, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Car accident, Sexism, Misogyny, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Excrement, Classism, Torture, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, Toxic friendship, Xenophobia, Pregnancy, Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, Grief, Body shaming, Alcohol, Physical abuse, Fatphobia, Infertility, and Child death

Major warning for earthquakes. Moderate warnings for internalised ableism, toxic masculinity, flooding. Minor warnings for aphobia, suicidal ideation, drowning, insects, illness, gambling, stillbirth, loss of a loved one, eye trauma, volcano.