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fraggerbot's review against another edition
3.0
★★★½
Ship of Magic is a wonderful character-driven plot that starts tediously slow but eventually shows it's promise and potential by the end of the book
Disclaimer: I've read this book over five months, so my experience of this book may not be what one would feel if they read it consistently. I've seen quite many reviews that sing praises and thus, this is about my experience during this read.
My biggest complaint about Ship of Magic is it's pacing. I've already finished Farseer Trilogy, so I thought I am already used to Robin Hobb's writing style (which is a delight to read, at most places). Ship of Magic started at a snail pace and by the time things started to get interesting, I lost it. Add some chaos in life to it, this had been an on and off read. All the chapters are character PoV and most of them are over 30 min long, so if cannot read a chapter in one go, you will not get the right experience (which was the case for me).
Now, all is not bad here. I loved the concept of a Liveship and the whole process involved. The book takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions (including frustration) with the characters. There are a few brilliant moments of drama and writing that will stay with you for a good time. So if you've already read any of Robin Hobb's books, and loved it, this could be a favourite of yours.
I feel that the Conflict is a strong theme in this book. You see it within and between characters all the time. This can be seen across two of the plotlines, Wintrow-Kyle and Malta-Ronica/Keffria. There is plenty of drama between characters, if you are the kind who loves that.. But unfortunately that is my least favourite thing and as a result those parts bored me.
Another tough part for me are Malta's monologues.However, considering the way this book ended, there is a lot of character development for her in the future.
Speaking of characters, I feel Wintrow is the most fleshed out character in this book in terms of development. I also loved Vivacia, Althea, Ronica amongst others. Kyle reminds me of a typical Indian father.. he has a dream/plan that he wants his kid to inherit, but when his kid has other things in his mind. As a result, the kind of conflict that ensues and the kind of things he does, I could understand.
Amber and Paragon carry a good deal of mystery that I look forward to in the future reads.
Given that how I felt about the read and how long it went, I will take a break from this series for a while. But I will definitely come back to finish the Realm of the Elderlings stories in the future.
Ship of Magic is a wonderful character-driven plot that starts tediously slow but eventually shows it's promise and potential by the end of the book
Disclaimer: I've read this book over five months, so my experience of this book may not be what one would feel if they read it consistently. I've seen quite many reviews that sing praises and thus, this is about my experience during this read.
My biggest complaint about Ship of Magic is it's pacing. I've already finished Farseer Trilogy, so I thought I am already used to Robin Hobb's writing style (which is a delight to read, at most places). Ship of Magic started at a snail pace and by the time things started to get interesting, I lost it. Add some chaos in life to it, this had been an on and off read. All the chapters are character PoV and most of them are over 30 min long, so if cannot read a chapter in one go, you will not get the right experience (which was the case for me).
Now, all is not bad here. I loved the concept of a Liveship and the whole process involved. The book takes you through a rollercoaster of emotions (including frustration) with the characters. There are a few brilliant moments of drama and writing that will stay with you for a good time. So if you've already read any of Robin Hobb's books, and loved it, this could be a favourite of yours.
I feel that the Conflict is a strong theme in this book. You see it within and between characters all the time. This can be seen across two of the plotlines, Wintrow-Kyle and Malta-Ronica/Keffria. There is plenty of drama between characters, if you are the kind who loves that.. But unfortunately that is my least favourite thing and as a result those parts bored me.
Another tough part for me are Malta's monologues.
Spoiler
I understand that a thirteen year old dreams about dresses, jewellery and boys but reading chapters of monologues just about them felt a little tiring. She is a brat and probably was my least favourite character in this book.Speaking of characters, I feel Wintrow is the most fleshed out character in this book in terms of development. I also loved Vivacia, Althea, Ronica amongst others. Kyle reminds me of a typical Indian father.. he has a dream/plan that he wants his kid to inherit, but when his kid has other things in his mind. As a result, the kind of conflict that ensues and the kind of things he does, I could understand.
Amber and Paragon carry a good deal of mystery that I look forward to in the future reads.
Given that how I felt about the read and how long it went, I will take a break from this series for a while. But I will definitely come back to finish the Realm of the Elderlings stories in the future.
a_chickletz's review against another edition
5.0
I adored this book. I could sing praises forever about it. Alethea Vestrit and Brashen Trell are OTP. Even though they don't know it. They will come to know it.
I love the world of Robin Hobb. If you are looking for magic, pirates, interesting characters and narratives, read this book.
With eager hands I picked up Mad Ship, now I can't wait to continue the tale. After that ending. Woah.
I love the world of Robin Hobb. If you are looking for magic, pirates, interesting characters and narratives, read this book.
With eager hands I picked up Mad Ship, now I can't wait to continue the tale. After that ending. Woah.
sironigiri's review against another edition
5.0
What an amazing book.
Hobb have really improved everything from the first farseer trilogy.
Worldbuilding, characters I think even the prose have stepped up.
All characters are interesting, all are flawed and you get sucked into their unreliable perpective so easily. Often needing other characters to show you what is not told.
The story is the bestk ind of slow-burn where it takes it's time but you learn something interesting every chapter. A lot of things are seeded in a very interesting way.
Finally! I think this is the best book I've ever read when it comes to broken home or abusive relationships and slavery. Both subjects are handled in a way that chilled me to the bone and makes the issue bury itself deep into your conciousness. Perfect moments that I will keep with me forever. Read this book!
Hobb have really improved everything from the first farseer trilogy.
Worldbuilding, characters I think even the prose have stepped up.
All characters are interesting, all are flawed and you get sucked into their unreliable perpective so easily. Often needing other characters to show you what is not told.
The story is the bestk ind of slow-burn where it takes it's time but you learn something interesting every chapter. A lot of things are seeded in a very interesting way.
Finally! I think this is the best book I've ever read when it comes to broken home or abusive relationships and slavery. Both subjects are handled in a way that chilled me to the bone and makes the issue bury itself deep into your conciousness. Perfect moments that I will keep with me forever. Read this book!
thesuperiorlot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
acereviews's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
feckless_dullard's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
5.0
lewisct's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
keairarose's review against another edition
3.5
FINALLY OMG ... this took me so so sososossosososo long.. I mean it is 830 pages but thats LIGHT WORK for me, there were many times where I was like okay lets move on then other POVs where I was super engaged.
Overall I was more engaged than not so 3.5 because I really love Althea and I want to see her thrive
Overall I was more engaged than not so 3.5 because I really love Althea and I want to see her thrive
brynalexa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Brilliant! Everyone I’ve heard say that this trilogy is the worst of the Elderling group is wrong! 😅
The character work is amazing- you hate every character at one point or another but you know why they are the way they are.
The way Hobb takes on slavery, greed, coming of age, passion, religion, and probably other themes I’m not remembering, is expertly crafted.
When I first started I thought “why is she writing about men again?!” But she isn’t 😀
The ending was wrapped up so smoothly with a lot left to ponder on for the next book.
The character work is amazing- you hate every character at one point or another but you know why they are the way they are.
The way Hobb takes on slavery, greed, coming of age, passion, religion, and probably other themes I’m not remembering, is expertly crafted.
When I first started I thought “why is she writing about men again?!” But she isn’t 😀
The ending was wrapped up so smoothly with a lot left to ponder on for the next book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Slavery, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Excrement, Vomit, Medical content, Trafficking, Kidnapping, Grief, Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol, Colonisation, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
seekerxr's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I struggled heavily with this book. My enjoyment of the Farseer Trilogy vs my enjoyment of this book is like day and night. I can honestly say there was only one POV character that I actually genuinely liked, and all the rest fell on a scale of disliked to actively loathed. This entire book just felt like a constant cycle of 'good guys' going through it with no end in sight, which was depressing and boringly repetitive to a reader, and 'bad guys' doing bad things and somehow getting away with it every single time, to which I have the same complaint.
Wintrow, I liked. I liked that he tried to stick to his ideals and to who he really was despite everything he went through. I wish he had been firmer and maybe a bit more ruthless if only to keep people from using him, but he is only 13/14 so I understand why he couldn't really do that yet. Hated where his story went.
Althea, I flipped between sympathizing and being incredibly annoyed with her. Yes she was naive and inexperienced but I felt like even passively acknowledging that would let all the sexist jerks in the story win so I was at a crossroads. She made some stupid decisions that I think she should've known better than to, but she's also only 18 and somewhat spoiled. I'm conflicted on my final feelings on her.
Everyone else, I really didn't like. Breshen was insufferable, Ronica had all the wisdom to know better and chose not to, Keffria was spineless when she didn't have to be she literally CHOSE to, and Malta was especially irritating and had me disgusted at her even though she's the youngest cast member at only 12 and should've gotten leeway from me. She didn't. She's an awful person and I hated being in her head, even though her scenes were actually interesting sometimes. I actually liked Kennit more than most of the 'good' characters because being in his head was interesting. He never acts like anything else other than who he is, at least in his own head. He's not interested in being a good person, just acting like one so he can get what he wants.
The lore was pretty much the only thing that had me pushing through until the end. I want to get back to Fitz and the Fool and I know there's lore I just can't miss in this book that I need to continue the story. Otherwise I would've DNFed. Even though there were parts I actually enjoyed, which earned this book its 3.25, I was still heavily skimming by the end and just wanting it to be over.
I honestly have no clue how I'm going to get through the rest of this trilogy.
Wintrow, I liked. I liked that he tried to stick to his ideals and to who he really was despite everything he went through. I wish he had been firmer and maybe a bit more ruthless if only to keep people from using him, but he is only 13/14 so I understand why he couldn't really do that yet. Hated where his story went.
Althea, I flipped between sympathizing and being incredibly annoyed with her. Yes she was naive and inexperienced but I felt like even passively acknowledging that would let all the sexist jerks in the story win so I was at a crossroads. She made some stupid decisions that I think she should've known better than to, but she's also only 18 and somewhat spoiled. I'm conflicted on my final feelings on her.
Everyone else, I really didn't like. Breshen was insufferable, Ronica had all the wisdom to know better and chose not to, Keffria was spineless when she didn't have to be she literally CHOSE to, and Malta was especially irritating and had me disgusted at her even though she's the youngest cast member at only 12 and should've gotten leeway from me. She didn't. She's an awful person and I hated being in her head, even though her scenes were actually interesting sometimes. I actually liked Kennit more than most of the 'good' characters because being in his head was interesting. He never acts like anything else other than who he is, at least in his own head. He's not interested in being a good person, just acting like one so he can get what he wants.
The lore was pretty much the only thing that had me pushing through until the end. I want to get back to Fitz and the Fool and I know there's lore I just can't miss in this book that I need to continue the story. Otherwise I would've DNFed. Even though there were parts I actually enjoyed, which earned this book its 3.25, I was still heavily skimming by the end and just wanting it to be over.
I honestly have no clue how I'm going to get through the rest of this trilogy.