Reviews

Mad Ship by Robin Hobb

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batrock's review against another edition

4.0

At first this seems like more set up, and most of it is, but then Hobb reveals her gift to the audience: Malta. This girl, who had been one of the most irritating and wrong-headed characters in a series full of them as antagonists, is forced to grow up as the story progresses. Her development is a major reward, to the point where the Mad Ship of the title seems to be playing third fiddle to two more important and compelling story lines.

Yes, this may be a novel wherein nothing much is concluded, and people are moving around in anticipation of their concluding volume, but what Hobb offers us in the way of character and ideas - even in the slightly tough serpents - is marvellous. On the strength of this book alone I am definitely going to seek out the rest of her output.

waifparty's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious reflective slow-paced

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

juushika's review against another edition

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4.0

With Vivacia taken by pirates and the Satrap en route to Bingtown, revolution approaches the Cursed Shores. This is a difficult book to review alone, because it is distinctly more of the same in a style one ("one book with extra pieces of cardboard") series and not an independent story in itself. As with the first book, this is overlong but its relaxed style and intimate focus on a large cast is immersive. It's frequently unpleasant to read, as sexism and slavery remain forefront and this time PoV characters experience sexual assault and rape, and because interpersonal dynamics are plagued by manipulation and poor communication. But this is balanced by significant character growth and magical worldbuilding of larger scale and detail than was present in the Farseer Trilogy. Despite flaws and caveats, I find this series absorbing; I look forward to the final book.

cetooley's review against another edition

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5.0

The idiots became badasses :D

The idiots I so enjoyed reading about became all a bunch of badasses. I really liked their character progression. Gonna start the next in the series right away :)

kair_ree's review against another edition

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5.0

This series gets better and better. I seriously enjoyed the Farseer trilogy, but Liveship traders is an absolute treat. Full of characters that grab your heart and imagination and a twisting mythology for you to unravel as it goes. There are surprises and delights, heartaches and challenges. And smart confirmations for the things you've suspected but weren't quite sure of. It's a wonder. I should write more, but there aren't enough words and I'm desperate to dive into the next installment. 10 out of 10 stars. This was everything.