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A review by mkmcelroy
Ship of Destiny by Robin Hobb
adventurous
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
A strong ending to an excellent series. With the number of threads left dangling in Mad Ship, I was skeptical that Ship of Destiny would wrap up in a satisfying way. By Hobb did a masterful job bringing each thread to its own conclusion in a way that felt natural but not predictable.
Paragon, Vivacia, and Tintaglia were all highlights of this book for me. Between the three of them, we see completely different character journeys and yet each one was fascinating to watch. Somehow Hobb manages to create curiosity and interest in such a slowly built way that I don’t realize it until I’m in the thick of it. Even then, it doesn’t feel rushed so much as just ‘coming along for the ride’.
In my opinion, the best way to describe this book/series is along those lines. It’s a slowly building story that sweeps you up almost imperceptibly and resists being rushed through. While I’d recommend the series to anyone, I’d also caution that this is the kind of story to be savored. While those looking for a fast-paced read won’t find it here, Hobb uses that extra time to build a intricate world and characters that more than make up for it.
Paragon, Vivacia, and Tintaglia were all highlights of this book for me. Between the three of them, we see completely different character journeys and yet each one was fascinating to watch. Somehow Hobb manages to create curiosity and interest in such a slowly built way that I don’t realize it until I’m in the thick of it. Even then, it doesn’t feel rushed so much as just ‘coming along for the ride’.
In my opinion, the best way to describe this book/series is along those lines. It’s a slowly building story that sweeps you up almost imperceptibly and resists being rushed through. While I’d recommend the series to anyone, I’d also caution that this is the kind of story to be savored. While those looking for a fast-paced read won’t find it here, Hobb uses that extra time to build a intricate world and characters that more than make up for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape