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A review by michaeljohnhalseartistry
Ship of Destiny by Robin Hobb
2.0
“When you fear to fail, you fear something that has not happened yet. You predict your own failure, and by inaction, lock yourself into it.”
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Well I've finally finished the Liveship Traders Trilogy and I couldn't be happier... that it's over, and I don't have to read it anymore.
I love Robin Hobb. From the moment I began Assassin's Apprentice I was enamoured with this world of the Elderlings that she had created. Her characters of Fitz and the Fool were multifaceted, complex characters with deep emotions and an intricate relationship, but in the Liveship Traders Trilogy some of that beautiful characterization was lost among the myriad of players who take centre stage here. I felt like I was being dragged along by a plot that went nowhere and by characters who had few redeeming qualities to make them interesting. Her characterization didn't quite make sense. I was confused by her villain, Kennit who was so selfish, rude, and condescending, but somehow managed to become revered by all those around him. I was confused with Serilla, whose own journey with sexual abuse wasn't depicted as delicately and emotionally-binding as was suggested, and I was confused about her entire role in general, take her out of this story, and nothing would change. And I found myself bored with Althea and Wintrow, whose stories didn't even end on a satisfying note. There was one character, however, that intrigued me... Amber. I won't spoil anything for readers, but if you've been reading the Hobbs's Realm of the Elderlings books in order, you've met Amber before, in a completely different guise. And I couldn't get enough of her character, I jumped every time she made an appearance and concentrated on what she had to say, trying to catch glimpses of characters and stories and prophecies from better novels.
In the end, this book, and in fact, this series, felt like one drawn out, dull story where nothing of import happened until the last 100 pages. Before the finale, it's all squiggling and squabbling over things that don't matter and conflicts that never get settled.
I will return to the Realm of the Elderlings Series with Fool's Errand and The Tawny Man Trilogy, but not until I take some time off from fantasy, some much needed time off.
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FOR MORE BOOK REVIEWS, MY OWN NOVELS, AND PHOTOGRAPHY, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE:
michaeljohnhalse.wix.com/michaeljohnhalse
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Well I've finally finished the Liveship Traders Trilogy and I couldn't be happier... that it's over, and I don't have to read it anymore.
I love Robin Hobb. From the moment I began Assassin's Apprentice I was enamoured with this world of the Elderlings that she had created. Her characters of Fitz and the Fool were multifaceted, complex characters with deep emotions and an intricate relationship, but in the Liveship Traders Trilogy some of that beautiful characterization was lost among the myriad of players who take centre stage here. I felt like I was being dragged along by a plot that went nowhere and by characters who had few redeeming qualities to make them interesting. Her characterization didn't quite make sense. I was confused by her villain, Kennit who was so selfish, rude, and condescending, but somehow managed to become revered by all those around him. I was confused with Serilla, whose own journey with sexual abuse wasn't depicted as delicately and emotionally-binding as was suggested, and I was confused about her entire role in general, take her out of this story, and nothing would change. And I found myself bored with Althea and Wintrow, whose stories didn't even end on a satisfying note. There was one character, however, that intrigued me... Amber. I won't spoil anything for readers, but if you've been reading the Hobbs's Realm of the Elderlings books in order, you've met Amber before, in a completely different guise. And I couldn't get enough of her character, I jumped every time she made an appearance and concentrated on what she had to say, trying to catch glimpses of characters and stories and prophecies from better novels.
In the end, this book, and in fact, this series, felt like one drawn out, dull story where nothing of import happened until the last 100 pages. Before the finale, it's all squiggling and squabbling over things that don't matter and conflicts that never get settled.
I will return to the Realm of the Elderlings Series with Fool's Errand and The Tawny Man Trilogy, but not until I take some time off from fantasy, some much needed time off.
-----
FOR MORE BOOK REVIEWS, MY OWN NOVELS, AND PHOTOGRAPHY, CHECK OUT MY WEBSITE:
michaeljohnhalse.wix.com/michaeljohnhalse