Blog this item

Ship of Magic

(The Liveship Traders, Book 1)

By Robin Hobb

(69)

| Hardcover | 9780553103243

Like Ship of Magic?
Join aNobii to see if your friends read it, and discover similar books!

Book Description

Robin Hobb's acclaimed Farseer trilogy--Assassin's Apprentice, Royal Assassin, and Assassin's Quest--wove a spellbinding tale of magic, passion, and glory.  Now, in the first book of a new trilogy set in the same world, she tells the magnificent story of a proud seafaring clan and the enchanted ships that carry them on far-flung, ferocious tides....

Not far from the Six Duchies lies Bingtown, hub of exotic trade and home to a merchant nobility famed for its liveships--rare vessels carved from wizardwood, which ripens magically into sentient awareness.  Bingtown's Old Traders, their wealth eroded by northern wars and the rapacity of southern pirates, now face an influx of upstart merchants who bring change to a complex society.

The Vestrit family's only hope of renewed prosperity is the Vivacia, a liveship they have nurtured for three generations.  Now, as old Captain Vestrit lies dying in Bingtown, the Vivacia cuts homeward through the waves, about to quicken into a living being.  The ship carries Vestrit's daughter Althea and the conniving son-in-law he has named as the Vivacia's next captain.

But lovely, wild-spirited Althea, sailing the Vivacia with her father since childhood and sharing its half-awakened memories and ocean secrets, has bonded with the ship in her deepest soul.  Joined by Brashen--her father's first mate, now demoted by the Vivacia's new commander--she will stop at nothing in a bitter quest to claim its captaincy.

Meanwhile, in the rocky cays known as the Pirate Isles, a ruthless man lusts after his own kind of power.  The pirate captain Kennit, in his scheme to be king of this outlaw realm, has vowed that he will wrest a liveship from its owners and turn it to his own use.  His twisted ambition will bring him into a strange partnership with a boy-priest turned seaman--and into violent conflict with the wizardwood magic of Althea and Brashen.

From the peculiar magic realm of the Others to the bawdy, raucous lair of the pirates, Ship of Magic sweeps a dazzling cast of characters into an epic of terrible beauty and mysterious sorcery.

5 Reviews

1 person find this helpful

Book 1 of the Liveship Traders Trilogy.

Is this helpful?

Tif said on Mar 12, 2007 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback

*** This comment contains spoilers! ***

cool! another great job by Mrs. Hobb!
the characters are incredibly real: i was able to hate, despise, love or like each of them in a very short time (i hate Kyle and Malta; i do not trust Kennit at all; i definitely take the side of Althea and Wintrow; i appreciate a lot Amber and Paragon; i wish ... (continue)

cool! another great job by Mrs. Hobb!
the characters are incredibly real: i was able to hate, despise, love or like each of them in a very short time (i hate Kyle and Malta; i do not trust Kennit at all; i definitely take the side of Althea and Wintrow; i appreciate a lot Amber and Paragon; i wish Ephron did not die; i'm glad Torg did; i think i've fallen in love with Brashen).
the magic of the liveships is fascinating, the bond they are able to create with a family member is one of loyalty and respect, something i could long for.
the magic people of the wild river are as mysterious and concrete as they need to be to arise curiosity and affection. i look forward to reading more about them and about the Vivacia.

Is this helpful?

Chiara L'Onironauta said on Mar 2, 2010 about the Mass Market Paperback edition | Add your feedback

A great start to a series.....

Another great book by Hobb. Captain Kennitt is the original Jack Sparrow. I will be beginning the second book immediately.

Is this helpful?

shanetucker said on Nov 25, 2009 | Add your feedback

Very good - it's fatassy, but there are no elves or goblins. No wizards, no swords. Yay.

Is this helpful?

Digitalrob70 said on Mar 9, 2008 about the Paperback edition | Add your feedback