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Summary: Ship of Destiny by Robin Hobb
Review: This book is an excellent conclusion to an excellent series. Robin Hobb writes exceptionally and her character development is complete and detailed. I waited months for this book and bought it as soon as I could because Robin Hobb never ceases to amaze me with her creativity and ability to mold her readers emotions. Another amazing thing about her writing is how unpredictable it is. Creating an action packed world, a riveting and imaginative fantasy, as well as addressing issues like slavery and maintaining entertainment value are all well within Robin Hobb's skill. All those features and more are delivered repeatedly throughout the Liveship Traders Trilogy
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Summary: Fitting Finale
Review: Hobb shows us again her master of the literary art. This book was very well written, combining all of the important elements of fiction. From consistent inconsistency, to theme and plot the book was enticing. Just like reality, when you think you like a character, Hobb gives you a reason to dislike them and challenges you decide. Just when you finally hate a character hobb gives them a bit of nobility. Hobb has a way of making you feel for those characters even when you truly don't want to. It is clear that Hobb is the master of the story.
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Summary: This isn't funny
Review: It's just not funny.. how amazingly excellent this book is. To truly understand how well written this book is... you need to really have read Hobb's first series... the Assassin's series... and then the Liveship Trader's series.This book is pure genius... everything finally comes together... the secrets... the weird characters that were aloof for two books... the families... the... everything... finally comes together and makes sence finally. You can visibly SEE the characters mature... it's magnificant... The world Hobb created... so different... whilst still categorised under this genre... Do it justice... read them all.
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Summary: A conclusion in conflict but a continuation in life
Review: I loved Robin Hobb's writings, though more a fan of the Farseer series then Magic ship traders, I still paid the extra for express delivery. I found the book extremely enjoyable, though as others have mentioned the jumping from character to character is some what fustrating as is the dragon's arrogance and disregard for those she must depend on. AS the ending of Magic Ship Traders I could not ask for more, she concluded the series beautifully, with betrayal, acceptance, love and struggle. But this isn't a conclusion and everyone seemes to have missed a very important character, Amber! Sense I do not want to spoil anything I will only mention that Robin Hobb has brough one character from the Farseer series to the magic ship traders and has suggest she will be sending that character back.
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Summary: Not your typical fantasy work
Review: This is a fine conclusion to an extremely well-detailed and imaginative series. It departs from the genre in that its characters are not exceptionally gifted or powerful adventurers or warriors. Instead, they're traders and sailors and matriarchs in more of a sixteenth to seventeenth century atmosphere. The discussions amongst the Vestrit women in Bingtown and the political machinations do tend to drag in places, and some of the plot lines are tied either too neatly or too loosely at the end. (Who/what is Amber? Did I miss a revelation?) Nevertheless, as with the Farseer Trilogy, this trilogy is a breath of fresh air--with some fine writing, too. I would now like to criticize and rebut the extreme and unjust comments in the 10/28/00 review by Survivor 33, who stated that Ms. Hobb believes it is acceptable to rape characters. This is simply wrong. Yes, there are rapes in the trilogy; and yes, one's heart can go out to those who have themselves been scarred by the evil of others in real life. However, shall authors then refrain from holding a mirror up to such evil, where it can be seen and considered and condemned? The following quote from p. 437 of the hardcover edition should sufficiently rebut Survivor 33's insulting claim: "'It is the greatest wrong that can be done to a female, human or dragon. It affronts and disgusts me on all levels. If you have done this . . . it is irreparable. Not even your death could atone for it.'" Enough said. In sum, this book and trilogy are imperfect, but they are engaging. The first, Ship of Magic, is particularly strong.
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Summary: Wonderful complex world and complex characters
Review: Robin Hobb doesn't take the easy way out and give us all good or all evil characters. One of the most sympathetic characters breaks his promises, threatens the extinction of a sapient species (dragons) and commits rape. Still, Hobb is dealing with real people and their very flaws make it easier for us to identify with them (don't worry, the rapist is punished). The concept of the Liveship--self-aware ships made from the corpses of dragons is high fantasy and Hobb creates a world that is worthy of these great ships. This huge novel and series flies across multiple viewpoint characters and threads of the adventure, all pulling together in a creative whole. I would have liked to see a little less of the plot device of the lovers who can't tell each other how they really feel. On the other hand, the plight of the serpents/dragons, in serious danger of extinction, may bring you to tears.
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Summary: Atonishing climax to unforgettable saga!
Review: I just finished Hobb's classic Liveship epic.As I close the book I just let the images of her series set in my mind.Hobb's talents world-building, characterization, pacing are impeccable.In this novel you will learn the incredible secret that binds the liveships, dragons and sea serpents together.You will see characters like Malta Haven grow from spoil girl to a courageous young woman and you will the fate of Kennit, the ruthless pirate king.Kennit himself is a great achievement in that you have a man of great charisma, iron-will who does deeds both good and evil and is driven to a tragic destiny. Kennit is a character of almost shakespearian briliance!You will learn the connection between him and the tragically madship paragon.Another character that I loved was engimatic dragon,Tintaglia who can be both manipulative, charming and menacing at the same time!Hobb is also master of suspense as she describes vivid sea battles in great detail and her love and knowledge of the sea is very evident.You will also see how Young Winstrow grows into a able seaman and you will wince at the cowardly and weak satrap.A great ending to seafaring fantasy and another feather in Ms. Hobb's hat!
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Summary: I have an extremely strong antipathy for this book.
Review: I'm an abuse survivor, with very strong feelings of revulsion about this book. In respect of of Amazon's review policy, I am holding back. However, I feel obligated as a survivor to say this: Robin Hobb considers it acceptable to rape characters. RAPE IS NEVER ACCEPTABLE! I'd have chosen a vastly lower rating than one star if there was one available to choose. Any other survivor reading this, you need to know it could cause you flashbacks or nightmares. I would not recommend this book to anyone, but especially not to another survivor.
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Summary: Was it rushed to the publishers?
Review: The best thing about this series is that you have to have compassion for the "bad guys," although we never get to see it from Chalced's point of view. While it was nice to finish the series in three books, I felt that the book must have been rushed to print. Hobb herself didn't keep the storyline as clean as in the past, and rushed the plot along. Characterization was best in the first 2 books, and too shallow in this last. Did anyone else notice the really terrible editing job the publishers did on this? Chapter 18 was included twice, among other typesetting errors. Overall a good series, and recommended mind candy.
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Summary: Great Conclusion
Review: What an incredible conclusion to the Liveship Traders series! While it started off slowly, it soon picked up the pace and continued this intensity all the way to the end. Hobb also threw some surprises in there that I never would have expected, and also hinted at some things I will not discuss here for fear of spoiling the surprise. While this series was very different from Farseer, it is just as incredible, and will probably appeal to more people. (Meaning even if you didn't like Farseer, give this one a try anyway). It only illustrates Hobb's mastery of the story. I would recommend the new reader to begin with Ship of Magic, the first book in this trilogy.
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