Rating: 
Summary: Fast read -- great characters -- a fitting end to the series
Review: The final 100 pages may have been slow to some, but they were fast enough to keep me awake till 6AM finishing the book -- and I'm normally a person who can put anything down for sleep. Not so this trilogy. The final book leaves just enough questions to keep the world alive, available, and interesting without making you want to strangle Robin Hobb to get another volume out tomorrow, or so sick of the world that you hope she never touches it again. [I lean more toward the former category, whatever that's worth.] That's a delicate path to tread for any writer.This series is easily one of the best I've read in a long time. The characters are real: the beasts are fascinating and exotic, the bad guys aren't totally bad, and the good guys aren't totally good. The places are well drawn and the word pictures used to describe them are truly magnificent. For any aspiring writer, Robin's craft should be examined carefully. She knows how to do it right.
Rating: 
Summary: My faith in fantasy is renewed
Review: As a kid I loved fantasy, but over the years I dabbled less and less in it. Fantasy began to bore me. I'd read something like Terry Goodkind and be momentarily excited only to find that the story stretched on into numerous books becoming less and less plausible. But last Christmas my sister-in-law sent me the first two books of this trilogy and I couldn't wait to read the ending. It was a pleasure to read with a boatload of fascinating characters and nice touches of fantasy that didn't overwhelm the human story. I also read Robin Hobbs' Farseer series and it's a lot of fun (and even surprising) to see how these books connect. This book isn't perfect. The other reviewers have done a nice job giving examples of some of my minor gripes. However, this series is complete and well done. And one final note: Since no one else has mentioned this, I have to say I admire how the author developed the irritating, pathetic, funny character of the Satrap. Like the other characters, he wasn't static. He changed and found some wisdom through his trials. But unlike a typical Hollywood story, he didn't become that noble. His trials changed him a bit, but he kept his inherent characteristics. Interesting stuff.
Rating:
Summary: A great series but we need more...
Review: I've been somewhat depressed since finishing this last book in the Liveship series. It was a wonderful story and even though the author will return with more on Fitzchivalry, it's very hard for me to say good-bye to the characters in this novel! I've often thought that a third trilogy in this world that finally takes us into the Chalced States could fully explain it's evil history and bring about some force for revolution. Let's hope that Fitz will be joined there with Amber, Althea, Brashen, Clef, Ronica, Reyn and the ships!! I'm also dissatisfied with the ending. Many details seem to have been rushed by in an effort to tie things up quickly. I can't believe that the reunion in Bingtown was not described. Neither was the reaction of the Bingtown folks to the news from Jamailla. Huge construction projects were undertaken in the Rain Wilds and only hinted at. A final conversation between Althea and Wintrow must have happened off the page and we can only guess at its contents. In fact, we don't hear Althea's voice much at all in the second half of the book. What happened to her passion? It would be different if she had had an opportunity for vengeance and chose forgiveness instead. I feel that she was robbed. Especially Kennit's lies wounded her and there is no final accounting or reparations. Why didn't she stand up and denounce him? Why didn't Brashen tell everyone what happened during the "truce". Why was Wintrow and everyone except the wizardwood charm/conscience taken in by Kennit's manipulations? Kennit may have begun to face the pain of his past, but he never acknowledges his current misdeeds and especially his lies. And it is just painful to read as one person after the next falls for his machinations. He never truly becomes whole without facing himself. Still, this is one of the best trilogies I have read and my main complaint is that it's over! Please have some of these characters sail on!
Rating:
Summary: Finally, I can sleep again...
Review: I finally finished reading Ship of Destiny and am more than satisfied at how the trilogy ended. Unlike Assassin's Quest, I had no trouble getting into the trilogy ending book (AQ started a bit slow for me). It remained a page turning throughout as I read it into the wee hours of the morning and at work and anywhere else where I could find the time. I am a bit disappointed that Amber's little quest was pretty much given "after-thought" status. Tintaglia I both like and feel very annoyed with, which I think was Ms. Hobb's intention. Selden, who was barely mentioned in the first book, became an amazing figure in the third and Malta matured from a spoiled brat to a woman I could truly admire (I am SOOO jealous of Reyn!!). I was heartened as well by Paragon coming to grips with his inner demons (dare I say dragons?), Althea's relationship with Vivacia, and Wintrow growing from a lost child to a true young man and leader. I cannot wait for the fourth Farseer book and I sincerely hope that in some way we get to see Amber resurface and more of her past brought to light. I will also expect to see some more scribings about the Vestrit family and the Rain Wilds. On final notes, Kyle Haven got his just desserts. Kennit, as much as Hobb wants us to understand him, still fails to gain my liking or sympathy, and Etta breaks free, finally, of her slave mentality. I would greatly like to see how she matures in the future. As for Serilla, well, she would fit right in as a Clinton mouthpiece on Capital Hill, though by the end I start to hold out hope for her. Was kinda hoping for a little more depth in regards to Kennit's mother. In a way I can understand her feelings and actions, but there just isn't enough of her there (no pun intended) for me to get a clear picture of. Hope I haven't given too much away. If I've spoiled anything, I'm sorry!! Now, go get the book, darnit!! Sa's Blessings :)
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Series Whose Conclusion Somewhat Disappoints
Review: After the strengths of the first two books, as well as the opening two thirds of this volume, I would have been willing to assert that this trilogy was one of the best works ever written in fantasy. In almost all respects, I continue to believe this. However, Hobb has somewhat sadly stumbled in the concluding hundred pages, appearing to rush to resolution, as if having once predetermined that this work would be a trilogy, she could not decide to extend it into a fourth book. This is truly unfortunate, has her conclusion appears rushed and, compared to the pages preceding, loosely wrapped up, with a resolution that is only barely satisfying. After all the character and plot development that led up to this work, the final hundred pages seem precipitate. The main characters come together abruptly and in a way that is largely contrived, several are disposed of summarily, and everyone else lives happily ever after. While this type of fairy tale ending may satisfy some, I found the conclusion to Hobb's earlier Farseer Trilogy far more credible. Further, the disposal of the Chalcedians, the plot against Bingtown and the Satrapy of Jamaillia, the restitution of the Vestritts, and the rescue of the fortunes of the Wild River Traders, as well as Reyn and Malta's new identities, never reach full fruition, rather arbitrarily and hastily wrapped up as are so many other plot threads earlier so well developed and measuredly evolved, and Wintrow's fate in particular seems atrophied. Finally, the mystery of Maulkin's Tangle gets settled simply with a quick trip up the river. While I continue to believe overall that this is one of the best works of fantasy that I have read, I nonetheless remain mildly disappointed in the ending. After the investment of time and energy, both by the author and myself, in setting up and developing a wonderful story, I can only wish that she had been willing to committ an equal amount of time and development to her ending, which would have provided the substantial balance needed to conclude this story fully. As is, the ending seems somewhat stillborn, with so much more that it could have offered. I can only say that I'm sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: A Good Place to End It
Review: I have certainly have enjoyed this incarnation of Ms. Hobb'swork much more than I did when she was writing as Meghan Lindholm. The ideas for the Mad Ship trilogy were intriguing, though I found I was more intrigued when told what the books were about than by the actual books themselves. The series had played itself out more or less by the end of the second book. I'm glad to have had a chance to visit with Kennit again before the end of the story, but I am equally glad that it is over now. It's time.
Rating:
Summary: great late night reading
Review: I am so thankful for a great series that comes to a satisfactory conclusion in 3 books. I loved her Assasin trilogy but enjoyed this one even more. The characterization was great. I cared about how each of the main characters fared. Although the ending was Hollywood-like(just how you would want it to be) and there were some bits that were not filled out (Amber sought for Wintrow just to tell him that?) the writing was exceptional. As an avid consumer of escapist fantasy, I felt this was one of the best series I have read (comparable with early Goodkind, Jordan, Martin). There were some obvious machinations of plot to arrive at the desired end, but I raced through the last 100 pages to find out what would happen to each well developed character
Rating:
Summary: Yes, the river still knows...
Review: Hobb definitely has something most present-day fantasy authors don't. Her plotlines, characters and endings really are somewhat removed from the most boring clichés, although I wouldn't go as far as to say that she is the most original of her genre. She has created quite a believable world; also her text is colourful and a joy to read. Her books are real page-turners. This third volume of the Liveship Traders took the story to a satisfying conclusion - in under 3000 pages, something Robert Jordan couldn't ever do. So, a good read, if you like the genre. As it comes to myself, I read many kinds of literature, not just fantasy, which means I am accustomed to, well, an adult perspective. Dragons and sea-serpents are just not for me. I like humans more. Especially the dragon in this series was very annoying; Hobb could've done with a lesser amount of "proving" how brilliant and overwhelmingly powerful Tintaglia was. In fact, the dragon was a rather weak deus ex machina. So, one point less for the dragon, but still a fine series and a fine volume three.
Rating:
Summary: True to form...
Review: A truly epic finale to a great series, Ship of Destiny exemplifies many of Robin Hobb's great strengths as a writer: immaculate character development, a sense of drama, and an eye for plot. Her Liveship Traders trilogy is a fitting "sequel" to her Farseer Saga, though I feel the latter to be a superior work. Not that the author has regressed in recent years. On the contrary! While her approach has changed somewhat, her style, which resounded through the Farseer Saga, remains the winning formula in Liveship Traders. Hobb's penchant for the tragic, while leaving its mark in this latest book, has nevertheless been abated somewhat from her last trilogy. Her endings are reminescent of Chekhov's open, suggestive approach, giving away hints of the characters' fates but not exactly setting anything in stone. However, I would not expect to see a true sequel to Liveship Traders. This story is ended, though not in the definite terms that the modern reader seems to have come to expect. Still, Robin Hobb has created a wondrous world with her two trilogies, a world which I hope she will continue to explore. As for this book...if you have not yet read the first two books of the trilogy, then Ship of Destiny is reason enough to buy and read them, especially now that they are out in paperback. However, each book is in itself reason enough to read Hobb's works.
Rating:
Summary: A Great Read
Review: This is Good stuff the story or should I say stories all come together into a marvelous fast paced finally to a really exceptional trilogy Robin Hobb is getting better and better The Farseer books where O.K. but these LiveShip Books.... Any way it all gets wrapped up in this book, the pirate story line is my favorite the Etta and Wintrow characters grow and mature as you watch them as does the pirate Isles I read mesmerized at the birth of a kingdom. The sea battles are as good as you will get without cannon and I really liked the Dragon. The only gripe I have with this book is that it dwells a lot on Malta but it's only a little gripe. One thing I will say is after you have finished Ship of Destiny go back and start over reading Assassins Apprentice you will get a lot more out of it this time the amount of planning the author must have put in to the Dragon and Fool story lines is staggering A sequel about the pirate Isles would be very welcome but I will certainly read the Authors next book if it isn't.
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