Rating: 
Summary: Dark Undercurrents
Review: OK, let's say right off that it reminded me a bit of a bodice-ripping potboiler, except that when the pot began to boil the contents didn't just cook down into goo. The image of the mad ship Paragon's living figurehead screaming and flailing underwater for months is striking and unpleasant. The offstage threat of the mysterious Rain Wilds, whose inhabitants become magic-touched mutants as they work with the magic upstream, is an added creepiness to an already creepy work. Would-be pirate king Kennit seems to alternate between statesman and moron; kept afloat by his loyal friends who keep frantically steering him right, he may end up as king of more than the pirates. And the irony of forcing a living ship to carry slaves is pretty thick. Meanwhile the malevolent sea serpents dog the liveships with a humanlike intelligence, searching for a secret they have almost forgotten over the ages ... a secret which seems about to be revealed. As the Vestrit family wars within itself for control of the newly awakened Vivacia, Vivacia herself must decide what her own destiny will be. Kyle Haven? Completely over the top and unrealistic, and if I hadn't seen his like blustering and threatening in every fast-food joint I'd say he was a cartoon character. I can't believe either Wintrow or Althea would be so naive, but it does move the action along. Can Hobb keep up the pace? Is the secret of the liveships worth slogging through two more humongus books to find out? Hmmm ... I'll let you know. It's vivid and detailed and obviously sailing towards a destination, and I'm signing on for another voyage.
Rating: 
Summary: A magical and intriguing read
Review: I've read one of Robin Hobb's books previously, that being Assassin's Apprentice. I quite liked it, but not enough to get the others in the Farseer series. This first book in her Liveship Traders series is a different story...it was imossible to put down, plunging the reader into a world of magic and mystery. Hobb is not big on the action scenes, with few of her characters out for a brawl, but that matters little. The characters are the driving force of her novels, marvellously detailed and made completely believeable with their very human flaws and desires. Althea, the strongwilled young woman who walks away from the comfortable life she has known in order to win back her ship, Brashen, the essentially kind hearted sailor who seeks a better life, the mysterious carver Amber, Wintrow the young priest-in-training who is ripped away from his desired path, Kyle the ignorant and controlling captain of the Vivacia, and Vivacia herself. Hobb portrays the world around them with a wonderfully descriptive and vivid style...closing my eyes I can see the setting sun illuminating the lonely Paragon's profile, the coarse and seedy surroundings that are a sailors world, the sheer beauty and gracefulness of Vivacia...There are so many things happening within this world, and Hobb works the intricate subplots with the skill of a master weaver. 'Nuff said. If you like fantasy that is based on wonderfully real characters and compelling plot...go and get this novel. As for me, I can't wait to read the next volume of this series.
Rating:
Summary: What a nice surprise.
Review: Having never have read a work by this author or for that matter a fantasy written by a woman, I was simply blown away by how SOM drew me in. This book turned out to be a page-turner for me. Even during the scenes with Malta which were for the most part I considered teenage girl problems I found myself flipping pages faster than fast food establishments turn out hamburgers. SOM's most attractive feature is that it is a dramatic sea going adventure full of pirates, traders and their ships, and yes sea serpents who also have a quest of their own (though not as richly detailed as of yet). The richness of the characters developed is simply spectacular and I don't believe that to be an understatement. The concept of the liveships is handled quite nicely as this could of turned out to be silly. The liveships interact with the characters both physically and emotionally so that you really care about them. While reading I drew an analogy to the voidhawks of Peter Hamilton's The Nights Dawn Trilogy and the liveships in SOM. Of course this is fantasy, but if you are not a fan or have not read a book of this genre, I think that Ship of Magic would still be a very good read. SOM has some very grisly scenes that animal rights activists would not be too happy about and that their is also human suffering described in uncomfortable detail. Of course the word fantasy tends to imply happy, but some of the material in SOM is disturbing. Never the less, I did enjoy the book and am looking forward to reading Mad Ship.
Rating:
Summary: Powerful Introduction to Fantasy
Review: This was the first fantasy novel that I read and still the best by far in terms of originality, sensitivity towards the subject matter, and all-round writing talent. My fears were that it would be like all the 'traditional' fantasy that graces children's movies - goblins, magicians, magic frogs, etc. - but I gave it a go and was swept into Ms. Hobb's vividly conceptualised world that contained no goblins, no magicians and, believe it or not, no magic frogs whatsoever. Hobb sets The Liveship Traders series in a land far to the south of the Six Duchies that were featured in her earlier Farseer series (which I also wholeheartedly recommend). It principally (but not exclusively) concerns Bingtown, a trader port that is part of the Satrapy of a corrupt and negligent Jamaillia, and Divvytown, an outlaw community in the Pirate Isles. The attention to realism was the first thing that grabbed me about Hobb's style; far from being an Emerald City in a Forgotten Forest, we have essentially a colony reminiscent of pre-Revolutionary America, pinned between aggressive foreign governments and an uncaring ruler, plagued by pirates, and struggling for credence and independence in a land far removed from their pre-colonial roots. Bingtown itself is very well thought out, a town where the Old Traders with their Bingtown traditions are being usurped by the New Traders who have bought their way into society from the dishonest Satrap. Indeed, the resistance to change of the Old Traders is highly reminiscent of the upper-crust British aristocracy of the late nineteenth century, social graces of as much importance as power and money, but infused with the aforementioned desire for autonomy. The story line is contentious and moving and action-packed all at the same time, enough there to keep a mainstream action fan happy and even, perhaps, a Jane Austen enthusiast. Despite its fantastical setting, it deals with strong contemporary issues such as domineering parents Hell-bent upon control, the position of women in society, Government corruption, nepotism, and many more, and still has time for a few moral debates on the concept of slavery and the ethics of fair trade. Add to this an array of intelligent sea serpents questing after lost memory, pirates banding together in an attempt to form a Pirate Kingdom for outcasts and outlaws, and the night-time appearances of the mysterious Rain Wild folk, kinsmen of the Bingtown Traders, and it is certainly a novel which sticks in your memory long after you have finished reading it. It is in the characters, however, where Hobb truly shines. She is surely in touch with both her masculine and feminine sides, because every single character is incredibly empathetically drawn. She has the power to put a feeling down on paper in such a way that you can feel it too. I was angry and bitter when main character Althea was cheated out of her heritage, I felt hurt and lost and slightly upset when Wintrow was coerced into obeying his father; I have known grown men who admit to crying at things Hobb has written, and that's something that can't be faked. You finish the novel knowing her characters, and even the 'baddies' like Kennit and Etta are painted in such a way that right and wrong becomes ambiguous. You understand them, and feel for them, and Hobb's talent for this is exceptional. Overall, Ship of Magic is perhaps the best introduction into fantasy writing, even if it does overshadow every other fantasy novel you will read. This is epic writing on a grandiose scale, literary and heart-rending, intellectual and energetic. There is no other author who can so sympathetically draw you into a fully realised world of their own creation. I cannot recommend it enough.
Rating:
Summary: fabulous story, fascinating writing
Review: This is my first Robin Hobb book, but i can tell you it wont be my last. Her writing style, though a little long winded, creates a colorful picture of the events happening, and is always interesting to read. You actually appreciate the level of detail she goes into. This story is heavy on characterization. Like many others have said, the characters are realistic, dynamic, people. As they are interwoven into the plot(s), you get a feeling of sympathy, disgust (Kyle!!!!), or even frustration. Hobb does an excellent job writing the cast. With an intriguing plot(s), a variety of intersting dynamic characters, and great writing, i dont see how one could be disappointed with this book. I know it's one of the most enjoyable books i've read in a long time! I cant wait to read the rest of the series.
Rating:
Summary: A light, refreshing read....
Review: I picked this book up for several reasons...one, I'd heard some pretty good stuff about Robin Hobb, two, Waldenbooks was having a buy-four-get-one-free sale and this was number five on my list. *g* From the cover and the writeup on the back, I was expecting a pirate novel in the best traditions of Robert E. Howard (Cormac Mac Art and Black Vulmea come readily to mind) and Robert Lewis Stevenson (TREASURE ISLAND....always a classic), but must admit I was pleasantly surprised. It took me a few chapters to switch gears mentally, having just put down a very good, very violent sci-fi novel, to reading a low-tech/slightly magical...well, drama. The characters are very well-developed, and for the most part, the story flowed nicely (with just a few minor snags/glitches that I noticed), and it was, as has been commented before, quite difficult to put down! The only reason I was not able to rate this story a full five stars was the obvious lack of details anywhere fighting occurred. While this would be no problem for my mom, I myself like to get in there amongst the pirates hacking the merchants "to tiny bits, in Thy mercy" (to steal a quote from Monty Python). All in all, I will definitely pick up the next book in the series. Robin Hobb uses very intricate, delicate, and unnoticeable lines to draw the reader in, and once you're hooked, there's no turning back! Kudos, Ms. Hobb!
Rating:
Summary: A magnificent trilogy!
Review: I have just completed Ship of Destiny - the final (sigh!) volume, and must share my deep appreciation and satisfaction with this exceptionally original, thoroughly engrossing, and profoundly moving trilogy. I was absolutely astonished by the depth of feeling this marvelous cast of characters brought forth in me as I read. The intricate plot was unwound so skillfully, with each development seeming so very RIGHT! Brilliantly conceived and beautifully written!
Rating:
Summary: Compelling and original!
Review: What a concept: a fantasy series that doesn't involve a feckless young pig farmer, a grizzled old wizard, or a wry thief who's actually a nobleman. Hobb's characters are fascinating, multi-dimensional people from a variety of cultures (including one memorable non-human tribe). Their adventures and misadventures bring up larger issues of power, feminism, and slavery--but these themes are carefully explored, not driven home with a hatchet. Hobb is also among the best prose stylists writing modern popular fantasy, and the pages melt away as the plot grows thicker.
Rating:
Summary: A must-read (unless you read in bed)
Review: I read this book over a year ago, and the storyline is STILL spinning in my brain. I tend to devour books - sometimes I'll read three or four in a single weekend... And this book was one of those. I flew through it even faster than most books... and then moved on to the next one. That night, after reading most of another book, I had dreams about the characters from this one. This has to be one of the most real books I've ever read. The world is captivating, the plot exciting, and the main characters better developed than many "real" people I know... Its sequel, "Mad Ship" is equally good - and I can't wait until "Ship of Destiny" comes out in paperback. (Reading as much as I do, I can't afford the shelf real estate that hardcovers require).
Rating:
Summary: The beginning of another excellent Fantasy series
Review: I couldn't put off writing a review, even though I haven't finished this book yet. We so rarely see excellent Fantasy, or at least I see it rarely. For me, the motivating factor to purchase this book came in the form of a recommendation by Orson Scott Card. For me, there's no higher honor. In addition, if you read the compliments on the first pages, many well-known and well-respected authors add their praise. And when fantasy authors praise each other, you know you've got something special. I was not disappointed. The book opens the door into a world of seafaring folk, of traders who sail the fantastic and intriguing Liveships. Liveships have keels and decks of Wizardwood, which causes the ship to come to life when the first three captains have died on deck. The concept of the liveship is amazing to think about, and as you read, you will understand the contradictions and moral dilemmas Hobb has created with this notion. Can you "own" a ship with a mind of it's own? What if it doesn't like what happens to it? The characters are enjoyable because they are very three dimensional. Rather than burden her characters with sterotypical behavioral signals a' la Robert Jordan, Hobb gives them personality. She makes them do the things most of us would do in their places, and they are not good _or_ evil; as in real life, there are shades of gray. One of my favorite apsects of this book is the Pirates. Any story of the sea worth it's salt will feature pirates, and the ones in "Ship of Magic" are as interesting to follow as the real ones that used to prowl the Spanish Main (Stede Bonnet, Blackbeard, etc). I could go on, but I'll keep the plot to myself. Suffice to say that this is another series I will soon devour with entranced hunger, and weep to myself once it ends.
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