Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, Book One of the Liveship Traders trilogy.
Introduction
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb is the first book of Liveship Traders trilogy and book four of the Realm of the Elderlings saga. The novel follows six main plot arcs. The groups are the sailors Althea and Brashen; the Vestrit family, owners of the Liveship Vivacia; Wintrow on the Liveship Vivacia; the pirate captain Kennit and his crew; Paragon, a blinded and derelict Liveship; and a group of sea serpents traveling north. These groups interact leading to a confrontation on the Ship of Magic.
Summary – Prologue
The prologue has one point-of-view character.
Maulkin is a sea serpent. Maulkin rallies his group to go to new waters to discover their past.
Summary–Main Plot Arcs
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb has six main plot arcs.
The hot and cold romance of Althea Vestrit and Brashen Trell. They were sailors on the Liveship Vivacia and later The Reaper, a slaughter ship taking cargo from the barrens with a home port of Candletown.
Wintrow Haven (the son of Keffria Vestrit) on the Liveship Vivacia with home port of Bingtown taking on slaves at Jamaillia City. His father is Kyle Haven, the captain of the Liveship Vivacia.
Kennit is a pirate captain who turns slave ships into pirate ships under his control, but he dreams of capturing a Liveship one day. He is supported by his first mate Sorcor and his paramour Etta.
Drama in the Vestrit family in Bingtown; Ronica, daughter Keffria, and granddaughter Malta involving Rain Wild Traders and the running of the family finances. They own the Liveship Vivacia.
The Liveship Paragon, who is a derelict on Bingtown beach. Mingsley wants to cut him up for the wizardwood. Davad wants to sell him to New Traders as a working ship. Amber wants to keep him the same.
The sentient sea serpents.
Summary–Best Chapters
Five Chapters stand out in Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb.
Divvytown is Chapter 4 where Kennit brings his crew to divide their spoils, he pays a visit to a bordelo to visit his favored paramour Etta, and he gets a tattoo to remind him of the sacrifices he has made in his quest to become the Pirate King.
Crimpers is Chapter 20 where Althea and Brashen are almost conscripted to another ship. Brashen tends to Althea’s injuries and things happen from there.
Plots and Perils is Chapter 22 where Etta gives Kennit an idea about how to capture a Liveship, Paragon learns of Mingsley’s plans for him, a sea serpent attacks The Reaper, Wintrow leaves the Liveship Vivacia for good, and Etta misunderstands Kennit’s feelings for her.
Candletown is Chapter 25 where the Reaper’s journey is ended at Candletown. Althea and Brashen must decide what to do next, together or apart.
A Day of Reckoning is Chapter 33 where Wintrow’s actions have gotten him to the point of no return, Malta must make a difficult decision, Kyle is put in a bad position, and Kennit is close to gaining his heart’s desire.
Recommendation
Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb is a fabulous start to the Liveship Traders trilogy. It is set in the same universe as the Farseer trilogy and there are a few references to those books, but no direct connections. There are many points of view characters. Each chapter has multiple points of view, though there is no head hopping.
I enjoyed the Althea and Brashen romance, Wintrow’s struggle with his past and future, and the mystery of Paragon. The Malta story wasn’t as compelling, but I see how it might be necessary for the rest of the trilogy. The Kennit story was interesting in his horribleness. Is he a protagonist or a villain? The rest of the story will tell. The sea serpents were difficult to read, but I think I know how they relate to the Liveships, so that will be important later. Overall, I loved it and will soon read The Mad Ship, Book #2 of the Liveship Traders.
Links
This is the link to the Goodreads page of Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12479384-ship-of-magic
Link to a similar epic fantasy series as the Liveship Traders. The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan. Book 13 is linked below.
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson is the thirteenth book of The Wheel of Time series. The novel follows seven main plot arcs. Rand, Mat, Perrin, Elayne, Egwene, Gawyn, and Aviendha. All seven characters face difficult choices and must grow to get closer to their goals. Will the forces of Light gather before the Last Battle begins?
Towers of Midnight by Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson sets up A Memory of Light, the last novel of the series, well. Rand wants everyone to get to the Field of Merrilor to prepare for the Last Battle, Tarmon Gai’don. We will see Rand and Min, Perrin and Galad, Egwene and Gawyn, Elayne and Mat. The climax of the series is here.