I initially picked up this series because I was at the airport and needed reading material for the plane ride. It was just my luck to have picked this up. All of Robin Hobb's book are addictive. I get so caught up that I can't stop reading them.

Read All Book Reviews of "Mad Ship The Liveship Traders Book 2"

“Mad Ship”
By
Robin Hobb

In this second installment of Hobb’s “Liveship Traders” Trilogy we are returned to the Cursed Shores and learn even more about these mysterious Liveships. Althea and Brashen team up to form a dangerous plot to retrieve the Vestrit family Liveship that has been captured by the vicious pirate Captain Kennit. While they hatch their plans Wintrow, who has also been captured along with the Liveship is slowly slipping under the influence of the vivacious pirate as he too hatches his own scemes.
And while everyone else schemes and dreams, the ever-present serpents struggle to complete their destiny and understand their reason for being…
I picked up “Mad Ship” almost immediately after finishing the prequel “Ship of Magic.” I ended up having mixed feelings about “Mad Ship.” While the feelings edge towards the positive, there is still a feeling of oddness to it I just can’t seem to shake when I think back on “Mad Ship” as a whole.
On the positive side, Hobb of course did not disappoint. “Mad Ship” was full of what “Ship of Magic” gave me a taste of and kept my appetite perked for more. The characters were well-rounded and really came into their own more in this book than in “Ship of Magic.” Schemes and plots came to light and others were dashed completely.
I also commend Hobb for keeping her second book true to the original story she started with in “Ship of Magic.” She did not pull a George Martin and introduce so many characters my head started to spin. The characters she did introduce were minimal and added to the story as opposed to hindering the plotline.
On the flipside there was a slight bit of cheese. Nothing a good Chardonnay couldn’t compliment, but it was still there nonetheless. Towards the end of “Mad Ship” we begin to understand more about what a Liveship actually is and we understand why there are entire chapters dedicated to “the serpents” that in “Ship of Magic” at least, were seemingly insignificant to the plot.
Without giving anything away I found the reasons Hobb gave for the serpents being to be a little far-fetched. Yes I know it’s fantasy and anything can happen, and yes, I know: I couldn’t believe I found myself griping over mythical characters either but…I don’t know I found her explanations to be a little corny.
Now, I will gladly eat my words if once I read the third book “Ship of Destiny” her reasons turn out to be justified. I love nothing more than when I have to eat my words.
I think I need to classify “Mad Ship” in the same category as “The Empire Strikes Back.” Not my favorite, but necessary to the storyline.
3 ½ stars.

What can I say except this is an Incredible and totally enchanting story.
Every time I finish one from this trilogy I am SO grateful that there is one more!
The only negative I can say about it is that after the next book, for me it will end :( .

Robin Hobb is one of my favorite authors and although I prefer the Fitz trilogy and the Tawny Man trilogy to this one (Liveship trilogy), that doesn't mean that this isn't a good book. In fact, I don't usually like ship-type books and sailing on the high sea, but that didn't matter to me in this book. I loved the characters and there are lots of surprises in store for the reader (especially those familiar with the other two trilogies because there is a connection).

Excellent story, very engrossing with interesting characters, and lots of strange events and creatures. A very good read.

Love this series!! The Mad Ship... what a personality!

Do read them in order, however, for the full effect. And don't wait too long between books; this isn't a series that will burn you out and have you glad to be done with it.

Good story, a little slow on the prose, but very imaginative.

If you love Robin Hobb you will love this book. She is a master fantasy writer (in my opinion!)

Read All Book Reviews of "Mad Ship The Liveship Traders Book 2"