Althea Vestrit was born to sail. She comes from an Old Trader family who have sailed their ship Vivacia for 3 generations and she is expected to continue that tradition. But when her father dies, Althea's inheritance is snatched from her. Estranged from her family, she must disguise herself as a boy to sail on other ships, whilst plotting to regain Vivacia.

But Vivacia is under threat - Althea's brother-in-law doesn't understand how ships made from wizardwood are completely different to normal ships and in an attempt to restore the family's waning fortunes, chooses to enter the lucrative slave trade.

The first of a fantasy trilogy, Hobb has created an absorbing world in Ship of Magic - very enjoyable. The story is told by a number of characters so even if you find a character less sympathetic or interesting, the story soon moves on from that person. It requires some commitment at 700 pages and this volume also leaves plenty of plot points hanging and I had to pick up the sequel immediately.