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Ship of Destiny
(The Liveship Traders #3)
by
As Bingtown slides toward disaster, clan matriarch Ronica Vestrit, branded a traitor, searches for a way to bring the city's inhabitants together against a momentous threat. Meanwhile, Althea Vestrit, unaware of what has befallen Bingtown and her family, continues her perilous quest to track down and recover her liveship, the "Vivacia, "from the ruthless pirate Kennit.
Bo ...more
Bo ...more
Paperback, 789 pages
Published
November 27th 2001
by Spectra Books
(first published March 2000)
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Start your review of Ship of Destiny (Liveship Traders, #3)

4.5/5 stars
A satisfying conclusion to the Liveship Traders trilogy and at the same time, it also made me super excited to start Tawny Man trilogy.
Ship of Destiny marks the conclusion to the Liveship Traders trilogy, the second out of five subseries in Hobb’s Realm of the Elderlings series, and this was overall a satisfying conclusion. I really have to give this praise to Robin Hobb. Having read six books and one novella so far, whether I love it or not (mostly love), I found all her stories to b ...more
A satisfying conclusion to the Liveship Traders trilogy and at the same time, it also made me super excited to start Tawny Man trilogy.
Ship of Destiny marks the conclusion to the Liveship Traders trilogy, the second out of five subseries in Hobb’s Realm of the Elderlings series, and this was overall a satisfying conclusion. I really have to give this praise to Robin Hobb. Having read six books and one novella so far, whether I love it or not (mostly love), I found all her stories to b ...more

Ship of Destiny(Realm of Elderlings #6, Liveship Traders #3)

Great series with a phenomenal concept Robin Hobb come with was absolutely fascinating to read. Really enjoyed this series.
I'm content. ...more

Great series with a phenomenal concept Robin Hobb come with was absolutely fascinating to read. Really enjoyed this series.
One does not need the size of a dragon to have the soul of a dragon.
I'm content. ...more

Nov 29, 2021
Matt's Fantasy Book Reviews
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
top-10-books
Check out my new youtube channel where I show my instant reactions to reading fantasy books seconds after I finish the book.
Simply a masterpiece - one of my top 10 fantasy books of all time
I really wasn't sure how Robin Hobb was going to improve upon the previous two books in this series, as they were so well done and I had literally no complaints with any part of them. But she did here, in what has turned out to be one of the all-time best fantasy books - and without doubt the best fantasy ...more
Simply a masterpiece - one of my top 10 fantasy books of all time
I really wasn't sure how Robin Hobb was going to improve upon the previous two books in this series, as they were so well done and I had literally no complaints with any part of them. But she did here, in what has turned out to be one of the all-time best fantasy books - and without doubt the best fantasy ...more

Omg!! I love this trilogy so much!! And yeah, I freaking cried! 😫

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 ...more

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 ...more

“Do you not see how strange and wonderful that is? That all history balances on an affair of the human heart?”
Well, this was a bittersweet story.
Hobb started this right from the end of Mad Ship and we saw all the story arcs going in farther away from each other instead of converging, at least initially. I was frustrated how all the story arcs were taking their on sweet time to reach the conclusion but once I finished reading this, I couldn't help but marvel on how beautifully she brought ev ...more
Well, this was a bittersweet story.
Hobb started this right from the end of Mad Ship and we saw all the story arcs going in farther away from each other instead of converging, at least initially. I was frustrated how all the story arcs were taking their on sweet time to reach the conclusion but once I finished reading this, I couldn't help but marvel on how beautifully she brought ev ...more

Feb 08, 2015
Sean Barrs
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
fantasy,
4-star-reads
I loved the ending of this because everything was resolved perfectly, and at the same time the events have far, far, reaching consequences. These will no doubt affect the Six Duchies. This made the ending so strong for me because I couldn’t wait to read more. I couldn’t wait to see how far Amber has (and will) shape the world in accordance with her prophecies.
It’s all about the dragons!
'

The magic behind all this slowly began to reveal itself across the trilogy and, finally, in this book it ...more
It’s all about the dragons!
'

The magic behind all this slowly began to reveal itself across the trilogy and, finally, in this book it ...more

Jul 22, 2021
Sheyla ✎
rated it
really liked it
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
audible,
audiobook,
fantasy,
amazing-series,
favorite-female-character,
2021,
series,
trilogy
The conclusion of this trilogy was satisfying in all the ways that it counts!
I was happy to see that all the Vestrid women were strong in character. They did what had to be done, despite all being in different situations with different dangers. The same thing goes for Wintrow who became a man despite his young age and his little brother, Selden, who stood up when it was vital.
My favorite character development hands down has to be Malta. She evolved from someone I hated to becoming my favorite c ...more
I was happy to see that all the Vestrid women were strong in character. They did what had to be done, despite all being in different situations with different dangers. The same thing goes for Wintrow who became a man despite his young age and his little brother, Selden, who stood up when it was vital.
My favorite character development hands down has to be Malta. She evolved from someone I hated to becoming my favorite c ...more

This series was an experience for me. I immersed myself in it at a time when there was a ton of time on my hands, and I am glad I did. The large, sprawling books ended in this finale, and it was a fitting ending. Loose ends that floated through the series began to appear and draw tighter and tighter together as this story reached its conclusion.
This author knows how to end a series well. It’s one thing to end a story well, another to end a book well and entirely a different thing to end a trilog ...more
This author knows how to end a series well. It’s one thing to end a story well, another to end a book well and entirely a different thing to end a trilog ...more

One of the best trilogies I have ever read!
This trilogy was everything I hoped for and more. This review will be spoiler-free!
Ship of Destiny is the final book in The Liveship Traders trilogy, and all I can say about this series is...WOW! (Well not quite ‘all I can say’ because as you see I wrote a review.)
I have to praise Hobb for how she handles the themes of grief, identity and trauma. I have never come across an author that is able to handle these complex and challenging themes in such a re ...more
This trilogy was everything I hoped for and more. This review will be spoiler-free!
Ship of Destiny is the final book in The Liveship Traders trilogy, and all I can say about this series is...WOW! (Well not quite ‘all I can say’ because as you see I wrote a review.)
I have to praise Hobb for how she handles the themes of grief, identity and trauma. I have never come across an author that is able to handle these complex and challenging themes in such a re ...more

“When you fear to fail, you fear something that has not happened yet. You predict your own failure, and by inaction, lock yourself into it.”
A great conclusion, there is absolutely nothing I would change except that it was longer, that epilogue was way too short. This book tied all loose ends from the first two books, what I adored most was how the sea serpents evolved, its one of my highlights of this book. Another is how the Liveship were made, that is another shocking revelation, I love i ...more

Another stunning trilogy by Robin Hobb. How I loved the characters! They are so vivid and real. Althea and Brashen are to fall in love with. Im no big fan of pirate tales, but Robin Hobb just enthralls me. I just had the best start of the morning by finishing this book. Woke up before 8 am ( on a day off .....) Decided to read the last few pages ( fell asleep last night on the couch ) and there were cookies next to me....healthy start of the day!
Im still convinced everyone should just read Robin ...more
Im still convinced everyone should just read Robin ...more

I don't know when I was last so gripped by a story. I absolutely loved it.
...more

I'm just so grateful that this series exists. It is phenomenal. I enjoyed every hour of my life that I spent on these three books. That is all.
...more

This one is going down as one of my favourite fantasy trilogies.
Without a doubt! (This review contains some spoilers of book 1 and 2)
Part of it is very typical Robin Hobb (after 6 books I’m allowed to say that right?) she makes characters so incredible real they become existing people. I’ve said it before, but it’s just really true: they become people for you to love or loathe. But it’s also remarkable how mean she is to them all: she sends them through hell, leaves them there without food or d ...more
Without a doubt! (This review contains some spoilers of book 1 and 2)
Part of it is very typical Robin Hobb (after 6 books I’m allowed to say that right?) she makes characters so incredible real they become existing people. I’ve said it before, but it’s just really true: they become people for you to love or loathe. But it’s also remarkable how mean she is to them all: she sends them through hell, leaves them there without food or d ...more

While this trilogy didn’t completely transport and consume me as fully as The Farseer Trilogy did, there is still so very much to admire and honor in what Robin Hobb has achieved here. She beautifully interweaves themes of family, slavery, independence, politics, faith, destiny, and the interdependence of all sentient beings in a trilogy that is both epic and intimate. Pacing occasionally flagged, but I was never certain where and how the many threads she wove would cross one another and bind, a
...more

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Robin Hobb delivers a highly satisfying finale to an enjoyable fantasy series. If you have read The Farseer Trilogy and are debating whether to read this trilogy next or skip ahead to the Tawny Man trilogy – I can’t recommend The Liveships Trilogy enough. I think there are little tidbits throughout to reward those who choose to continue in publication order.
One thing Hobb does well, is produce interesting, well thought out, multidimensional characters. Many of the characters who are arguably “go ...more
One thing Hobb does well, is produce interesting, well thought out, multidimensional characters. Many of the characters who are arguably “go ...more

Jun 30, 2015
Kitty G Books
rated it
it was amazing
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
my-sff-faves
This whole series has been perfection. It's not often that after reading a 2* book by an author I will continue on with their work but with Hobb I am so thrilled that I did go on to the Liveship books after the Farseer ones because truly she's a miracle writer and her ability to craft convincing, beautiful and stunning characters, worlds and ideas is unparalleled.
This is book 3 in the Liveship books and so naturally I cannot give away the plot of the story but suffice to say we're once more fol ...more
This is book 3 in the Liveship books and so naturally I cannot give away the plot of the story but suffice to say we're once more fol ...more

I did it! I finished it! My reading of these three 900-page-books has been quite a journey, but in the end I'm glad I stuck to the end and got a great reading experience out of it.
This is the last book in the trilogy, so obviously I can't tell you too much about the story. However, I can tell you that this last installment was quite breathtaking and intense. With this novel, I finally felt a deep connection to all of the characters, maybe because I've been following their journeys for so many p ...more
This is the last book in the trilogy, so obviously I can't tell you too much about the story. However, I can tell you that this last installment was quite breathtaking and intense. With this novel, I finally felt a deep connection to all of the characters, maybe because I've been following their journeys for so many p ...more

Whew, what a journey this trilogy took me on! As a whole, it is definitely a 5 star series. This particular entry was really good but I had 2 things that held me back from fully loving it: 1) the pacing didn't feel as seamless as THE MAD SHIP, and 2) the resolution for my favorite character didn't fully sit right with me.
Still, I LOVE this series and I am excited to keep going in RotE with the Tawny Man trilogy up next
CW: sexual assault; child abuse/SA ...more
Still, I LOVE this series and I am excited to keep going in RotE with the Tawny Man trilogy up next
CW: sexual assault; child abuse/SA ...more

Apr 19, 2018
Scott Hitchcock
rated it
really liked it
Shelves:
epic-fantasy,
completed-series-last-book
All three books in the series 4.5*'s.
I'm still surprised how much I enjoyed this series after struggling with the Farseer Trilogy and the nightmare of a lead character that is Fitz. This series wasn't without it's flaws and I hated the way Althea's situation was dealt with. That said Hobb did a great job telling this tale and while there were no big surprises it was entertaining from start to finish. ...more
I'm still surprised how much I enjoyed this series after struggling with the Farseer Trilogy and the nightmare of a lead character that is Fitz. This series wasn't without it's flaws and I hated the way Althea's situation was dealt with. That said Hobb did a great job telling this tale and while there were no big surprises it was entertaining from start to finish. ...more

I give this book 5 pirates... 5 dragons... no, wait... 5 stars! One of the most emotionally charged fantasy books I have read coming from the master at making fantasy feel real, The Magician, Robin Hobb!
Ship of Destiny (2001) is the third book in the Liveship Traders series by Robin Hobb. An absolute amazing finale! This comes from someone who gave two stars for it's first book, Ship of Magic. This book/trilogy is perfect for anyone who likes the fantasy genre with less action, more deep em ...more
Ship of Destiny (2001) is the third book in the Liveship Traders series by Robin Hobb. An absolute amazing finale! This comes from someone who gave two stars for it's first book, Ship of Magic. This book/trilogy is perfect for anyone who likes the fantasy genre with less action, more deep em ...more

*** 4.25 for the whole trilogy ***
I love this author, I think she is brilliant and imaginative and can come up with one heck of a story. However, I was kind of frustrated with every character in the book at this point... I appreciate all the details and the debt of characters they create, but I really think that these books could have been a third as short as they are. I am a bit tired of knowing every emotion of every person in Bingtown or the Rein Wilds... For that matter, I don't need to kno ...more
I love this author, I think she is brilliant and imaginative and can come up with one heck of a story. However, I was kind of frustrated with every character in the book at this point... I appreciate all the details and the debt of characters they create, but I really think that these books could have been a third as short as they are. I am a bit tired of knowing every emotion of every person in Bingtown or the Rein Wilds... For that matter, I don't need to kno ...more

And with "Ship of Destiny", Robin Hobb draws the jaw-dropping conclusion to the magnificent Liveship Traders trilogy.
"Ship of Destiny" continues the epic tale right from where "The Mad Ship" left off. The dragon, Tintaglia, released from her wizardwood coffin, flies high over the Rain Wild River. Below her, Reyn and Selden have been left to drown, while Malta and the Satrap attempt to navigate the acid flow of the river in a decomposing boat.
Althea and Brashen are sailing the liveship Paragon i ...more
"Ship of Destiny" continues the epic tale right from where "The Mad Ship" left off. The dragon, Tintaglia, released from her wizardwood coffin, flies high over the Rain Wild River. Below her, Reyn and Selden have been left to drown, while Malta and the Satrap attempt to navigate the acid flow of the river in a decomposing boat.
Althea and Brashen are sailing the liveship Paragon i ...more

A fine, although a bit rushed finish to a remarkable fantasy trilogy.
The character development is still strong. I was especially pleased to see well-written female protagonists of all ages. However, because their world is very patriarchal, women do not have it easy and this book in particular goes to some dark places.
It includes a brutal rape of my favourite character by another major character. What made it even more heartbreaking is that no one believed her. From that point on in the book I ha ...more
The character development is still strong. I was especially pleased to see well-written female protagonists of all ages. However, because their world is very patriarchal, women do not have it easy and this book in particular goes to some dark places.
It includes a brutal rape of my favourite character by another major character. What made it even more heartbreaking is that no one believed her. From that point on in the book I ha ...more

So so so brilliant. This series absolutely shattered my expectations.
9.9/10 for a total series score of 29.6/30
9.9/10 for a total series score of 29.6/30

Ship of Destiny is a great conclusion to a trilogy that brought me much joy. I loved watching the characters evolve. Mostly Malta, and yes, I did stop wanting to strangle her eventually and it was with great pleasure that I watched her evolve into one of my favourite characters in this book.
This trilogy has so many kick-ass women protagonists! I can't recommend it enough.
Now comes my big but...and it's more a general but and less about the Liveship Trilogy.
After six Robin Hobb books, I'm not sur ...more
This trilogy has so many kick-ass women protagonists! I can't recommend it enough.
Now comes my big but...and it's more a general but and less about the Liveship Trilogy.
After six Robin Hobb books, I'm not sur ...more
topics | posts | views | last activity | |
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Play Book Tag: Ship of Destiny -abundant # of ✨✨✨✨✨✨ | 1 | 18 | Aug 17, 2020 08:00AM | |
Liveship Traders vs Farseer | 30 | 224 | Apr 11, 2020 04:39PM | |
Fantasy Buddy Reads: Ship of Destiny | 99 | 49 | Aug 21, 2019 11:02AM | |
Beyond Reality: Realm of the Elderlings--Ship of Destiny: finished reading (spoilers!) | 5 | 38 | Dec 28, 2018 08:22AM | |
Beyond Reality: Realm of the Elderlings--Ship of Destiny: Roll call and first impressions (no spoilers) | 3 | 11 | Dec 15, 2018 07:08AM | |
Fantasy Buddy Reads: Ship of Destiny [Apr 11, 2018] | 45 | 45 | May 14, 2018 08:25AM |
** I am shocked to find that some people think a 2 star 'I liked it' rating is a bad rating. What? I liked it. I LIKED it! That means I read the whole thing, to the last page, in spite of my life raining comets on me. It's a good book that survives the reading process with me. If a book is so-so, it ends up under the bed somewhere, or maybe under a stinky judo bag in the back of the van. So a 2 st
...more
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The Liveship Traders
(3 books)
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“That is the challenge Companion. To take what has happened to you and learn from it. Nothing is quite so destructive as pity, especially self-pity. No event in life is so terrible that one cannot rise above it.
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“When you fear to fail, you fear something that has not happened yet. You predict your own failure, and by inaction, lock yourself into it.”
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