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Ship of Destiny

(The Liveship Traders #3)

Robin Hobb (Goodreads Author)

4.22 · Rating details · 55,366 ratings · 1,687 reviews

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.
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Paperback, 789 pages

Published November 27th 2001 by Spectra Books (first published March 2000)

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Feb 19, 2018 Petrik rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites

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

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Feb 16, 2020 Melissa ♥ Dog/Wolf Lover ♥ Martin rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: audio, fantasy-all, own, paperback

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

Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾 ...more

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Oct 30, 2018 Em Lost In Books rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2018, 2000-09, 4-star, massive-tomes

“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 “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 everything together. Once again I will talk about characters that impressed me the most.

Paragon beats every other character to be my favorite of the trilogy. I didn't like him initially, after all he was a mad and a brooding ship, with a bloody history to tell. Here not only he told the dark secrets from his past but also made us how at heart he was still a child and how he's connect to another child. So much happened on his deck; murder, rape, abuse, you name and Paragon has seen it all and yet he is still capable of forgiving that one person who cheated him in the end for someone else. It was heartbreaking to see them together one last time.

Once again Malta made it to my favorite list. That girl never cease to amaze me. When all hope was lost she did something that not only saved her but also redeemed the whole of Bingtown and Rain Wilds. It was because of her that we got to know the secret of Livships. But her journey in this book was not so flowery, it was full of hard work, constant disrespect, and taking care of self obsessed man. And she did it all! Every time I thought yup, she's going to give up and jump the ship but she came back strongly and won my heart.

Last but not least Kennit. I hated him but I also could not help myself and pity him. I hated what he did to Wintrow, Etta, and Althea. How he deceived Paragon! I wanted to strangle him in that moment but could not. The story of who he was, who he is now, and what he wanted to be made me tear up. His was the darkest, saddest, and ugliest story. Hobb was not kind when she told us about Kennit. It was at times uncomfortable to read on but I guess that's what made Kennit such a complex character.

And then there was Tintaglia in all her glory. She was magnificent and one of the most important character of this book. I loved her but then who doesn't love dragons!

It was an amazing story and I had a great time reading it. I will definitely be recommending it to friends. ...more

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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!
'
description

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

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Feb 05, 2020 Gary rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy

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 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 trilogy well- especially one as massive and variegated as this one was. Hobb is the master of this craft. She has a delicate balance of action, dialogue and characterization that caused me to become invested in the story, and more importantly to me, in the characters.

This is one of those series of books that I will think about for many years to come. There have been time periods of my life that a song or a movie will seem linked to- these books will always remind me of these December and January days. The characters in this novel feel like real people that I will miss- the headstrong Althea, treacherous Kennit, lovesick Reyn, the impulsive Malta, the matriarchal Ronica. One of the surest signs of a writer’s talent is in the way the characters change by the end of a story and the way those changes intertwine with the themes, both major and minor. These characters all change and grow in ways that are significant to the plot and to one in another, which also lends the feel of authenticity to this book.

The culture and setting also changes in ways that relate to the overall plot development, as well as to the minor storylines that wind together like fibers into a rope becoming part of a larger world. The more unusual elements of this author’s fantasy world are blended in at a consistent and recognizable pace. At no point did I feel as if information was being dumped on me, nor was I confused by a lack of details or made to feel as if the story was being dragged thin. This book was large, and it needed to be.

The ending is perfect for a series this large.
5.5 stars for sure.
...more

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Jan 05, 2020 Deborah Obida rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: adult, fantasy, favorite-books

“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

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Dec 23, 2016 Mili rated it it was amazing

Shelves: own-the-book

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

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Dec 24, 2015 Emma rated it it was amazing

Shelves: re-read, epic-fantasy, fantasy, historical-fantasy, favorites

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

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Oct 28, 2012 Hanne rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

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

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Dec 02, 2017 Jennifer (Insert Lit Pun) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

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.

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Jun 28, 2020 Anthony rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: series, fantasy, popsugar-2020-challenge

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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Jul 27, 2015 Helene Jeppesen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

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

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Mar 15, 2017 Connor rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: epic-fantasy

Of course. This book is amazing.

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Jul 02, 2013 David Sven rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

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 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 “good” have their ugly side. I’m thinking here of Althea, Malta, Wintrow, Keffria and more. And Hobb forces us to look at the redeemable qualities of those characters who, if not totally evil, are pretty close. I’m thinking here in particular of Kennit, the pirate who would be king.

Up till about halfway through this book, I found Kennit for all his flaws and self centered ambition, to be a fairly likeable character. A lot of that stems from the kindness he extends to Wintrow and his relationship with the liveship Vivacia. However, come the second half of this book, Robin Hobb peels back the layers to reveal who Kennit really is. What motivates him. What has made him the man he is. It was not a pretty picture. In the second half of this book there were some truly jaw dropping, gut wrenching, and even sickening revelations that turned a lot of my assumptions throughout the series on their head. Hobb takes us down some dark and ugly pathways relating to the past which we then see perpetuated in the present. Hobb has a reputation for putting her characters through the mill, but this book took it that step further again and led me as the reader into some pretty uncomfortable places.

Still, for all the dark and uncomfortable places we are forced to travel there are also some glorious moments,. Like the rise of the dragon Tintaglia, soaring and hunting and doing battle. Also the growth of the mad ship Paragon, arguably the character who develops the most through the series.

I think overall the series finishes positively, however, to say this story has a happy ending would be over simplistic. Victory comes at a very high cost to many of the characters. Alongside the triumph there is also tragedy. For those who overcome, the face of redemption is covered in scar tissue.

Loved it

4 stars
...more

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Aug 27, 2017 Rob rated it it was amazing

Shelves: fantasy, 5-stars

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

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Jul 19, 2019 Choko rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, dragons

*** 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

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Apr 19, 2018 Scott Hitchcock rated it really liked it

Shelves: completed-series-last-book, epic-fantasy

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.

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Jun 30, 2015 Kaitlin 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 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 following the characters we've grown to love, hate and be drawn in by. I because me enraptured by this world that at some points of reading this I fell asleep only to find myself dreaming about the magic of the world and the characters within the book!!

I think Paragon, Malta and Selden were solidly my favourite of the characters developed in this book but there are so many who come a very very close second place to that. They each had their own plotlines which were seriously moved along within the pages of this book and each one became so vastly improved and different from the characters they began as.

On the whole I would say this is a series I'd recommend to anyone who loves fantasy and wonderful characters because truly it is character-focused. Whilst this book had more of a political emphasis than some of the previous ones it didn't lose my interest or irritate me with the amount of politics shown because it still focused in on those characters we know and love.

This book and this series will forever cement Hobb as a fabulous writer in my mind and has made me wish to pick up the rest of her Elderlings books as soon as I can. I cannot wait to uncover more of the mysteries which are hinted at in this book and unfurl the tapestry of time, prophecy and the destiny for this world because there's so many original and cool ideas woven in.

An amazing book once more and a great conclusion to the trilogy (unlike that of the Farseer books) and so I would say it's a solid 5*s and a highly recommended read.

(p.s you can start Hobb with this series but you'll spoil elements of the Farseer books for yourself. Personally I enjoyed the first 2 Farseer books, but disliked the third. I'd recommend reading the first two but maybe skipping the third and just looking up spoilers for that one because it was so overly long. This series is miles better than the Farseer books in my opinion, but let me know your thoughts too below :) ...more

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Jun 04, 2008 Nicky rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, dragons

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. There are some beautiful ideas in there -- about dragons, and the life cycle of a dragon -- and there are references to the Farseers trilogy that complete that story, that explain things. Yet it's also, for quite a few people I've spoken to, quite tedious to read. This time as I was going through, I tried to put into words why it's broken for me. Comparisons to the Farseers trilogy abound, as well as spoilers for both trilogies and probably for the Tawny Man trilogy as well. Some of this, I've a ...more

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Nov 07, 2019 James Tivendale rated it it was amazing

Incredible.

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Apr 11, 2018 Olivia rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy

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

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Mar 01, 2014 Kaora rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, good-fantasy-series

I'll write a review when I'm not crying.

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May 15, 2020 Lata rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: scifi-fantasy, auth-f, 2020-read

When I began this series, I missed Fitz and everyone I knew in the Six Duchies, including the Fool, and I approached this trilogy somewhat reluctantly.
Well, Robin Hobb and her great characters won me over. I loved learning about the Old Bingtown Traders, their prickly attitudes to others, their hard won situation in a somewhat harsh part of the world, and the divisions and longstanding problems between them, the New Traders, and Jamaillia, the originating country. And finding out about the Rain ...more

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Jan 19, 2018 Katie Ziegler (Life Between Words) rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Guys and Gals. I'm finally going to write a quick review. This fantasy trilogy is SO GOOD. A perfect blend of intricate world building, a rich plot, and most importantly fleshed out characters.

One of the things I love about fantasy is that it is able to take true to life problems and injustices and put a fresh face to them. It allows the reader to step into these injustices and look at them more baldly because they are happening outside of our own world. It makes me think hard about my own preco ...more

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Mar 07, 2016 Ron rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Recommends it for: Fans of Fantasy, Hobb

Reading Ship of Destiny fulfilled the majority of my expectations. Being the third and final book of the Liveship Traders trilogy, I was hoping it would do just that. Actually, Ship of Destiny exceeded some of my hopes with an open-ended finish. Matching the standards of the first two books can be no easy task for Robin Hobb, but it’s something I’ve learned not to fear. She always comes through. Somehow the tension provided in these three books only managed to increase as the story continued, wh ...more

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Nov 28, 2017 Lema rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, fantasy

My brain is too fried to think, and a picture is worth a thousand words so..

Let me open up by showing an accurate depiction of Robin Hobb and her characters..
description

Yep looks accurate enough to me.. and I thought she was mean to my babies in Farseer :') This series was borderline sadist towards those precious children.. Shall we continue?

When we finally learned the full extent of the flashbacks despite all the previous not-so-subtle hints..
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when THAT scene happened..
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All the other near-hits..
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Then there i ...more

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Jun 27, 2018 ❄️BooksofRadiance❄️ rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: adult-fantasy-sci-fi, favorites

4.75⭐️

Damn near perfect.

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Jun 18, 2018 Victoria Rose rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: dragons, fantasy, badass-ladies, favorites, epic-fantasy, maritime

I finished this on a short holiday with a good friend who I warned well in advance: "If I get a bit teary, I'm fine, it's just a really good book." He shook his head at me but accepted it, which was great because later when I got a bit teary he laughed it off as I crumpled in on myself.

Lord help me, Robin Hobb (as I think I've mentioned before) destroys me. In this final volume, all the individual storylines come together, situations come to wonderful, terrible climaxes, and readers everywhere ...more

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Nov 15, 2015 Petra rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: fantasy, high-fantasy, sexual-assault-abuse, multi-pov, romantic-has-romance

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

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Dec 30, 2016 Heather Hopkins rated it it was amazing

What a great read. I need to sit and dwell on the series then I will review. I'm actually a little sad, not because of how it ended, but because I was so engrossed in the story that I don't want to come back to reality. I want to stay aboard the ship.

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Updated Review - Review of all three books in the Robin Hobb The Liveship Traders Trilogy 3 Books Collection Set.

I've read the The Farseer Trilogy and throughout the years since I read it p What a great read. I need to sit and dwell on the series then I will review. I'm actually a little sad, not because of how it ended, but because I was so engrossed in the story that I don't want to come back to reality. I want to stay aboard the ship.

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Updated Review - Review of all three books in the Robin Hobb The Liveship Traders Trilogy 3 Books Collection Set.

I've read the The Farseer Trilogy and throughout the years since I read it parts of the story would keep coming back to me and I couldn't quite remember what book I was recalling it from. Then I would remember it was the Farseer Trilogy and think "I must re-read that someday." That is how this latest trilogy, Liveship Traders, will stay with me as well.

I don't think there was anywhere in the trilogy where the story lagged in any way. I was never bored, never skipped sections and unless interrupted by my kids, did not re-read any sentences or paragraphs. Each chapter was engrossing. Each chapter ended with a cliffhanger moment that made you want to skip ahead to find out what happens, but the next chapter was just as good that you forgot all about skipping ahead. The point of views throughout the books changed often and while I like stories told from one or two point of views, there was so much going on and so many connections in this story that I actually enjoyed the multiple POV's. I was so invested in each of the characters that I wanted to hear each and every one of their points of view. Robin Hobb did not disappoint and the various POV's ran seamlessly together never leaving a gap or leaving you stumped. On the edge of your seat? Questioning? Yes, absolutely. Every unanswered question gets answered; every piece of the puzzle comes together nicely at the end.

When I started this series I wasn't sure how I would feel about reading a story of ships but it was that and so much more. I commend Robin Hobb on her writing. It is so detailed but no overly so that you become lost. She writes like your eyes see things if that makes any sense. It's like watching a movie when you read her books. I even heard the exciting music you hear in movies (LOL) during some of the scenes and goosebumps broke out on my arms. The little details that I think many authors overlook, like how the rain washes over their faces and brings their hair to points on their head, drips running from their eyelashes and chin. Amazing. The other thing I loved about this book; when you think that you know how it's going to end, Robin Hobb takes you in another unexpected direction. You think it's going to be predictable and it's not. Oh, and there are dragons. Very cool dragons and a buried city where once dragons reigned.

The book begins by introducing you to the little town of Bingtown and the Vestrit family. The Vestrits are Traders and have been for a long time. They trade with the River Wilds and their family ship, a Liveship, originates from the River Wilds. The Vestrit's ship has not yet quickened. The ship does not quicken until three generations have died on their decks and along with their deaths, their memories. Althea Vestrit's father, Ephron, is the captain of the Vivacia and the third generation. Althea has been raised on the ship alongside her father and has a strong connection to the family ship. The story starts with Ephron's death and the quickening of Vivacia. Quickening in a short sense is the figurehead on the ship coming alive. The Liveships can only be guided with a member of their family on board and so it is that Althea believes she will be the next captain of her family ship. Only that is not how it goes. It is then that you are taken on a very long journey that weaves through the lives of many and connecting them all in a way that can only be destiny.

I could not possibly outline every aspect of the story that follows, even if I were to do it in short snippets. First, it would do it no justice and second the story is too long and so good you need to read it for yourself, if you haven't already. The books cover a rather short period of time, maybe 2-3 years from my interpretation. I absolutely cared about almost every character and even the ones I despised (not because of the writing but because of their portrayal), I still was completely invested in each of them. My list of characters I despised is not a long one. I despised Kyle Haven. Not much else to say there, you will agree with me if you read the book or you will agree with me when you read the book. Towards the end, I despised the pirate, Captain Kennit. Kennit and I had a love/hate relationship. While he had some qualities and made decisions I didn't like, for the most part I understood him and somewhere deep down I felt there was good in him and I liked him. Then he does something that made me hate him and I couldn't wait for him to meet his end. Luck was on his side it seemed for a long time but it caught up with him eventually. Finally the Satrap Cosgo I really didn't like but again, not because of the writing or anything the author did. I didn't like him, a whiny, weak, child of a man which is exactly what the author intended for that character. Well done.

The rest of the characters (in no particular order), Althea, Brashen, Wintrow, Etta, Ronica, Keffria, Grag, Amber, Paragon, Vivacia, Tintaglia, Reyn, Jani, Selden, Malta, Sorcor and all the other fine people in this story, I adored and I will miss them. This was the kind of book that you wanted to just keep going so you could live their lives. I want to keep reading to see where their lives will take them, but I can't and as they say all good stories must come to an end. While this came to an end for me, it will live long in my memory. Even a re-read I am not sure would be as good as the first time around, where everything was unknown and captivating.

The only negative I could find with this book, and I use the term negative loosely, were the serpents and their tangle. The serpents in the beginning and at least through the first book, maybe the second, I didn't entirely understand what they were doing, what their terminology meant (the Lack and the Plenty) and what their purpose in the story was. Sometimes, when I got to the chapters with their POV's I felt less engaged in the book. I blame that on my lack of understanding. By the end, however, it all fit together nicely and it all made sense and takes away from the negative I found in the beginning book. Truly, this was the only negative I could find.

Well, that about wraps up my review. I could keep sitting here typing all the things I loved about this story and about the writing. However, I find myself a little melancholy as I come to grips that the story is over and I need to let these characters dissolve in my memory. Truly grateful that these three books grace my shelves. I will be reading a lot more of Robin's books. ...more

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About Robin Hobb

Robin Hobb

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** 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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Whether it’s magic schools, dystopias, paranormal love stories, or contemporary explorations of important real-life issues, young adult books a...

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Quotes from Ship of Destiny

“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.
” — 94 likes

“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.” — 75 likes

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