Buddy Read for Ship of Magic

[Jen K]

Starting a thread for a Buddy Read of Ship of Magic with KateNZ but all are welcome to join! It fits the Fantasy Romance tag and BWF.

[KateNZ]

Thanks, Jen!

[Joanne]

I have read, but will be around to chat-I loved this part of the series!

[Jen K]

No problem, let me know if you have any preferences on the BR?

I need to finish another book for a different challenge and then will start this one. I'm excited to get started.

[KateNZ]

Easter Monday. Morning coffee and a beautiful book in hand.

Full immersion will have to wait until this evening (the family are arriving for lunch and will need to be fed … so the supermarket calls). But even the first few pages are a wonderful toe in the water…

[Jen K]

Started and finished chapter 4. A slow and steady start, intrigued by the characters and wondering what mischief they will get into and how they will all connect.

[Joanne]

Jen K-marvelous that you mention connection. From my review of this book

"Each and every character, from the owners, to the pirates and Rain Wild folk, all have a story. It is wonderous how Hobb can connect them all and make you a part of their world."

[Jen K]

Thanks JoAnne! I know it is coming and I'm enjoying the slow meander as we get to know them.

I just finished the chapter on Vivacia's quickening,(view spoiler)[ a utterly heartbreaking but I'm excited for the next steps for both Althea and Wintrow. I feel for Wintrow because I don't think he is going back to the priests but will have a fabulous relationship with Vivacia.

Althea is is really sad. I can't imagine where she is going from her but on the bright side, I'm guessing that Althea and Brashen will be the romance part of fantasy-romance.

Kennit is terrible but fascinating. I really Etta isn't harmed by the ruby earring and interaction with Kennit. (hide spoiler)]

[KateNZ]

I’m still hanging about with Kennet on the Pirate Isles - a bit of recent history and the birth of his ambitions. Planning to curl up with a few more chapters this evening.

I do love the slow burn. And that’s such a good point about her focus on connections. You can see that already. But *how* they’ll connect is intriguing.

[Joanne]

Oh, so many good surprise to come for you two .

[Jen K]

Just finished Part 2 with just Winter remaining.

I'm going to attempt a pause to read my Steeplechase book this weekend but I meant to do that after Part 1 but was too addicted to stop. I really enjoy Hobb's writing, world and characters so much.

My thought so far: (view spoiler)[ I am so fascinated by Amber, who or what is she and how will she continue to influence or affect the other characters?

My heart seriously goes out to Wintrow and Vivacia. They are both so young and miserable. The finger scene was amazing both Vivacia's prompting him to be himself and not let others shape him to his standing up for himself and being accepted into the crew officially.

Kyle and Malta are terrible terrible people. Marta is really going to get herself in trouble and wonder if she will end up the blood payment the Wild Rain people. So fascinated to learn more about them.

Kennit, also interesting even if not quite likeable. My wild theory is that he will steal Vivacia with Kyle's mismanagement and that Althea will need to convince Paragon to sail again to get her back (hence book 2 Mad Ship title).

The serpent scenes are my least favorite. I have no idea what is going on there but really hoping that it leads to dragons. (hide spoiler)]

[KateNZ]

I’m much slower - I’m not quite at the end of Midsummer yet.

Vivacia seems like a lovely character! And maybe Wintrow will find his feet.

Kyle sounds like a reasonable human being when he’s with Keffria. I’m suspicious. He is so horrible to everyone else.

[Joanne]

I think you mean Malta, right Jen? I got confused a bit and could not remember a Marta-just a slip of the keys, oh and I am so famous for that, so no judging here.

What I love about Hobb is that she makes you wonder and really think about the characters. I had some of the same thoughts while reading this first book of the Liveship. I will be so interested to see your final judgements of them.

Vivica is such a wonderful character, so wise, She knows a lot more than you can imagine right now.

[KateNZ]

Right. Kyle is officially back at the top of the hate list. I don’t know what the serpents are doing either but if they eat Kyle I will count myself satisfied.

Kennit is such an interesting character. He has such depth - superficially the stereotypical pirate, out for himself and his own gain, but with some deeper currents. Plots within plots…

[Jen K]

Joanne wrote: "I think you mean Malta, right Jen? I got confused a bit and could not remember a Marta-just a slip of the keys, oh and I am so famous for that, so no judging here.

What I love about Hobb is that s..."

Absolutely meant Malta, not sure what happened there.

Excited to see how it all plays out.

@Kate, Kyle is definitely on my hate list. Good suggestion for the serpents to eat him. Everyone would be so much better off!

[Jen K]

Finished Steeplechase book and excited to head back into this one. Unfortunately the strong writing in this one only highlighted the flaws in the other book.

[Jen K]

Ahh, I finished this last week and LOVED it!!! I already bought book 2 and 3 since my library doesn't have them.

I just haven't managed a review yet. Headed to my brother's tomorrow and attempting to be on leave at work and hope to wrap my brain around reviewing this and other books.

Where are you in the book? How are you enjoying?

[KateNZ]

I’m half way through and adoring it. I’ve just had to spend more time with my ebook or audios in the last few days. Need some quality time in my chair with the hefty print book and the cat.

Biting my fingernails for Althea. She is walking such a tightrope.

[KateNZ]

Only a hundred pages left to go.

Malta is such a little b****. I hope she gets some form of come-uppance that doesn’t involve dragging her mother and grandmother down with her. But actually nobody is exactly covering themselves in glory. Am I allowed to slap Brashen? And you would really think that Wintrow might have developed some common sense by now.

You’re right that Amber is an interesting character though.

[Jen K]

Yes!!!! They were struggling so hard in the winter part. Brashen needs to just say no to drugs. :). Really hope that they get back on track soon.

I bought the next two in the series and I swear I'm going to catch up on reviews soon. Hope you are enjoying!

How does it compare to Sabriel? Thinking I have only one more fantasy romance in me by the end of the month and torn between Sabriel and The Final Strife. The cover for sabriel is off putting to me. Is it super young?

[Joanne]

I DNF Sabriel-but that is just me Jen-you read more Y/A than I

[Joanne]

I am so glad you both are loving this book. I promise. as you move forward in the series, you will love it more and change your opinion on characters 2-4 times before the end!

[KateNZ]

Sabriel was just ok for me. It’s not super young - there are some horror elements - but it’s very much in the coming of age genre. Competent rather than stellar. I’d have struggled a bit in print I think, but I needed an audio while I was stitching and Tim Curry was entertaining!

[Jen K]

Tim Curry sounds like a great choice! I wonder if my library has the audio version.

I do own it and will get to it but maybe not now. I have been overdoing it with these challenges and read beyond my tolerance level of coming of age in the last few months. I didn't vote for crime but appreciate the break.

[KateNZ]

Finished. Amazing. It’s so complex - so many strands.

Will write a review over the weekend once I’ve let it settle a bit.

[Jen K]

It is so good!! Glad you finished!