Ship of Magic

The Liveship Traders, Book 1

By: Robin Hobb

Narrated by: Anne Flosnik

Length: 35 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Bingtown is a hub of exotic trade and home to a merchant nobility famed for its liveships---rare vessels carved from wizardwood, which ripens magically into sentient awareness. The fortunes of one of Bingtown's oldest families rest on the newly awakened liveship Vivacia. For Althea Vestrit, the ship is her rightful legacy unjustly denied her---a legacy she will risk anything to reclaim.

For Althea's young nephew Wintrow, wrenched from his religious studies and forced to serve aboard ship, Vivacia is a life sentence. But the fate of the Vestrit family---and the ship---may ultimately lie in the hands of an outsider. The ruthless pirate Kennit seeks a way to seize power over all the denizens of the Pirate Isles...and the first step of his plan requires him to capture his own liveship and bend it to his will.

©1999 Robin Hobb (P)2010 Tantor

Critic reviews

“The characterizations are consistently superb.... Kudos to the author and encore!” ( Booklist, Starred Review)

Detailed character and story development

I can't usually slow down enough for the super-detailed plot/character development novels (e.g. Wheel of Time) but I found this one to be Ok. The story is certainly told in a measured pace but it constantly (perhaps inexorably) moves forward and you receive a lot of background along the way.

Character actions and entirely consistent with their beliefs and they don't ever seem to do something unnatural, just to move to plot in a certain direction.

I see that others didn't like the narrator. Hmm, well she certainly narrates a measure tale in an ever more measured and deliberate style but I found she seemed to compliment the writing. I thought she did a great job of giving the characters personality and individuality, so I was happy with her.

So we’ll written!

I was schooled how much I loved this book and how immersed I became in the world Robin Hobbs created! Her characters had such vivid and distinct points of views. I thought the narrator did a wonderful job!

Narration started rough but it faded from my awareness

Lots of people pointed out how bad the narration was and I noticed this only after I had purchased. For about the first hour I was so distracted by the narrator that I almost gave up. Fortunately, I started to acclimate to it and enjoyed the rest of the book. I miss the previous series and subsequent series narrator's, but I would let this stop you from purchasing the book. I would suggest it is overpriced for the quality.

Complex without being over done.

Listening to this book evoked vivid memories of reading the Rain Wilds Chronicles also by Robin Hobb. I was moved when I realized that several of the characters in that series actually began here. Great book.

Sample the narration before you buy!

First and foremost this an amazing series and I highly recommend that you READ them.

However, I've never listened to a sample reading before buying an audible book, but it is something that I will do with every purchase going forward. I am so upset that I paid the additional cost for the audible file for this entire series. I have never in my life heard someone be so overly dramatic and monotone at the same time. I didn't even get 30 minutes into the first book before I went in search for something else to listen to. Between the slow speech pattern and the drawing out of every third word... Just no... can't do it... completely wasted my money. I will never buy anything narrated by her again--EVER.

My love of other Robin Hobb works caused me to set this one aside as a 'reading' book and I'm very glad that I did. The character development is fantastic, the story-line is well thought out and consistent. Hobb somehow manages to paint a very developed and detailed world without getting caught up in the details. I out-read her (out listened?) in less than 3 weeks and am now waiting for her (or Margaret Astrid Lindholm Ogden-- I've out read both her names now) to hurry up and write something new!

fantastic

This is one of Hobb's best works. I truly enjoy any story with Fitz & the Fool but these characters and their stories are well balanced and concieved masterfully. It's well worth the read and or listen.

originally familiar

this story has something for everyone to enjoy but answers at the end. Expect to buy the second book immediately! There is so much here that is recognized...even standard, yet mixed in and among are creations shockingly original , fun and exciting.. So much so, that you appreciate the moments of standard to give you the breath of familiarity. before suddenly knocking you teetering with the unexpected. I think you will enjoy your stay in the world of the liveships.

wonderful story

easy reading. couldn't put it down! I'm excited to see what happens next... I'm always in awe at Hobb's storytelling abilities

Another great one

Robin Hobb Is fantastic. Id forgotten how much I like this book! Only thing is, i can only listen to Kyle’s constant anger for so long- needed to pick up my kindle version in some spots- kudos to the narrator- as it felt like I was being yelled at 😂

Great story!

Loved the story didn’t care for the narrator but it didn’t take away from the book enough to alter my rating.