Mad Ship / Robin Hobb

 

Mad Ship by Robin Hobb
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Robin Hobb knows how to keep a reader hooked, how to move a plot along at a frisky pace, and how to make you care about even her most unpleasant characters. She pushes her creations well past where they are comfortable and lets them expand to fill her expectations of them. Don't let anyone tell you that only George R.R. Martin can effectively use multiple points of view on all sides of the many conflicts, big and small—Hobb is every bit as skillful, if somewhat less murderous.

If you're like me, you started this book with faint hope for Malta Haven, thinking her a silly, spoiled child. Talk about growing up and getting smart! She has far exceeded my hopes for her and has found unexpected strength and fortitude, both of which she is going to need. The Rain Wild traders and the Satrap of Jamillia won't know what's hit them when she's finished with them! Go Malta!

The Wintrow/Vivacia/Kennit triangle develops in different directions too, surprising all of them plus Kennit's woman, Etta. If a liveship can be seduced away from her family, Kennit will do it! Watching this drama play out is fascinating, especially as we meet Kennit's mother briefly and get some insight into this pivotal character. We also get an up close and personal view of his leg amputation and rehabilitation.

Don't forget the Althea/Amber/Brashen triumvirate that intersects with the mad ship of the title, Paragon. They are hoping to retrieve the Vivacia from Kennit's clutches with the help (or at least not hindrance) of Paragon.

And finally, we also get some perspective on the whole question of the relationship between sea serpents, liveships, and dragons, oft hinted at but starting to come clearer!

Lots to absorb, lots to ponder, lots to enjoy. What a great way to end the reading year of 2020.

Book number 390 of my Science Fiction & Fantasy Reading Project.


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