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“Enjoyed this series, great imagination and storytelling”
Nina C wrote this review Wednesday, October 28 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“ I read and enjoyed Robin Hobb's Assassin's Apprentice series several years ago, but don't remember a lot about it (not unusual for me). The Liveship Traders series looks to be the same sort of read for me: A fantasy series with engaging (if not fully fleshed) characters, a serviceable if not vivid world, and enough plot momentum to keep me moving along. (I finished this long novel in the course of about 4-5 days, which is fast for me these days.)
Boulder Public Library wrote this review Monday, August 17 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
The main fantasy element in this series is the concept of living sailing ships (manufactured from a substance called 'wizard-wood') that come to sentience upon the death of a member of the third generation of the families that own them. The ships are much valued in this world because they are the only ships that can travel into highly caustic waters to ply the trade of the Rain Wild River, a mysterious area that produces trade items of uncommon beauty and magical abilities.
I picked this series from a list of George RR Martin read-alkies, and I'm definitely seeing the parallels here: We have several members of a once well-to-do family flung apart into relentless life-changing experiences, serial chapters told from the viewpoints of many characters so we have a lot of individual intimate storylines feeding into the major main storyline which centers around major political and economic upheavals in the world at large. All of the characters have definite flaws, even the most awful of them shows the occasional glint of promise. Good recommendation for readers on the wait list for Martin's next novel.
Ann, Reference”
“Robin Hobb returns to the fantasy world she created in Assassin's Quest. Fast paced, exciting story of the sailors who pilot ships that are alive, complete w/ personlities & opinions. LOVED it.”
Alicia wrote this review Thursday, August 6 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I enjoyed this trilogy . A truly unique idea”
virginiawest76 wrote this review Wednesday, July 8 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“Robin Hobb brings her usual great characterization to the table. But the story really lagged for the first 100 or 200 pages. More than a few of the characters are completely unlikable. This book was missing the tension and heavy emotions of the Farseer Trilogy. I'd still recommend it, even though it was not up to Farseer standards. ”
am91962 wrote this review Saturday, June 20 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I still like this trilogy but I liked the Assassin and Fool books more!”
Veronica wrote this review Wednesday, June 10 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“I really enjoy this trilogy.”
Susane B wrote this review Friday, April 3 2009. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
1 of 1 members found this review helpful“Gripping first instalment of a new series from the author of The Farseer Trilogy. Wizardwood -- a sentient wood. The most precious commodity in the world. Like many other legendary wares, it comes only from the Rain River Wilds. But how can one trade with the Rain River Traders when only a liveship, fashioned from wizardwood, can negotiate the perilous waters of the Rain River? A liveship is a difficult ship to come by. Rare and valuable, it will quicken only when three family members, from succesive generations, have died on board. The liveship Vivacia is about to undergo her quickening, as Althea Vestrit's father is carried to her deck in his death-throes. Althea waits with awe and anticipation for the ship that she loves more than anything in the world to awaken. Only to find that her family has other plans for her...And dark, charming Kennit, aspiring pirate king, also lusts after such a ship: he well knows the power of wizardwood, and has plans of his own... ”
St Alban's College Library wrote this review Wednesday, October 15 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No“One of the best series I've read in a very long time. I would recommend this series to anyone one who loves good fantasy. This is not light reading. ”
Julia B wrote this review Friday, September 19 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
“My favorite trilogy by Hobb. Lots of characters, some perhaps a tad annoying (but they get better as the series progresses), but others interesting enough to make up for it. I particularly like the "ambiguous" characters. Worldbuilding is excellet, as usual.”
Sara E wrote this review Friday, June 27 2008. ( reply | permalink ) Was this review helpful? Yes | No
