Bantam Spectra-(1998)

Reviewed by Robert L. Thompson - 5/11/98

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I am a big fan of Robin Hobb's earlier Farseer Trilogy, and quite frankly the first twenty pages or so of this new series "the Liveship Traders" had me worried. But by page 30, it turned out to be VERY GOOD. In fact, the overall quality is better than the Farseer series.

Ship Of Magic tells three parallel tales but the two pivotal characters are Althea Vestrit, the youngest daughter of an Old Trader (merchant sea traders) Family, and Vivacia, the Vestrit Family Liveship which is a sentient being, as well as a seacraft. When Ephron, the patriarch of the Vestrit family dies, Althea's uncle Kyle takes over as Captain of the Vivacia, much to the horror of Althea, who grew up aboard Vivacia and was attuned to her. Kyle Haven is at best a mediocre sailor and does not even begin to understand people or Liveships. Althea leaves her family in disgust, and sets out disguised as a boy to prove her fitness to command aboard Vivacia.

Captain Kennit is a pirate who would be a king. In his search for a Liveship that he can take over, his First Mate Sorcor, cons him into agreeing to capture a slave ship and free the slaves for each Liveship that they attempt to capture (the worst Liveship can run circles around the best of regular ships given a competent captain and crew.) Anyway, Kennit becomes a hero to many for his exploits in freeing slaves. Not exactly what he planned, but it is the start of his "kingdom".

Wintrow is Kyle's son (Althea's cousin) who was sent off as a child to become a priest. At thirteen he is perhaps wise beyond his years, but still a sheltered kid unused to the harsh realities of life outside the monastery. A Liveship requires a direct descendant of the family that commissioned her to be aboard: (there are both male and female ships, Vivacia is a she ship) Kyle is only in the family by marriage to Althea's older sister, So Wintrow is shanghaied to be the official Vestrit On Board. While Vivacia and Wintrow like each other, Wintrow hates being under the brutal thumb of his father and has a suspicion that Vivacia's magic is not compatible with his religous beliefs.

Kyle becomes a slaver in order to make some quick money, and Vivacia really hates being a slaveship, so everyone aboard is stressed to the max.

I don't want to give away any more of the story, so will say no more about it except: There are Sea Serpents in the book, that are apparently more than just another hazard to sailing. The book doesn't tell us much about the ultimate purpose for the serpents, but I have a feeling.....

Once the story got going I realy liked SHIP OF MAGIC. Can't wait for the next book in The Liveship Traders series. It is not your typical slice'm and dice'm fantasy- It has a lot more depth, and is a great "coming of age" story too. Give it a try.

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