The Mad Ship: The Liveship Traders, Book 2

The story gets more complex in The Mad Ship as the characters first come together then separate out and more become focus points for the story. This makes for an even better reading experience with each of the Vestrits, the pirate Kennit and all of the other supporting characters having their own absorbing plotlines and perspectives.In this book we get closer to the secret behind wizardwood and the terrible truth of what it truly is. I also loved the links with the Farseer trilogy with references to the Mountain Kingdom and carved dragons. This is the first time where I feel like I know where the timeline sits between the Farseer and Liveship Traders books, with a reference to the Red Ship Wars having been over for several years.However, while you definitely need to read the previous Liveship Traders book before reading this one, you don’t need to have read the Farseer trilogy. I’d just definitely recommend it because they are also brilliant.

I may have found it difficult getting in to Robin Hobb's books but it seems that with a little time and perseverance (or perhaps I simply started with the wrong book) that she is a writer well worth reading. I gave up a couple of times, foolishly, it now, seems. This is an excellently worked fantasy, as was the first in the trilogy, it is well written, well planned and thoroughly engaging. Upon finishing the first book in the series I immediately bought this one and for me there is no greater compliment to an author's work than, I want to read more about those characters and their situations. I am very much looking forward to reading the third in the trilogy. Here comes my only bugbear (this is nothing to do with Robin Hobb or the quality of her excellent series) and that is the first two books are competitively priced for the Kindle on Amazon and so of course you wish to read the third but then there is a huge hike in the price. This is not unusual on kindle, something to tempt you in and then whap! you are paying over the odds. I have seen this with a few series now. I had a kobo e-reader before I swapped to Amazon and Kindle and I prefer the Kindle but unless it was a new release all books in a series on kobo were priced the same.Is this a bit of Hokum to boost Amazons profits?

The whole series of books here is totally rivetting and I have done absolutely no housework since they arrived on my kindle. You are drawn irrevocably into the lives of these ships and their families, so much so that I purchased the sequel which covers the passage and growing of the young dragons after their traumatic births. I am now about half way through the sequel books and again cannot put them down. Have to be very strict with myself, but thankfully the battery on the kindle tells me when it needs recharging so that gives me the nod to get on and do something else, always watching the clock as to when the kindle will be recharged and I can start reading again. I feel totally lazy but not a bit guilty at avoiding housework and other chores to complete this series. Thank you Robin Hobbs for a superb story line.

I bought this book shortly after starting book1 and having enjoyed that one (apart from some of the parts about the serpents, which now at the end of this book start to make more sense) moved on to book 2. Again it kept my interest and I was Ken to follow reading of the lives of the various characters in their worlds. Towards the end I am a little concerned at the direction the book seems to be taking but am still keen to go on and find out how the various strands come together and to what ending. Truly a series, for me, that is enjoyable and one to loose yourself in, imagining yourself as a part of it.

Great book very well wrapped from a great seller

The paperback copy I received was in great condition, but I had ordered a Hardback. Would still recommend the seller though, as I've bought many books before and this is the first issue I've had.

What I enjoy about this trilogy is that nothing is black and white. Kyle Haven is a villain but also a misguided individual trying to do what he thinks is best for his family. Kennit is a scheming dastardly pirate but seemingly by accident improves the lives of everyone he meets. The trilogy is also a tale of coming of age, of that difficult transition from childhood to adulthood, of learning the world is more complicated than it appears and finding your own way through the world. This book is as gripping as it's predecessor. I think it's a fantastic trilogy that looks at the complexities of people and I will encourage my kids to read it when they become teenagers

This entire trilogy had me completely absorbed - I could not put this down until I had finished it all.The only thing that could fill the empty feeling after finishing a really good book, is another Robin Hobb book.