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A review by mkmcelroy
The Mad Ship by Robin Hobb
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Once again Robin Hobb's character work shines like nothing else that I've read. Each character contains nuance, walking a line between good/bad or success/failure that is endlessly fascinating to follow. Each character's evolution is almost plot progression in itself. There are characters from the first book that I hated, who I've now grown to love despite myself. And there are character I imagined to be series favorites who have completely soured for me. In each instance, that growth/"fall from grace" felt entirely earned and natural for the character as well.
I also appreciated that this book felt more conclusive and climactic than the first, a rare trait in a sequel (in my experience). Questions from Ship of Magic that nagged at me after its end where given satisfying (if not always complete) answers in this book. And the worldbuilding and lore expanded in a way that made everything feel more 'epic fantasy'. I loved everything we were learning about the Rain Wilds and the liveships/wizardwood. Even the serpent perspectives, which I found very tiresome in the first book, finally introduced stakes that hooked me more.
Overall, this book exceeded my expectations. It added depth, more so than breath, to the world and characters, making each perspective and chapter more rewarding. It's made me infinitely more excited to read Ship of Destiny and much more likely to recommend the series overall.
I also appreciated that this book felt more conclusive and climactic than the first, a rare trait in a sequel (in my experience). Questions from Ship of Magic that nagged at me after its end where given satisfying (if not always complete) answers in this book. And the worldbuilding and lore expanded in a way that made everything feel more 'epic fantasy'. I loved everything we were learning about the Rain Wilds and the liveships/wizardwood. Even the serpent perspectives, which I found very tiresome in the first book, finally introduced stakes that hooked me more.
Overall, this book exceeded my expectations. It added depth, more so than breath, to the world and characters, making each perspective and chapter more rewarding. It's made me infinitely more excited to read Ship of Destiny and much more likely to recommend the series overall.