cristina_g_ 's review for:

Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb

5.0

adventurous emotional medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

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Rating: Solid, all-time, emotionally-invested 5⭐️

This book wrecked me in the best possible way. I wasn’t expecting to love it this much - and not in the “I love these characters!!” kind of way. More like: I’m mad, I’m annoyed, I’m invested, I get it.

Robin Hobb doesn’t write heroes and villains - she writes people. Messy, flawed, sometimes terrible, sometimes trying their best kind of people. And The Ship of Magic does an exceptional job of showing how society, power, trauma, and history shape them.

The book plays like a movie in my head. The world is vivid, the pacing is intense without feeling rushed, and the emotional build-up is chef’s kiss. There’s so much nuance in how themes are developed - especially around gender, freedom, legacy, and the slow decay of values. You don’t just watch the story unfold - you feel every uncomfortable choice, every small win, every rising tension.

Moments I Loved 💔 (or was emotionally wrecked by):

- The conversation about women’s role in society: how equality eroded under the disguise of luxury. This hit so hard.
- Kyle. The rage is real. He’s awful, but so well-written it’s terrifying.
- Keffria’s awakening. I didn’t like her at first, but her moment of clarity? Incredible.
- Malta and the dream box chapter. She’s a kid, annoying at times, but her cunning shows so much potential. She’s frustrating but fascinating.
- Brashen’s age-check moment during a spicy-but-not-really scene. (I panicked. But we’re good. Mid-20s. Phew.)
- Kennit constantly meeting smart people and immediately thinking: “I should probably kill them.”
- The dick-flavored mug. I did not have that on my 2025 reading bingo.
- Ophelia’s sass. Pure joy. A delight every time she speaks.
- Althea finally catching a break. Thank you.
- Reyn and Malta—barely know anything about Reyn but somehow I’m already rooting for the romance.
- Every time I got irrationally mad or emotional - because that means the book worked.

The Ship of Magic makes you think and feel, and even when you don’t agree with the characters, you understand them. That’s what makes it great.