The Mad Ship cover art

The Mad Ship

The Liveship Traders, Book 2

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The Mad Ship

By: Robin Hobb
Narrated by: Anne Flosnik
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About this listen

The second volume in this superb trilogy from the author of The Farseer trilogy continues the dramatic tale of piracy, serpents, love and magic.

Althea Vestrit has found a new home aboard the liveship Ophelia, but lives only to reclaim the Vivacia as her rightful inheritance. However, Vivacia has been captured by the pirate, ‘King’ Kennit, and is acquiring a keen bloodlust.

Bingtown becomes embroiled in a violent political upheaval against the corrupt Jamaillian leader, while the fading fortunes of the Vestrit family lead Malta deeper into the magical secrets of the mysterious Rain Wilds Traders.

Beyond Bingtown, enigmatic wood-carver Amber dreams of re-launching the Paragon, The Mad Ship, despite the history of death and despair that surrounds him.

Secrets will be revealed – secrets forgotten by sea serpents, hidden by the disfigured Wild Rain Traders, buried deep in wizardwood coffins – secrets with startling, dramatic consequences.

©2012 Robin Hobb (P)2012 HarperCollins Publishers Limited Epic Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Genre Fiction Historical Military Political Magic Royalty

Critic Reviews

“Hobb is one of the great modern fantasy writers… what makes her novels as addictive as morphine is not just their imaginative brilliance but the way her characters are compromised and manipulated by politics” (The Times)

“Assassin's Apprentice:A gleaming debut” (Publishers Weekly)

“Assassin's Quest: 'Assassin's Quest achieves a bittersweet, powerful complexity rare in fantasy” (Locus)
All stars
Most relevant
The narrator grows on you, and I love the story although and that there is depth to the characters

Loved it

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I don't know how Robin Hobbs came up with the concept of the dragons and the serpents but it is amazing. my mind is blown.

Wow

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Another terrific tale from Hobb and this one not let down by the narration which so mired book one. Typically, for a second book in a trilogy, this is the one where everything starts going wrong. Indeed, the only issue here is that there are sooo many scenes of physical damage (so much skin peeling, trudging through mud, and battered faces), it’s a wonder any characters make it through. There is so much talk of rape in this book that it started feeling like a George RR Martin novel, bear that in mind if you are sensitive to that subject.

Vast improvement in narration

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Can't wait to hear the next book. Thankyou Robin and Anne as well as Audible.

Simply brilliant. Fantasy at it's best.

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Excellent series. I have read all of Robin Hobb’s book many years ago. It is so good to revisit them love the twists

Liveships

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Robin Hobb is a master. I cannot stress
how much I love this world and all the characters- human & serpent alike!

Love this series!

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Overall 5 stars, performance 5 stars, story 5 stars. Looking forward to the next one!

Awesome

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I normally listen to audiobooks to help me sleep, but this was so riveting it kept me awake.

amazing book

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Took a bit to grasp all the characters but when it all starts to piece together it make you think ahh that’s how that ties in…
Loved it.

Detailed

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the reading was appalling. id rather listen to my mother read it to me, sorry

reading

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