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ROBIN HOBB
I have placed "sizzler
ratings" next to books read, even if the review
hasn't been added at this time.
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SHIP
OF DESTINY (2000) |
Sub-category: Fantasy/Magic
The plot: Things cannot
get any worse for the Veserit family of Bingtown - Malta
is missing, presumed dead as is her nasty father, Althea
is on board a mad liveship searching her own Liveship which
is in pirate hands, Wintrow is in the pirate hands Ronica,
the matriarch is trying to clear her family name and rebuild
their home after is is destroyed by a conspiracy. Worse,
Reyn, a Rain Wilds trader has released a dragon who has
a casual disrespect for the changes that have been effected
since The Lords of the Three Realms last ruled and the Satrap,
ruler of The Cursed Shores, is missing and presumed dead.
Comment: Well! After
such a sleeper of a start in the first book in the Liveship
Trilogy, Hobb has risen magnificently to her best in this
finale! All 903 pages of this book were absolutely riveting
as one twist turned into another as the Veserit family battled
to reclaim their lives and life on the Cursed Shores is
irreversibly changed forever. Given the climatic ending,
I wonder if Hobb will continue write another story in these
magic lands, because it should be pretty exciting with the
new developments at the conclusion of this one!
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THE
MAD SHIP (1999) |
Sub-category: Fantasy/Magic
The plot: The pirates
are gaining control, Bingown is loosing power, the Satrap
is a spolit, drugged little boy who isn't concerned for
his citizens. Soon-to-be-woman Malta is playing with fire
courting to two men, one weak the other holding the debt
on her family's Liveship and Althea is back only to fix
up Paragon and go off in pursuit of her beloved Liveship,
Vivacia... The whole lifestyle and traditions of the Liveship
Traders are disintegrating into increasingly perilous
conditions in this novel!
Comment: Phew! What
a relief! After the slow meandering of Ship
of Magic, it was good to have a solid read - and at
906 pages - it had to be readable! After wasting an entire
novel setting up the scenario Ship of Magic, Hobb
now grabbed the reigns and plunged her characters into
increasingly desperate situations which have you compulsively
turning the page. Probably, I still wouldn't quite say
this is as good as her Farseer Trilogy books, but defintely
an enjoyable book and series for anyone who likes fantasy
books!
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SHIP
OF MAGIC (1998) |
Sub-category: Fantasy/Magic
The plot: Although
set in the lands that Hobb's "Farseer Trilogy" was based,
this story starts to the south. Here we find the Old Trader's
of Bingtown are having their merchant lives slowly destroyed
by a thriving slave trade. The story focuses on Althea,
a daughter with an affinity for a Liveship; Kyle, the
shallow and mean brother-in-law who inherits her ship,
Kennit, a pirate with grand dreams.
Comment: One cannot
find fault with Hobb for writing a good novel, but I have
to admit, by the 200th page, I was beginning to wonder
when the plot was going to be revealed. By the 400th page,
I was seeing the foundations. Hopefully the sequel, "Mad
Ship" (to be released April, 1999) will build on the foundation
laid out in this novel!
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TOP ]
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An absolute sizzler of a movie - A must
see! |
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A scorcher of a good movie; still capable
of riveting you to your seat |
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Low flame burner; a pleasant piece
of mindless brain candy |
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A fizzler of a movie which will have
you counting zzzzzz's... |
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