Hi ForeverBookers,
How are you all today? I hope you’re well.
Earlier on today I finished “Ship Of Destiny” by Robin Hobb. I surprisingly enjoyed it. I thought it would take me months to get through, like it did with “Ship of Magic” and “The Mad Ship,” books 1 and 2 in “The Liveship Traders” trilogy, but I’m very pleased to say that I highly enjoyed it, so much that it took me only around a week, and for a book just over 900 pages, I think that’s pretty good.
4.5 Stars!
I read “Ship of Destiny” for a few readathons. They were:
Reading Rivalry - You’ll Always Find Your Way Back Home - Althea certainly has a moment of “coming back home,” I’d say.
Always Fully Booked Reading Challenge 2026 - Read a book set on a boat - Almost all of the plot of Ship of Destiny is set at sea in one boat or another, so I’m counting it for this.
NOTE: There’s mention of blood and gore in “Ship of Destiny” and some sexual advances as well as rape scene.
Spoilers Below
“Decided!” Paragon declared abruptly. “I’ve reached a decision, Brashen. For myself. As I never have before. I’ve decided to put my heart into what we do. Not for you, but for myself. I now believe that we can prevail. So does Mother. She is sure that, between the two of us, we can make Kennit see reason.”
This happens in the last third of the book. Paragon is the mad ship that book 2 is named after. He’s a fun character to follow. I enjoyed reading his quotes the most. He’s quite depressed at the beginning, thinking that nobody loves or really, truly wants him. By this point in the last third of the story, he begins to see that he is worthy of life and that no one will shut him down. He’s got a place to belong now with Brashen as he tries to get Althea’s ship, The Vivacia back for her.
“Paragon, close up your seams. Why are you trying to kill us? Why?”
The figurehead did not reply. The uneven light of flames danced illumination over the figurehead. Paragon stared straight ahead in the storm. His arms hugged his chest. The knotted muscles of his back showed the tension of his posture.”
This is when Paragon, the mad ship is having a crazy moment. These happen throughout the plot of “Ship of Destiny.” Paragon is depressed for most of the plot of “Ship of Destiny.” Can Brashen bring him around to make him believe in himself? That he’s worthy of life? I’ll let you read for yourself, but it’s a good plot in this sense. I enjoyed reading Paragon become himself again.
“I know her. Not well, not in all things, but where this ship is concerned, she will not be dissuaded. She will try to take the Vivacia. That is as certain as sunrise.”
Kennit smiled faintly. “Through a wall of serpents? If she survives them, she will discover the Vivacia is no longer who she once was. I do not think I need to fear.”
“No longer who she once was,” Wintrow repeated in a whisper. His look became distant. “Are any of us?” he asked, and lowered his face into his hands.”
This is when Wintrow warns Kennit of Althea’s need to get Vivacia back under her control. Can she do it? Althea believes Vivacia is HER ship. But is she? Does Vivacia get a say in where she belongs? I’ll let you read for yourself. This was the main point of the novel, I think. Where does Vivacia truly belong? With her old family of the Vestrits or her new family of Kennit, Etta and Wintrow? Kennit isn’t very nice in “Ship of Destiny.” He thinks he controls Bolt, the new name of Vivacia. But does he? I’ll let you read for yourself.
Ship of Destiny takes place on many different boats, as I said above. One of which is Vivacia. Wintrow, our priestly character from both Ship of Magic and The Mad Ship wants to desperately get Vivacia back under the control of the Vestrits. She’s his pride and joy. Without her, he doesn’t know how to live. In “The Mad Ship,” his father, Kyle Vestrit has control over The Vivacia. I hated Kyle. We’re meant to, but he was an evil man. Wintrow used to be a priest but has learnt how to become a sailor because his father, Kyle made him in books 1 and 2. He doesn’t want this at first. Does he change his mind? Does his discovery at the end of “The Mad Ship” aid his quest or hinder it? I’ll let you read for yourself but that part of “Ship of Destiny” is a good coming of age kind of story.
Another part of Ship of Destiny is Althea and her quest to get the Vivacia back. She and her comrade, Brashen rebuild The Paragon, a washed up ship in “The Mad Ship.” Actually, the mad ship IS Paragon. He was put out to pasture years before. In “The Mad Ship,” Althea and Brashen get permission from the Ludlucks, Paragon’s sailing family to use him to find Vivacia. This causes some trauma for poor Paragon. It’s revealed in “Ship Of Destiny” that Kennit is a Ludluck, so Pargon is his ship. What trials does this throw up? Can anyone be who they’re meant to be? I’ll let you read for yourself.
I really enjoyed reading Althea and Brashen’s parts as these were often romantically inclined. They are a main couple of the story, even if they don’t realise it themselves until towards the end. I knew at the beginning of “The Mad Ship” at least that they would end up together, if not in “Ship of Magic,” book 1 of “The Liveship Traders.”
On the other side of things, we have Malta and the Satrap, Cosgo. Malta hates being stuck with Cosgo and his Companion. The Satrap is like royalty in this version of the world. He is to be valued above everyone else, or so he thinks. Does Malta treat him that way? Or does she stand up for herself? I’ll let you read for yourself but it was an interesting relationship to see develop.
Reyn is Malta’s intended we learn in “The Mad Ship.” He wants to find Malta, of course after the disaster that happened at the end of “The Mad Ship.” How does he find her? Only with a dragon called Tintaglia.
“Had dragons truly been gone so long from the world that the hoofed ones had discarded their weariness of the sky? She would soon tach them better. Tintaglia tucked her wings and plummeted.”
Tintaglia is a dragon from the Rain Wilds, where Reyn was brought up. She’s quite uppity at first. Her using the term “poor little bugs” to refer to humans shows this. Can she change for the better and start caring about humans? I’ll let you read for yourself. At the same time as this is happening, Reyn is becoming more dragon like in appearance. As a Rain Wilder, this happens when they reach maturity. However, when it starts happening to other characters too later in the plot, why is it happening and do the characters welcome it? I’ll let you determine for yourself.
Lastly, Kennit is a significant character. He probably takes up most of the plot, I’d say. He’s the Captain of the Vivacia for the majority of “Ship of Destiny.” He’s also the love interest of Etta. Etta is a rather gullible character at first. Does she change and become a better woman. Or does Kennit bring her down and make her into his plaything? I’ll let you read for yourself.
There are of course other parts to the plot but I didn’t think they were that significant. For example, I’ll briefly mention Serilla, Cosgo’s old Companion. She becomes the leader of Bingtown, the town where Malta is originally from, despite others not wanting her as leader. This was certainly not the point of the book, just a side tangent. Other than that, though I think I’ve highlighted all if not most of the significant points above.
Lastly, I’ll just quickly sum up the main fantastical part of this book, the dragons. “Through the dragon he sensed her but could not touch her. It was as taunting as seeing her silhouette on a blowing curtain, or smelling her scent and feeling the warmth of her cheek on a recently vacated pillow. He leaned towards it, yearning, but could find no substance. He felt Tintaglia’s efforts, as she sorted Malta’s thread from a tangled skein of sensations. Here it was strong and clean, and then it vanished into memories of wind and rain and saltwater. Where is she? his mind frantically demanded on Tintaglia’s. How is she?
I cannot know such things by this sense! the dragon replied disdainfully.”
This is significant because Tintaglia is the one who finds Malta. Reyn is Malta’s intended it was revealed in “The Mad Ship.” Malta, herself didn’t want this engagement to happen to begin with but with the events of that novel, she just wants her easy life back. Can she get this? You’ll need to read for yourself!
Overall then, I really enjoyed “Ship of Destiny.” It had everything I love in the plot as well as a few surprises that kept me guessing until the end. It was much more intriguing than either “Ship of Magic” or “The Mad Ship” for me. That’s why I’m giving this book 4.5 stars!
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