Robin Hobb is arguably the Queen of turmoil and this the first of the Liveship Traders series is absolutely filled with turmoil. The
Magic Ship is set mostly in Bingtown, a trading port town located south of the Six Dutchies from her previous Farseer Series. Bingtown is the home of the
liveships. Ships made of wizardwood who quicken after 3 generations of their family have lived and died aboard them. The Vestrit family and their liveship Vivacia are at the center of this book and both the family and the ship are in turmoil. Althea Vestrit has lived with her father on Vivacia for years and has a strong bond with the non-quickened ship and strong expectations of her future aboard the ship. Unfortuantely, at the time of both Althea's father's death and Vivacia's shortly following quickening, Althea's life is pulled out from under her. Her beloved live ship in inherited by her sister and her comandering husband, Kyle. Althea is kicked off the ship and Kyle's oldest son, the gentle Wintrow is forced to take her place against his wishes. Unhappiness subsequentially ensures for not only Althea, Vivacia and Wintrow but also Kyle as he vainly tries to bend the family's wishes to suit his own and the entire family as they realize the danger they have put themselves in by allowing Kyle, who has no understanding of liveships, in control.
The situation is further complicated by pirate Captain Kennit who is hoping to capture a liveship, the sea serpents who are everywhere in the surrounding oceans, the Rain Wild Traders and their magic, the family's dwindling funds and the mysterious Amber.
If you are after an out-of-this-world adventure I highly recommend you read this book. I felt it all with the characters. Very powerful!
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