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Ship of Destiny (Liveship Traders Vol-3) Hardcover – 6 Mar. 2000

by Robin Hobb (Author)
4.7 4.7 out of 5 stars 7,186 ratings
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The triumphant conclusion to the magnificent Liveship Traders series.

The dragon, Tintaglia, has been released from her wizardwood coffin, only to find that the glories of her kingdom have passed into ancient memory.

Meanwhile, Malta Vestrit navigates the acid flow of the Rain Wild River in a decomposing boat, accompanied by the Satrap Cosgo and his Companion Kekki. Against hope, a ship appears in the alien waters, but does it mean rescue, or a further nightmare, for Malta?

In ruined Bingtown, the citizens are at war, against the Chalcedean mercenaries besieging the harbour, and also among themselves. If the city is to survive, Ronica Vestrit must unite all its peoples – both Trader and Tattooed – and liberate the city once and for all; but Companion Serilla has a different agenda, and is seeking to establish her own power base.

Althea and Brashen are finally at sea together, sailing the liveship Paragon into pirate waters in a last-ditch effort to rescue the Vestrit family liveship, Vivacia, stolen by the Pirate king, Kennit; but there is mutiny brewing in their rag-tag crew; and in the mind of the mad ship itself…

Wintrow has liberated She Who Remembers and she can at last fulfil her ancient purpose, but in doing so he has been terribly injured. If Wintrow dies, Kennit fears that Vivacia will lose her fragile sanity: a loss that will also threaten his dreams of power and glory. So he strikes a deal with the ship. And soon the waters around the Vivacia are seething with giant serpents, following the liveship as it sails to its destiny.

Majestic and sweeping, Ship of Destiny concludes the tale of the Vestrit family and their part in the history of The Liveship Traders with a soaring and triumphant finale to this unique series of epic fantasy.

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  1. Book 3 of 3
    Liveship Traders Trilogy
  2. Print length
    688 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publisher
    Voyager
  5. Publication date
    6 Mar. 2000
  6. Dimensions
    15.9 x 5.5 x 24 cm
  7. ISBN-10
    0002254808
  8. ISBN-13
    978-0002254809
  9. See all details
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Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
7,186 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and well-written. They appreciate the pacing and mystery as they immerse themselves in the world. The characters are well-developed and become important to the reader. Overall, it's a captivating series that draws readers into its own world.

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ReadabilityPacingWriting qualityCharacter developmentSeries qualityBook loveGripDifficulty to put down
187 customers mention ‘Readability’187 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's readability. They find it engaging and well-written, with a great concept that is brought to life through descriptive storytelling. The premise is interesting and reminiscent of Anne McCaffrey's brain ships.

"...A sign of excellent and endlessly re-readable writing." Read more

"This author is perhaps the greatest ever fantasy writer. Amazing, astonishing. If you have not read it already, begin with Assassin's Quest" Read more

"...The premise was interesting and reminiscent of Anne McCaffrey's brain ships, which I love...." Read more

"...A must for everyone who likes Hobb, a well recommended read (after the first two ones in this trilogy of course) for everyone who hasn't read her yet." Read more

125 customers mention ‘Pacing’113 positive12 negative

Customers enjoy the book's pacing. They find the storyline engaging and the ending satisfying. The mysteries unfold and the fates are well-developed. Readers appreciate the lore-filled epic fantasy novel with an entrancing style.

"...Ship of Destiny is everything you want from an involving, lore-filled epic fantasy novel...." Read more

"...whole bunch of characters evolve and change, together with a very consistent storyline through all three books of the trilogy, all culminating in..." Read more

"...This is fantasy without sword and sorcery told in enrapturing style which turns depth of human understanding and adventure into the rapid read..." Read more

"The second of the trilogy continues the story and is as good as the first...." Read more

44 customers mention ‘Writing quality’41 positive3 negative

Customers praise the writing quality. They find the books engaging and well-written, with a poetic style that draws them in. The books are easy to read, exciting, and different from other fantasy series. Readers appreciate the strong, believable female characters.

"...A sign of excellent and endlessly re-readable writing." Read more

"This is such a gripping book, I couldn't put it down. It is very well written with great characters and plots that are interwoven throughout the..." Read more

"...to the consistency of excellent story telling of Guy Gavriel Kay - fluent, poetic and gripping; perhaps her themes are also deeper and better..." Read more

"...Brilliant writing." Read more

42 customers mention ‘Character development’42 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the well-developed characters. They find the tale complex with many characters that become important to the reader. The book is well-written with sound characters and a decent plot.

"...What I like most is that in this trilogy a whole bunch of characters evolve and change, together with a very consistent storyline through all three..." Read more

"...They did not disappoint, the characters were great and the storyline had me hooked...." Read more

"This is a grand series. I loved the characters - their development and progression were skilfully handled - and found some of the concepts thought..." Read more

"...She weaves a complex tale with myriad characters that each become important to the reader. We want to follow each individual's story!..." Read more

34 customers mention ‘Series quality’34 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the series. They find it captivating and unique, describing it as a fantastic trilogy that draws them into its own world. Readers appreciate that the series started well and are pleased that it continues with a new series.

"The best of an excellent trilogy. Dragons, liveships, pirates, remaking the world and breaking with tradition, reunion, loss, hopes for the future...." Read more

"This is a grand series...." Read more

"...An excellent series altogether, and a worthy end to it. Highly recommended." Read more

"A good trilogy that keeps you alongside all the characters...." Read more

8 customers mention ‘Book love’8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the books. They find them captivating and hooked on the author's writing style. The books feature magic, pirates, and love stories.

"...of the Fool and those with whom the Fool engages in this marvellous series of books...." Read more

"This is one of the bet books I have ever read. A thrilling trilogy and very clever and unusual...." Read more

"...Huge Fan of the author and I'm reading the Rain Wild Chronicles as we speak, which is equally as good." Read more

"...Totally hooked on Hobbs books, she has a captivating style and amazing ability to spin a characters story." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Grip’7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging. They say it grips them from the beginning and doesn't let go until the end. The fantasy world keeps readers hooked for hours.

"This is such a gripping book, I couldn't put it down...." Read more

"...of excellent story telling of Guy Gavriel Kay - fluent, poetic and gripping; perhaps her themes are also deeper and better investigated than David..." Read more

"Unlike some series, this book did not slacken off at all. Totally recommend" Read more

"...Robin Hobb has created a wonderful fantasy world where you can loose yourself for hours." Read more

7 customers mention ‘Difficulty to put down’4 positive3 negative

Customers find the book engaging. Some say it's hard to put down, while others mention it takes a while to get into.

"A great read, hard to put down. A series well worth the money - hours of entertainment." Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed this trilogy. Although I found it hard to get into in the beginning, as there are many threads to follow, they all converge..." Read more

"...reading the Assassin series, this Liveship trilogy is just as hard to put down. Excellent." Read more

"...third so I'd still recommend this trilogy even though it takes a bit of getting into...." Read more

If you are looking for a set be careful
4 out of 5 stars
If you are looking for a set be careful
This is displayed as part of the same set, however this book is edition 2008 while the rest of the set is edition 2015 and have different size! Book is great and all but consider this a warning.
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Top reviews from United Kingdom

  • LiseyP
    5.0 out of 5 stars The best of an already excellent trilogy
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 May 2022
    Verified Purchase
    The best of an excellent trilogy. Dragons, liveships, pirates, remaking the world and breaking with tradition, reunion, loss, hopes for the future. Ship of Destiny is everything you want from an involving, lore-filled epic fantasy novel.

    Even as the characters are in conflict with each other we know them so well by now that we can see their perspective. The Vestrit family spend much of this books apart fulfilling their personal destinies and growing past their younger hopes and fears.

    Even though I know I’m about to return to the Six Duchies and the world of Fitz and the Fool when I move on to the Tawny Man trilogy, I slightly grudge the loss (for now) of these characters and this world because I have loved revisiting it so much. I also can’t believe it took me so long to figure out the major link between the Liveship Traders and Farseer books. Even though I’ve read these books before the link was a wonderful and gradual reveal all over again. A sign of excellent and endlessly re-readable writing.
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  • PAC
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic writing!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 October 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This author is perhaps the greatest ever fantasy writer. Amazing, astonishing. If you have not read it already, begin with Assassin's Quest
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  • Medsec
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting and quite involving
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 April 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I've never been such a fan of Robin Hobb's writing as others are but the first book in this trilogy, 'Ship of Magic' was on offer, so I thought I would give it a whirl. The premise was interesting and reminiscent of Anne McCaffrey's brain ships, which I love. The storyline was interesting, although it was a bit on the slow side for me and I confess I skimmed a lot of the first and second books. It did make me want to find out what happened to the liveships, so I kept on reading. I didn't like the character of Kennit at all, despite his story being central to the whole series: something which finally became apparent in this, the third book. Halfway through 'Ship of Destiny' the pace suddenly picked up and I found it had become 'un-put-downable' and it was quite a rip-roaring finish, though with plenty of loose ends to pick up for the next series 'The Rain Wild Chronicles'. I see that this has mixed reviews but no doubt I will read it in due course, to find out what becomes of the dragons. If you are a Robin Hobb fan I'm sure you will love the Liveship Traders books. I still don't quite care for the protracted build-up to half a book of excitement but it is worth reading.
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  • Mr. Uwe Tru
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loving it!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 19 August 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Having read the Farseer trilogy with much pleasure, and then the Tawny Man, I was originally a little skeptic about "Oh, another trilogy...", in the past having given up on more than one author as they were trying to wrench another story out of an imagined world. I could not have been more wrong! Robin Hobb uses some previously named places and people with a lot of new to create a very different environment and a new range of characters.The world these characters travel in is, while consistent with that of the Farseers, as different and exciting new as early Rome was to the wonders of ancient Egypt. What I like most is that in this trilogy a whole bunch of characters evolve and change, together with a very consistent storyline through all three books of the trilogy, all culminating in this Ship of Destiny. A must for everyone who likes Hobb, a well recommended read (after the first two ones in this trilogy of course) for everyone who hasn't read her yet.
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  • PAG
    5.0 out of 5 stars Dragon flight thriller!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 September 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Hobbs unveils her fantasy over three magisterial books as she weaves amazingly ingenious and original fantasy with stories of human love, pain, politics, and intrigue. This is fantasy without sword and sorcery told in enrapturing style which turns depth of human understanding and adventure into the rapid read magnetism of an airport or should I say, “Dragon flight” thriller!
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  • Hungysaurus
    5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic End to a Entertaining Trilogy
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 13 April 2014
    Verified Purchase
    A recommendation is largely superfluous for a book like this; why would someone who has read the first two books REQUIRE a recommendation to read the final book in a trilogy.

    Simple answer is you don't. This book isn't written in a different style, it hasn't changed the type and mechanic of its storytelling, it's just more of what you've hopefully already fallen in love with and enjoyed reading. At no point did I decide "You know what, I may as well stop reading after the first 100 pages, it doesn't matter reading til the end..."; once you read the first few chapters you'll want to finish the book, and the more you read the more you'll look forward to finish it!

    The only reason I'd suggest to someone NOT to read this book, is if you don't want it to be over and it can forever remain as an unfinished story in your mind.
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  • Alan A
    5.0 out of 5 stars Book Two - The story continues!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 December 2021
    Verified Purchase
    The second of the trilogy continues the story and is as good as the first. It is, if you like this sort of fantasy book, a good read and one that at many parts make you want to return to read more, reluctant to put it down to return to real life for a time. But it brings you back. Now on to the third book - but I must go and get lunch first!!
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  • Gavin Farrell
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 27 May 2016
    Verified Purchase
    If you're reading a review on Hobbs' final book of this series I'm sure you need no introduction to this wondrous story. I encourage you to follow on and wrap up on this glorious tale of talking figureheads and sea serpents traversing the Cursed Shores.

    However you might wonder as to why only 4 stars?

    Well I've noticed Hobb ends her books in a sort of weak manner. This holds true for her Royal Assassin series also which again consists of 3 books. She sets us out following a harrowing journey with major plots to be completed with everything travelling at a rapid tense pace leaving the reader craving more and nore approaching the terminus until BAMN everything slows.

    You feel like you know everything that's needed but there's still a hundred plus pages left and you don't even feel like making it through even though you've eagerly gobbled up the first 2000 or so pages over the series (page measurement approximate by Kindle standard)

    For this reason I can only give 4 stars.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Amanda
    5.0 out of 5 stars Maravilhoso
    Reviewed in Brazil on 22 September 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Apesar tem ser um livro bem grande eu li freneticamente em poucos dias, de tão boa a história. Amei este universo e assim que terminei esse já comprei o terceiro livro. Uma pena que ainda não tenha tradução em português.
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  • Develin
    5.0 out of 5 stars Save the best for last.
    Reviewed in Spain on 15 April 2023
    Verified Purchase
    This trilogy deserved a great final book and the author nailed it. Best of the 3 and a fantastic read. If you are looking for a great Trilogy to follow some good one you just finished, look no further.
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  • BLACK PERSEO
    4.0 out of 5 stars Practico
    Reviewed in Mexico on 14 June 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Libro de bolsillo, tapa blanda sin sobrecubierta, idioma Ingles. La presentación no es la mejor, pero es muy práctico para llevar y por el precio, la letra no es demasiado pequeña pero si algo reducida
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    BLACK PERSEO
    4.0 out of 5 stars Practico
    Reviewed in Mexico on 14 June 2020
    Libro de bolsillo, tapa blanda sin sobrecubierta, idioma Ingles. La presentación no es la mejor, pero es muy práctico para llevar y por el precio, la letra no es demasiado pequeña pero si algo reducida
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  • ordinatheur
    5.0 out of 5 stars Oh, mais que j'ai aimé cette série !!
    Reviewed in France on 3 February 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Pour beaucoup, la série de référence de Robin Hobb c'est l'Assassin Royal. Si j'ai lu et aimé celle-ci, j'ai toutefois eu un peu de mal avec les difficultés rencontrées par les personnages, le héros en particulier. Il me semblait que le "sort" s'acharnait un peu trop sur lui.
    Alors que dans la série des "Liveship Traders", je n'ai pas du tout ressenti cela : certes, les péripéties sont nombreuses mais il existe de vrais beaux moments, une fin qui m'a comblée et alors, quel univers ! Riche, exotique, on a l'impression d'y être embarqué tout du long, il est très dur de revenir à la réalité...
    J'ai adoré les personnages, tous très humains et attachants, même si mes deux chouchous restent Paragon et Wintrow. J'ai d'ailleurs découvert, en échangeant sur un forum, que dans la version française, le nom de ce dernier était devenu Hiémain et même si j'ai compris les raisons du traducteur, je préfère les sonorités de la version anglaise.
    Je conseille d'ailleurs à tous ceux qui le peuvent de lire cette histoire en VO, le style de Robin Hobb étant d'une fluidité et d'une élégance incomparables.
    Un vrai coup de coeur.
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  • Bruce G.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Nice wrap up of the first two books of books 1 and two.
    Reviewed in Canada on 11 November 2016
    Verified Purchase
    I discovered fantasy shortly before or soon after retirement. During my professional engineering career my reading time focused on that, engineering. I stumbled on the "Sword of Truth" series, by another author, and I was hooked. This series, to date, comes close to matching that series. Note...I found book 2 a little long in the telling.
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