I am… happy?
***Spoliers for all of The Liveship Traders. Mentions of The Farseer Trilogy***
Sa damn. My journey through The Liveship Traders trilogy has come to an end. And what a conclusion it was. I feel the need to stare off into the lack for a bit and process the experience (and by process, I mean immediately jump to the Kindle store and purchase The Tawny Man trilogy, of course). I’m genuinely in awe of what Robin Hobb accomplished: the characters she created, the storylines she wove together, the seeds she planted for what’s to come, and the expansion of her brilliant world and lore. I truly loved every second I spent in this series… yes, even the ones spent on the Serpent Tangle Struggle Bus.
We pick back up in the post-battle night that refuses to end. Tintaglia is ready to take charge on the beach, but she meets her match in stubbornness: Wintrow- who’s gotten a taste of power and isn’t about to give it up, no matter if his challenger could eat him. She decides to let the humans return to the ship and pretend they have a say in anything, as long as it doesn’t cramp her agenda. As everyone congregates in the Motley’s best conference room, I was wondering exactly when the last time any of our characters had gotten any shuteye was when – right on cue – Althea proceeds to nod off while the future order of the world is being hashed out.
Everyone gets their piece of the pie and/or marching orders, and then it is finally time for a quick, harrowing rowboat ride through unpredictable currents in the pitch black of night, going on three days of no sleep, before everyone can turn in. Amber still has some gas left in the tank and decides it’s the perfect time to complete her lifelong mission by speaking to a delirious Wintrow. I love how she’s in full-blown prophesying mode and after each cryptic line, Wintrow is just like, “Yeah, cool, I’d really like to get some rest, lady.” It seems like she missed most of Wintrow’s prime catalysting, but she does take the opportunity to encourage him to be the “dad that steps up.” I’m not entirely sure that message required divine delivery – he already seemed pretty inclined to take on this role – but hey, prophecy delivered. On to her next quest, I suppose. She did bring us ShipFitz™, so I will never begrudge her role in this tale.
There are so many beautiful conversations and resolutions as the story winds down. In some ways, the ending of Liveship Traders feels like reparations for the emotional state Robin left of us in at the end of Farseer. Let’s check in on where we leave our main cast and my parting thoughts:
Althea/Brashen: I’ve ragged on them at times (with love!), but nothing brought me more joy than their hard-won happily ever after (for now 😬). It wasn’t smooth sailing (sorry), especially working through the emotional aftermath of Althea’s rape, but we made it- complete with a trove of treasure at the end of their rainbow. (Excited for their ship to get overtaken and for them to get forged immediately in Tawny Man. Sa forbid I’m happy for two seconds.)
Amber/Paragon: In a story rich with powerful relationships, theirs may be the most touching of all. What is there even to say about these two? The nighttime conversation, with Amber resting in Paragon’s arms, was stunning. The understanding and trust between them. The quiet moments and deep reflections. The entire mood of their dynamic was utterly engrossing.
Paragon tells Amber:
“You’d have to be a fool to think you could change the world.”
It’s clear Amber’s tale is just beginning. In the last scene of our story proper, with the clarity only morning can bring, both Paragon and Amber are at peace. He tells her:
“You’re right to want to go north again” … “It feels good to set people on the right path.” … “Go north.”
Hang on Fitzy- we’re coming!!!
It’s also in their scenes that we get the final pieces of the Kennit-Paragon history revealed, and predictably, it’s devastating. We begin the story with a powerful, ambitious Captain Kennit and a shattered, isolated Paragon. As they drift toward each other, pieces of their shared past are slowly revealed. It seems as though their fortunes were crossing- Paragon ascending as Kennit crumbles. But we learn, in reality, they were part of a whole all along. I don’t have the skill to express the depth of what Robin has evoked in the unfurling of this arc. Truly incredible stuff.
Malta/Reyn: Oddsmakers are shocked that my loves get third billing in the wrap-up, but things are pretty easy-breezy for the lovebirds at this point. Malta gets to live out her high-society it-girl dreams for a bit in Jamaillia, but she is ready to make it offish with her man and embrace her domestic Elderling queen era. Proud of you, Malta!
Ronica/Keffria: We get the briefest of Bingtown check-ins. I’ve poked fun at Ronica (I really love her, I swear!), but it was nice to see things looking up. We get a beautiful line:
“Everywhere, life reasserted itself.”
Things aren’t perfect, but when the biggest issue in the Vestrit household is the lack of furniture, the future feels hopeful. (Especially when your daughter is off recovering a historic treasure haul – wheeee!)
We get one of our most outright callouts to the events of Farseer. Listen. Verity didn’t lose his mind and carve a giant-ass dragon with his frickin’ fingernails just to have Amber proclaim:
“Only a trueborn dragon is a real dragon.”
Luckily, Jek has his back, retorting:
“Six Duchies dragons suited me just fine. Would have been fine by you, too, if you’d lived with the fear of being forged.”
Best bitchy banter with a dragon:
Tintaglia: “Have you told them nothing? You’ve had the whole day?”
Reyn: “Perhaps you don’t recall that you dropped me in the middle of a sea battle?”
Perfection.
In the epilogue, we wrap up our (long) journey with the serpents. Against all odds, our main trio – Shreever, Sessurea, and Maulkin – make it into their cocoons. It really goes to show that with a little hope (and Wintrow absolutely wildin’ out on Treasure Island) anything is possible.
Well, friends. Like the serpents, we’ve done it. If anyone finds these posts and joins me on this journey, I hope you’ve had as much fun as I have. The Liveship Traders trilogy will hold a special place in my heart as the story with so much fullness, it birthed a blog. wizardwordship set sail on the Cursed Shores, and there’s no turning back now! I’m excited for what’s to come… who knows when we are going to spot a random tributary that leads to unimaginable treasure.
I considered taking a brief break before diving into Tawny Man, but I’m practically vibrating with excitement that I’m about to reunite with my beloved Fitz. Who am I to resist? I am just a foolish woman!
Northward!
wizardwordship 