Wintrow has freed She Who Remembers but doesn't escape unscathed. He is covered by serpent slime and makes a connection with her. Kennit and Etta have an encounter with the Others and try to beat them to Wintrow's side. They fight their way off the island and are rescued by the serpent and Vivacia. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of th…

Months have passed, and in that time, Divvytown is starting to be rebuilt and Vivacia has sailed to Other Island. Kennit has brought Wintrow and Etta to the Island in order to get Wintrow's fortune. Instead, Wintrow finds She Who Remembers and attempts to free her. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of…

Content Warning: From 26:40-40 minutes, we discuss attempted SA. Kennit shows his jealous side where Etta and Wintrow are concerned, but ultimately feels triumphant with the boy priest won to his side. Althea has to fight back against the crew and a serpent, and she reconnects with Brashen along the way. Ronica and the Vestrit gang collect themselv…

The Presentation Ball is off to a brilliant, if lonely, start for Malta. However, Davad introduces her to Satrap Cosgo, Reyn appears, and even Cerwin Trell stops by. There is non-stop chaos. She shares some dances but argues with Reyn and they go their separate ways. Serilla makes her power play and trouble seems to be brewing in Bingtown. The Vest…

Everyone is getting ready for the Trader's Ball. Keffria tries to get an exhausted Malta excited while her daughter is having an identity crisis. Reyn is preparing to hide Grag's identity as a Rain Wild Trader, Serilla is preparing herself to stay in Bingtown long term, and Davad plans to introduce Malta to Satrap Cosgo to secure his future. We're …

Althea is settling into work onboard Paragon and sorting out issues with the crew, while Amber offers advice and her own worries up. Kennit, on the other hand, is solidifying the beginnings of his kingdom in a burned down Divvytown. Wintrow takes the leap to defending Kennit and convinces the townsfolk to follow the Pirate King. We're reading Mad S…

Reyn reflects on his last visit with Tintaglia, the curse she lays on him, and his dreams. His mind is opened and he haunted by dragons by night and wishes he was sleeping during the day. Serilla meets a liveship and the Bingtown traders for the first time. She makes her play and now waits for the Traders to hear her and Satrap Cosgo out at the Cou…

It's all coming together. Serilla and Satrap Cosgo are arriving at Bingtown with their Chalcedean escort. She has put her plans into place to gain power and now has to execute on them. Reyn and Grag are sailing down the Rain Wild River towards Bingtown, as well. Grag is spiraling a bit about his relationship with Althea while Reyn has been distract…

Malta, Ronica, and Keffria get ready to see off Paragon on their trip. Dressed their best, they head down to the docks and send off Brashen, Althea, and Amber. Those three have finished their final preparations and despite their doubts, Paragon's fear, and the inept crew, the journey starts soon. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the …

Onboard Vivacia, Kennit has laid his foundations down for his kingdom and feelings are springing up all to plan. Vivacia is completely enamored of the pirate and has fallen in hard with his plans. Wintrow has been teaching Etta to read in close quarters and, after talking to Kennit, realizes that he has a crush on her. And finally, Kennit seems to …

Jani Khuprus sits down with her sons, Reyn and Bendir. They discuss the current political climate and their roles in the family. Jani maneuvers Reyn into forswearing the last wizardwood log with a compromise. Meanwhile, Paragon is opening up to Amber about his fears of being blind while sailing. He asks her to keep an open mind about carving his fa…

Malta is getting prepared for the Summer Ball with Keffria, Ronica, and Rache sewing her a dress. They speak on the Rain Wild and Bingtown reluctance to stand up for the Vestrit cause. Malta is quietly losing her foundation of and the belief in the strength and power of men, determined to gain power and make change for herself. Meanwhile, Althea is…

The Paragon is now ready to be launched after a lot of hard work under less than ideal conditions. Burrich, Althea, and Amber have worked hard and are trying to ensure Paragon's goodwill and cooperation for the future. We discuss the growing and mending relationship between Althea and Brashen, as well as Paragon's return to feeling like a ship. We'…

Maulkin's Tangle have gathered more serpents and are slowly trying to awaken more to their true memories. They decide to try to awaken a liveship to it's memories, as well, to figure out their purpose and destination. The serpents encounter The Ringsgold and drag him down and get a breakthrough. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the L…

Content Warning: Talk of Sexual Assault and Rape. Please take care of yourself and feel free to skip. Serilla lives a nightmare in the Chalcedean captain's cabin. We discuss her character progression, how the current events will impact her down the road, and her confrontation of Satrap Cosgo. She finds him weak in his chambers and is intent on gett…

Vivacia gives in to her blood lust chasing a slaveship. She proves herself worthy of Kennit and sparks jealousy in both Etta and Wintrow. Althea visits Grag as we learn and discuss the worsening political events in Bingtown. Althea finally confronts her own feelings and lets Grag go after his second proposal. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, b…

Brashen, Amber, and Althea are hard at work to scrounge up laborers to fix up Paragon. The deadline is moving closer and the ship is definitely working against them to scare everyone away. Brashen and Althea finally have an argument as tensions rise that may result in some introspection. Finally, Malta has fallen into hopelessness and seems to be w…

We explore viewpoints on the Vivacia regarding Kennit's manipulations, the ship's first taste of piracy, Wintrow's reticence for action, and Etta's love for the pirate. Meanwhile, Althea, Brashen, and Amber have to prepare Paragon for the news that he has been sold by his family. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Liveship Traders …

With Althea home, Brashen and Amber lay out their plan to save Vivacia. Keffria, Ronica, and Althea are very skeptical of the plan to purchase Paragon, but Malta stays even-keeled. The family discusses their plans and the potential pitfalls, but ultimately agree that it's the best course of action they have. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, bo…

Althea Vestrit drives Davad back safely to his estate. She confronts his serving staff for lazyness and Davad himself with his mindset of profit over morals. She ultimately leaves with a former slave boy that Davad agrees to free. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.…

Althea Vestrit gets ready for the Trader meeting, hoping to plead her family's case about rescuing Vivacia from Kennit and the pirates. However, the Bingtown Traders are fairly divided on current political topics, and there is a lot of discussion about personal versus city problems. Althea leaves defeated and finds vandalism at Davad Restart's carr…

Wintrow confronts Kennit about his missing father, Kyle. Kennit, of course, turns the situation back on Wintrow and implies Vivacia agrees with the pirate captain, not Wintrow. Wintrow has a discussion with the ship and we discuss how far Vivacia has fallen in with Kennit. We end the episode catching up with Althea, getting ready for the Bingtown T…

Captain Kennit is on the mend, and it's time to take action. He journeys out to Keyhole Island and his mother with Sa'Adar, Kyle Haven, and some former slaves in tow. We talk about Kennit's tragic backstory, his plan to get rid of his problems, and Sa'Adar's fate. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of …

We catch up with Brashen, after his meeting with the Vestrits, wallowing in despair. He decides to sleep at the one place he's welcome at, Paragon, where he meets Amber; harsh truths are revealed and he walks away. Meanwhile, Malta is sharing a dream with Reyn, asking for his help. However, a certain trapped dragon makes an appearance and introduce…

We delve into Althea's reaction to Brashen and his news about Vivacia. She misses him but is still convincing herself she doesn't have feelings for him. Malta is also reacting to the news of her father, Kyle, being taken captive and enacting a plan. She meets with Cerwin Trell to garner his family's aid. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2…

Malta desperately tries to stir up an argument at home since she's bored after Reyn has left. Luckily, Brashen has landed in Bingtown and is very excited at the possibility of seeing Althea on his way to the Vestrit house. Malta takes advantage of this distraction to hone her seductive wiles, but eventually the family learns of the fate of the Viva…

Content Warning: We discuss sexual violence througout this episode, but especially starting around 40:30. Companion Serilla is enroute to Bingtown aboard Satrap Cosgo's flagship. They are accompanied by many Chalcedean nobles, sailors, and mercenaries. Things have from bad to worse regarding Cosgo's attitude and mannerisms, and Serilla slowly reali…

Maulkin, Shreever, and Sessurea are dwindling quickly. They are surrounded by serpents who cannot recall who they are, but one green serpent rises to the air to sing. They all listen and Maulkin is able to wake him, eventually. Their tangle grows, as does their desperation to find She Who Remembers. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of t…

After leaving Kyle Haven's room, Wintrow is confronted by Sa'Adar. The crazed priest is still seeking revenge on Kyle and tries to sway Wintrow to his side, but Wintrow resists and goes to check on Kennit. The conversation the two have help Kennit reassess his situation and deepen the bond between them. Kennit is healing and ready to resume his pos…

Brashen is backing up his captain in his dealings, when he comes across a familiar portrait that Althea had commissioned. He learns of Vivacia's fate and that she is close by, in Divvytown. Wintrow meanwhile, is still haunted by his father, Kyle Haven, who is slowly going more insane and becoming more paranoid. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb,…

Amber and Althea catch up, but their conversation grows tense around the Bingtown Trader secrets. Amber tells Althea that the Traders must adapt. Althea is disturbed (especially about Paragon possibly being sold) and goes back to her family and the Vestrit house where Keffria, Malta, and Ronica are waiting. More tense reunions and more catching up …

Althea Vestrit leaves her family home to deliver news to the Tenira family still onboard Ophelia. During her walk back, she remarks on the changes to Bingtown and is met by Amber. Althea brings the woodworker to Ophelia to help her charred hands and the four of them discuss possible allies. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Livesh…

Althea Vestrit returns to her family house, worried about the reception she'll get. However, when she arrives, she notes that the grounds look unkempt and there is a party being thrown. Through hearing gossip and talking with her mother, Ronica, Althea learns of the financial straits the Vestrits are in and the limited options going forward. We're …

Althea has performed well as first mate on board of Ophelia. However, as they approach Bingtown, she returns to her guise of a common crewmate and learns of the Chalcedean presence in her city. The Teniras and Althea discuss plans to rouse the Old Trader families and put aside differences to take back their city. And after their planning, Grag and …

Wintrow dives after a dead Kennit, while Vivacia tries to hold the pirate together. Kennit is nice for once, and Etta is commanded to be nice to Wintrow. Upon awakening, Wintrow awkwardly talks to Etta and then Vivacia. In this episode, we discuss the mechanics of Skill and the dynamics of Wintrow's relationship web. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin…

Davad Restart is a walking faux pas. He lucks his way into crashing the courting meeting with the Khuprus family and talks with Jani and Ronica. We learn more about Malta's feelings for Reyn and Reyn's depth of feeling for Malta. She still has some growing up to do. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm o…

Keffria and Ronica are helping Malta get ready for Reyn Khuprus' visit to the Vestrit house. We dive into Malta's thought process about this event and Ronica's feelings about how this should go. A wrench gets thrown into the mix with Davad Restart showing up, uninvited. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Liveship Traders in The Rea…

We are introduced to the oft-heard of Satrap Cosgo and his Companion of the Heart, Serilla. With the introduction of the other side of the Bingtown Trader complaints, we discuss Cosgo's inept leadership and his 'ally', Chalced. During the conversation, we learn more of Serilla's disdain for the Satrap and her passion for Bingtown. We're reading Mad…

In this episode, we discuss Althea's attitude toward Grag and compare Brashen with him. We learn more of Brashen's background in Bingtown and more of Grag's intentions. The start of the trouble with Chalced begins, as well. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.…

Captain Kennit's leg surgery is about to begin, but Wintrow dares not start with out the medical chest. Etta employs some hard questioning and finds the young priest his supplies. Vivacia and Wintrow give what strength they can and link with Kennit, swiftly completing the procedure. In the aftermath, the waiting begins as Vivacia implores Wintrow t…

In the first half of chapter 4, Wintrow and Vivacia are still reeling in the aftermath of the pirate takeover. Vivacia is looking to the future, while Wintrow is caught in between Vivacia, Etta, and Kennit's wishes. He dreads the upcoming surgery. Brashen is also put into a dilemma of morality as he slides further into piracy. We're reading Mad Shi…

Jani Khuprus wanders the ruins of a dark Elderling city ruin. She finds her son Reyn, and they discuss the history and merits of the wizardwood logs while he trails his fingers on the last remaining log. Jani is able to distract her son with thoughts of Malta, but Tintaglia waits still. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Liveship T…

We catch up with Wintrow and Vivacia, trying to acclimate to the change of ownership. Vivacia is looking ahead to the new direction her life is going, while Wintrow still focuses inwards and his own moral dilemmas and his herculean task of healing Kennit's leg. Kennit is focused on keeping control of his life where he can, but his future is looking…

We dive into Paragon's state of mind, trying to process the fact that his family, the Ludlucks, want to sell him. He desperately tries to ignore Amber as she tells him, but ultimately he deals with the truth. Hearing his potential end as chopped up Wizardwood, Paragon is able to convince Amber to burn him instead. Of course, Amber is going to try a…

We rejoin Maulkin, Shreever, and Sessurea in the fight to survive and find She Who Remembers. We answer some fan questions as usual at the end and look to the future of this trilogy. We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.Kirjoittanut Luke Button and Emma Ferron

Maulkin's tangle leaves us on a despondent note, fearing all the serpents will become animals. We wrap up Ship of Magic with a discussion of our favorite characters and scenes. We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb, book 1 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.Kirjoittanut Luke Button and Emma Ferron

Wintrow and Vivacia are tired after the storm. They can only watch and comfort each other while the pirates from the Marietta, under Captain Kennit's command, swarm aboard and take over. Wintrow confronts the pirates and makes a deal: save Kennit's life and Wintrow saves himself and his father, Kyle Haven. Vivacia and Etta don't see eye to eye, but…

Athel, the ship's boy, has been called before Captain Tenira while the rest of the crew is on shore for leave. Ophelia has revealed Althea's secrets and the Teniras explain a plan for her to return to Bingtown as herself. Brashen, in the first port that Springeve stopped at, finds himself drinking with an old ship mate. Old memories Brashen wants b…

The storm rages on and Wintrow is trying to wrestle with the morality of his situation. He and Vivacia are struggling to gain control on deck and gain control of the ship so everyone doesn't die. He asks for his father, Kyle, to help guide him through the night. Kennit, Sorcor, and Etta close in on their prey. We're reading Ship of Magic by Robin H…

Onboard the Vivacia, Wintrow is submerged below decks with the slaves. He does his best to tend to their needs and meets a priest-turned-slave, Sa'Adar. Vivacia is still morose and Gantry is still determined to help her in any way he can. That leads him below with Wintrow to help bring a dying slave on deck. Sa'Adar takes advantage of the situation…