Is Fitz Happy?

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 the Elderlings.

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 introduces herself to Malta.  We're reading Mad Ship by Rob...

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 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elde...

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 Vivacia. Ronica, Keffria, Althea, and Malta decide the...

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 realizes how far his morality has slipped.  We're readi...

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 the Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderling...

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 position as captain. Meanwhile, Brashen sees Vivacia...

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, book 2 of the Liveship Traders in The Realm of t...

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 results in a tenuous family agreement to work toge...

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 Liveship Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

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 reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Liv...

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 Althea discuss their potential for a relationship....

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 Hobb, book 2 of the Liveship Traders in The Real...

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 of the Elderlings.

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 Realm of the Elderlings.

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 Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Liveship Trade...

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 to have faith and believe that the pirate will surv...

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 Ship by Robin Hobb, book 2 of the Liveship Traders i...

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 Traders in The Realm of the Elderlings.

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 bleak.  We're reading Mad Ship by Robin Hobb, boo...

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 and find a way out of that path, if possible.  We'r...

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.

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.

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 Kennit works his wiles and starts to seduce the l...