What I am reading

Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb – book one of The Liveship Traders.

Wizardwood – a sentient wood. The most precious commodity in the world. Like many other legendary wares it comes only from the Rain River Wilds. But only a liveship fashioned from wizardwood can negotiate the perilous waters of the Rain Wild Rivers, and liveships are difficlt to come by. Rare and valuable, they will quicken only when three family members – from successive generations have died upon their deck.

The liveship Vivacia is about to undergo her quickening. As Althea Vestrits’ father is carried to her deck in his death-throes Althea waits with mixed feelings for the ship that se loves more than anything in the world to be awaken.

But Althea’s dream of taking her father’s place at Vivacia’s helm is not to be, for her family have other plans… And the dark, charming pirate, Kennit, also lusts after such a ship: he well knows the power of wizardwood and has plans of his own…