The Mad Ship

This book does not suffer from middle book syndrome because shit, it keeps hitting the fan. I was notably impressed. The focus of the book shifts a bit away from the Vivacia and instead gets even more spread out than in the first book, with many different PoVs.

The title-giving mad liveship Paragon is purchased by Amber the bead-maker in order to rescue Vivacia from the pirate king Kennit, once the Vestrit family catches wind. Brashen and Althea set out on it to find her. That's going to be interesting, but there was actually very little happening on their end. Most of the action revolved around Bingtown and its political intrigue, as the Old Traders are set to rebel against the Satrap, the ruler of Jamailla. It's a chance to shine for Malta Haven, who could easily win the trophy of 'Most improved character'. From a selfish, vain teenage girl to sensible girl and possible dragon savior of the world.

I was a bit shocked at the fate of the one new PoV character we receive, Serilla. She's a Heart's Companion of the Satrap, which means she's a loyal advisor to him, specializing on knowledge about Bingtown. However, the Satrap is clearly not deserving of her loyalty. As they travel together to bring Bingtown to heel, he sentences her to a fate that should have a huge trigger warning on the book. Do not read if triggered by sexual violence. Sheesh. I seriously was shocked, and am spoiled enough now to know that there's more of that coming in book 3.

The stuff happening on the Vivacia left me a bit cold. My heart was bleeding for Wintrow in book 1, but he's just a side character now, swept away by Kennit's apparent charisma and leadership just like everyone in his crew, including Vivacia. I am not fully seeing it, but then, in his PoV chapters you keep getting hints of the insanity and trauma lurking just beneath the surface of this character.

It will be interesting to see this come together. There shall be serpents, many serpents, in the final installment, is my hunch.