SHIP OF DESTINY

Wrapping up the trilogy (The Mad Ship, 1999, etc.) about the mariners of Bingtown, who sail the world's oceans in their sentient liveships built of wizardwood. Though the focus remains on the storm-tossed Vestrit family, other ingredients abound: war with neighboring Chalced results in the burning of Bingtown; Althea Vestrit and her captain, Brashen Trell, sail aboard the mad, blinded liveship Paragon, in pursuit of another liveship, Vivacia, rightfully Althea's but now commanded by the vicious pirate Kennet and threatened by an amoral, independent entity called Bolt; the tormented boy-priest Wintrow Vestrit seeks his destiny; and sea serpents and dragons advance their own agenda. Hobb is abundantly talented, but she's afflicted by Doorstopper Syndrome: your move.