The Mad Ship cover

The Mad Ship

The Liveship Traders • Book 2

by Robin Hobb

Narrated by Anne Flosnik

4.36 ABR Score (89.5K ratings)
★ 4.34 Goodreads (86.0K) ★ 4.61 Audible (3.5K)
33h 57m Released 2010 Fantasy

Why Listen to This Audiobook?

Anne Flosnik reads the Vestrit family's unraveling like she personally has something at stake in every conversation.

  • Great if you want: multi-POV epic fantasy where every character earns your investment
  • Listening experience: slow-burn and sprawling — best in long, uninterrupted sessions
  • Narration: Flosnik distinguishes a wide cast with warmth and precision
  • Skip if: you need plot momentum — Hobb prioritizes interiority over action

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About This Audiobook

Ancient magic breathes life into wooden vessels in the Rain Wilds, where ships carved from wizardwood become sentient beings bound to the families who sail them. The Vestrit family's beloved liveship Vivacia now sails under the command of the charismatic pirate Kennit, while young Wintrow Vestrit remains trapped aboard, caught between his captor's ambitions and the ship's growing bloodthirst. As political upheaval threatens the trader city of Bingtown, Althea Vestrit plots a desperate rescue mission while her niece Malta delves deeper into the dangerous mysteries of her magical heritage.

Anne Flosnik's masterful narration transforms this maritime fantasy into an immersive theatrical experience. Her nuanced voice work brings distinct personality to each character, from Kennit's seductive menace to Vivacia's otherworldly wisdom, while her pacing allows the complex political intrigue and emotional depths to unfold naturally. Flosnik's performance particularly shines during the ship's sentient dialogues, capturing their alien consciousness with haunting authenticity. The audio format enhances Hobb's rich world-building, making the creaking of magical ships and the salt-spray atmosphere feel tangible through careful attention to rhythm and tone.