AJ’s Reviews > Ship of Magic > Status Update

There's something to be said about how during this reread, I'm still having so much fun (and am in so much misery) with all of the character development and the reveals and first meetings, even knowing what it all leads to. Kennit is, hands down, one of Hobb's best villains of the entire series and, despite all that he does and how vile he is by the end, I adore his character so much. Also: Wintrow, my baby. <3

Such a lovely detail that so many characters describe animals as too dumb to know that they're being sent to the slaughter. . . and then there's Fitz who can barely handle being near a pin of pigs because of their fear and despair and ends up stabbing a man to death with at least 6 gut wounds in broad daylight in front of his young daughter and his older daughter's husband. My lovely little bloodthirsty man. <3

AMBERRRRR MY QUEEN MY NONBINARY BAD BITCH THE LOVE OF MY LIFE

It should probably be studied the way I cannot ever be normal about the Fool / Amber / Beloved. 🥰💕 My babyyyy.

Every day I am thankful for how fantastic of a villain Kennit is - and how wonderfully Hobb writes characters. I think Kennit is a great example of "there's a reason, but it is not an excuse." So much of his and Fitz's (and Beloved's) story line up, but due to his Forging through Paragon, in the hope of protection, love, & comfort, combined with the hell he went through, he has none of Fitz's and Beloved's humanity.

Listening to the audiobook & it's never been more apparent just how young Wintrow is. It was already heartbreaking, but hearing his naïvety so clearly. . . Truly his story is just: hey, it's bad! But don't worry, it's only going to get worse from here! Your dad's gonna sell you as a slave, you're going to have to chop off your own finger, you're going to have to sever the leg of the man who's grooming you, etc. etc.