Set in a land bordering the Six Duchies, Robin Hobb begins her epic tale of pirates, talking ships, magic, sea serpents, slave revolts, dashing heroes and bloody battles. Wizardwood, the most precious commodity in the world, comes only from the Rain Wilds.

But only a liveship can negotiate the perilous waters of the Rain Wild River, and liveships are hard to come by. They quicken only when three family members from successive generations have died upon their deck. The liveship Vivacia is about to undergo her quickening: Althea Vestrit waits for the ship that she loves more than anything in the world to awaken.

But her 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.