Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb

Book One of The Liveship Traders Trilogy

Wizardwood, a sentient wood.

The most precious commodity in the world.

Like many other legendary wares, it comes only from the Rain River Wilds.
But how can one trade with the Rain Wilders, when only a liveship fashioned from wizardwood can negotiate the perilous waters of the Rain River? Rare and valuable a liveship will quicken only when three members, from successive generations, have died on board. The liveship Vivacia is about to undergo her quickening as Althea Vestrit's father is carried on deck in his death-throes. Althea waits for the ship that she loves more than anything else in the world to awaken. Only to discover that the Vivacia has been signed away in her father’s will to her brutal brother-in-law, Kyle Haven...

Others plot to win or steal a liveship. The Paragon, known by many as the Pariah, went mad, turned turtle, and drowned his crew. Now he lies blind, lonely, and broken on a deserted beach. But greedy men have designs to restore him, to sail the waters of the Rain Wild River once more.

PLEASE NOTE:

• We'll begin our meeting by choosing our next upcoming book (we stay two months planned in advance). Then we'll open the table for discussion. Our group doesn't go down a predetermined list of questions, but instead has an open floor for discussing the things that stood out to our members as they read.
• The Creamery has coffee, tea, and energy drink options available as well as a good selection of pastries. We grab a big table in the side room for our group to sit together.
• All we ask is that everyone come into our meetings with respect for each other, and differing thoughts and opinions! Hope to see you there.