The Bone Shard Daughter was hailed as "one of the best debut fantasy novels of the year" (BuzzFeed News). Now, Andrea Stewart brings us the final book in this unmissable, action-packed, magic-laced epic fantasy trilogy, The Bone Shard War.

Lin Sukai has won her first victory as Emperor, but the future of the Phoenix Empire hangs in the balance – and Lin is dangerously short of allies.

As her own governors plot treason, the Shardless Few renew hostilities. Worse still, Lin discovers her old nemesis Nisong has joined forces with the rogue Alanga, Ragan. Both seek her death.

Yet hopes lies in history. Legend tells of seven mythic swords, forged in centuries past. If Lin can find them before her enemies, she may yet be able to turn the tide.

If she fails, the Sukai dynasty – and the entire empire – will fall.

Title: The Bone Shard War

Series: The Drowning Empire #3

Author: Andrea Stewart

Genre: Fiction / Fantasy

Hardback: 624 pages

Publication Date: 04/18/2023

Publisher: Orbit

Language: English

ISBN: 9780356515038

GOODREADS

My Review

Sometimes a book of a rare, exquisite quality makes it into your hands whereas upon reading just a few pages, you almost can’t handle the melody of the written word. The Bone Shard War, the last book in The Drowning Empire trilogy, excelled in its construct and beauty. A story so perfectly well composed, it’s nothing short of marvelous.

If you have read the first two books in the trilogy, then you know that something big is about to happen. For those not familiar, here is what these books are all about:

A rare magic of bone shards inscribed with commands.
A young Empress struggling to keep her kingdom safe.
Rogue characters and groups of opposition.
Treason and hostilities from other governing factions.
Sinking islands and the loss of resources.
Loyal animal companions.

I had the pleasure of reading all three of these novels and would recommend starting at the beginning so you understand how Lin became an Empress and discovered bone shard magic. That first novel, the Bone Shard Daughter, is really endearing and highly engaging. In the second book, The Bone Shard Emperor, Lin is first confronted with opposing forces in leadership and a darker plot that is developing in the background, while catastrophe hits and in an empire of islands, one after another is threatened to sink.

The Bone Shard War leads into the ultimate crescendo of the trilogy. Told in alternating POV’s of our favorite beloved and disliked malevolent characters, Stewart perfectly planted small breadcrumbs or memory bridges from previous stories if you will, without sounding repetitive while keeping the plot moving forward. In this world and among these characters, I felt immediately at home and eager to see where this is going.

After her first victories, there is still much at stake for Lin. Personally, she misses Jovis and what they shared so shortly. At the same time, her concern to unite the islands and the worry over the people, the policies on witstone, and the search for blades from ancient texts have her very busy. Finding whom to trust prevails to be a challenge in the ever-changing hand of cards, and her way of maneuvering through treacherous waters isn’t always perfect, but she learns fairly quickly. Finding herself trapped in a rather compromising situation, she has to rely on reading characters and stealth to see her way through.

The corner of his mouth quirked. “It’ll be a delight to show her your head before I kill her too. For her to know, briefly, that you were alive when she’d thought you were gone.”

We find Jovis, a beloved favorite character of mine, roaming The Endless Sea and under Kaphra’s ruling command. His story arc remains to be most captivating and heartbreaking. Through his inner dialogue, we learn how torn he is about what he has done and how he has been used. To the reader, he feels in near reach with his vulnerability laid bare and his grappling with morality. The struggles to choose between being a villain or fighting against the commands he was under hindered his full potential at times, but the brokenness in him was one that many readers can relate to. The moment he encounters Lin was most heart-achingly compelling, yet devastating.

Phalue and Ranami’s story has grown on me. I didn’t care for them as characters as much in the previous book as in this one. Ranami’s part was riveting and interesting and given greater weight in this novel. Their relationship holds something sincere and special despite being separated so much and Ranami’s gravitas is a powerful addition to the plot.

Overall the story moves with constraint, eagerly winding more and more tightly. Each chapter slices deeper and with more precision toward the last moments. The dialogue, plot, and intrigue move swiftly, yet they are well-fleshed out and rich. The idea of Bone Shard Magic remains a fascinating concept to me as well as the lore of the islands. Mephi will forever be unforgettable.

The change of hands, uncovering of lies, harrowing scenes, and twists in the story are captivating. I have not felt so consumed and invested in characters in a while. Everything about this third book is exquisite, a labor of love and care. Its hum resides in the pages. The Bone Shard War was the absolute best of the trilogy to me. With that, I have gained an even greater appreciation for the author and can’t wait to pick up everything she writes in the future.

In the meantime, This is one trilogy I want to read over and over and pass on to others.

Happy Reading!

Thank you Orbit for sending me this wonderful book for review in exchange for a review.

All opinions are my own.

I loved it.