The Bone Shard Daughter had blown me away last year and I was really excited to read the sequel. Although this one felt slightly short if my expectations it was still a solid sequel that builds on the foundation set in book 1.
The Bone Shard Emperor explores the aftermath of everything that happened at the end of book 1 and how Lin. Jovi, Phalue, Ranami and Nisang alldeal with it. The character development for Lin was excellent . I loved how we get to see a more vulnerable to her in this book. Jovis as always was amazing and Mephi of course stole the show. I also really enjoyed reading Phalue and Ranami’s chapters. Their equation as a ruling couple was .off the charts. But having said that I would have loved to get more insight into Nisang and her companions. That’s basically my only complaint.
I loved loved loved how Andrea Stewart expanded the world building in this sequel.It answered a lot of questions but at the same time had me intrigued to learn more. I also loved learning more about the Alangas. The political machinations Lin had to navigate through added an extra layer to the already intricate world built by the author and made the plot all the more interesting.
The climax was the absolute best and worst. It was action packed with so many twists that had me on the edge of my seat but has also left me really anxious for some of my favourite characters. I cannot wait to read the finale and hope it exceeds all my expectations

An absolute masterpiece of world building, and a brilliant piece of fantasy. A Chinese inspired empire of islands was created after a war against powerful, almost god like beings known as the Alanga. The first emperor created constructs made of dead beasts and powered by a strange magic written on shards of bone. Centuries later, every citizen of the empire is required to give a tithe of a bone shard, powered by their own life force. Never knowing when their shard may be used and kill them, a rebellion has spring up to try and stop the emperor. Five different narrators from the emperor’s own daughter to a smuggler still looking for his lost five after seven years find themselves caught up in chaos and action as islands start to sink, and it seems as though Alanga magic is reawakening....

It is rare that the middle book in a trilogy is as strong as this one. The many different narrators in Bone Shard Daughter created a beautiful, vast picture, but by the end of the many different characters, only two had crossed paths, and that at the very, very last moment. In Bone shard emperor, not only have these individual characters grown and evolved, but each one had finally met all of the others. With.......differing results. The possibility of friendship between Lin and Phalue is one that makes my heart happy, plus the beginnings of a romance between Jovis and Lin. Sand/Nisong's meetings are a little more difficult. Although she seems to be hellbent on making new friends herself. Uh oh. It is a sequel that doesn't feel like a place holder between the beginning and the grand finale, but broadens, and strengthens the story as a whole. The history of the islands, and of the bone shard magic is explored in greater depth, and many questions are answered. Who were the Alanga really? And how did the first emperor truly defeat them? What is the power that Lin and Jovis share? This is a book that opens its world up, and leaves space for much more and a hunger in its reader without any contrived cliffhangers.

Extra Kudos for the lovely healthy relationship between Phalue and Ranami after their marriage. Not only are queer relationships so much a part of society that it's nothing to remark on, but these two have a marriage that is strong, healthy, and full of genuine love and affection. Their discussions about adopting a child to be their heir in the future are less dynastic, and more because of the love that they share and have to give, and also lead to one of the best bits in the entire book. When you meet Shark, you will understand what I mean!

A rare piece of writing that leaves you both satisfied, and excited for September '22.

I loved this second book from The Drowning Empire series, although for some reason I still feel the first book was somehow better. Nonetheless it was a great read and I appreciate the opportunity to read this ARC.

The Bone Shard Emperor is the sequel to The Bone Shard Daughter that had left me wondering where it would take this book. Because after that ending there were so many ways this book could be going. In the end it didn't take a surprising route as the title already eludes to.

That doesn't nessecarily take anything away from the plot. Lin is struggling to gain the respect of her governors and people. Taking away the constructs that are in her power and giving back the shards only makes them remember now they don't have to fear her. Only having appointed Jovis as her guard captain seems to be looking in her favor.

Much of the book is about the continued growth of Lin and Jovis as they try to find their way. Jovis is struggling because so many are pulling at his strings. Not only Lin, but also The Shardless Few and the previous smuggling organization he was apart of. And hey he would also still like to live up to some of his moms expectations. Who I did love seeing briefly in this installment.

But I think the book failed a little in the relationship between Lin and Jovis. Their progress kept being stalled. There should have been honesty between them, especially from Jovis side, much sooner. Sometimes he seemed to be making a decision to support Lin and then in the next chapter he would still by lying. I found that extremely frustrating.

Their romance also didn't quite feel right. There was so much dishonesty between them that I could not really take their 'love' serious and I feel like at the end there just wasn't enough resolved to be happy with them.

Other than that I did truly enjoy reading this book though. Following Lin and Jovis journey was interesting despite my irritations. And seeing Phalue and Ranami continue on the road they set out was good as it began intertwining more with Lin. Their relationship works so well and they are taking the next steps. And that last chapter? Totally called it!

Thanks to Netgalley for letting me read The Bone Shard Emperor. After falling in love with the first installment, this was one if my most anticipated books of the year.
The first book gripped me with interesting characters, a cute magical companion and an original magic system and the second installment delivers and escapes the curse of the second installment slump you often find in series.

Lin is now the Emperor and now has the gruelling task of trying to win over the people and the governor's of the empire... whilst trying to figure out how to stop islands from sinking and how to fight and stop an uprising of rouge constructs.

Basically, the girl has a lot going on. Luckily for her there is a great supporting cast, mainly in the form of Jovis and Mephi - my two favourite characters.

The book was a little slower paced than the first, but I inhaled the last half of the book and it left me wanting more.

I can't wait for the next installment!

I was very happy to get back into this story and reconnect with the characters that I loved from the first book. However, I wasn’t very enamoured with the pacing.

What I liked - it was great seeing Lin come into her own as Emperor and see the budding relationship between her and Jovis. Loved seeing Mephi and Thrana grow (both physically and character wise as well). Still love Philaue and Ramini and their relationship. We get a bit more history and context about the Alanga and uncover more of the old Emperor’s secrets.

What I didn’t like - the pacing felt quite slow. I found this quite difficult to read and kept feeling reluctant to pick it up. I only understood why at the end because not much happens. We spend half the book at sea with Lin travelling fr9m island to island fighting constructs, and trying to get the governors on side. Nisong who is leading the battle of the constructs on the other side seems to have no real reason other than wanton destruction. She’s not likeable on any level and there is no sympathy for her cause. Jovis was also quite irritating with his constant back and forth between being a smuggler/spy and being Lin’s Imperial Guard.

Despite some of the very obvious surprises, there were a few I didn’t see coming. Overall I enjoyed reading it just not sent much as the first one. I would still continue the series but this one is a 3/5 for me.

My thanks to Little, Brown Book Group/Orbit for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Bone Shard Emperor’ by Andrea Stewart in exchange for an honest review.

This is Book 2 in the Drowning Empire trilogy and is a richly detailed epic fantasy told from various characters’ points of view. I combined reading with its unabridged audiobook edition.

As this is a continuous story that picks up from the events at the conclusion of ‘The Bone Shard Daughter’, I won’t say anything about the plot in order to avoid spoilers for readers new to the series.

I had been very impressed with the first book, especially Andrea Stewart’s vivid world building. I was pleased that this excellence continued along with further character development and some fascinating revelations. As Book 3, ‘The Bone Shard War’ is due to be published next autumn, I was prepared for this to end on a cliffhanger.

Overall, an impressive second volume in this powerful epic fantasy trilogy.

Highly recommended.

This was a solid sequel to an interesting book. I especially liked the twist at the very beginning where we learn that our main characters are exactly the thing that the whole first book convinced us was the dangerous enemy the empire needed protection from. It was done really well and I truly enjoyed the book.

The world is amazing and I love to learn more of it in this book.

Thank you to the publisher for my earc of this book. I read this in part ebook and part audio and loved the audio!! The narrators are brilliant. The story itself was intriguing but felt like it took me away from the adventure aspect I loved in the first book. I think the change in tone to a more war/political & strategy based theme was brilliant but felt a bit slower. I adore the characters and really rooted for my favourites, and the change in POV added so much!

The Bone Shard Emperor is the second book of in Andrea Stewart’sThe Drowning Empire Series, and follows on from where The Bone Shard Daughter left off. Lin is now Emperor of the Phoenix Empire after defeating her father, but she has an Empire that is under attack from her father’s constructs, with the aim of taking the throne off her and destabilising the Empire. She is having to try and build bridges with the Islands as no one trusts her, but that is difficult with her family’s history. With rumours of the Alanga, the powerful magicians who once ruled the Phoenix Empire, returning and Islands sinking Lin finds herself fighting to prove herself and her role as Emperor.

Like in the first book, The Bone Shard Emperor has several narrators, the main two being Lin the Emperor and Jovis and ex smuggler and member of the rebel The Shardless Few, and now Captain of the Guards. Lin’s start as Emperor isn’t easy, but she is determined to prove she can govern the Phoenix Empire, bring the Islands together and rule in a very different way to her father. With Jovis, she visits some of the Islands in the hope that they will support her reign and help fight the Constructs who are waging war on the Empire. Lin shows grace and poise on these visits where she is not welcome by the governers who want her to abdicate. I was drawn to how she managed to deal with the issues head on and by finding out each governers weakness and using that to her advantage, and by returning the bone shards from each Island to show she will not rule by fear like her father. Jovis, once a smuggler and now a spy for The Shardless Few, who want to get rid of the Emperor, is now Captain of the Guard. Whilst he starts as a spy, the more time he spends with Lin he becomes conflicted in his views; he sees her as a good Emperor and they both share a secret. In the first book I fell in love with Melphi, his pet and was glad to see him back, and now he has a friend in Thrana, who is Lin’s pet, both of whom give advice and are protective of Lin and Jovis. The other points of view are from Phalue, who like Lin deposed her father as governor of Nephilanu, and is also finding her feet as ruler and wanting to do things different from her father, and Nisong who is leading the army of Constructs in the hope of overthrowing the Empire and becoming Emperor herself.

From the first page Andrea Stewart grabbed me and took me back into her wonderful world of the Phoenix Empire. Sometimes the second book in a trilogy can be a bit flat, but not here, it was packed with action, great storylines and characters who just jump of the page and come to life. The Constructs are still creepy with different parts of people and animals mixed together, with the inclusion this time of the dead also being brought back to life with bone shard magic. Andrea Stewart’s prose flows seamlessly throught the book, with its multi-layered plot, the different relationships between the characters and the unique voices of the narrators, that make The Bone Shard Emperor such an enjoyable book to read.

I flew through The Bone Shard Daughter completely lost in this fasciating world of floating Islands, frankenstien type constructs and wonderful animals, especially Melphi and Thrana. Lin is a fabulous heroine and I can’t wait to see what she and the other characters do next. Andrea Stewart’s world building is imaginative and with the mix of action, thrills romance, magic and Chinese Folklore make for a fascinating and immersive read. This book met all expectaions after the stunning first book in the series, and I really cant wait for the next chapter in this fabulous trilogy; a spellbinding read.

I wasn't the biggest fan of the follow up to The Bone Shard Daughter and that hinged on one thing, the dynamic between Jovis and Lin. I just didn't see it coming! And I really didn't like the lies and drama that came with it. Especially after Jovis spent so long looking for his wife in the first book, it was a bit sudden for him to just get over that for me.

The best thing about the book was still Mephi and Thrana. I love this unique element to this series and it really provides those light moments a series with so much darkness needs. It was interesting to see Lin grow into the role of emperor, and Phalue grow into the role of governor. I liked Phalue and Ranami's story a lot more this time, they became their own people with their own values, and I loved that they took in a little girl to be their adopted daughter.

The book did feel really, really long and I wasn't really as invested as I was in the first book, but the ending set up the third book really well so I'll still read on and see if the series ends as strongly as it begun.

Thanks to Netgalley and Publisher for providing the ARC for an honest review.
Plot:
Emperor Lin is all set to fix her father's mistakes and gain alliances but that's not easy with war brewing on all sides. Rebels, Constructs and people like her, all want her gone. With Jovis and their talking pets by her side, she learns more of her secret heritage and goes to war to help people.
There is all the secrecy, misunderstanding and drama but there's also truth, love and victory. They've won one war but many more to go.
Thoughts:
Frankly, this book had a good follow up story with more background explained. But, it made some obvious holes in characters to make way for something in the future🙄. The writing was not gripping enough to make it unputdownable but I am eager to see how the story ends for all. The grand reveal of the past is yet to come so it is impossible to set lower expectations on the final book.

Even if it's not as brilliant as the first story, it's a riveting and highly entertaining read.
There's a lot of world building and the story starts where the first book ended.
Some romance, intrigues, magic and author did a good job in using classic fantasy tropes and making them work in an original way.
I think that my doubts are cause by the "second book syndrome".
I enjoyed it and it's recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Thank you to NetGalley, Orbit and Andrea Stewart for my arc of The Bone Shard Emperor in exchange for an honest review.

Out now!

I felt very mixed feelings about the first book in this series. There were elements I loved and elements I really didn’t but I liked it enough (or at least was left with enough questions to want to read book 2).

Book 2 for me was possibly a bit of a middle book syndrome sufferer it sort of trudged along and the same issues I had with book 1 kept cropping up to the point that I don’t think I would continue with the series going forward.

There wasn’t anything I hated about it don’t get me wrong it was just a bit, well, meh. The change in POV’s had my head spinning all the time, I didn’t feel like the pacing was very fast and I just really didn’t care about what happened to any of the characters.

As many other reviewers have said this is an adult fantasy series that reads like YA.

The second instalment of The Drowning Kingdom is packed full of intriguing twists, character dynamics, and, most importantly, more Mephi. Please note this review will contain spoilers for the first book in this series, The Bone Shard Daughter.

Picking up from where The Bone Shard Daughter left off, Emperor Lin Sukai is struggling to solidify her power in her fracturing empire. She must attempt to gain the loyalty of the leaders of each island and prove she’s different from her cruel father. Returning people’s bone shards and outlawing constructs seems like a step in the right direction, but without them, she’s left vulnerable to the multiple threats springing up around the Empire. The Shardless Few are pushing for her to abdicate, a construct army descends, the mysterious Alanga threat grows, and her Empire is sinking. Lin’s new Captain of the Guard, former smuggler and renowned hero Jovis, is a positive reflection on her new image. They both have secrets, but their fragile trust is necessary if the Empire is going to survive.

The Bone Shard Emperor is a fast-paced and fun read that further develops the characters and mysteries of the first book. The character work is particularly notable here as Lin, Jovis, Phalue, and Ranami have to consider the allegiances and motivations under the ever-changing dangers of the archipelago. As Lin travels through the islands the setting shines with ocean adventures and smaller tight-knit communities. The world is larger and more developed than ever, unveiling hidden secrets and world-changing knowledge. You also can’t talk about this book without mentioning how brilliant Mephi is, and oh wow, Mephi is such a wonderful little friend in this book. If you don’t know, Mephi is an otter, cat, dragon, animal-thing and I would die for him. Although The Bone Shard Emperor is a compelling, entertaining book it wasn’t without its faults. The antagonists were underdeveloped in their goals and characterisation. This was offputting when juxtaposed against the detail in other areas. It made the main conflict feel lacking, which is a shame considering how brilliant it could have been. Sometimes it seemed like it was trying to do too much, and fragments were dropped to accommodate its scope. Regardless, it’s a brilliant set-up for the next book. The reveals that came in towards the end were fantastic, and I know I’m going to be pouncing on the finale as soon as it releases.

4.5 of 5 stars
https://lynns-books.com/2021/11/29/the-bone-shard-emperor-the-drowning-empire-2-by-andrea-stewart/
My Five Word TL:DR Review : A solid second in series

The Bone Shard Emperor is a very strong second instalment in The Drowning Empire series by Andrea Stewart. This is such a unique concept with excellent world building, strong characters, plenty of twists and great writing.

Before I start this post. Firstly, this review may contain spoilers for book 1 so if you haven’t started this series yet then keep that in mind before continuing. Secondly, this is not a series that you can easily jump aboard half way through (imo). The first book established a lot in terms of the history of the place and the central characters so if you dive straight in here then I think you will missing a lot of context. Thirdly, I won’t be elaborating on the set up because I covered a lot of that in my review of the Bone Shard Daughter and I don’t want to repeat it here.

Instead, lets focus on events that take place in No.2, look at character arcs and hint at developments.

This instalment once again brings to us a number of povs so plenty here for everyone to enjoy (I think). The story picks up almost immediately following the Bone Shard Daughter. Lin is Emperor but her rule is fair from secure. Rogue constructs roam the islands attacking people and causing chaos and Lin needs to travel around the empire to try and gain support for her rule from the Governors. Lin and Jovis begin to form an attachment of sorts but this is also hampered by the number of secrets both are keeping. Primarily Lin, having a very personal secret that if it was discovered would have disastrous consequences, plus she’s also struggling to come to terms with all the hidden secrets in the palace and the lack of knowledge she actually has about ruling an empire. Jovis, no longer a smuggler but given control of Lin’s army also keeps secrets which could see him executed were they discovered. What I really enjoyed about seeing these five different povs is the insight into the other character’s way of thinking. Of course, sometimes, this can also be frustrating because you can sometimes see how much easier things would be if they simply opened up. I really enjoyed Phalue and Ranami’s chapters this time around. It felt like they really grew and in fact I found myself really looking forward to their storyline (much more than in book 1). Again, I think that the companion talking critters are undoubtedly show stealers here and I suspect will be absolute favorites.

There are a lot of twists and turns with this one. Spies, construct armies, the return of the Alanga, the nature of Lin herself, strained relationships, politics between the islands, scheming and some pretty cool reveals. In fact with this instalment I felt like I came away with a much better understanding of the place and the interactions between all the different factions. There is, without doubt, a lot to unload but fortunately this episode gives enough time for all the aspects to unfold naturally and with enough attention to prevent confusion. Also, did I mention sinking islands?

In terms of slight reservations. There is a little bit of going back and forth in some respects. Plus a feeling of slight frustration with Jovis with a number of his decisions, but, neither of these caused any issues for me and I found the pages turning with ease. Also, there are a number of open threads at the conclusion of this one that have me jumping up and down for the next book (no pressure at all!)

Overall I have to say that I am really enjoying this series. It’s very easy to get along with. The writing is confident and the world is so wonderfully creative. I can’t wait for more

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks. The above is my own opinion.

I didn't think that the first book could be topped! I absolutely adored this next installment and can't wait for next! Have been raving about this to anyone who'll listen!

Second books in trilogies are never easy, and they seldom live up to the expectations the first book sets. The world is familiar, the characters won’t grow to their potential until the third book, and the best battles are saved for the last too.

The Bone Shard Emperor, the second book in The Drowning Empire trilogy by Andrea Stewart, is slightly less exciting than the first, but it manages to avoid stagnation and the sense that it’s merely a pass-through to the important final book. Mostly she achieves this by short chapters that always forward the overall plot, and by deepening the world.

Lin is the emperor now, but it’s not an easy or welcome rule. It doesn’t help that she questions her right to rule too, knowing that she isn’t the emperor’s natural daughter. The constructs her father built wreak havoc on the islands, and her decision to end the tithing of bone shards doesn’t bring her the goodwill she hoped. Her father’s shoddy rule has made the governors of the islands independent and they’re not willing to provide soldiers to fight the construct army taking over the islands one by one. The islands keep sinking, and the Alanga, the ancient enemy, are back. And they’re much closer than she could’ve imagined.

Jovis has accepted a position as a commander of Lin’s guard, but he’s still a spy for the Shardless Few, which constantly forces him to choose where his loyalties lie. And he hasn’t managed to get rid of the smugglers either. When he finally decides to side with Lin, he manages to betray her trust.

Phalue and Ranami have smaller roles. They’re trying to establish Phalue’s rule as the new governor of their island, balancing between the emperor and the Shardless Few. And Sand, who now knows she’s a construct copy of the old emperor’s dead wife, is prepared to bring down Lin’s rule with her construct army.

Everything heads inevitably towards a confrontation on a battlefield, much too soon for Lin. She and Jovis have a secret weapon in their magic, but they dare not use it in public. And there’s a new wielder of the same magic on their side. But can they trust him?

This was an interesting book, with enough action and revelations to keep it feeling fresh. Some of the latter seemed to spring out of nowhere, like the existence of replicas in addition to constructs and the origins of Alanga, as if they were clearer to the author than what she’d remembered to tell the reader.

The only thing that caused me to cringe was the rather forced romance between Lin and Jovis. It was clumsy and not necessary. Jovis declaring his love after spending years obsessed with his wife seemed especially poorly done. I also tend to imagine him as much older than he is, in his forties even, and her much younger (in reality, she’s only five, no matter what her memories say), and I find the idea of them together somewhat repulsive.

The ending left Lin and Jovis in a new place again. The existence of Alanga is out and Mephi is in the hands of the enemy. It’ll be interesting to see where all this will lead.

Epic fantasy often explores the legacy that the past gives the future. Sometimes it’s a society’s flaws bringing about destruction as in Rebecca Roanhorse’s Black Sun; or a revolution in RJ Barker’s Time Child trilogy or sometimes its can the next generation avoid the mistakes fo the past. In Andrea’s Stewart’s absorbing The Bone Shard Emperor the cast are constantly asked can they do better? It results in a middle volume for a series that delivers its own story of adventure, betrayal and trying to do the right thing even when that is very hard.

A quick reminder for you gentle reader that this tale is set in the floating islands of an ocean known as the Phoenix Empire. An Empire where the Emperor would take from the young bone shards from the skulls of the young (not all surviving). This tithing would support the Emperor’s bone shard magic creating strange animate devices and animals that spied, fought and kept his rule. The world has woken to the news that feared Emperor is now dead and his daughter Lin has taken the throne. A great hero and former smuggler Jovis is now her Captain of the Guard. On the corner of the Empire a woman who now knows her name to be Nisong (the name of the dead Emperor’s wife) has scaped a prison and seeks revenge. All of this is true but to quote a certain Jedi from a certain point of view

Lin is actually a construct made of body parts from those the Emperor killed to replace his very young daughter who died three years old. She discovered her father was a tyrant and killed him and, in the process, discovered her own artificial life. Jovis is a hero, a guard and lso spying on Lin for the Shardless Few a revolutionary group wanting to overthrow the Empire. Nisong too is a construct with all the memories of the Emperor’s wife and has the gift to create constructs too. She wants revenge and her throne back. Now these forces finally must either trust each other or fight.

Middle volumes of trilogies can often be the bridge book taking you to the epic finale but what I really enjoyed with this story is it focused on our characters now coming to terms with where they found themselves at the end of the first volume and creates its own storyline that didn’t just make you want Book 3 now (although to be fair I would not complain if you sent me it!). Lin is now in complete power of a huge empire and finding out power is not absolute even then. She gets involved in the horse-trading with all the Island Governors and these voyages help us see exactly how bad the previous regime was. Lin is promising a fresh approach and a better rule but even cancelling the Tithings isn’t enough for many to trust her. She now has to learn diplomacy, negotiation and when all else fails fighting and always in the shadow of her dead and malignant father.

Jovis is absolutely torn. He definitely wanted to bring down the Emperor who killed his wife but finds himself battling alongside Lin and now working for her and he respects her, jokes with her and they are both finding they care for each other. Therefore, also being a spy and working to overthrow her is a complication. If Lin is the strong calculating character, then Jovis is the heart of the duo with humour, passion, and an ability to always walk into trouble. There is a lovely dynamic of two people finding each other, respecting and challenging each other plus hiding all their secrets from each other at the same time. Added to this is they both realise they are starting to exhibit elemental powers known only to a group known as the Alang – a people so dangerous that Lin’s family wiped them all out. If people found out hey have these powers to control water or the earth; then both of them will likely be executed on the spot. Its so great to have a meaty character focused epic fantasy that you are invested in these two finding out who they are when the pressure is on them.

This works very neatly with the wider plot. Nisong is very much a revenge seeker and ruthless taking each island she finds and killing and creating constructs using bones from her captives. If Lin wants to atone for the past, then Nisong wants to obliterate it and that sets the two up in conflict. The Bone magic where bone from living people can make command tablets that control devices is here shown to its full extent. Nisong has armies of beasts, and we also see ‘shamblers’ (dead prisoners) it leads to a massive conflict in the book’s finale with rain pouring down, people fighting in the mood and there may be a sea serpent to fear too! What comes across is Stewart is really comfortable with scenes of spying, politics, magic and fighting – it gives the story a huge degree of balance and in every scene the characters are getting pushed. Even Nisong we get to understand why she wants revenge even if we cannot agree with her approach.

While this all is int eh foreground we also gets some simmering mysteries that we are yet to fully understand. Why are certain islands now apparently collapsing ingo the sea; what are the secrets of the Alang and what is the bond between Jovis and Lin’s strange talking animal companions Thrana and Mephi. Stewart manages the difficult balance of giving hints of a wider story but not one that is the only story you care about.

The Bone Shard Emperor is a very very satisfying instalment in this trilogy that builds upon the inventive world created in the first instalment. I loved the sense of progression for the world and their characters but also the moral dilemmas posed. For Lin the question is it ever right for her to use this magic that hurts living people even for a good cause. This is a volume that definitely moves the whole story along but delivers a great adventure to. Highly recommended!

Bone Shard Daughter was a gripping read last year with intense world building. This sequel follows a similar vein, continuing with now familiar characters and a struggling Empire.

The start (and middle) were a bit slow, but interesting enough for me to push through. The end was where the book really came into its own though, so I'm glad that I persevered!

An engaging fantasy that I can't wait to continue!

I received a copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.