Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.

Interesting magic system ✅
Secrets ✅
LGBTQ+ representation ✅
Politics intrigues ✅
Animal companion ✅
Political intrigues ✅
A big war ✅


I found this book a solid conclusion to the series.
I liked how the characters were treated but the proceeding of the book was a bit off, I had to force myself to continue reading in some parts, unfortunately.
I would have preferred a bit more focus on the actions and less on the psyche of the various characters.
In the end, I think this is a good conclusion to the trilogy and I really appreciate the book.

I feel I need to read these books again as I loved this stories and I'm not read to leave the Drowning Empire and say goodbye to the characters.
This is the excellent closure of an excellent and epic series, an entertaining and riveting read.
The storytelling and the plot kept me turning pages and the audiobook made it an immersive experience.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

An incredible story of a world on the brink of war comes to its final conclusion in epic fashion!. Lin will go to any lengths to save the empire. From Ragan, Nisong, Dionne and all the other threats against the people she promised Jovis she would do better for. Threats are coming from all over and she feels terribly alone. It will be hard and she will have to things she is certain she will regret, but they must be done. Alanga are everywhere now and the Shardless few are a serious threat to more than just her. This final tale of Jovis and Lin and all the rest of them is going to be epic, action pact and its going to hurt. You will not want to miss a minute of it! I love Lin and Jovis and the way they relate to each other and the growth they have had over the years. Its been a pleasure to watch as their tale unfolded. A magical, unique world I am not soon to forget!

Book review: The Bone Shard War by Andrea Steward ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is the explosive ending to an amazing Asian inspired adult fantasy trilogy. Which has quickly become one of my all time favorite series.🙌

In the first book we start with a mystery of Lin daughter to the emperor, who does not remember her memories. And is eager to learn boneshard magic. Collecting keys🗝 to her fathers rooms in the palace to aquire the knowledge she caves to ready herself for the throne.

In the second book Lin is now emperor, trying to do right by her people. Abolishing her fathers rules and rituals and establishing political alliances with the different islands she governs.

Throughout this series Andrea slowly builts a rich fantasy world with cute animal companions🦦, ancient elemental magic wielders, and horrific bone magic.
In the final book the author answers all your questions to a satisfying concluslion.

Set two years after the last book a lot happened, one of our main characters is captured by pirates, Lin is stuggling to keep allies. The magic wielding Alanga are trying to take over her empire and Islands are literally sinking whole civilisations. It is truly war, friendships are blossoming, our cute animal companions are growing into full beasts, and mysteries quest for magical swords might make or break the empire...

If you havent already pleass pick up this series as it has EVERYTHING! This is one of the best debut fantasy series I have read, and I cannot wait for her new series coming out next year!😍

I love Andrea Stewart somuch and I think she’s one of the best authors around and especially of Fantasy. This is the last book in the series and a fitting conclusion, I could’ve have asked for more (although I always still want more but I’m obsessed and greedy) This last book is mega packed with plot, character development world building and magic systems, it’s just overwhelming, but in a very happy reader amazing way. I’m sad to see this end, but on the positive I’m so excited for what is next to come from Andrea Stewart. Perfection !

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Well written fantasy books truly are the backbone of society.

The Drowning Empire quickly became a favourite series, with incredibly compelling world-building, well thought-out characters, enjoyable prose and a plot that keeps giving. The Bone Shard War was one of my most anticipated books and I'm immensely grateful for the opportunity to read an ARC, and very looking forward to holding my own copy of it soon.

Admittedly, it was a bit of a shock to open this book and find yourself a time-jump later. Two years are not a large gap, but it's always an odd choice to see, especially if the previous books follow each other a lot more closely (iirc, Emperor took place almost immediately after Daughter). However, after the initial shock, it worked well - the time jump seemed necessary for everything to happen which had to happen.

Tipping my hat to the author, Stewart is a master of twists and turns. This was a book of endless surprises, in the best of ways, keeping me on my toes the whole time. In my not very objective opinion, I do think this is among the some of the best written fantasy series out there. Having read the first two books twice, even reading this conclusion left me wanting more. I do think that it could have benefited from being a tetralogy instead of trilogy, though - this last books seemed to be the most densely packed out of all three, both with the plot, character development and details about the world and its magics, so much so that it could easily have been two books.

That's my unbiased opinion, though - there are few books I've enjoyed in the recent years as much as this series, and I'm sad to see it go. I could have easily, gladly read several more books set in this world.

All that being said, overall, Stewart managed to strike a good balance in book three. The character development, plot progression, and questions about the Drowning Empire world being answered all blend extremely well together.

The ending - I can see not everyone liking it. I can see where it could have gone differently. But most likely it happened as it shouls. I'm excited to see what this author does next.

This was a rather underwhelming conclusion to this series. It could’ve been about 200 pages shorter and amounted to the same ending. The characters inner monologue was tedious at times and too long and overall the plot was just generally lacking in places. I do enjoy these characters but wish the author had done them more justice in the series ending. The big standout for the series are the animal companions, the ossalens - I loved them so much, especially Mephi!

The Bone Shard War is the final book in The Drowning Empire trilogy and WOW does it deliver. I absolutely love this series and the characters within it. In my opinion it is one of the best series with animal companions - Mephi, Lohzi and Thrana are brilliant. It also has a complex magic system, politics, war and love. The Bone Shard War made me cry with absolute despair and also with complete joy.

When starting this book I needed to recap on the Bone Shard Emperor and I recommend doing this as quite a lot has happened. It is told by the points of view of Lin, Jovis, Ranami and Phalue who are all fighting their own battles to save the people of the Empire.

The whole story was fast paced, intense and I was enthralled from start to end. There were quite a few shock moments and revelations which I hadn’t anticipated and loved how it tied up loose ends. With the end of a series it does feel really bittersweet and I am going to miss these characters, but Andrea Stewart finished the story with a fitting ending. I would love a novella or to find out more after the events of this book.

Thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the opportunity to read this in advance.

This was a great final installment to the series. I loved the first book, but the series kind of lost me with the second, but this third and final book managed to draw me back in.

It was all I wanted it to be and more. Both tragic, yet also heart warming this book brought all the characters’ arcs and the themes of the series to a satisfying conclusion and left me very excited for what projects the author might write next.

As this is the final instalment in The Drowning Empire trilogy, I'll attempt to avoid too many spoilers.
This is set two years after the dramatic events at the end of the second book. Most of the key characters are separated, dealing with different issues. The empire is in flux, various factions wanting different things, or sometimes the same things but in a different way.
The emerging magic is explored further and a lot more is explained by the end (although I still have some ossalen-related questions).
Stewart's writing is very readable, especially for a book that is full of politics, warfare and fairly high fantasy world-building, and that is partly due to the strong character building. All the characters have elements to them that you can empathise with, even the antagonists.
A few small issues, I really could have used a recap - there are a lot of characters and parts in motion after the end of the second book. Also, Lin gets distracted several times in the same way, this might have been ok if it was leading up to a bit of character growth but it doesn't - it just felt a little repetitive.
Overall, I think this is a very satisfying conclusion -not neatly wrapped up but that makes it feel like the world continues on after the end of the book.
One final thing, Mephi, Thrana, Shark, Lohzi and all other ossalen - I love you, you deserve the world.

Tenía mucha curiosidad por saber cómo iba a terminar Andrea Stewart su saga The Drowning Empire, que tuvo un comienzo fulgurante y una continuación algo más reposada. He de decir que la autora consigue salir del envite con oficio, cerrando bastante bien las tramas de todos los personajes, aunque en algunos momentos puntuales la historia parece alargarse un poco.

Suele ser bastante difícil equilibrar el tiempo de "presencia en pantalla" de los personajes en las novelas con distintos puntos de vista y The Bone Shard War no es una excepción. En esta ocasión es Jovis el personaje que parece más perjudicado en el reparto de capítulos, pero en general el relato está cohesionado y no destaca especialmente un protagonista sobre los demás.

¿Se contestan todas las preguntas que se habían ido planteando en las otras novelas? Sí, porque la autora pretende cerrar la historia y lo consigue. Desde el origen de las islas a las razones de su hundimiento pasando por tener un conocimiento más profundo de los Alanga. Pero también hay algunos recursos que parecen un poco sacados de la manga, como la existencia de unas legendarias espadas míticas sobre las que pivotarán gran parte de los eventos del libro. No obstante, me gusta especialmente la lucha contra la programación de la que es víctima uno de los personajes, retorciendo el lenguaje con inteligencia para salir airoso de las órdenes recibidas.

Por supuesto, uno de los mayores puntos de interés de libro es la relación que los personajes van entablando con sus familiares, y ahí he de decir que Mephi se lleva todos los galardones. Es tierno y comprensivo, un dechado de bondad que se va volcando en los demás.

El final del libro es bastante agridulce, sobre todo por las consecuencias que habrán de afrontar los personajes, pero creo que también que

As the conclusion to one of my recent favourite fantasy series, I have been waiting for this with great anticipation! In her first book Stewart set up a world full of intrigue and tension, with an empire of floating islands on the cusp of rebellion despite the magic-powered constructs that keep watch of everything for the elusive emperor. When Lin, the emperor’s daughter, takes power at the end of The Bone Shard Daughter and collides with Jovis, a smuggler and reluctant spy developing strange new powers, things can only escalate. And indeed, in The Bone Shard Emperor these two face threats from all sides as they try to build a better empire and wrestle with the return of an ancient feared enemy: the Alanga. But the Alanga aren’t exactly what the stories tell, and Lin and Jovis realise that they themselves are the first in a new wave of these beings, given strength and control of the elements through their bond with creatures called Ossalen. After an explosive battle, the second book leaves Lin and Jovis scattered and still surrounded by threats.

I have to admit, going into The Bone Shard War, that despite only reading book two last year, I couldn’t remember a lot of the details. I recalled the general events and characters, but there were certain twists and reveals that had completely disappeared from my brain! Especially since this book is set two years after the events of the last one, which took some mental readjusting. There is no handy summary at the start of the book -though I never read those anyway- but Andrew Stewart was very good at slipping in little reminders in a way that didn’t feel forced, and it didn’t take me long to get back into the flow of things.

And so in this epic conclusion, the forces at play are greater than ever: not only are the Shardless Few still a threat to the concept of empire and to Lin’s rule, but the constant increase in Alanga numbers is building tension among the general population, who see them as unnatural and a threat to their existence. And though Nisong’s construct army was destroyed in battle, she survived and has joined the rogue Alanga Ragan in the hopes he will help her to gain the throne. On top of that, the wet season has lead to sickness among the islands, and after the discovery that mining witstone is causing islands to sink, there is no other quick way to sail and distribute medicine. I was immediately stressed for Lin, with all of this on her plate and Jovis missing and presumed dead. I was even more stressed for Jovis, who is being forced to do the dirty work of his ex-boss Kaphra, killing and stealing in order to keep Mephi safe.

Because Kaphra has one of the few weapons that can injure Alanga and ossalen permanently: a mythic sword, one of seven believed to have been used to kill all of the previous Alanga. And these swords are what the plot revolves around, as each faction races to find them for their own reasons. The story spans the entire empire, taking us to new islands with their own secrets as well as revisiting old haunts such as Maila and Nephilanu, and though at times it did feel a bit like all the characters were just going from one place to another, only to then need to get somewhere else, Stewart kept things interesting by maintaining character tension and having Lin especially continue to study the Alanga and the islands and find new and shocking revelations.

I have to say that that is my favourite part of this series: the twists and turns are so much related to the magic system and the hidden history of the world, and are uncovered in such a satisfying manner. It’s clear Stewart knew exactly where she wanted to get to and has layered everything so skilfully that peeling back the layers feels natural and rewarding. From the complexities of bone-shard magic in the first book leading to Lin’s discoveries of her father’s human constructs, to the older magic of the Alanga leading to bigger truths about how the known world came to be, it is all a joy to discover. On top of that, The Bone Shard War does a lot to unpack the impacts of imperialism and conflict on the people with less power, and it’s remarkable that one story fit so much into it.

The last thing I will say is that, though I loved the book, I am still not sure how I feel about the conclusion. I won’t go into details, because this is a spoiler-free review, but it certainly did not play out in a way I expected it to, and though it was fitting in some ways, in others I was left feeling a little lost. I’d be interested to see what other people thought of it! But overall I felt this was a really strong trilogy, and it’s one that I will keep recommending. I am also very keen to see what else Stewart brings out next, as I know she’s sold another trilogy and from her recent tweets it sounds like it’s going to be an interesting one!

Thanks to NetGalley and little brown books for the review copy.

I enjoyed reading this three book series ending in this The Bone Shard War, I liked the way the chapters are split between the various characters.
The storyline is unique and original.
Highly recommend this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This was such a fitting conclusion to this amazing trilogy. I'm in awe that this was the author's debut series, the level of details and worldbuilding is astonishing, it's so unlike anything I've read in fantasy and despite the many threads, settings and characters, the author managed to weave it all together in a way that leaves little unanswered.
It's a very plot-driven series and very fast-paced, and I do think it would have profited from more quiet moments where we see the characters interact in fleeting moments of calmness and maybe even happiness. The series has such strong characters, but it was still hard for me to connect with several of them because for the majority of this series, we just see them act and interact in response to everything that is happening, there was a big emphasis on external motivators and little on internal ones, except for Jovis and maybe Lin at times.

I did really love the character development we saw in almost all of them in the second half of this book. We have multiple villains in this series, all of which are morally gray and have different motivations, and it was nice to see a change in character for some of them.

Overall, I loved this book and series and definitely recommend it, and I cannot wait to read whatever the author writes next.

This book was at 4,5 stars for me for the very big majority of it and I was torn between rounding up and rounding down, but ultimately, the ending made me settle on 4 stars because I just wasn't satisfied with it.
I'm not going to spoil any plot points but stop reading if you don't want to know more.
I think in a way, the ending was very much on brand for the rest of the series because we didn't really get much wrapping up and happiness. Since this had been an issue for me throughout the whole series, I was just a bit disappointed that even at the end after everything, we didn't get to see these characters at peace for longer than a couple of pages. They all got a final 3-4 pages chapter, and I just really wanted more.
There was also a trope at the end that I loathe, so I was quite let down by that as well.
I still think it was well done, and we got all the answers we needed, I was just personally a bit dissatisfied.

Firstly, I'd like to thank Orbit for approving me to read this book - you've made my day! I was soooooo excited when I've read the approval email! Thanks so so so much!

I find it hard to describe how I feel about The Bone Shard War and the entire trilogy. This book definitely has a lot of fighting in it! I wonder how many pages were actually without a fight or a weapon mentioned!
Reading The Bone Shard War I was scared, upset, angry, happy, hopeful, relieved - a full rollercoaster of emotions! My heart was breaking every time Ragan was mistreating Lozhi and I was delighted to see how Lozhi's life turned!

Well-paced plot where all the elements are coming together at the end, and all the important characters take part in the final war. The characters development throughout the books was incredible. I loved the world that the author created, ossalens and the Alanga magic. A few mysteries from the previous books were revealed in this one. I think we all needed a closure.

I'd recommend reading the first and the second book of the trilogy before diving into this one.

Chapter 44 was so wholesome.

I'm really hoping that one day Andrea will surprise us with a follow-up novella to the story. The Drowning Empire is one of the best fantasy I've ever read. I've been recommending it to people ever since I've read The Bone Shard Daughter and I feel I'll be recommending it for as long as I'm alive.

Oh, and I truly need a Mephi in my life. I do. If I ever have a pet, I'll call them Mephi.

Enormous thanks to Orbit, Little Brown Book Group U.K. and Netgalley for the arc of The Bone Shard War by Andrea Stewart in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Oh my lord, how can this be the finale of the trilogy! I was equally desperate and in dread of reading The Bone Shard War…would this be the end for Jovis and Mephi, or Lin and Thrana. Would the empire survive or be destroyed and forgotten? I had so many questions that I needed answers for and Andrea Stewart delivered a perfect finale, that not only ties up the stories for all of the many loved characters from the first two books but, also delivers a conclusion that is neither rushed nor twisted to meet a neat ending, to quote Mephi “A very good!”

My advice to any reader is to definitely read the first two books before diving into The Bone Shard War and preferably recently…I didn’t and soon after stating I paused to reread Book 2 before I continued. An excellent decision on my part.

Firstly, the amazing world building, just when you thought Stewart couldn’t finesse this world any further, she does. Bringing answers to previous questions and providing resolution to the way this world developed and grew. Totally mind blowing but, so damned logical and naturally right.

This conclusion to the trilogy delivers a measured and well paced build to the finale. A lot of the story is spent at sea, building more on the building and understanding previously gained on the power and magic of the Alanga. In addition it provides opportunity for Stewart to put more flesh on the bones of supporting characters, including Ranami, Phalue and their adopted daughter Ayesh, and her Ossalen Shark. Stewart spends a lot of time putting the spotlight on Ranami and in found so reflects the challenges she faces, not only within the conflict for the future of the empire but, also the challenge and conflict that is ever present when raising a child through their teenage years.

Stewart also doesn’t flinch in her development of characters like Ragan, Nisong/Sand and Dione. She builds upon the defects of Ragan’s character to build him into a multi-dimensional character that embodies the negative, damaging and evil characteristics we abhor, including his maltreatment of Lozhi, who is absolutely adorable and the abusive relationship he uses against and to control Nisong. Stewart’s depiction of this abusive and controlling relationship provides huge insight into Nisong’s character, struggles, and choices.

I can’t complete my review without mentioning Jovis, Mephi, Thrana, and Lin, all of whom I still totally love. Their arcs throughout this final book are immense. Their growth, which has already been huge is rendered insignificant in this final book as they face up to their actions, decisions and choices, and yes there is heart searching and breaking for them all. Including some terrible losses that I am yet to recover from Andrea Stewart, you know exactly who I mean.

I will say that this is the best finale to one of the best trilogies I have ever read. Stewart delivers a beautifully paced, emotional roller coaster that leaves you devastated and joyous. It ties up all the loose endings with none of that feeling of dissatisfaction when you encounter a book that suddenly pivots to pull those pieces together. It is beautifully crafted with an amazing plot, works, characters and story that I am devastated to be leaving, even if I’m happy to part with the characters where they are. Congratulations on an amazing achievement and if you haven’t tried this trilogy, pick it up now! It’s a masterpiece!

A simple review of tis finale, in the words of our hero Mephi: A very good!

This was a perfect finale for the trilogy and tied up all the stories of the characters we've followed well.

I am reluctant to say it was slow, as I've seen some others say, but I can see how it can be construed that way. It was building more than anything. Yes there were long periods where everyone was on boats just...existing but equally this tied in a lot with the use of the Alanga powers. More specifically, the development of their powers which you can see referenced when they fight weaker Alanga and find they aren't tiring. So it could be argued this was important for the character strength, but equally I can see why we could've skipped some of it in detail. Either way, I don't think it was wasted space/words.

Previously, we saw a lot of growth from Lin and Jovis, plus the stars Mephi and Thrana. But it was nice to see more growth and deeper development into the more side characters. Ranami got to shine in a lot of this, but I don't totally feel like we needed the call backs to her as a gutter orphan as much as we did. We know her story, but it was also put more in context now about her past vs her present with Philaue and Ayesh (and Shark). I do have to say I didn't love Ayesh as a character, she was pushy and annoying. But she was also 14 and I was probably just as annoying then too, so maybe it fit better than I think.

Ragan makes my skin crawl. I can't say more than that. I love and just had tons of empathy for Lozhi and I adore his ending. Because the two were tied, I also have to talk about Nisong/Sand. I really struggled with her at times, like what are you doing? Why are you doing this? Which was actually fine cause that also seemed to be her struggle. So her whole arc as a character felt like it was going with the reader. Like 'What are you doing?!' then she's like 'What was I doing?' Ok, good. You're aware. Carry on.

Jovis and Lin, oh those two...four? I don't know. I love Mephi. 'Nuff said. Both their stories were great. Jovis overcoming his circumstance through his clever ways we know and love, Mephi being his motivation and compas. Lin realising being the best Emperor for her people may mean something different than what she envisioned. Thrana just growing and all her love for Lin and vice versa. I just love this troublesome quartet even when they're breaking my heart. And believe me, there are some heart breaking moments in this. (Side note on this in case Andrea ever sees this, Huan was my undoing and I am still reeling. How could you!)

There were world-building and ending mysteries solved, realisations that shook the ground (aside from the Alanga ground shaking). The characters developed and grew and all were left in a place that felt right, where they should be and tied things up in a natural way. There was no ending for anyone that left you going 'Why tf did that happen?' It has all the roller coaster of emotions we've come to expect from Andrea's work and I'm sad to see cast, except Ragan, go but I'm more than happy where they leave us.

‘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.’

First things first, if you have not read the 2nd book recently I would very much recommend you do before reading this one because I didn’t and I was thoroughly confused. Yes that may be my memory but trying to get back into this book was difficult because I couldn’t remember who was who and why they were together. It didn’t help there is a 2 year time jump between the books with added flashbacks.

Once I did get into it after a slow start I really enjoyed watching the characters grow and learn throughout the book. A couple of characters I liked more, some I liked less. Without spoilers it’s hard to go into details.

The world building was less in this one as we had already set it up in books one and two which meant that there was more room for action and action there was. Except for copious amounts of sailing for all parties (well they are on islands what can you do!?) the 3 way quest to find the magic swords is on and everyone wants them.

Our favourite characters returned (Jovis and Mephi) and honestly I would have liked more time with them as they were in book one but people grow and you can’t just change your personality back once you have been through something.

Overall, I really enjoyed the final conclusion to this book and thought the series overall had great ideas and beautiful writing, looking forward to seeing much more from Andrea Stewart.

Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group for the ARC.

Nooooooo... [LOUD SOBS]... "The Bone Shard War" cannot be the end of "The Drowning Empire". It just can't! Yes, everything is tied up neatly and it's a wonderful, emotion-filled ending. I'm just not ready to let this series go. Andrea Stewart's writing, throughout the entire trilogy, has made reading effortless. Incredible character building and an imagination that is out of this world helps too! This is definitely one of my all-time favourite trilogies.

My thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own, unbiased, opinion.

The Bone Shard War managed to tie up any loose ends and conclude character arcs. As with the previous two books, the magic system and works building is brilliant. I found the characters lacking a bit in this book, I just didn't care much about them. I think the book was missing a 'story so far' section as I had no idea who Ragan was (there isn't anything on the internet explaining either). I think this caused me some issues in getting into the story again. I also think reading so many viking books has given me a high standard for battle scenes, which I didn't get in this series.
Without spoilers, this series is definitely worth a read if you enjoy magic, Asian influences, LGBT characters etc.