Third in the series, and essential to have read the others by this stage. But skilfully continues the drama and develops the characters as the finale unfolds. All told in the authors rich language..
Some may find the epilogue/summary of the two main couples’ stories to adulthood a little forced or unnecessary but heh, it’s a cosy way to end!

The final installment of the geomancer trilogy as Ysolda travels on the ship of strays and discovers more about her powers since gaining the stone.
I really liked the new characters as the adventure came to its end.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the the first book in the series, I was looking forward to 'Ship of Strays'. Unfortunately, my experience with this sequel was not the same, leading me to set it aside unfinished. I had not enjoyed the second book quite as much, but still hoped to be able to finish the trilogy. I was finding it difficult to track which characters were which. This hindered my ability to connect with the story. It is a shame as the first book was so so good, I will try again at some point to see if I feel differently another time.

A great final addition to the Geomancer trilogy! I loved the end to Ysolda, Nara and Eira's tale. Their journey on The Ship of Strays ties up the trilogy really well and really cements Kiran's message about the importance of safeguarding nature and the dangers that the human race pose to our wonderful world. The development of the characters' relationships was really well written and helped them come alive on the page.

Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s The Ship of Strays delivers a richly woven and satisfying conclusion to her Geomancer trilogy. Set to publish on 28 August 2025, this third installment plunges readers into sweeping sea voyages, fierce magic, and life‑or‑death stakes as Ysolda confronts her growing elemental power alongside a rebel princess . Hargrave’s prose is lyrical yet propulsive, evoking the grandeur of Philip Pullman–level fantasy while remaining intimate and character‑driven. The novel’s lush descriptions of elemental magic and epic confrontations are thrilling, though at times the pacing slows during world‑building passages. Still, this is a gripping tale of friendship, courage, and self‑discovery—worthy of four stars and bound to enchant both young and older readers alike.