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dunlophl's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
anxious_undertaker's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
raygersh's review against another edition
4.0
I am so happy that I read this series! I picked up the first book a while back and really enjoyed it but was fatigued at the thought of pressing on through the massive next two books in the series. But as time passed after reading the first, I could not stop thinking about it. The Bone Shard Daughter sets up one of the most unique and beautiful magic systems I have ever seen. As the series continues, it becomes more and more immersive. I am absolutely blown away by how brilliantly it all wove together. I came to love the characters we followed, laughing and crying alongside them.
Overall: a masterful and twisty journey well worth the read.
Overall: a masterful and twisty journey well worth the read.
nerdyforbooks_'s review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Why does Andrea Stewart have to hit me in all the feels? I truly love this series and devoured this last installment. Is it perfect? No, but I enjoyed the story and the ride it took me on.
Yes, there are a lot of repeated mistakes in this book or things that feel like “pointless side missions.” That felt like the point though. Lin was never taught how to truly be Emperor - she was never supposed to be! She’s still trying to figure out who she is while also finding out what is truly a priority for the empire. She doesn’t have her own Ranami to keep her ass educated & focused.
Most of the pacing issues felt better handled in this book and slowly more of the world/magic is addressed. Do we know all of it? No, but neither do the people. I would love for Andrea Stewart to do a prequel series. Give me all those details 🙌🏻
What a wild ride into this unique world. Appreciated all of these grey, realistic characters.
Yes, there are a lot of repeated mistakes in this book or things that feel like “pointless side missions.” That felt like the point though. Lin was never taught how to truly be Emperor - she was never supposed to be! She’s still trying to figure out who she is while also finding out what is truly a priority for the empire. She doesn’t have her own Ranami to keep her ass educated & focused.
Most of the pacing issues felt better handled in this book and slowly more of the world/magic is addressed. Do we know all of it? No, but neither do the people. I would love for Andrea Stewart to do a prequel series. Give me all those details 🙌🏻
What a wild ride into this unique world. Appreciated all of these grey, realistic characters.
jennn_3's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
flwr_pwr's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
darkskybooks's review against another edition
4.0
Final books of trilogies are always challenging - how to wrap up a story in a satisfying way whilst honoring everything that has gone before. The Bone Shard War does an admirable job, with the stakes and action levels raised suitably high. The politics takes a bit of a backburner and we instead have a questing dynamic, racing about across the world. The conflict, when it arrives, is on a suitably epic scale.
That being said I do miss the dank and dingy atmosphere of particularly the first book. There is significantly less of that aesthetic in this final novel. The bone shard magic itself is very much out of focus (although what influence it does have is very much malign), the focus instead being on the grander Alanga magic.
The Polynesian/Asian cultural touchstones do give the story an interesting vibe that I really do enjoy. The world here is interesting, although despite the large amount of journeying in this story there is not too much distinctive about each island.
The characters are really the driving part of the plot. Each of them are flawed, but those flaws are well realised and add to the character rather than detracting from them, and provide a lot of the motivation for the plot.
Overall I find myself sad to be saying goodbye to this world. It was distinctly different, and the characters really were ones I fell in love with. Ultimately it is a very satisfying denouement to the series.
That being said I do miss the dank and dingy atmosphere of particularly the first book. There is significantly less of that aesthetic in this final novel. The bone shard magic itself is very much out of focus (although what influence it does have is very much malign), the focus instead being on the grander Alanga magic.
The Polynesian/Asian cultural touchstones do give the story an interesting vibe that I really do enjoy. The world here is interesting, although despite the large amount of journeying in this story there is not too much distinctive about each island.
The characters are really the driving part of the plot. Each of them are flawed, but those flaws are well realised and add to the character rather than detracting from them, and provide a lot of the motivation for the plot.
Overall I find myself sad to be saying goodbye to this world. It was distinctly different, and the characters really were ones I fell in love with. Ultimately it is a very satisfying denouement to the series.
kf21's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
avokdo's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
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