The Bone Shard War is an epic and satisfying conclusion to The Drowning Empire series. I cried multiple times during the last 15% because of how well Stewart ties up the themes, character twists, and future of the world. Keep reading this book review for my full thoughts.
Summary
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.
Review
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the publisher. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Okay, so The Bone Shard War is a book that will break and put your heart back together. It feels like a cinematic, dramatic, and tender series ender. I absolutely am in love with how Stewart has both wrapped up our favorite character’s stories, as well as the themes. In The Bone Shard War Stewart explores what it means to be a hero. We can have this idea that a hero is unilaterally good, but to be heroic is more than that. It’s about sacrifice, bravery, making amends.
Being a hero is much more than acting ‘selflessly’. Our lives are made up of decisions. All which subtly or monumentally pivot our lives and being a hero is about making heroic decisions, have moments where we choose. Another theme Stewart has continually developed is the idea of a leader and the responsibility of power. Stewart doesn’t pull punches and forces readers, and characters alike, to confront their ideas about what it truly means to be a leader of the people.
The Bone Shard War has some truly heart wrenching character moments which I obviously cannot get into, but suffice it to say I cried. My whole heart was an emotional roller coaster. The character development throughout this entire series is unparalleled and seeing the way it culminates solidifies it as a favorite of the series. If you love characters who have to truly re-negotiate everything they thought about priorities, dreams, ambition, and love, this is for you.
Audiobook
I also want to highly recommend the audiobook. Natalie Naudus, Emily Woo Zeller and Feodor Chin do a phenomenal job at giving this series finale the weight it deserves. This series is one I continually choose to also listen to in audio whenever I’m reading it. Featuring some of my auto-buy narrators, they have become these characters. With a series finale in which so many choices and words have pages of weight behind them, these three excel.
Overall,
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Above all, The Bone Shard War is about our choices. The pebbles which make a difference. This is a stunning finale to an epic series with one of the most inventive worlds I’ve read in a while. I would read more stories from this world because I’m so captivated. If you love epic fantasy, immersive worlds, and charming characters pick up the whole series now. Find The Bone Shard War on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, Libro.fm, and Google Play.