Reviews

“And that was the worst thing about this grief – not just knowing that she was gone, but knowing that eventually new memories and experiences would layer on top of them, making the distance between us ever wider.”

I really liked this book. The story surrounds a unique group of people from different parts of the empire with different stories to tell. Its a vast and beautifully written world revolving around the what it's like when an empire falls.

Lin is the emperor's daughter and is tasked with learning his skills while competing for both her father's love and affections and securing her place as his heir against her rival. Then there's Jovis (and Mephi) who's main goal in life is to fine out what happened to his wife while also somehow getting himself roped in to rescuing and smuggling children away from the empire. You also have Phalue and Ramani as well. Phalue is trying to do right by her people while her partner Ramani is deep into the resistance set to take down the emperor and take back their lives. All of this is wound in a world prevalent with bone shard constructs that have helped the emperor keep his empire secure. Only the bone shards used come from the people themselves when they are very young and inevitably, when your shard is used to power one of these constructs, you inevitably die.

I listened to this as an audiobook and all of this weaves together in an incredible story that I couldn't stop listening to. The narrators chosen were perfect and set the mood for each character and helped you to almost feel like they were real people with real thoughts and feelings and concerns. It was a little complex at first and I did find myself taking breaks where I didn't listen to it at all. But overall I loved the story and the world itself. I'm almost done with the second book now so the story continues to escalate and get even better.

acorn192k's review against another edition

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adventurous mysterious medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

bangell's review against another edition

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5.0

I hadn’t heard much about this book but I’m glad I picked it up! Gotta go read book 2 immediately because I NEED TO KNOW

equleart's review against another edition

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adventurous hopeful mysterious 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? Yes

4.0

Very fun read that set up a lot of interesting mysteries! Doesn't quite pay off well enough in this book alone but def reading the rest of the series.

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