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restless's review against another edition
3.0
A bittersweet ending that left me unaccountably sad.
It was so frustrating seeing Lin flail for what felt like an authorial-political message. And then Ranami's new position in the end? Seriously? What exactly did Ranami do to deserve that ending? Even Phalue managed to be more interesting than she was.
And Jovis... don't even get me started about Jovis. Most of the baddies in this book felt like they had a "just because" motif. Like we had to spend 650 pages watching Lin flail about so that at the end, the book could say: "see? you can't fix a broken system".
Which honestly, made me sad. Because one of the most exciting things about book one was precisely that: the idea that this cast could fix a broken system. The notion that broken systems aren't immutable behemoths. That they can change, and grow, and reform.
Am I against the council ending? No, of course not. But I would have liked to have seen that ending on Lin's terms, rather than as a thing that she was forced into.
Spoiler
And angry, if I am honest. I feel like the series is an allegory for the idea that some things can't be fixed, which - yes fine maybe ? - but Lin never actually gets a chance to fix anything. Throughout the whole series, literally every other cast member is arrayed against her for like what, reasons? And also, why was someone who was smart enough to take down the former emperor so naïve about trusting people? If someone screws you over, believe them the first time.It was so frustrating seeing Lin flail for what felt like an authorial-political message. And then Ranami's new position in the end? Seriously? What exactly did Ranami do to deserve that ending? Even Phalue managed to be more interesting than she was.
And Jovis... don't even get me started about Jovis. Most of the baddies in this book felt like they had a "just because" motif. Like we had to spend 650 pages watching Lin flail about so that at the end, the book could say: "see? you can't fix a broken system".
Which honestly, made me sad. Because one of the most exciting things about book one was precisely that: the idea that this cast could fix a broken system. The notion that broken systems aren't immutable behemoths. That they can change, and grow, and reform.
Am I against the council ending? No, of course not. But I would have liked to have seen that ending on Lin's terms, rather than as a thing that she was forced into.
abby_can_read's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
📱
While I liked this book and I had a good time reading it, there was something about it that I found lacking compared to the two previous books.
While I liked this book and I had a good time reading it, there was something about it that I found lacking compared to the two previous books.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood, and War
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Genocide, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Physical abuse, Sexual content, and Xenophobia
opportune's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
themorbidcorvid's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
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.