Reviews

Der Knochensplitterpalast - Der Krieg by Andrea Stewart

asmannas's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious medium-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

3.5

crschu's review against another edition

adventurous medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

 i love this series!  

the third book tied up the loose ends regarding bone shard magic, Alanga, their ossalen, and island sinking.  

the second and third books are long, especially considering the major arc of conflict — starting after Lin takes over as emperor at the end of the first book — is largely driven by emotional grievances veiled as moral/political motives.  in this sense, i understand reviews (complaints) that both Bone Shard Emperor and Bone Shard War were longer than they “needed” to be.  however, i enjoyed spending time reading the drawn out conflicts throughout these stories.  Bone Shard War was lighter on character development than i would have preferred, but i still found myself eager to read.  

the ending was so bittersweet and i love Stewart for not letting us have it all.  while i was devastated by Jovis’s loss of memory, i am SO happy he and Mephi got to bond again (thank goodness for them that they are immortal).

Stewart also seems to acknowledge that most of the “leaders” throughout the book were driven by emotional grievances, and in the end the only character with true moral and political motives (Ramani) ends up leading the reconstruction of the Empire.  

The Drowning Empire is an amazing series, rich in world building, with a well-thought out ending.  

wordwilderness's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious slow-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

4.0

rheagoveas's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

janrose's review against another edition

adventurous tense medium-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

3.75

nonesensed's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful 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

5.0

Ancient magic has returned. The empire is in upheaval. Some people's freedom - and free will - are threatened. Who will get to rule this empire? And how? Also, what are the floating island really?

A satisfying end to an interesting trilogy! Don't want to spoil anything, but I can say that all plots and sub-plots I wanted to see resolved got resolved and that I think the characters ended up in logical places at the end of their individual journeys. Enjoyable! 

mat_hyperborealwolf's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Great ending to the trilogy

sundriedangel's review against another edition

5.0

Ranami x Phalue foreverrrrrr!!! Thank god Sand got free. I’m neutral on JovisxLin but I’m so glad Thrana and Mephi and Luffy all lived. Fuck empires and exploitation, let’s all bravely go into a new world

haleymurkin97's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional reflective sad 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

4.25

kesreads's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious 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

5.0