A review by josiah17
Speaking Bones by Ken Liu

adventurous challenging emotional tense slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

"'I am not wise enough to know the will of the gods or the right course in life," said Thoryo. 'I only know that the world is too large, too beautiful, too interesting to let one act define us. Death only triumphs when we stop learning and growing. So long as our lungs sing with the gift of life, we cannot cease to give back to Life.'"

After a relatively lackluster experience with The Veiled Throne, I was really hoping Speaking Bones would be a return to form and blow me away to conclude this series. Unfortunately that wasn't really the case. But I did have a good time, and I am mostly satisfied with this ending and the journey through Dara across these enormous books. 

There were so many great moments and segments throughout this conclusion. There's a returning sense of tension and conflict between Dara and the Lyucu, which felt almost lacking in the previous installment. There's great character moments and some impressive battle sequences. The political landscape and maneuvering recaptures it's charm and delivers on several accounts, and is especially excellent during the falling action. 

Though I do have to admit I did become a little exhausted with the structure and the length of these last two books. I loved the first two wholeheartedly, but these last two both felt excruciatingly long sometimes. I personally found the engineering to get way out of hand; I just don't want to read about the constructive process for creating every single invention ever mentioned in thorough detail. I simply don't care enough. And while the worldbuilding is incredible, the same kinda goes for aspects of that element too. I eventually didn't care enough to read about the various writing systems in detail and all the subtleties and different interpretations. I didn't care enough to read in depth historical background of every single gods or significant cultural item. There's a point when I think such detailed and meticulous worldbuilding becomes overwhelming and, in my opinion, unnecessary. I don't need to know every little fact for the worldbuilding to be compelling and captivating, it can do so without becoming so grueling and strenuous to read. But maybe that's just me.

Anyways, I digress. This book is still a good conclusion regardless of it being a little frustrating. I do wish I enjoyed the final two books as much as the first two, but alas. Ultimately I'm happy I read the series and experienced more of Ken Liu's writing. The Dandelion Dynasty is certainly unique and unlike anything I've ever read, and for that alone I would recommend giving this series a shot.

"'In Dara, it is said that there is often little to divide the madness of tyrants from the grace of kings, and heroes and villains alike demand sacrifices of others. The difference, if there is one, lies in why the sacrifices are being sought: to satisfy the ambition of the few or to secure the freedom of the many.'"
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