A review by remora
Speaking Bones by Ken Liu

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense slow-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

good lord. what an ending; what a book; what a series. ken liu crafts these worlds and these characters with so much care and gentleness. i am no good at reviewing books really but towards the end of this several things made me sob out loud

one:
“Love,” the boy said. He unwrapped his arms from around himself and put them around his mother’s neck.”
how heartbreaking! how hopeful!

two: slipping
rati yeraji
in there as if we wouldn't notice. i'm so pleased. it has been so refreshing to see a wheelchair user written so honestly and accurately. 

three: the bones disappearing from the ship's hold!

four:
“Zomi!” She fell to her knees and embraced her wakeful weakness, the mirror of her soul.
&
“The very air seemed to vibrate in sympathy with their joy.”
tender and heartwarming and exactly what we had been yearning for. 

parts of this frustrated me, parts made me so happy i saw beauty in everything, parts made me so sad i cried in empathy. i think if i was being critical i'd give this a 4.75 stars but the majority of flaws come from my own criticism, and i really couldn't have asked for a better conclusion of this series. i don't have the words.