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A review by chelseanaylor
The Bone Shard Daughter by Andrea Stewart
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
3.75
3.75 ⭐
This book was a little slow and I was interested enough to finish it, but it wasn't until the last few chapters that I decided I wanted to continue the story.
I really enjoyed the way this story is propelled by themes of power, personal Identity and responsibility, and justice (and all the grey areas these themes create). The switching POVs are a little rough because the story feels fragmented and it took a loooong time to feel connected to any of the characters. In particular, I could have done without Ranami or Phalue's stories, as they didn't do much to the overall plot, except, when the time came, to propel another character's development. Maybe they'll have a more interesting role in the second book.
Aside from the pacing, the premise of the story is fascinating, though the plot twists were a little overt and lacking nuance for me, it's still an interesting world Stewart built; I hope book 2 has more action and a little less internal monologues about the respective characters woes.
This book was a little slow and I was interested enough to finish it, but it wasn't until the last few chapters that I decided I wanted to continue the story.
I really enjoyed the way this story is propelled by themes of power, personal Identity and responsibility, and justice (and all the grey areas these themes create). The switching POVs are a little rough because the story feels fragmented and it took a loooong time to feel connected to any of the characters. In particular, I could have done without Ranami or Phalue's stories, as they didn't do much to the overall plot, except, when the time came, to propel another character's development. Maybe they'll have a more interesting role in the second book.
Aside from the pacing, the premise of the story is fascinating, though the plot twists were a little overt and lacking nuance for me, it's still an interesting world Stewart built; I hope book 2 has more action and a little less internal monologues about the respective characters woes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
Moderate: Colonisation, Death, and Trafficking
Minor: Animal cruelty