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A review by adancewithbooks
The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart
adventurous
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.0
Thank you to Orbit and Netgalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review. This does not change my opinion in anyway.
The Bone Shard Emperor is the sequel to The Bone Shard Daughter that had left me wondering where it would take this book. Because after that ending there were so many ways this book could be going. In the end it didn't take a surprising route as the title already eludes to.
That doesn't nessecarily take anything away from the plot. Lin is struggling to gain the respect of her governors and people. Taking away the constructs that are in her power and giving back the shards only makes them remember now they don't have to fear her. Only having appointed Jovis as her guard captain seems to be looking in her favor.
Much of the book is about the continued growth of Lin and Jovis as they try to find their way. Jovis is struggling because so many are pulling at his strings. Not only Lin, but also The Shardless Few and the previous smuggling organization he was apart of. And hey he would also still like to live up to some of his moms expectations. Who I did love seeing briefly in this installment.
But I think the book failed a little in the relationship between Lin and Jovis. Their progress kept being stalled. There should have been honesty between them, especially from Jovis side, much sooner. Sometimes he seemed to be making a decision to support Lin and then in the next chapter he would still by lying. I found that extremely frustrating.
Their romance also didn't quite feel right. There was so much dishonesty between them that I could not really take their 'love' serious and I feel like at the end there just wasn't enough resolved to be happy with them.
Other than that I did truly enjoy reading this book though. Following Lin and Jovis journey was interesting despite my irritations. And seeing Phalue and Ranami continue on the road they set out was good as it began intertwining more with Lin. Their relationship works so well and they are taking the next steps. And that last chapter? Totally called it!
The Bone Shard Emperor is the sequel to The Bone Shard Daughter that had left me wondering where it would take this book. Because after that ending there were so many ways this book could be going. In the end it didn't take a surprising route as the title already eludes to.
That doesn't nessecarily take anything away from the plot. Lin is struggling to gain the respect of her governors and people. Taking away the constructs that are in her power and giving back the shards only makes them remember now they don't have to fear her. Only having appointed Jovis as her guard captain seems to be looking in her favor.
Much of the book is about the continued growth of Lin and Jovis as they try to find their way. Jovis is struggling because so many are pulling at his strings. Not only Lin, but also The Shardless Few and the previous smuggling organization he was apart of. And hey he would also still like to live up to some of his moms expectations. Who I did love seeing briefly in this installment.
But I think the book failed a little in the relationship between Lin and Jovis. Their progress kept being stalled. There should have been honesty between them, especially from Jovis side, much sooner. Sometimes he seemed to be making a decision to support Lin and then in the next chapter he would still by lying. I found that extremely frustrating.
Their romance also didn't quite feel right. There was so much dishonesty between them that I could not really take their 'love' serious and I feel like at the end there just wasn't enough resolved to be happy with them.
Other than that I did truly enjoy reading this book though. Following Lin and Jovis journey was interesting despite my irritations. And seeing Phalue and Ranami continue on the road they set out was good as it began intertwining more with Lin. Their relationship works so well and they are taking the next steps. And that last chapter? Totally called it!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: War and Murder
Mass Death | Murder Attempts