The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart - review!

Book information

The Bone Shard Emperor by Andrea Stewart

Books two in the Drowning Empire series

Published first on 23rd of November 2021 by Orbit

3.5 stars out of 5

Interesting world building, same appealing characters (with the exception of a love story that does not make too much sense to me), fascinating magic system associated with nature and wonderful creatures, aims at a political intrigue yet does not truly deliver in my opinion

A few highlights

• Magic system

  • ethical conundrum on whether a tool can be used for the greater good of society even if a few were hurt

  • powers also gets in the head of people and make them less than they can be

• Drive to be a better version of the role

• Challenges of being what the world fears the most and yet be powerful enough to change the course of history (and protect people)

• Dealing with a complicated past, many different version of it

  • trying the get past it

  • using it to fuel revenge (and knowledge)

  • understanding what is the right path forward

• Ranami and Phalue, I just love them as a couple, one of my favorite fantasy couples, they complement each other, they inspire each other to be better, they inspire each other to duty and to do what is right, not to mention to be together

  • Ayesh is also a lot of fun and she makes Ranami and Phalue better

Tropes/themes that work for me

• Magic system is still quite unique, connecting different type of magic and introducing ethical questions on use of magic

• Using of creatures, cute, strong and wise

  • I just want a Mephi (or Shark) in my life